switching from catholic to Cof E, any experiences?

[pixipie151]

I was brought up catholic and had my daughter baptised as such 6 months ago. However, I have become very dissolusioned with the faith and my church in particular. I think I had my LO baptised out of tradition and because all my family are catholic. However, I am now questioning if I want to bring her up C of E, but part of me feels such a traitor. Any advice? Would I be welcome in C of E?

You'd be welcomed no problem in the CofE. Both your baptisms and your confirmation (I'm assuming you had one if you were brought up in it) would be recognised by the CofE, so there isn't any specific thing you'd have to do to "join" the CofE, though you might want to go along to an "exploring faith" group or something to get a feel for the one you're going to.

CoFE is very broad - you'll find everything from very high church to very evangelical, and everything in between, so take a look around the ones in your area to decide what sort of worship helps you.

I can't really help with the feeling of being a traitor - I know RCs often feel that way because its much more part of your identity than other churches. But if you are unhappy with what your church is doing, and don't feel you ought to be staying to change it from the inside, then I don't see anything wrong in looking at other denominations.

How about going to a few different Catholic churches before you decide to leave? If the problem lies with your particular church rather than Catholicism in general then perhaps a change of environment might help you.

I'm in the opposite situation - I've left the CofE to join the Catholic church

I would second trying to find a new church, rather than a new branch of Christianity. I loathe my local one- doesn't particularly welcoming but the one where my mother lives is warm and friendly and although close knit is very open to new parishioners

No experience.
But I'd say try several different churches, maybe both Catholic and CofE and see how you feel, you would be very welcome in any C of E church in my experience. You might find a more familiar feel to a 'high' Anglican church though.

Thanks all for your advice. Hiddenhome, the reason I am considering leaving is indeed my local church (very unwelcoming, judgemental etc) which is a shame since my grandparents, parents and I were all baptised, communion, confirmation, marriage there, but times change I guess. And also, a big factor is the child abuse scandal, which I dont think the catholic church has fully addressed. Hope you find what you are looking for though.

pixiepie I was welcomed in CofE in March, brought up, baptised and confirmed as Roman Catholic, but DH is Anglican. I felt more comfortable in CofE cburch, and now working as Youth and Families worker for our local church, so I felt better to change to CofE.

If you do find a CofE church you would like to go to regularly and feel the need to change, I'd suggest attending there for a while and speak to the vicar.
Don't feel a traitor! You're not!

Thanks for sharing your personal experience Blutinkerbell, that's very helpful. Im going to go to my local CofE tomorrow for mass, wish me luck!

Another one who has "swum the Thames" :o (joining the RCC from being an Anglican is called swimming the Tiber).

I was brought up to believe that being an Anglican was second best, and why wouldn't anyone want to be a RC. So guilty feelings remain a bit with me too. But now I'm a lay minister in the Anglican church, and love the fact that I'm can minister to others despite being a woman :o

This is something I am also considering- I went to a catholic church that suited me(it was not typical at all) but it closed and my local one doesn't suit me at all. I didn't actually go to church from age of 19-29 and went back because I never had stopped praying or believing in God and wanted children to be brought up with same values- but and quite big but I have huge problems with Catholic church's attitudes re women, gay people, divorce-I would like a more understanding, thoughtful approach on all these issues and a bit more room for personal conscience. Not sure of next step-also I am very worried about the effect any defection would have on my mum who is 80 and a very devout convert of many years standing, and whose attitudes are probably alas part of the reason I want to leave! But I do love her very much and don't want to upset her. Any words of advice would be welcome.

You will be very welcome in the CofE. Just start going to church and find a church family where you feel welcome.

Yes, any CofE church will welcome you. I was brought up attending what could best be described as and anglocatholic CofE church and did ponder the RC church many years ago. i have stuck with the CofE - well, the Anglican church in NZ now. The thing I like about Anglicanism is that it is a very broad church, there is room for personal view points and differences of opinion, it's basically OK to question and to doubt, gives you much more room to feel comfortable with and in yourself on your spiritual journey.

Hope all goes well for you

Two members of our Anglican church have a Catholic background, it is a 'High' church and they have experienced no problems in fitting in. Both left for similar reasons to the ones you are stating and they quickly felt at home with our style of services. The Anglican Churuch is very broad, and it is definately possible to find one that suits the style of worship you are looking for.