Can a Protestant Become Catholic?

Yes.

A baptized Protestant who becomes Catholic is not normally treated as though his or her entire Christian life never existed.

The Catholic Church recognizes valid Christian Baptism and receives baptized Christians into full communion rather than baptizing them again.

Exact pastoral steps can vary, so a local Catholic parish should determine the person's circumstances.

A Note About This Page

This page is an invitation to investigate, not an accusation against Christians who inherited this tradition. Catholic teaching recognizes baptized Christians who believe in Christ as Christians and acknowledges real gifts of Scripture, faith, grace and Christian life outside full Catholic communion.

The question here is narrower:

If we trace this tradition backward through Christian history, what came before it --- and what might that history ask us to reconsider?

You Are Allowed to Investigate Before Deciding

Exploring Catholicism does not obligate you to become Catholic.

You can:

• attend Mass;
• speak with a priest;
• ask difficult questions;
• read the Catechism;
• attend inquiry or OCIA sessions;
• study early Christianity;
• investigate your own denomination's history.

If you attend Mass and are not yet in full communion, ordinarily do not receive Holy Communion.

What Happens to My Protestant Past?

Becoming Catholic does not require pretending God was absent from your earlier Christian life.

You may have received:

• Scripture;
• Baptism;
• faith in Christ;
• prayer;
• Christian friendship;
• moral formation;
• love of the Gospel.

The Catholic question is whether Christ is now inviting you into fuller communion.

Where Should You Start?

Before beginning with a list of Catholic rules, investigate the foundational claims.

Who Decided Which Books Belong in the Bible? →

What Did Early Christians Believe About the Eucharist? →

Did the Early Church Believe in the Papacy? →

Meet the Early Christians →

A Simple Prayer

Jesus Christ, I want what You want.
Lead me into truth.
Give me courage to follow You wherever that truth leads.

You do not need to decide everything today.

Begin by investigating.