Catholics/Conversion

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 3/4/2010


Question
I was baptized Congregationalist, unchurched after high school, married a Roman Catholic in RC church late 1970's (I had an extremely deficient understanding of the sacramental nature of marriage), divorced mid-80's, later remarried a non-Christian. Three years ago I was confirmed in Episcopal Church and have been active in choir, altar guild, Lay Eucharistic ministry and Visit and other outreach. But for many reasons I feel drawn to the Catholic Church. Do you see any insurmountable obstacles to conversion ? Thank you.

Answer
Hi, Paula:
Thanks for the questions.
You might certainly want to look into the matter of possible invalidity of a Congregationalist Baptism; as I understand it, Congregationalists have quite a variant view of Baptism being a repeatable thing, done for membership in any different congregation.  This was never brought up as an issue with the Episcopalians?
I see no insurmountable obstacles for you, or for anybody that sincerely seeks after the Truth of Jesus Christ, and wishes to test the claims of the Catholic Church as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church established by Jesus Chirst Himself.  If you feel drawn to looking into the Catholic Church, I encourage you to do so.
Be sure to visit and check out www.catholic.com

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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