Set readings like RCC in a Protestant church?

Dave-W said:

I believe the Anglican/Church of England/Episcopal church follows the same reading schedule that the Catholics do.

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I can't remember where I saw it, but I remember reading somewhere recently that the current Roman Catholic practice was adopted from the Anglicans after Vatican II.

tampasteve said:

Well, yes, there are plenty of differences, beliefs and practices that the RCC has that other churches do not that I have had to give up. However, when I went into the RCC I was married to a cradle Catholic and our marriage was convalidated. Fast forward nearly 10 years and we divorced but our marriage was valid so there is no way to be in good conscience with the RCC now as I am re-married with a son on the way. Further, I have a very difficult time with the Catholic Church as my marriage disintegrated in the RCC where I was active weekly in the parish, member of KOC, and believed all the church taught. How could I do the right things, follow the guide of the church and then have that marriage fall apart? That marriage disintegration saw me almost abandon the Christian faith entirely for first Judaism, then Buddhism, but finally I am back and my faith is strong again. Going back to the RCC is not a possibility.

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That all sounds painful. I am glad you are recovering your faith. Thinking you were doing everything you could for a happy marriage and then having it crash and burn anyhow would be awful. Catholics divorce as much as anyone. The more faithful ones less so but they still do. The ones who do natural family planning have tiny divorce rates but it still does happen. Frustrating. It would shake my faith too.

You mention a 'convalidated' marriage, which indicates to me that your marriage was irregular somehow and you straightened out that irregularity at the same time you became Catholic. My only comment to that would be that without other evidence a marriage is presumed valid. If yours had an irregularity that was fixed, it is presumed that all other aspects were valid. But maybe they were not. A 'convalidated' marriage does not mean that the marriage was valid in all aspects, just that the one problem aspect was resolved. I don't know if you have investigated an annulment but it might be possible. It all depends. A canon lawyer might be able to offer sound advice. Don't presume it is impossible that your marriage may have been invalid without such a discussion.

You may have Catholic options. Don't give up on the possibility. Do consult with a canon lawyer who works in a marriage tribunal. See where that goes. Don't presume unless you already have a conclusion from your diocesan marriage tribunal. What might seem obvious to you now might not be. Every case is different and I can't even begin to speculate on your situation. Nor should I.

tampasteve said:

Thanks! Yes, I thought they probably did, but they are not an option for my wife as she feels they are "too Catholic". I actually was aware of the idea being an ancient one, that is one thing I like about a set liturgy, the continuation and adaption of the Jewish liturgy to Christianity. Again, thank you!

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Everyone is responsible for their own faith as well as their own path to salvation.
Don't let your wife take this choice for you.

Be sure to follow your conviction.

tampasteve said:

I am sure you mean well, but I think you might have not read my other post on how I got to this point. Being back in the Christian church is a blessing, being in the Catholic Church is not something I can do at this time based on my life experience to this point. If it were not for my wife there is a very good possibility I would have lapsed completely and converted to Judaism.

As you say, my convictions make me feel that I have to be in a different path, and that path is the Lutheran Church at this time.

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I'm so sloppy at times, I read through the thread and I see your point.
My fault.

If you're going Lutheran I'd recommend the Missouri synod.

I hope you sort things out.
God bless.

tampasteve said:

Ha, I understand, no worries

Yes, I have been to a MS parishe near me, probably a little over a mile away. Unfortunately they are liturgically liberal/modern and only offer communion monthly, and for the most part are a "contemporary" style of service. The ELCA parish I have attended and was married in is liturgically conservative and the pastor is Biblically sound. It is a small parish, perhaps 75 people weekly in attendance. Another parish, which is closer, is also ELCA and Biblically sound, with a conservative service (and incredible choir), but the sermons leave a bit to be desired.

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Hmm. That poses a dilemma, I suppose. The ELCA itself isn't conservative in doctrine, so it's probably a rare congregation that can reject the policies approved of by the national...and get away with it.

That said, there are indeed MS congregations that are modernistic or casual in worship style (which I, too, find disappointing) whereas the ELCA's congregations, however liberal they may be on doctrine, socio-political issues, and all of that, are more liturgical and traditional in worship.

On LGBT issues and political policy? Those are almost always justified by the denomination on the basis of some doctrinal/Biblical argument.