As the article notes, however, this is likely an inflated number due to the way that Rome determines membership statistics. The numbers do not adequately account for members who are double-counted, die or just drift off into who-knows-what. If you were baptized Roman Catholic, then you are most likely still on the list; and I've met many ex-Catholics in the evangelical world.
I'm one of that number that has likely been considered merely lapsed or inactive. But it has irked me for years that I didn't have a means to formally separate myself from Rome. As it turns out, as of last year there is now a procedure in place for removing oneself from membership in the Roman Catholic Church. While this procedure essentially results in the defector being regarded as "apostate" rather than an "ex-Catholic," it is the most forceful way to formally declare one's voluntary separation from Rome.
Information about the declaration can be found here, but I had some difficulty finding out the exact procedure required for executing it. After calling the diocese of the church where I was baptized, I was ultimately directed to the diocese of Knoxville where I now reside. I was put in touch with a deacon there who was able to outline the steps needed to complete my personal exodus. As he has described it, there are 3 steps required:
(1) A written letter expressing my desire to leave the RC Church of my own accord.
(2) An in-person meeting where I will sign a document in the presence of two witnesses.
(3) That document will be notarized and placed with my baptismal records.
I have now completed step 1, and the following is a copy of the letter I mailed today. As soon as I have completed the next steps, that information will also be posted here.
******
Dear Deacon xxxx,
Per our recent telephone conversation, I am writing to state my intention of completing a Formal Act of Defection (Actus Formalis Defectionis ab Ecclesia Catholica) from the Roman Catholic Church. I understand that this will require signing a document in the presence of two witnesses to formalize the process and I am prepared to do so. I wish to emphasize that this decision of mine is personal and without external compulsion of any kind. I fully understand the implications of my choice.
I was baptized at the St. Peter Catholic Church in Deland, Florida as an infant, most likely between July and September of 1971. I did my first penance and received the sacrament of First Communion at the Holy Redeemer Parish (now defunct) in West Lebanon, New Hampshire. While I attended catechism classes for many years, through the age of 15, my class was past due for Confirmation when I voluntarily left the church in mid-1987. Thus I was never confirmed. Since that time I have earned an undergraduate degree in Bible and Theology from Lee College (1994, now Lee University) and have been accepted into an M.A. program at Reformed Theological Seminary.
My reasons for leaving the church 21 years ago, and for remaining thus absent, are theological in nature. In particular, I continue to object to a number of distinctive Roman Catholic doctrines: the immaculate conception, bodily assumption and function of the virgin Mary as mediator; the doctrine of transubstantiation; prayers for and to the dead, the “treasury of merit” and purgatory; the primacy of the Pope, the infallibility of the Church and its claim to apostolic succession generally. Above all, I most strongly protest the Roman Catholic system's failure to recognize the sufficiency (versus the mere necessity) of grace in saving sinful men. I stand with the Protestant Reformers whose rediscovery of sola gratia was proclaimed “anathema” by the Council of Trent.
Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.
******
9 comments:
And I still show up on Mormon roles :-)
I am an ex Roman myself. But I don't feel the need to stick my finger in Rome's eye over it. What the Romans (or Protestants for that matter) do is really not anything I loose sleep over anymore.
Ad Orientem - for someone who isn't losing sleep over what Catholics and Protestants are doing, I find it curious that you posted your comments on my blog at 1:00 AM Pacific time. If you have no interest in the topic, what made you (presumably) Google the topic of defection from Rome at an hour when most working people are already in bed?
I think what you did was good. I am a new Catholic who formally was added to the roll books (maybe I replaced your name? lol). I couldn't in good conscience become a Catholic until I believed the whole kit and kaboodle, as they say. The church actually teaches that one should not in good conscience be a Catholic if one in good conscience does not truly believe in her teachings. Although, as the Bible says, the wheat and tares will always grow up together, there are many who call themselves Catholic who kind of make up their own brand of it. That doesn't really work in a religion that has visible authority, kind of along the lines of a military branch. For example, American Catholics must subscribe to the law of the land, but we are also under Canon law. Why put yourself under that unless you mean it? It's so serious because it's meant death and could mean death for a lot of people (we had 12,000 martyrs in the 1900s alone). I would certainly hope you'd come back, but only if you truly believe her teachings. Otherwise, just keep loving Jesus!
I wonder if people aren't taken off the roll books because maybe, like the Prodigal son, the church always hopes they'll come back...and they may before their life on earth ends. The numbers really don't matter though. We all must ultimately stand before God who will judge our hearts. At this point, this is obviously what you believed you had to do...fair enough. Anyway, all the best to you and keep us Catholics in your prayers. God bless you.
Trying, with God's help, not to be a clanging gong,
Sister Moon
Lance,
I usually work 2nd shift. Thus my sleep patterns are a bit different than most. Secondly I found your blog post linked over at Free Republic, a web site in whose religion section (I avoid their political forum) I find many interesting articles.
Well, how 'bout that! I didn't think even my friends read this blog. :)
I have not been Catholic for over 30 years. It never even occurred to me that I might still be listed on the rolls somewhere. I wonder if "when the roll is called up yonder" I'll have a Protestant and a Catholic advocate laying claim to eternal soul!
(Hmmm...what a dilemma. Do I go for the laugh, making myself look theologically stupid in the process? Yeah. Go for the laugh)
I'm with ad orientem on this one. I am not a Roman Catholic and have not been one for almost 40 years, but I see no reason to go through all this to make it formal.
Later,
Kenith
I can understand why an "Eastern Orthodox" priest wouldn't want to trouble Rome about leaving.
But a Huguenot worthy of the name might find reason to take every opportunity to glory Christ by disassociating from those who deny the gospel! It's a little hobgoblin called "consistency". Not something nonprotestants worry too much about, but it shall not be so among you... you might say.
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