I've been very slow in writing about our family's recent turn toward the #Catholic church. There are reasons for this slow turn. Among them, I've written two books that touch on faith and sobriety, and I believe those books are for everyone--Protestants, Catholics, and others.

I don't want to alienate readers and friends or set up some me-versus-you dichotomy in which our modes of Christianity keep us from hearing one another. And boy-howdy, don't we live in a me-versus-you dichotomous age?

But a church recently asked for me for clarity... so...

Know this: I've been on a long journey that started when my folks enrolled me in Immaculate Conception grade school in the 4th grade. It was the first place where I sensed the peace of God in a sort of metaphysical way. I was haunted by my 5 years of Catholic school,

much the way Flannery O'Connor's short stories are haunted. (If you know, you know.) Years later, I'd have a post-sobriety Eucharistic experience that would energize that haunting. I fought it for a time, mostly because my wife wasn't quite ready to make a move.

At first, her Protestant roots led the way in resistance to Catholicism. Later, the process of ordination in the Anglican church held her back. And, so long as she was held back, so was I. That's what it meant for *us* to live in a unified marriage.

The barriers were removed (some painfully), and last Sunday, we were confirmed.

In the days that followed, and in light of this article I wrote for @americamag, I've received emails and DMs. Most have been supportive. Some not, for 2 primary reasons. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/05/13/soon-be-catholics-coronavirus-purgatory

A. On Biblicism
Some have asked why I've joined an "unbiblical" church, assuming their group has the corner on biblicism. If you're the observant sort, you might've noticed there are scads of denominations w/ many interpretative opinions on what's "biblical."

I was raised in one such biblical church, served in various other biblical churches over the years. Each of these churches had difficulty agreeing on much outside the fundamentals of the Creed, which are, in origin, Catholic.

And as I fell headlong into the writings of the early church (an accident of grace, I assure you), I found that many of those teachings (including those of the beloved Augustine) would raise many a biblical eyebrow. In short, I found something more Catholic than I'd once thought.

B. On Abuse

Some have asked how I could fall into a church that hides and covers up abuse. Let me be clear about this: I abhor the abuses of the Catholic church, both historically and in modernity. I am pained by those who've been hurt, those who deserve justice.

Abuse, though, is not a Catholic thing. It's a human thing. Haven't we read of modern sex abuse scandals in all churches by now? Haven't we seen the blatant racism and narcissistic abuses of other evangelical leaders (look no farther than Eric Metaxas' recent Tweets)?

Every human institution has committed its own series of abuses, and each needs the fire of justice to purify it.

C. On Me and Trending Catholic

Some have simply wondered "why?" Truth is, I've been trending Catholic for years. My favorite writers have been Catholic. Catholic art sings to me. There is something transcendent about stepping into a Cathedral. I grew tired of fighting the trend.

Others have written and said they're tired too. Out of gas. Caput. I'm not here to convince you of anything, and I believe there's unity among the people of Jesus. But if you were like me, if you're finding yourself tired of fighting, there's a place of peace. I promise.