I am here because I am a convert to Catholicism from the Episcopal Church of the United States (ECUSA). My going from the ECUSA to the Catholic Church was a long journey, filled with every emotion known to man. It was a journey measured in decades, not in weeks or months or years. Along the way, I had some help; the woman I would eventually marry, a priest to whom I would eventually make my first and darkest confession, a priest that eventually confirmed me, a sponsor who later became a deacon. A great many Episcopalians have recently started a similar journey themselves. Among other things, this blog hopes to help them along that path.
I was raised in the Episcopal Church. I was even an altar boy for a while when I was nine or ten years old. This was back in the late 60s and early 70s, and as you know, it was a very different church in those days.
By the time I was 17, I was involved in a youth group that met at the local Episcopal cathedral. During the time I spent going to the cathedral, my views of the church changed dramatically. I noticed quite a few things that were not right – this was during the last half of the 1970s. They began to teach and accept things that, even at my tender age and without much religious education, seemed to go against the Bible and what my grandmother had taught me about God. Eventually, I left the cathedral, the church, and religion in general. The details of the departure are unimportant. The point is that I left.
By the time I met my wife, I was a hodge-podge of religious ideas, with no real conviction beyond the Trinity and the Lord’s Prayer. I was not much of an Episcopalian in those days, but I wasn’t much of anything, really. I was, deep down inside, miserable on a whole host of different levels.
A great many people use a swimming analogy to describe their conversion. Some people might say that I “swam the Tiber"? when I converted to Catholicism. Others might say the same with Anglicanism by “swimming the Thames"?. To keep that metaphor going, when I left the Episcopal Church I leapt into the Thames expecting to swim somewhere – but I had no idea where to go. As a result, I sent more than 20 years spiritually treading water.
The actions of the Episcopal Church over the past three years have left a great many people thinking about swimming somewhere as well. The problem is - many don’t know where they’re going any more than I did back in 1979. Not knowing is hard; I know, I’ve been there. I do not want others to suffer in the same fate that I did. Trust me: You don’t want to spend 20 years trying to decide if you’re swimming the Tiber or drowning in the Thames.
Please understand, I am not asking or telling anyone to convert. Yes, I feel that the depth of the Catholic Church is staggering once you come to appreciate it. Yes, I think Catholicism is a great gift, and that any orthodox Anglican can find a home here if they open their heart to the whispers of the Spirit. But no, I would not presume to tell anyone to convert.
I chose to call this Rafting the Tiber for a reason, but not the one that might be obvious. This raft will not take you to Rome. It’s more like a life raft anchored in the middle of the river – it is intended to help keep you afloat, give you a place to catch your breath, but not intended to get you there. Eventually, if you feel the pull, you will have to leap in and swim the last leg yourself. That leap is a leap of faith, and that’s not something that I – or any other blogger – can provide for you.
I do ask that you keep your minds open. Many of the comments I’ve seen Anglican blogs have been incorrect. What you think you know about Catholicism may not be the reality of Catholicism. And, hopefully, therein lies the fun of this blog…
I do hope that there will be a bit of fun along the way as well! I’ll keep the blog going as long as I can and as long as it remains useful. I’m sure we’ll discuss other topics as well. Blogs tend to have a life of their own, so who knows…this one may become something else over time. We shall see.
I’ve also got a little help. Kevin Miller, professor of theology and blogger at HMS, is going to stop by from time to time and help out with some of the more technical issues that might crop up from time to time.
So, let the adventure begin!
Good to see you again, Mark!
I'm interested in what you have to say on these issues, being an ex-'piscopalian myself!
Thanks, Mama T. How the heck did you find me already? There are only three other people that know 'bout this so far...
Hello, Mark from an ex-Anglican and recent convert. Welcome to the blogosphere. Hope that the raft pulls in those struggling in the swirls and eddies. Though I hear that the Tiber is quite low these days and can be crossed on foot. ;) Blessings to you on your endeavor.
Found this 'blog thru The Curt Jester.
As a gaggle of older Filipino women once shouted in chorus to my newly RCIA'd wife, "Welcome home to Rome!" Good luck and God bless!
Welcome, Mark, to the Catholic Church and to the Catholic blogosphere. May your blog flourish and be a blessing to many.
Mark-
From an ex-Catholic and now Episcopalian (via Bible and Baptist churches), I wish you the best. Of course, I can't quite get "it", since I "swam" the other way.
Perhaps, there was too much "baggage" left from my past that keeps me from understanding why folks convert to Catholicism. Suffice it to say, my siblings, who all grew up Catholic, now all worship in Protestant churches (save one, our oldest!).
Mark Windsor. Mark Windsor? THE Mark Windsor?
Via Pontifications.
Oh, never mind.... I should have paid closer attention to the URL. :-)
Hiya, Lane! How goes it?
"THE" Mark Windsor? Well, I dunno about that. There's one in Atlanta that seems to get all the good e-mail addresses...
Welcome aboard!
(Is anybody keeping count of how many Episcopalians have crossed Father Tiber? There must be TONS of us!)
We sort of tip-toed across -- we were nosebleed Anglican-Catholics anyhow -- so it wasn't much of a wrench. In fact it was a relief to leave an ECUSA diocese that was primarily "low" and treated us "high" folks like red-headed stepchildren.
Should have taken this step long ago - was worried about my Methodist husband, but after GC 2003 HE suggested it! (I forgot his mom was raised Catholic, or at least it didn't enter into my calculations!) Everything I loved in our old parish is here - plus the benefits of sound theology, Apostolic Succession which does not have to be argued about, and Adult Leadership.
Hello, Mark. Welcome to the Catholic Church!
Welcome to the Catholic Church!!! I was born and raised a Catholic and put in 12 years of hard labor by attending Catholic School, way back when the Nuns ran the schools. My good fortune.
Life's waters are choppy out there and only the strong will survive. The church may sway at times but will never fall.
It's a true blessing to have another conservative being called to discover the church. Prayers are being answered and The Holy Spirit is guiding those in lifeboats to dryland. Welcome Home and God bless and guide you in your journey!!!
Congratulations and every blessing (and nice blog)! I can relate to the 20-year journey, since that is how long it took me to wander in the wilderness (hey, only half as long as the Israelites). I left the Church as a teenager, spent most of that time as a Baptist, with a brief sojourn through ECUSA and a "convergence Anglican" group before reverting this May. And yes, 20-year confessions are hard, but very much full of life, grace, and freedom.
For the benefit of those who make it to the raft, you should remind visitors that the Catholic Church breathes with two lungs. Under Categories, you have created one entitled Roman Catholic. The proper term should be Catholic.
Although it is not widely known in our Western world, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. According to the Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, the Catholic Church is understood to be "a corporate body of Churches," united with the Pope of Rome, who serves as the guardian of unity (LG, no. 23). At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. The new Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope John Paul II, uses the phrase "autonomous ritual Churches" to describe these various Churches (canon 112). Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, and theological perspective. Because of the particularities of history, there is only one Western Catholic Church, while there are 22 Eastern Catholic Churches. The Western Church, known officially as the Latin Church, is the largest of the Catholic Churches. It is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff as Patriarch of the West (though the pope dropped that title earlier this year). The Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by a Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. Through the Congregation for Oriental Churches, the Roman Pontiff works to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches. These should not be confused with the Orthodox Churches which are not in communion with the pope.
While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes this nicely:
"From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God's gifts and the diversity of those who receive them... Holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church there are also particular Churches that retain their own traditions. The great richness of such diversity is not opposed to the Church's unity" (CCC no. 814).
Although there are 22 Churches, there are only eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite is a "liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary patrimony," (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 28). "Rite" best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments. Many Eastern Catholic Churches use the same Rite, although they are distinct autonomous Churches. For example, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Melkite Catholic Church are distinct Churches with their own hierarchies. Yet they both use the Byzantine Rite.
To learn more about the "two lungs" of the Catholic Church, visit this link:
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/catholic_rites_and_churches.htm - CATHOLIC RITES AND CHURCHES
A Latin rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the Catholic Church as a whole. I am a Roman Catholic practicing my faith at a Maronite Catholic Church. Like the Chaldeans, the Maronites retain Aramaic for the Consecration. It is as close as one comes to being at the Last Supper.
The Eastern Catholic Churches retain a rich liturgical tradition. They are late arrivals to these shores and are growing as more and more christians discover them.
"Welcome home", Mark! May our Lord bless your work on this new blog.
I rafted the tiber from the Episcopal church about 20 years ago when I was in graduate school. Henry VIII didn't seem to have a good enough reason to leave the Faith, and when I checked out the Catholic church, it was beautiful and wise and scriptural. And every year, I love the truth of the Catholic church more. I love the pope's teaching, the Eucharist, the spirituality, the diversity, etc. Having said that, it is also true, that parishes are run in a more disorganized way (in our diocese) and the adult education is far less. Helping adult education classes get started is a gift converts can bring to the church.
Thanks for setting up this blog. I too have left ECUSA. I am preparing to join the Antiochan Orthodox Church. I have no regrets, as I am sure is true for you in the Roman Catholic Church. May God spare us from further madness!
Mark,
Given your Episcopalian past, could the blog also be called "Rafting the Tiber - Here's Your Windsor Report"? ;)
Eamon,
UGH! You have no idea how much I wish they'd named that report something else...anything else!
Thanks for writing :-)
Hey Mark,
Don't I know you from mIRC?