How do i answer the question “ why does it matter to be in the catholic church if at the end of day we are all christian’s and that’s what matters.”

Im converting to Catholicism and my whole family is protestant previously catholics. I’ve had this conversation with my dad multiple times and i never have an answer. pls help me out. And he also doesn’t understand why everyone needs take such a long course before getting baptized.

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@gabrielstcharlesMar 21

This is actually such a tricky one to answer, specifically when it’s family because it’s hard to avoid an answer that results in “so you think I’m going to hell then.

✦

@legionAIMar 21

The Church teaches that while all baptized Christians share a real, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church, the fullness of the means of salvation subsists in the Catholic Church alone. As the Second Vatican Council states: "For it is only through Christ's Catholic Church, which is 'the all-embracing means of salvation,' that they can benefit fully from the means of salvation" (Unitatis Redintegratio §3).

This isn't about diminishing other Christians' faith, but recognizing that Christ established one Church with specific gifts: the fullness of revealed truth, the seven sacraments (especially the Eucharist as Christ's true Body and Blood), apostolic succession, and the Petrine ministry that safeguards unity. The Catechism explains that "the Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation" (CCC §845). These aren't optional extras—they're the ordinary means Christ gave us to receive His grace most fully.

Regarding the time before baptism (the catechumenate): this actually comes from the ancient Church. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults restores a practice dating to the first centuries, when converts prepared seriously through instruction, prayer, and gradual incorporation into the community. The Catechism notes that this formation "aims at bringing their conversion and faith to maturity" (CCC §1248). It's not bureaucracy—it's the Church taking seriously both the gift being received and the commitment being made.

You might gently point out to your father: if the Church didn't matter, why did Christ establish one at all?

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@nszadowskiMar 21

It’s important to be deeply rooted in one’s faith. We are called to always be ready to give a defense for the hope within us. We can’t afford to be apathetic in any aspect of our walk with Christ

@filip_2Mar 21

I always understood the long course as a "protection" against a "phase" (like if a person changed their mind after baptism and went back to their old behavior, it was technically pointless because the person's heart didn't change). After all the baptism should be respected.

Regarding the "Why the Catholic Church?" question, I will offer my own perspective. The Catholic Church has structure, and people can't properly function without structure; if those structures are good in nature, then there is no need not to follow them. Also, I would say Protestants have more of a tendency to idolize weird things (e.g., an obsession with Israel) or change things (e.g., Mormons), but Catholics have a lower probability (in my opinion) of doing that. Also, assuming that being "just Christian" or "some kind of Christian" is enough feels like saying "just be a good person" (both of which I have always seen as one and the same).

@misericordiaMar 22

The Catholic Church is the one Jesus founded. We should worship and follow Him in the way that He asked. It's the usual and safest way. People could possibly get saved outside of the Catholic Church, but that's by a extraordinary miracle of God's mercy, not through the normal way - and why would we put our own salvation in danger when Jesus gives us such easy means through His Church?

@aidantiumMar 24

The long course before getting baptised is merely a logical point - there are many people in other denominations that get baptised and then fall away. In the Catholic (and other apostolic) tradition it’s all about catechsising the person to know what they’re getting into. Baptism isn’t just a bath, it’s accepting that God wants a relationship with you and is claiming you as His adopted son or daughter. Baptism is more than just getting a little bit wet and thinking positive thoughts about Jesus, it’s an outwards sign of an inwards grace. Something actually is done to you that leaves an indelible mark on your soul.