A Perplexing Disucussion about Catholicism/Protestantism

This week, my goddaughters are visiting us from their home in another city. The girls are what some call "Irish twins" in that they are only eleven months apart. On this visit they are 12 and 13 about to enter seventh and eighth grade. During their visits I like to hear about how their religious studies are going, as that is kind of what my role is as their godmother. Unfortunately, my sister is not a practicing Catholic - she baptized her daughters to make our mother happy. But they have been baptized and they have received their first holy communion. In the past few weeks, as the girls' trip was being planned, I had heard that my older niece attended a Christian fellowship camp and that my younger niece had attended a praise and worship chuch with a friend. This bothered me a bit because I was afraid the girls might get mixed messages about their religion, but I figured there were worse places to attend since their parents are not interested in attending Mass. But I did decide to make it a point to figure out what messages these girls were getting and correct as necessary. Sure enough, the younger girl was full of interesting ideas related to Christianity that Catholics do not necessary laud. The main is the teaching of salvation through faith alone. The younger E described a procession where many were "saved" during a ceremony. I reminded her that she did not need to partake in such an experience as she has already been baptized. She then said something that I was dreadfully fearing "yes, but it's not the same." Oh my, I though, here we go.

Now the question quickly flashes in my mind: how do I go about having this discussion without insulting the good that E has learned from her protestant exchanges and without offending her mother who undoubtedly feels that these girls are at least enjoying something that is Christ-centered. I proceed with caution. First, I did tell her that while protesants and Catholics are both Christians in search of salvation and God's will, the two are often very different in their teachings. Because the salvation discussion is very advanced for someone E's age, especially since her catechism is very weak, I decided to give the example of the Eucharist - a topic that she has at least familiarized herself with tangentially. I told her that while some protestants do partake in a communion supper of some sort, Catholics are the only Christians who believe that, during Mass, the priest transforms the bread and wine into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. Most protestants, I continued, see the communion ceremony and the communion taking as symbolic - not actual. I told her this was probably the most significant difference between the two versions of Christianity. E thougth about this for a minute. Her comment was "well, it doesn't really matter as long as you believe in God". Well, I thought, Rome wasn't built in a day and I didn't want to make her think I was attacking something I guess she has enjoyed in attending the praise and worship.

As for the older A who is a little deeper in in attending the protestant fellowship camp, she has asked me to purchase a "True Love Waits" ring for her. Well, I figure, there are worse things for a young teenager to ask of her godmother. I am hoping to purchase the ring and talk to her a little bit about chastity and why it's important. I don't think there will be as much conflict, there, but I'm still a little sad that this seems to be an uphill battle that I am taking on. In the end, I have to realize that the parents of these girls are their parents and are the primary teachers of their religious faith and formation. All I can do, at this point, is teach them what I can when I can and leave the tougher topics for when they ask or when they get a little older. This way, their parents won't see me as trying to undermine their efforts, which I think would be worse - after all, I do need to preserve the peacefulness of the relationship between me, my sister, and my nieces. It has been my experience that when godparents take it upon themselves to act as judge too much, the results can be devastating and I do not think that is the intention of the important role of godparent.

So, I will pray for the girls. I also plan to sponser both girls to The Pines next year. The Pines is a Catholic summer camp for kids, age 7-16. I will also encourage their Confirmation process which can begin next year, but I really don't know if that will go anywhere as who will take them to their religious ed classes? What else can I do? Be patient and trust that God will somehow call them back to the Faith.