Too Long to Belong

I just read an article by John Woods about Brandon Vogt’s new book, “Why I Am Catholic.” (CNY, Editor’s Report, Oct. 12). It was disturbing to read that for every new Catholic coming into the Church, 6.45 are leaving.

About a year ago, a young woman named Heather asked me to help her become a Catholic. Many roadblocks met me. She had to wait a long time until classes started, and when they did, they told me it would take between one and two years to complete her studies. As a Catholic for more than 57 years and a proud graduate of Xavier High School in Manhattan, I have to say we Catholics are doing a terrible job bringing converts into the fold. There is no reason that it should take so long to get baptized. Jesus said in Matthew 28: 19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Nowhere did Jesus say you have to wait over a year to get baptized. 

I implore Cardinal Dolan and other Church leaders to work to change this dogma. We are losing too many souls for no good reason. If someone wants to be a Catholic, they are doing so for good intentions. What is wrong with the Catholic Church providing reading for prospective converts? After you have done the reading, you take a test. If you pass the test, you speak to a priest to see if you are ready to be baptized. 

We must have faith in God that these prospective converts to the Catholic faith are doing so for the right reasons. I do. 

God bless Catholic New York. You are doing a great job.

Brenden Crowe

Malverne