I was baptized protestant, in the United church.
Though I am usually more comfortable at the local Roman Catholic church. This is because growing up, I never attended the Protestant church much, and usually went to Catholic churches for weddings, funerals, or holiday masses. I am strongly familiar with the ways of the Catholic church, and I can't remember the last time I went to my Protestant church.
Living on my own now, I wish to begin attending church on a regular basis. Do I go back to the Protestant church, since that is where I was baptised, Or do I go where I am comfortable, at the Catholic church?
I'm wondering If I will be welcomed, because of my protestant baptism.
Can't wait to hear your opinions!
Thanks, Alicia
2007-06-30
17:43:33
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14 answers
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asked by
Anonymous
in
Society & Culture
➔ Religion & Spirituality
Alicia,
Of course you will be welcome. You would be welcome no matter what your background was. You should not receive the Eucharist until you become Catholic, but you can still participate in the Mass.
And the Catholic Church recognizes most Protestant baptisms as valid. I don't know anything about the United church, so I can't say for certain whether your baptism would be considered valid or not. My wife and son were baptized in the Reformed Church and I was baptized in a Pentecostal denomination. All of our baptisms were valid. If your baptism isn't considered valid you can be baptized and if there is uncertainty you can receive a conditional baptism. Either way, this would be after after RCIA.
Visit or call the office of your local church and talk to them. They'll be happy to answer your questions. And, if your schedule permits it, I would suggest going to Mass during the week. If your parish is anything like ours, the pews are full on Sunday morning and the priest is busy running from one Mass to the next. The odds are pretty good that nobody will notice that you are new. On a weekday morning or afternoon, there is usually a small core group of people who attend and they'll notice that they don't know you and will want to talk to you. And if the priest doesn't have any prior commitments he'll have more time to chat. Of course you should still go on Sunday.
+Pax Tecum+
2007-07-02 23:48:25
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answer #1
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answered by pax vobiscum 2
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Absolutely, you will be welcome at the Roman Catholic Church. I am not familiar with the United Church's "formula" for Baptism.
It sounds as if you want to officially become a Catholic. Congrats!
You should talk to the priest next chance you get, probably after the next mass you attend. Tell him you are Baptized in the United Church but wish to convert to Catholicism.
He will likely help you enroll in the Church's RCIA program (the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). I was born Catholic but, from what I've heard about RCIA, the more you know about the Catholic Church, the faster the process goes. Might I recommend you pick up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Soft-cover editions can be purchased at most bookstores from $4-$10. You may even be able to get one free from your local Catholic parish.
Anyway, RCIA includes reception of the three Holy Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism (which you will mostly likely not need because you've already received Baptism as a Protestant), first Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
Good luck!
2007-07-04 03:29:48
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answer #2
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answered by Daver 7
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If you are asking if you need to be baptized again, no, you don't unless you were baptized as a Jehovah Witness or a Mormon. The Church doesn't accept those baptisms. There's more to become a Roman Catholic than being baptized though. You will have to attend RCIA (Roman Catholic Initiation for Adults) classes to learn what being a Catholic is all about. You'll also have to receive the sacraments that you've missed, mainly, Reconciliation, Communion, and Confirmation.
2016-05-19 23:56:20
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answer #3
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answered by ? 3
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Alicia-
Yes, you will absolutely be welcomed with open arms! It doesn't matter what you were baptized as. The Catholic church's doors are open to all who wish to come. Don't listen to those above who say you have to join the church. You don't. You're welcome regardless. If you would like to learn more about the teachings of the church, you are more than welcome to look into the RCIA program. It's a 9-month series of classes for anyone who really wants to attend. People who are looking to convert, adult Catholics who want to learn more about the church's teachings and doctrine. Talk to the priest at your local parish if you're uncertain. I'm sure he'll be able to introduce you to several other people in the parish who are not Catholic. At my parish, we have close to 700 registered families right now, and almost 300 of those are non-catholic families. They're all welcome!
2007-06-30 18:55:17
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answer #4
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answered by Kellye B 4
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You are always welcome at a Roman Catholic Church! Yet, you have to recieve the Catholic sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, etc. in order to participate in Mass (Holy Communion). Talk to you local priest and ask him about Adult Catholic classes. Good luck and God bless!
2007-06-30 17:47:11
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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If you want to become catholic Thats great!! The Catholic accepts all sinners only if they are sorry . The pope Is a very good person so i think he wouldn't have any problems with it as long as you don't take the body and blood of Christ. You need to receive Holy communion to get it
2007-06-30 17:49:15
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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God bless you and welcome home! The Church will happily invite you in with open arms. I’m pretty sure you’re okay with your baptism, as long as it was done in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. To be 100% sure, talk with a priest. He’ll be glad to help. You might also want to consider RCIA. This is where you will learn the Faith. I went through it 2 years ago and it was the best decision of my life.
So glad to see you coming home! God bless and take care.
2007-07-03 10:51:24
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answer #7
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answered by Danny H 6
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*Is Catholic*
Yes you will be welcomed to attend a Catholic Mass. HOWEVER you must not take communion. If you wish to take part in the Eucharist, then you must become Catholic and enter into the fullness of the Church.
God bless.
2007-07-01 07:17:21
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answer #8
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answered by Liet Kynes 5
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hello, first if you want to be welcomed you must meet the preacher and follow the conversion teachings to become catholic. this takes a little time but you will have to be baptized in the catholic church in order to be received by the congregation. this requires the saying of certain ritualistic prayers and you'll want a couple friends that are catholic to sort of help you
2007-06-30 17:50:26
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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You should be welcomed. We had a Presbyterian coming to our Catholic church because he liked it better. If you are really interested, you should talk to the priest and see about taking some RCIA classes, if for nothing else than to learn more about Catholicism.
2007-06-30 17:47:32
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answer #10
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answered by carneyman35 2
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