Pray for me as I work out my spiritual problems

[Geoffrey Miller]

Dear Members of Monachos,

I was originally an Orthodox Catechumen who decided to join Roman Catholicism. A year into it though, I'm having lots of doubts. I question whether it is indeed the true Church. I never believed in Liturgical abuses until I saw them. I've been crying a lot lately over the condition of the Church, and all the priests I talk to just say I'm overreacting and need to take it easy. I truly believe in my heart the Roman Catholic Church is true, but I slowly feel this belief fading, and I'm scared. I'm afraid in regards to my salvation. Please, pray that God does not become angry with me while I try and figure it all out. I'm still taking the Sacraments to give me strength in this difficult time.

[James Aubuchon]

You will be in my prayers Geoffrey. My one recommendation is that you do nothing hastily at this point. Pray and study. Make a Spirit-led and informed decision should you decide to convert to Orthodoxy. It would be very easy to come running back into the Orthodox Church, only to struggle yet again. Make certain that the issue is not related to yourself, or some fleshly struggle that you are having. If you come back to Orthodoxy, and then struggle with something like ethnicity, the calendar, or ecumenism, you will end up perhaps in the same boat, with the same feelings, and your faith may shipwreck.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."

Commit your way to the Lord. He has not forsaken you. It may be that God is trying to show you that you need to be someplace else. He will guide you.

Try to focus on your prayer life...draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Don't try to figure it all out by merely using your head and trying to rationalize yourself one place or another...for Orthodoxy is also right practice as well as right right thinking.

BTW here is a good article on the question of papal primacy from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese web site.

http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8523.asp

God bless you in your journey.

Jim

[Marcos G.]

Dear Members of Monachos,

I was originally an Orthodox Catechumen who decided to join Roman Catholicism. A year into it though, I'm having lots of doubts. I question whether it is indeed the true Church. I never believed in Liturgical abuses until I saw them. I've been crying a lot lately over the condition of the Church, and all the priests I talk to just say I'm overreacting and need to take it easy. I truly believe in my heart the Roman Catholic Church is true, but I slowly feel this belief fading, and I'm scared. I'm afraid in regards to my salvation. Please, pray that God does not become angry with me while I try and figure it all out. I'm still taking the Sacraments to give me strength in this difficult time.

Do not dispair, Geoffrey. Just attend the Orthodox Church for a while and compare and see how you feel. Talk with the priest and go over your questions and reasons for having joined the RCC. I am sure that with prayer and a sincere heart you will find peace.

Marc (raised in the R.C. Church)