What Do You Do When...

First, you need to determine why she wants to become Catholic. What is your spiritual & denominational background? Have both of you been saved very long?

 

I would make a meeting with your pastor or the marriage counselor at your church immediately.

 

******I would make a meeting with your pastor or the marriage counselor at your church immediately*******

This is very good advice.

 

I would start family Bible reading time immediately. Get a Concordance. Start with the word "Rock" and see if Peter was really the 'rock'.

Ask her if she can honestly, in saying the Rosary, declare Mary instead of Christ as her 'sweetness and light.'

It's time you two started really getting to know God's Word yourselves.

 

My heart goes out to you, brother. However, perhaps seeking an attorney would be an escalation on your part. What message would this send to your wife?

If you vowed at your wedding "for better or for worse," surely this meant even if your wife decides to become a Catholic. The Bible teaches us husbands in Eph. 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." It is loving your wife with this incredible, unselfish, sacrificial love, and the power of prayer, which can save your marriage. Dedicate your life to prayer and to unconditionally loving your wife with all your heart, and God will without a doubt help you.

 

Wow. I can't imagine a break up happening over this. There are so many worse things out there in my opinion. She loves Jesus, you love Jesus...don't give up a marriage because protestants and catholics can get their act together. They are brothers and sisters in Christ I believe. Oh well...if you lose somebody you love because you can't accept them as a Catholic than be alone your whole life because I have seen a lot more things that warrant a break than this. It's a sad thing. Support your wife. She loves you and you her. The best thing in the world is to have you by her side. My two cents.

 

DeadMan,

Don't give up! God can do all things. As others have said, you must immerse yourselves in the Word. Jesus condemned religion for the sake of religion. Please do not take offense at this, but if she is truly saved, I believe the Holy Spirit is kicking against every bone in her body giving her complete unrest. . . unless she is ignoring the Spirit.

Try to get her to meet with your pastor. Tell him first what is going on so he can be prepared.

I'm certain, all who have read this thread are praying for this situation. Please keep us informed.

 

Be proactive, why dont you go along to see the priest, and let him know in no uncertain terms exactly what you think, and that it is totally against your will that she join his church.

 

absolutely do not go see an attorney. She will definitely see this as an escalation on your part, and possibly even an ultimatum. It could even backfire in your face, and push her closer to the Catholic church.

I agree with you that this is a very serious issue. And this is more than just a "catholic vs. protestant" moment. But you cannot leave your wife over this, nor should you even think of making this become a divorcable issue....and don't let divorce become something you threaten her with. (dont know that you have...just in case.)

If I were you, Id go see my pastor alone if she won't come with you. You make an appointment for BOTH of you, tell her you'll go with her to see the priest (dont let her go alone), but ask her to respect you enough to come see your pastor with you. If she refuses to go, I say you must still go with her to see that priest. I wouldnt let her alone in the room with him. (I mean without yourself.)

Id also bring up to the priest that she is seeking this against your leadership as head of the household, and if he's truly a "man of God" than he ought to uphold your authority as the head of the house. If he continues to encourage her to go against her husband's wishes than he is coming between the two of you. This last is off the hip for me....others may have an opinion in this regard. But right now this seems to me like a good idea.

I'll be praying for you both.

 

Take a good look at http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/web/ninetyfive.html

 

If she decides to meet with that priest you go with her too.

Some like the idea of stained glass windows and the feel of an ornate building. They feel as though there is something more spiritual about that.

At http://www.newadvent.org/ is a link to a Catholic encyclopedia and a number of other things.

Ask her about purgatory, indulgences and praying for the dead. That is all part of Catholicism.

 

I have no doubt that I will raise someones' ire here, but the R.C.C. is a cult with a very bad past. It tortured and murdered all those that opposed it. Get some history on this church to show her. A good point to start at, perhaps, is Foxes Book of Martyrs. Ask if she really wants to be a part of such an organization. There are plenty of places here on the internet that can help with information. I even have an excellent movie to send you if you want to drop me a p.m. with your mailing address. It shows how the R.C.C. kept people from having God's Word in their own language, and murdered those who tried to provide it to the common people. No doubt it was because some people would see that the doctrines and practices of the R.C.C. were blasphemous and nonsense.
I am afraid it is time for some tough love here, very tough love. Do whatever it takes (within the law and Christian principles of course) to steer her clear of this dreadful organization and don't give up.

 

Roman Catholics are Christians. They are brothers and sisters in Christ. Cult...I wouldn't say that. I think the RCC has its share of a negative past, but I know many Roman Catholics who are wonderful believers of Christ. Anyway, if there is a major need to keep this wife in question from the RCC than exhaust your energy on it. However, this could be used as an opportunity to work together. I know a few RCC and Protestant couples. I find they have wonderful relationships based on understanding and faith. That's me though. I'm sure some on this board can't stand the idea.

 

there should be no speaking to a wife about spiritual matters without the husband present. The husband is the spiritual leader.

 

Yeah.
Anyway, if this lady chooses to become a Catholic her husband can either suck it up or have a tantrum. There is no compulsion in religion. I hope they can work it.