Catholic Priests leaving the RCC

I'm surprised it took this long to have a thread like this pop up.

At least it has some credability...

 

Me too.

Ever read the book "Far from Rome, near to God"? Its the testimonies of 50 former Roman Catholic priests.

God bless,

Mike

 

I have read countless examples both ways. Of people finding truth within the Catholic Church (as there is more than the Roman rite), and outside of it.

The most important thing to me is that a person finds a personal relationship with Christ.

 

Ever read the book "Far from Rome, near to God"?

Yes, I have.

My current housemate, Matt, was a student last year at Bob Jones University and was (and still is) dating a friend of mine (a Catholic) here in Steubenville, Ohio. He mailed her a copy of this text and asked her to read it, so I borrowed it from her and read it with a pencil in hand.

The testimonies are very brief, and the book is filled with errors with regard to what Catholics believe, and I only say this after having gone through the text circling, underlining, and making notes - as a catechized and practicing Catholic Christian.

Since then, Matt has moved into our house and is planning on becoming Catholic this upcoming Easter.

 

Among my friends and relatives, those who joined the Catholic Church did so at the insistence of their Catholic spouse -- my own husband and my aunt are primary examples.

Those who left the Catholic Church did so as a result of a spiritual awakening and a hunger to know God through the scriptures. A diligent reading of the scriptures caused them (and me) to question the teachings of the Catholic Church and eventually brought them to the decision to leave Catholicism. (A priest tried to tell me that the reason I was having problems reconciling Catholic teachings with scripture was due to the fact that I should be reading scripture with a Catholic commentary!)

Ironically, the Catholic priest who first counselled my husband and me prior to our marriage left the priesthood only a few years after our wedding. I later heard that this priest had married.

 

Carson, if your friend is really serious about "coming to the truth" by becoming Catholic, why would he want to wait until Easter? I'm sure it has something to do with pomp and circumstance. I witnessed to a young lady just three weeks ago who prayed to receive Christ. She made her decision at home after I had left her house - she had no need for waiting, as do none who seek to genuinely come to the truth (Ethopian eunech of Acts 8). We will be baptizing her in two Sundays - praise the Lord!

I also pastored a man in SC who used to be a Catholic. Guess what, he was my best church member. He told me on several occasions, "When I finally came to the truth upon leaving the RCC, God saved me and gave me a relationship with Him - something I never had or even heard of having within the RCC." He recounted to me on several occasions how there was no evangelism within the RCC (which we hear and see constantly), and that is why he was so adamant about reaching people who are still swayed by the false dogmas of the RCC.

It's also interesting to note that where I lived in SC (close to the beach), there were MANY Catholics who had moved down from the North to retire. Anytime we ever tried to visit with them or even told them that we were attempting to spread the Gospel, they would immediately reply with something like "We're Catholic," which would then be proceeded with an abrupt door slam just a moment later. So to me, it's very plain to see why priests and lay people are leaving the Catholic church. It's been interesting to listen to the higher-ups in Rome talk about this too, and speculating about what direction the RCC will go to try and stop some of this after the death of John Paul II. Vatican II took a very liberal turn within RC theology, and I anticipate that much more of the same is on the horizon for the RCC. It's also been interesting to watch as the Pope has attempted to mend relations between the RCC and the Russian/Greek Orthodox Church.

 

Todd:

I found your post interesting. When I was a Catholic, my mother told me that if anyone came to my door to ask my about religion, I should say, "I'm Catholic!" and close the door. So that's exactly what I did for many years.

Little did I know that my husband's parents were praying for years that I would come to accept Jesus as my Savior!

 

Bob Ryan,

I was impressed how the Lord Providentially moved this man who was interested in true spirituality. Step by step he move away from some profound errors and now he has a ministry to unsaved Catholic priests. The O.T. says, 'The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord.'

I was amazed as to the infinitesimal amount of Biblical exegesis that this priest had while in seminary. I think you said only 32 hours. This shows that the Roman tradition must be indoctrinated into the student, so they trust the authority of the church, even over the importance as to what saith the Lord. I had almost that many hours in studies of the books of the Bible in my first year at Bible College.

It will be too late at the judgment when people say that my church told me this was the right. Jesus will say to many, 'Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but He who does the will of My Father Who is in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not preached in Thy Name? And in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And the will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.' [Matthew 7:21]

All the works done in the church, all of the accumulated merits, all the prayers to saints will count for nothing. The only hope we can have is in receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives. Being 'born again' partially means that His righteousness and salvific works of Christ are put to our account, [Romans 4:3] and we have everlasting life. [John 3:16]

Only the Lord can forgive sins; no human agent no matter how godly. Read: Isaiah 33:22; Micah 7:18; St. Mark 2:10a].

 

There are a variety of reasons why priests leave the priesthood. That a priest leaves is hardly proof that they have found the truth as some end up with the JW's and Mormons (though few). I have not ever met a person who was a former priest so I knoe they are quite rare. I also have heard statistics from Protestant radio that were surprizing to me. For instance within ever 2 years 1/4 of the Protestant Churches have new pastors. I believe the number of Protestant pastors who have left (not retired) in the past ten years is something like 30,000 (this number is on the low end of what I remember the number to be). Considering that there are perhaps 50,000 Catholic priests in the US, it seems there is a much smaller number of Catholic priests leaving the priesthood than Protestant pastors leaving the pastorate. I have heard Protestant Pastors who have become Mormons and JW's and even one who is a "devout" aethesist. So I don't put too much stock in some priests testimony, especially since I have dialogued with one former priest over email who left the Church and it was apparent that there were alterior motives for him leaving the preisthood rather thant truth.

Blessings

 

"Those who left the Catholic Church did so as a result of a spiritual awakening and a hunger to know God through the scriptures"

Not by these to testimonies- both of them left due to moral reasons. The priest wanted to get married and go AWOL on his oath, so naturally he started to find problems in doctrine.

I find it fascinating that people who leave Catholicism are usually angry or bitter, but people who had experiences in protestantism and move towards Catholicism usually appreciate thier time as a protestant.

even one who is a "devout" aethesist

I know one in particular: one was my college philosophy professor who know runs a universalist church. He believes his job is to teach people why they don't need God or church. He was a Christian Reformed pastor with 23 years behind the pulpit.

We had several "arguments" in class.

 

Thess, your comments have much more to do with church polity than of leaving for doctrinal, salvific reasons. Protestant congregations have much more say about the livelihood of the church (many times too much) than do those lay people within the Catholic Church. In many of the Protestant situations you were referring to, pastors were forced out rather than leaving of their own accord. Further, when Protestant pastors leave one church, they often accept the call to another one. And if some Protestant pastors leave the ministry all together, it doesn't prove that they are dissatisfied with the doctrinal tenants of their Protestant faith - if so you would be seeing many of them going to the Catholic church, yet there is no research anywhere out there that is indicating that such is the case. All their leaving proves is that they were either not called into the ministry to begin with or that they are now living in sin for not seeking to fulfill the call that God has placed on their lives.

 

Well, in about 7.5 years (that's how much school I have left), be ready to chalk one more for the "RCC" side. By that time, God willing, I'll have the joy of ministering the Truth in Word and Sacraments to His beloved people!

 

Carson,

Former priests? Hmmm.

Thats one of the stock answers that Catholics are told by The Hiearchy to say to us. Some of the others are...

"Why, we're just asking Mary to pray for us like when you ask a friend at church to pray for you!"

"Why, there wouldnt even be a "Table of Contents" page if it werent for the Catholic Church!"

"Why, the only place "faith" and "alone" are used together is in James!"

I believe it would be more accurate to say that those priests finally had the scales removed from their eyes and they finally actually understood what the Catholic Church really believes and teaches.

And you dont believe these former priests had the understanding equal to a "practicing Catholic" who has been "catechised"? You've got to be joking.

Thats a shame.

God bless,

Mike

 

Brother Adam,

You said, 'Not by these to testimonies- both of them left due to moral reasons. The priest wanted to get married and go AWOL on his oath, so naturally he started to find problems in doctrine.'

It is not immoral to believe and trust Jesus words in I Timothy 3:1-4. What is sinful is when the R.C. church adds to the Words of Jesus, diluting His truth by man made traditions. [Colossians 2:8] If Catholicism was not so 'thick headed' they might really value Jesus' words over their apostate traditions coming from the delusions of grandur.

At least getting married is better than hanging around elememtary school yards.

 

Todd,

You wrote, "Vatican II took a very liberal turn within RC theology"

As someone who has read all 16 documents of the Second Vatican Council, I disagree wholeheartedly with you.

If you would be open to reading a copy of my professor/employer's conversion story, I'm more than willing to mail you a copy of it, for free. Just send me your mailing address in a private message, and I'll purchase a copy for you and mail it to you at no charge.

He converted to Catholicism due to his study of the Bible after serving as an Anti-Catholic Protestant pastor and seminary professor and is now at the forefront of the New Evangelization: that is, evangelizing Catholics.

 

Grace Saves,

You said, 'Well, in about 7.5 years (that's how much school I have left), be ready to chalk one more for the "RCC" side. By that time, God willing, I'll have the joy of ministering the Truth in Word and Sacraments to His beloved people!

I congratulate you on your plans to serve the Lord in the future.

I would encourage you to attend Moody Bible Institue in Chicago or Dallas Theological Seminary and get yourself a Biblical education that no-one will be able to effectively combat. Remember that God desires His Word to be preached and not the false doctrines of human cunning. Do you remember the words of our Lord in Mark 16:15? If not here they are for your consideration.

He does not say to go and indoctrinate people with Catholicism nor to try to turn the sacramental bread and wine into the real body and blood of Christ, but He challenges His servants to witness to the Gospel so that by believing they might become saved. This was His method of salvation in counterdistinction to Romanism. Now here are Jesus words:

Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature {person}. He who believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he who believeth not shall be damned.'

You won't find any Catholic doctrines in His instructions as He closes out the Book of St. Mark.

I have other seminaries who only desire is to exegete the real meaning of God's truth to us coming out of the holy Word of God. Apparently, St. Paul challenged young men who wanted to serve the Lord to 'Study to show themselves approved unto God, workmen who need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.' [II Tim. 2:15] The word 'rightly' in the Greek is the word, 'orthos or orthoce' suggesting 'in a straight manner; correctly or in a plain and right way.

The extra-Biblical doctrines of men like Purgatory, the Immaculate Conception and so on are superimposed on the minds of good people, but are as the Bible says, they are 'wood, hay and stubble' that will one day be burned up in the fire of Christ's judgment for those who have articulated these man made concepts. [I Corinthians 3:11-15] Each of our 'works' will be evaluated by Jesus and our human error by way of instuction will be consumed in the fire of His holy judgment and Divine wisdom.

Will your life be spend in teaching others His truth in the Word of God, the Bible, or will you invest your efforts in instructing never dying souls about the man made teaching coming from finite men called the Magisterium and the pope?

You cannot find true theology unless you invest your time in what the Lord taught plus His Apostolate.

A brother,
Ray