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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To change my dd religion

62 replies

mummytopebs · 21/04/2009 23:20

My dd has just got in an absolutly excellent catholic primary school - have absolutly no idea how so i am over the moon. She is not catholic but apparently they have to take 3 per cent non catholics. I am now considering changing her from c of e to catholic as i myself went to a catholic school and was c of e and was left out of stuff like communion etc, i do not want her to be segregated from the group, so may change her religion. If i decide to do this, how do i do it?

OP posts:
Thunderduck · 21/04/2009 23:21

Do you share the beliefs of the Catholic church? That'd be a good start. I can't imagine doing so if you don't.

MillyR · 21/04/2009 23:23

How old is your DD? If she is under 7 then the school would just give her catechism lessons with all the rest if you asked.

Thunderduck · 21/04/2009 23:27

I'm not being snark by the way. It's a big undertaking that's all. I'm looking into converting to Judaism and there's a lot involved.

Thunderduck · 21/04/2009 23:28

Snarky sorry.

MillyR · 21/04/2009 23:30

C of E and RC are very similar though. It is only converting to a different denomination, rather than a different religion.

mrsboogie · 21/04/2009 23:30

It's not a dance class or a pony club you're swapping! She would have to be indoctrinated into the Catholic Church and baptised as such and will have to undergo the rituals of Holy Communion and Confirmation etc. If you want to do this you would need to see your parish priest - although I suggest you don't tell them you are swapping religions so that your daughter fits in better at school. They will also expect you to join the religion as, if you felt that strongly about your daughter becoming a Catholic, then surely you would want to be one yourself?

You can expect to spend a lot of time catching up on those RE lessons you missed as a child...

Original poster
mummytopebs · 21/04/2009 23:30

DD is 4. I believe in the beliefs of c of e and to me catholic is not much different. I do go to church and believe that one god is the same no matter what religion you are. I will ask for catechism lessons but just remember at school we were never allowed the body and blood of christ as we were not christened catholic but c of e

OP posts:
Thunderduck · 21/04/2009 23:31

Yes but even so there are some substantial differences between the two in regards to rituals and beliefs.

Original poster
mummytopebs · 21/04/2009 23:31

Also rememebr being called a dirty proddy dog and do not one dd to be segregated

OP posts:
Thunderduck · 21/04/2009 23:33

You're doing this for the wrong reasons imho. It isn't a good idea, while I can understand your concerns, though I'd never heard that from any child at my Catholic school about any of the non Catholic children, it isn't like swapping cereal brands. It's a life changing decision.

MillyR · 21/04/2009 23:34

You don't have to convert to Catholicism just because you want your child to be converted. Baptism is a universal sacrament; if you have already been baptised into another denomination the Catholic church will no re-baptise you.

I can't think of any rituals that are different in the RC church.

Thunderduck · 21/04/2009 23:35

Does the C of E believe in transubstantiation?

IloveJudgeJudy · 21/04/2009 23:38

A friend of mine was in the same position with her two girls. She and her husband were C of E, her girls were both christened C of E. When it came to First Holy Communion time (Y3), her girls went to the classes (having joined in all the services in school right from YR). Her girls did take their First Holy Communion. She now takes them to church every week. To become RC the priest just read a very short prayer, asking God to take them into the Catholic Church. No big deal, either for her or the girls. No big service. I believe he did this on the same day as their first reconciliation (used to be first confession). HTH

IloveJudgeJudy · 21/04/2009 23:38

Sorry, meant to add, she is still C of E.

MillyR · 21/04/2009 23:38

No, but that is a belief. The ritual is exactly the same, with almost exactly the same words and actions.

I don't think many people choose either denomination because of their opinion on transubstantiation anyway.

Thunderduck · 21/04/2009 23:40

Just curious. I've never been to a C of E service, so I wondered. And it's been some time since I've been in my own church. I only go there for funerals and weddings.

Original poster
mummytopebs · 21/04/2009 23:42

Thanks ilovejudgejudy that is very helpful. I do not want this thread to become a religious debate but just want to do what is best for my dd - i believe c of e and catholics basically have the same beliefs, as i say i went to a catholic school and attend church and this is probably why she got in the school.

OP posts:
MillyR · 21/04/2009 23:44

I was brought up going to both churches on alternate weeks (1 parent of each). I'm a bit biased because I married a Catholic and really like Catholicism, and would have liked to have brought my children up in the Church. But we don't believe in God so it would be hypocritical.

But it is exciting that you are converting Thunderduck!

Thunderduck · 21/04/2009 23:46

I am quite excited about it though it'll be a long and painful process, though considerably less painful than it would be if I were male.

TheFallenMadonna · 21/04/2009 23:46

There are lot of very fundamental differences between Roman Catholics and mainstream Church of England. Not necessarily noticeable for 5 year olds admittedly...

MillyR · 21/04/2009 23:47

Do you have to live with a jewish family for a while? (Sorry OP for thread hijack)

TheFallenMadonna · 21/04/2009 23:48

I'm understanding your emphasis on ritual more than 'just belief' more now that I see you don't actually belive in God Milly.

MillyR · 21/04/2009 23:50

FM

I probably don't see the differences as much because I went to a very high church Anglican church, rather than mainstream.

onebatmother · 21/04/2009 23:51

transubstantiation (wine actually the blood of christ), hell/purgatory, contraception and abortion, homosexuality

I'd be looking at these areas if it were me, and thinking ahead to their teens as well as right now.

MillyR · 21/04/2009 23:52

The pope recently abolished purgatory, didn't he?

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