The Coming Home Network will host its first-ever clergy convert conference in Steubenville, Ohio, from May 30 to June 1. The conference aims to foster fellowship among former Protestant and other non-Catholic pastors who have become Catholic. The event will feature speakers from different religious backgrounds, including Marcus Grodi, the founder of the Coming Home Network. The network provides pastoral care, resources, and support for convert pastors.
17 days ago
The Coming Home Network, in partnership with the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, will host its first "clergy convert conference" from May 30 to June 1 in Steubenville, Ohio 1 2. The conference aims to provide fellowship and encouragement to former non-Catholic pastors and ministers who have converted to Catholicism or are considering doing so 1 2.
Founded in 1993 by former Presbyterian pastor Marcus Grodi, The Coming Home Network supports non-Catholic Christians, both clergy and laity, in discovering the Catholic faith and converting to Catholicism 1 2. The organization emerged from Grodi's and other Protestant clergy's experiences of converting to Catholicism 1. The network's mission is to guide people "home to full communion with the Catholic Church" 1 2.
The weekend-long retreat will feature speakers from various religious backgrounds, including Marcus Grodi, the founder of The Coming Home Network and host of EWTN's "The Journey Home" 1 2. The conference is designed to "reignite the fire for living out and sharing the Gospel now as Catholics" 1 2. JonMarc Grodi, Marcus' son and the current executive director of the network, hopes to hold the conference annually 1 2.
The Coming Home Network prioritizes pastoral care, offering resources such as newsletters, books, and retreats 1 2. The network's pastoral care team, led by former Baptist pastor Ken Hensley, provides one-on-one support, counseling, and mentorship to pastors throughout their conversion journey 1 2. This support is particularly important as many pastors face job loss and financial uncertainty when they leave their previous ministry 1 2. The network continues to guide converts even after they have entered the Church, helping them navigate their new identity 1 2.
Matt Swaim, the organization's director of outreach, reported a significant increase in inquiries from pastors 1 2. Since the beginning of 2025, 47 pastors have contacted the network to inquire about converting, have already converted, or are seeking guidance 1 2. In 2024, the network assisted 99 pastors, nearly double the number from 2022 1 2. The Coming Home Network serves over 10,000 members from more than 200 different religious backgrounds 1 2.
The Catholic Church views religious conversion as a profound journey involving several key elements: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion . Conversion, or metanoia, signifies a change in thinking and acting, reflecting a new life in Christ proclaimed by faith . This involves a continuous reform of thought and deeds directed at an ever more intense identification with Christ .
The Church emphasizes that the response to God in faith must be free; no one should be forced to embrace the Christian faith against their will . The act of faith is, by its very nature, a free act . Religious freedom contributes to an environment where people can be invited to the Christian faith without hindrance, embrace it freely, and profess it in their lives .
Conversion involves not only an interior attitude but also entry into the Christian community through baptism . Baptism is the sacrament through which a believer is formally received into the body of the Church . It signifies liberation from sin and rebirth in the freedom newly chosen . The Church calls all to conversion, following the examples of John the Baptist and Christ .
The Church is called to preach the Gospel to every creature and is bound to receive all who apply for reception, regardless of age, sex, or condition . Every person has the right to hear the Good News of God revealed in Christ . Missionaries address non-Christians, respecting that it is not enough to help people become more human or faithful to their own religion .
Those seeking conversion need knowledge and profession of the Catholic Faith and the resolve to live in accordance with it . The right to admit converts belongs to the bishop, and priests are usually given faculties for reconciling heretics . The process includes abjuration of heresy or profession of faith, conditional baptism, and sacramental confession with conditional absolution .
The news article discusses the "Clergy Convert Conference," which supports non-Catholic pastors and ministers in their journey to Catholicism . This initiative aligns with the Church's mission to guide people "home to full communion" . The support offered by organizations like The Coming Home Network, including pastoral care and resources, reflects the Church's understanding of conversion as a journey that requires guidance and community . The increase in inquiries from pastors indicates a growing openness to conversion, which the Church views as a gift of God and a work of the Blessed Trinity . The conference aims to reignite the fire for living out and sharing the Gospel as Catholics, which aligns with the Church's call to continuous conversion and renewal .
The Catholic Church's teaching on religious conversion emphasizes the importance of a free and informed decision to embrace the faith, the transformative power of baptism, and the ongoing journey of conversion in the life of a believer. The Church is committed to evangelization while respecting the religious freedom of all individuals. The "Clergy Convert Conference" exemplifies the Church's pastoral care for those undergoing this significant life change, supporting them in their journey towards full communion with the Catholic Church.