Catholics, what do I do?

Question

My husband is in the army and he has gone oversea for at least 6 months, we have identical twin 8 week old girls and they were baptised Catholics, my husbands family did not come to the wedding or to the Christianing, they are Baptists.
Since my husband left, his mother and sisters have been ringing me and telling my girls are the devils spawn, and they will go to hell, because all Catholics do, and his mother said she was going to take the girls off me because I am raising them in the wrong Church, I cannot contact my husband also I don't want to worry him

How do I handle this, I don't believe I am doing anything wrong but I can't convince them that being a Catholic is not evil and that we are Christians and believe in the same God

Can you offer some advice in how I can approach them and make them understand that being a Catholic is not wrong and to leave me to live my life the way I want and raise my girls in a Christian home?

I have no family on my side

Answer 1

this is so sad tiger
her beautiful little grandchildren as well
babe if it was me ... I would stop all contact until hubby gets home
and tell him why and let him deal with it
you shouldnt have to deal with their hate
just you look out for you and those beautiful babies xx

Answer 2

Dear, ignore the inevitable anti-Catholic sermonettes you're going to get here, and consider Pangel's wise counsel.

Don't debate religion with your in-laws. Your faith, and that of your children, is entirely between you and your husband and none of their business. If you can't hush the harpies, then start screening your calls -- and inform your mother-in-law that if she can't respect the decisions you and her son have made or at least keep a civil tongue in her head, she may have a long wait to see the grandchildren again. Like at least the six months of your husband's deployment. And yes, you do have the right to tell her that.

If you are feeling threatened by her statements about taking the children (good grief), go and see someone on the Army post about it -- there should be a family services or counseling or some such office, and if not go and talk to the Catholic chaplain on the post. You could use some kind of support network.

My heart goes out to you, and prayers, for you and also for your husband.

Answer 3

ABSOLUTELY severe ALL contact between you/your children and ALL Baptist inlaws. If they call, don't answer the phone or hang up. If they come to the house, call 911 and explain the situation to the cops.

Do EVERYTHING in your power to keep your children separate from your inlaws. And here's why - not because your Catholic and their Baptist - but because they threatened to take YOUR children away from YOU.

Clearly, they are taking advantage of your husband being away. That is akin to a lowball sucker-punch. These are low people, your inlaws. Again, not because their Baptist but because they threatened to take your children away.

God forbid, it comes to you having to call the cops, don't mention religion, just tell them they threatened to take your children away from you. Let the cops ask your inlaws why they want to do this.

Call the phone company. Maybe they can block your inlaw's phone from coming through to your house/voicemail. And DEFINITVELY call the cops if they come onto your property uninvited. If you order them away, and they don't go. . . . may God have mercy on them because I wouldn't if I were you.

Don't mess around when it comes to your children. Don't worry, it's not like this is going to drag on the entire time your husband is abroad. Once you've made it painfully clear to your inlaws - that you are ABSOLUTELY SERIOUS, they will back off, and stay away.

If, by some chance, you do strike up a dialogue with them in the future, you might want to give them a dose of www.scripturecatholic.com. Don't expect any of that to change their mind, but again, they'll know you're serious and leave you alone.

Answer 4

I am very much in agreement with the others on two points: cut off contact with the family for now & get ahold of your military chaplain for assistance.

I hate to sound like a script from a bad movie of the week, but if there is any chance that they are serious about taking away your children, you need to start documenting these encounters. Just keep a notebook with dates, times, and summaries. This kind of behavior us not acceptable and could legally be considered harassment in some areas.

Finally, if you have it available to you, reach out to other military spouses for support. You should not have to deal with this alone.

Answer 5

I don't know which country you're in so this can only be generalised advice I'm sorry.

To start off with it's not unusual to hear anti-catholic rants. Tragic to hear within the family.

So just two points.

1/ Most of the planet's Militaries have a reasonable support system for the Families. I'm sure there'd be some person to talk to within the system.

2/ MOST Catholic Diocese will have some form of social support as well.

Hope that's some help.

.

Answer 6

I am not Catholic but I hope you don't mind if I answer. I'm so very sorry you are facing such intolerance. With the attitude you have described you need to face some facts. There is nothing you can do that will change their minds short term. I don't think all Baptists are this intolerant. Perhaps you could call around to some Baptist churches in your area and talk with some pastors who could confront them for you. Just an idea...

Answer 7

Bright Blessings to you, TigerLily.

I am sorry you are going through this with your in-laws. You are right Catholics are Christian and you are not doing anything wrong raising your children as you see fit. Your husband and yourself made a decision and while he is away you are following that.

As someone mentioned there are support groups out there for you and they can help you deal with the negativity from your in-laws. I would go to them. I wouldn't try and convince the in-laws of anything until you spoke to your parish priest or someone from one of those groups.

Answer 8

Could you get them to come to a meeting with you and your priest? Maybe he could help explain Catholic theology in a way that highlights unity with other Christians. If they won't meet with him, then they just aren't interested in understanding you and in that case you should tell them that you will not allow them to bring hostility into your children's lives. Cut off all contact until hubby gets home. Good luck!

Answer 9

Talk to your Army Chaplin, and screen your calls.
Tell your husband, even overseas he should know, your peace will bring him peace.
After you tell him and your new phone number, do not contact these people untill your husband does first.
DO NOT TALK TO THEM ALONE. It will be your word against theirs. Let your husband do the talking with these "family" members - he must know about this. Talk with Army Chaplin, and have plan to have people over if they show up unannounced. A threat is serious. Talk to your husband.

Answer 10

Tiger~~My heart bleeds for you!
But these people are toxic.
You dont need them
Your babies dont need them.
How low can they be to attack a new mum with her hubby away?

Those people are not christians~ they are hardly human!
Babies are babies.
Sweet innocent and pure.
Keep these vile hatefull creatures away from all three of you and wait for your hero to come home and put them back in their box once and for all.

*Remember although we may not be able to do a load of wash or change the odd nappy to give you a break we can offer you support and love.
((HUG))
Ariel

Answer 11

Get them out of your life. Your children do not need that kind of behavior nor that attitude from their own family. Your family isn't going to understand and they are going to be make your children feel like crap. Tell them that unless they can respect your beliefs (not like it but respect it) they aren't going to see you anymore. You have to tell your husband this and he has to understand you. The anti-Catholicism is going to damage your children, you don't want that do you?