I have an odd queastion, though do not expect much to come of it.

I hear often of conversion, and many catholic aquaintences ask me to. But why shold I consider such a step? No one explains why I should, only that I should, and no reason beyond. Merely curious, but why should I is the question here.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), December 15, 2003

Answers

Response to CONVERSION QUEASTIONS

Because Jesus Christ founded ONE Church for all men, and said it was His will that all men should belong to that one true Church. History plainly identifies that one true Church as the Catholic Church. Therefore, if doing the will of God matters to a person, that person must belong to the Church Jesus Christ said he was to belong to, and not to a manmade substitute church.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 15, 2003.

Response to CONVERSION QUEASTIONS

When the famous British writer, Gilbert Keith ("G.K.") Chesterton -- an atheist from an Anglican background -- was asked why he had converted to Catholicism as a mature adult, he answered, "I wanted to have my sins forgiven."

Chesterton had investigated the Catholic Church and determined that it alone was truly founded by Jesus, it alone had the power to teach the truth (and only the truth), and it was God's instrument for the sanctification of mankind via the seven sacraments instituted by Jesus.

Zarove, one of those sacraments is Penance -- the one Chesterton mentioned -- whereby, through a rite of reconciliation, a person confesses his sins and hears Jesus forgive them through the vehicle of the priest. Only through this sacrament does a person have total assurance of forgiveness. Zarove, you do not have this sacrament where you are now, so you may be terribly burdened by your past sins. Your Catholic acquaintances want your soul to be free as a bird, clean and pure.

Another of the sacraments is Holy Orders, whereby men with special callings from God may be ordained as deacons, priests, and bishops. Bishops are successors of the twelve Apostles, in an unbroken line of ordination. Thus they have the missions of teaching the deposit of the faith (given to us by Jesus through his Apostles), spiritually governing their local "churches" (dioceses/eparchies), and leading their flocks into greater sanctity. Zarove, you do not have this sacrament where you are now, so you do not have the necessary leaders commissioned to prevent you from falling into doctrinal error.

Another of the sacraments is the Holy Eucharist (Communion), whereby we actually consume the true Body and Blood of Jesus, hidden under the sense-deceiving appearances of bread and wine. Our Blessed Lord told us that, unless we eat his Body and drink his Blood, we do not have life in us. Zarove, you do not have this sacrament where you are now, so your soul is starving for the New Testament "Manna" of valid Holy Communion.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 15, 2003.

There is a good story from Richard John Neuhaus on why he converted from the Lutheran communion to the Catholic Church. See:

http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0204/articles/neuhaus.html

In Christ, Bill Nelson

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 15, 2003.

I am not Luheren though.

Nonetheless.

We speak then to learn, and i mean neither disrespet nor ill manner, though am well aware of other less favourable posters. I do hjowever inquire here.I make this brief and sincere. For I can ask God to forgive me can I not? Why hten do I need a preist? Can not I speak to God directly? Such is as it is, why then can I not be forgiven my sins by God directly?

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), December 15, 2003.

Zarove,

You ask good questions. Concerning the forgiveness of sin and the passing along to the apostles the power to fogive sin we must first establish who on Earth has such power. Jesus didn't give it to the multitude, but He did give it to the Apostles. Jesus said He alone, with God had such power in Matt. 9:6, "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins".

God had sent Jesus to forgive sins, but after his resurrection Jesus told the apostles, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20:21–23). This is one of only two times we are told that God breathed on man, the other being in Genesis 2:7, when He made man a living soul. It emphasizes how important the establishment of the sacrament of penance was.

The Apostles were challenged to not only for give sins but to 'bind' sins that should not be forgiven. The only way they could know what sins were out there was for the sinner to tell them their sin. Thus began the sacrament of penance.

Through Apostolic succession the Apostles commissioned bishops and priests and passed along this power to forgive sin. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Matt 28:19

We do have a beautiful tradition we are upholding in our Church, and Christ is indeed with us through thick and thin.

[Quotes from the New American Bible]

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 15, 2003.

you know, conversion should be left to you the thing is, no one can convert you only you can make that decision however with this said, because you are asking such a question, this probably means that something in you is saying (maybe this is a good idea) as a Catholic, i would say that feeling may be God saying, give it a shot, it may be worth it! but YOU must decide, to convert because someone tells you means that you may really not be ready

-- joshua hlopko (yoshi_JT_42@hotmail.com), December 16, 2003.

Hi Zarove,

Here's the short answer; Because ALL of the riches of the historic Christian faith are found in the Church Christ established; i.e., the Catholic Church.

Love,

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 16, 2003.

I am one of those converts. After a lifetime as a Presbyterian protestant, I was invited to visit a Catholic Church. I knew immediately this was where I was meant to be. I literally hungered for the Eucharist, and could hardly wait for that amazing moment when I, too, would stand eagerly before the Real Presence.

Regarding confession, why is it such a stumbling block for non- Catholics? You ought to try it. It's a mind-blowing experience and nothing to compare with a silent personal confession, although that has its place also. I have no problem with a man of God baptising me, marrying me, confirming me, counseling me, so why should I feel anything untoward about my Priest listening to my sins?

Try reading Scott Hahn.

-- Dee (none@sorry.com), December 16, 2003.

Ah byt my main queatsion is not my own mind, but why those who tell me I shoudl convert do tell this thing.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), December 16, 2003.

Ah byt my main queatsion is not my own mind, but why those who tell me I shoudl convert do tell this thing.

Because they love you and fear for your immortal soul.

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 16, 2003.

Hi Dee,

It's great to meet you! It's always nice to meet a fellow Protestant- turned-Catholic. I come from an evangelical background, and am Oh-so- very-happy to be home!

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 18, 2003.