Dear Monica,

You might appeal to him this way:

You love Jesus and want to do what He says because Jesus said that is the way to love Him:
to keep His Word and to abide in His Word. That does not mean reading it all the time, though we should. He meant that we must live His commands and teachings as He Lived the will of His Father. Therefore, it is very important to know what Jesus taught we must do. To do that we have to read the Scripture, especially the Gospels, and see how the Apostles to whom He spoke understood His words. These Apostles were promised that they would have the Holy Spirit to call to mind Jesus' teachings and guide them in all things until the end of the world.

Suggest to him some good books on points of Scripture that are crucial to Catholic-Protestant differences. There are some listed at many Catholic apologetics sites. You might give him the Surprised by Truth set, because it addresses many theological issues, however, you must also assure Him that you are glad that He has come to a personal relationship with Jesus, though sadly, he had to leave the Church to find someone who would help him find it.

Mary Ann

Hi Monica,

You said:
I just don't have good reasons to give him for why he should come back to the Catholic Church.

Because it is the only Church Jesus established before ascending into Heaven.

He established His Church on St. Peter and his successors and promised that, on issues of faith and morals, the gates of Hell would not fail against His Church (Matthew 16:13-19 foretold in
Isaiah 22:15-25)

Also check out the articles on my favorites page:

• My Favorites page.

All other Christian denominations have church leaders that have not had their hands laid upon them by one of the successors to the Apostles; therefore their church authority and priestly ministry is false.

• Could they be inspiring? <Sure!>
• Could they challenge the Christian more from the pew to live a holier live? <Sure!>
• Could they develop a greater knowledge of Sacred Scripture? <Sure!>

• Why not stay at the non-denominational church then?

Because though our separated brethren may have:

• knowledge of the menu
• a great zeal to spread Christian living in word and deeds, and
• strong study habits

the Catholic Church created the menu and, in addition, provides the meal, the Holy Eucharist. Remember, the Bible was written by Catholics and their predecessors, for Catholics, for use in the Catholic Church. The Bible is not:

• Catechism or book of beliefs for any church, nor is it
• a recipe book for a Sunday sermon.

The Bible is a liturgical book intended to be use in and for the Catholic Mass, our sole worship to God.

• Could any Catholic have their local bishop assign a pastor to their parish who is:
  • sinful
  • selfish
  • not holy, or
  • one who doesn't challenge the people in the pew?

  <Sure!>

This only reflects bad behavior though, not untrue doctrine. One of the biggest problems, in my opinion, is that too many Catholics have left the Church because of Judas behavior in the Church.

That said, Jesus didn't promise that all the members in his one Church would be sinless.
If he had, I would never belong to it. : )

He promised the gates of Hell would not prevail against His Church on issues of faith and morals.

You said:
He says he likes his new church better since he attends praise and worship more often than he did at Catholic churches.

If your cousin's boyfriend was a practicing Catholic who knew and understood the faith, he would have never left the Catholic Church.

Knowledgeable, well-catechized Catholics feel blessed to be a Catholic! Since he is very influential in his church, he is probably a church leader who has been given secular authority within his local church.

This means he is probably challenged more and has been given more authority. Pray regularly for him; that events will happen in his live that will lead him to re-consider coming back to the Church.

You said:
He is grateful to have been Catholic and is willing to have their newborn baptized.

He should be aware that the Church cannot baptize a newborn infant unless there is a good hope they will be raised Catholic.

Hope this helps,

Mike