On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
I don’t understand how people like you can defend the Catholic Church and its out-of-date beliefs. I’m glad I left.
I hear this occasionally, and when it comes, the person’s tone often is challenging, as if I’m expected to spout off all kinds of defenses and excuses. I find that kind of amusing given I was away from the Church (thirty-
three years) for more of my life than I’ve been a practicing Catholic.
You’re not going to get in-depth apologetics from me. I don’t have a theology or pastoral degree, although that’s something I’ve been pondering. What you’ll get from me is my experience and what I’ve heard and seen from others. I tried not being Catholic, not having any sort of an active faith life. It didn’t work for me. While I made a few half-hearted attempts to attend other churches, for me they were pale without the Eucharist or the ritual of the Mass.
Yes, the Church has some doctrine and dogma people might consider outdated… and some that people might consider too radical for comfort. It’s been that way for two thousand years. They’re all based in love. Some of them evolve… slowly. Others are so basic to the faith, they never will.,
A question back to you: If you’re glad you left, why does what the Church believes matter to you? Ponder whether perhaps a deep-held desire in you tugging at your heart to return. Without knowing a thing about you, I can tell you we are poorer without you. Consider coming home.
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