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Published: April 14, 2009
High-profile conversion
Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich joins Catholic Church
Washington, D.C., Apr 13, 2009 / (CNA) -- The Catholic Church has welcomed another high profile politician into the fold -- former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
 According to press reports, Gingrich, who spent most of his life as a Baptist, attended an evening Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, March 29, and received the Sacrament of Confirmation the same evening.
Gingrich, who has had two well-documented divorces outside the Catholic Church, recently appeared on Fox News to discuss North Korea, but also spoke briefly about his conversion.
The conservative leader said that “reading the literature” and “meeting with Monsignor Rossi” gave him “peace” in his soul and a “sense of well being in the Catholic Church.”
He referred to his confirmation as “one of the most powerful moments of [his] life.”
When questioned about his past marriages, he said, “We have done everything within the law of the Church over the last 10 years, and it’s been a process.”
Gingrich also pointed to Pope Benedict XVI as a contributor to his conversion. He said that “seeing the joy in his eyes, listening to his message” led him to “really believe” in the Church’s message.
Gingrich also echoed Benedict XVI’s Palm Sunday message about self sacrifice and denial as the way to a successful life, saying he believed that “much of what’s wrong with our country” can be solved not with more selfishness and greed, but rather by “looking inside ourselves, not just looking at money or looking at our wallets.”
Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 2:54 AM By Milton52
Welcome to the Church Mr. Gingrich! May God bless you and your family.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 5:28 AM By St. Christopher
Welcome to the true Church, Mr. Speaker. We are all sinners and all need forgiveness. We hope your eloquent voice now speaks out for all truth, not just for the political.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 6:09 AM By Ann Landell
God bless you, Newt and welcome.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 6:25 AM By Dave N.
I think he's on his third marriage. I wonder how he was able to get two annulments, but I guess we'll have to trust the bishop of DC on that.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 7:01 AM By JLS
Well, let's see if Newt pulls a Tony Blair, or actually begins to live in a Catholic manner.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 8:38 AM By Maryanne Leonard
Halleluja! What a joy it is to welcome new converts into the Catholic Church. Easter Vigil Mass in our community took 3 hours and 7 minutes this year due to the large number of people coming into the faith or being confirmed, and it was a joy to welcome them. Ten years ago we welcomed only three, and this year there were 15 times as many. There is so much reason for joy upon this wonderful news.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 8:40 AM By OneoftheSheep
Welcome to the flock, Mr. Gingrich. What did you take as your confirmation name?
Hopefully, you will not follow Nancy Pelosi, Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden, or Caroline Kennedy in their cafeteria style Catholicism.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 8:56 AM By Fr. M.P.
Let's pray that he gives a good example to all, and better than Tony Blair who wants the Pope to approve of grave sins.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 10:10 AM By FactCheck
"I wonder how he was able to get two annulments, but I guess we'll have to trust the bishop of DC on that."
The only reason Gingrinch would need "annulments" would be if he wanted to be married in the Church, not to receive communion or otherwise be an actively practicing Catholic. Granted, his current marraige is in something of a gray area -- not a "Catholic" marriage, but not Adultery either -- but no more so than that of many practicing Catholics -- especially those who've converted later in life.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 11:27 AM By Almond Milk
WOW!! This is great news. Fr. M.P. from what I heard Mr. Gingrich is a conservative and Tony Blair may not be. So comparing the two may not be a good thing. In my opinion, I think he may be coming in the church for the right reasons. From what I have read here. May God bless Mr. Gingrich and guide him always, especially in fighting the good fight. Being in such high leadership it is not always easy, people forget that they are human too and especially need our prayers.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 12:32 PM By Life Lady
I hope this is a true conversion, and not one the likes of Tony Blair, who would like to set himself up as head of a counterfeit catholic church. The enemy is roaming, and roaring, none louder than those who say they are for the Church and work against it. I hope and pray that this conversion is truly from the heart. Sounds lke is so far.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 1:14 PM By Bruce
Dave N. If none of those marriages took place in a catholic ceremony/church, then they would likely have not been recognized as such so very likely no annulments were required. A Catholic marriage is a Sacrament where God blesses and gives His special graces to the bride and groom (notice female and male insinuation not domestic partners of the immoral kind) and has a deeper meaning, or at least it used to before annulments became so easy to get. A relative of mine was married for 20 years, had 2 grown sons and still received an annulment from the liberal modern catholic church. For some odd reason, I just don't feel this annulment stuff is right. After all what God has joined let no man put asunder. Let's pray for Newt and his family that they will do God's Will.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 3:57 PM By MAJRDAD
Think kind thoughts, be charitable and pray a lot for our dear converts. I thank Heaven often that my parents were both converts. It's always appropriate and difficult to try and be Christ-like. And with the recent scandals in the Church, you have to believe that the Holy Spirit is working overtime to bring souls into the One True Faith. God Bless.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 4:07 PM By JLS
Catholicism recognizes the Sacrament of marriage in other religions ... the conditions for a valid marriage can be found in the CCC. One of the conditions is intent, and if proven that there was no intent to contract a true marriage, then there could be an annulment. Some examples of marriage recognized by the Church: Jewish, Muslim, Baptist, Mormon, Hindu, Buhddist, and even SSPX : ))) Since the Sacrament of marriage is effected by the couple, and not the priest, then the truth of a particular marriage rests in the conditions defined by the CCC.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 5:23 PM By Bob
Welcome!
That is really all any contribution to this site should say.
Who are the people who find horror in goodness? Who are the people that question every motive of every person for any and all reason?
What would Jesus say if someone joined the flock? I know he would say something like "Welcome".
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 5:32 PM By Richard
Hope Newt won't be another Tony Blair.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 6:20 PM By Mark from PA
If people in non-Christian religions got married I don't think these would be considered Sacramental marriages would they? People who got married in Christian faiths that consider marriage to be a Sacrament would be considered married in a Sacramental sense. But if their faith does not consider marriage to be a sacrament then it would not be a sacrament in my opinion.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 6:59 PM By Dr. Bob
It is too early to make a conclusion. I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt; but he is first and foremost a "politician." Therefore, there may be another motive behind his conversion. There is no evidence to support this observation; however, it is valid to ask whether he sees his new position as a Catholic as also an opportunity for personal advancement in order to garner political support from the faithful for any future political ambitions. It is not out of the realm of possibility.
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Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 7:06 PM By JPeterman
This is great and I'm sure the previous NON Catholic "marriages" won't be a problem. JLS, I'll have to have you show me where in the Catechism a non-Catholic marriage is considered... well, marriage. Lets hope this opens the flood gates of Baptists who come home to the true faith built on the Rock, not shifting sands.
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Posted Wednesday, April 15, 2009 2:01 PM By Marlene A.
JLS, Please prove your comment "Catholicism recognizes the Sacrament of marriage in other religions ..Some examples of marriage recognized by the Church: Jewish, Muslim, Baptist, Mormon, Hindu, Buhddist, and even SSPX : )))". The Sacrament of Matrimony is not the same form nor value as a civil marriage or pagan marriage. Civil and pagan marriages receive no Sanctifying Grace from God, that I am aware of, only the Catholic/Orthodox Sacrament of Marriage instituted by Jesus Christ does. Also, you certainly no how to insult the SSPX putting them in the same category as the pagans. I am no SSPX member, but they are no way pagan, in fact these wonderful members whom I have as friends, practice the ancient ways of the Church daily and are the kindest and most charitable Catholics I have met. With insults like yours, how will the Catholic Church ever become "one" again? Throw away our personal agendas, prejudices, and pride, and open our eyes and ears to the Lord's Way.
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Posted Wednesday, April 15, 2009 3:31 PM By JLS
JPeterman, it is my understanding, and I'll find the verification as soon as I have time to dig it up, that a marriage is valid regardless of the external circumstances such as religious ritual or religion. In parallel, the Sacrament of Baptism can be performed by anyone as long as it is done properly. For example, Baptists do the Sacrament of Baptism and the Church recognizes it. Same with many other Protestant churches. Remember that a marriage is not confered by the priest, but by the bride and bridegroom. I'll find the "rules" later and post them. Now be sure that I am not claiming that all marriages are true marriages, nor all baptisms true ... and by "true" I mean Sacraments. But these Sacraments are not exclusive to Catholics (even though by virtue of baptism even baptised Mennonites are Catholics, since there is only one Catholic Church, and the baptized are members).
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Posted Wednesday, April 15, 2009 5:10 PM By Buzz
I'd like to just shake Mr. Gingrich's hand and welcome him to the Church. Not A Church, Not to Churches, but to THE Church. "Upon this rock, you will build MY CHURCH"
Congratulations and welcome home!
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Posted Wednesday, April 15, 2009 7:15 PM By JLS
CCC 1660 The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament (cf. CIC, can. 1055 § 1; cf. GS 48 § 1). Yet, marriage exists even without baptism. CCC 1662 Marriage is based on the consent of the contracting parties, that is, on their will to give themselves, each to the other, mutually and definitively, in order to live a covenant of faithful and fruitful love. Jesus teaches that marriage was ordained from the beginning. So, I'm partially correct, and not totally direlect on this issue.
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Posted Wednesday, April 15, 2009 7:16 PM By Mark from PA
That is good that Newt Gingrich converted to the Catholic Church. Now if we could convert President Obama, that would be the best. Could you imagine if he had an epiphany and became a pro-life Catholic? Some of the regulars here might even like him then.
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Posted Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:32 PM By BJ
Welcome to the Roman Catholic Church Mr. Gingrich! I hope that you will follow Our Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of your days.
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Posted Thursday, April 16, 2009 3:18 PM By Dave N.
Thanks JLS for providing the research. Of course a non-Catholic marriage can be marriage, just as non-Catholic baptism is quite often indeed baptism! And thus in many cases prior marriages require annulment before one can validly enter the Church.
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Posted Thursday, April 16, 2009 5:47 PM By JLS
Slight correction: The last two sentences were mine, not the CCC's.
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Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 12:21 PM By Talithia Kumi
Bruce the marriage thing is alot more complex than you state. Trust me I know. Mr G said it has been a process, ten years; that sounds about right. Yeah you can get two annullments, it all depends on many things. Tribunals are made up of lawyers and such and they specialize in straightening out the convoluted. in time. On confirmation name i too am curious. Also, with many here I am hoping we have a true convert and not a 'Tony'. How did Mr. Blair even "get in" ? , so to speak.
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Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 12:56 PM By Mary
It is sad to see the deception provided by the self-dubbed catechism scholars here. Only in the Catholic Church is Marriage raised to a Sacrament, in all other forms and denominations, it is merely a marriage. What is quoted in CCC is not exactly what the ancient Roman Catholic Church recognized and defined. Study some official old Roman Catholic doctrine and it will open up your eyes.
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Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 4:02 PM By JLS
I think Tony Blair "got in" through his wife, who is Catholic. There was talk of him converting for years. It is also my understanding the England has had a deep problem with homosexuality for a long time, which would provide some insight as to Blair's gullibility in this issue. He also probably does not comprehend the nature of papal authority, having been one of the most powerful leaders in the world, and of a government which has for five centuries been visciously hostile to the Catholic Church. If he has any actual faith, then he likely will come to terms with his responsibility towards the hierarchy established by God. Remember the story where one son said "no" to his father, yet went and obeyed him anyway, whereas the other said "yes" and then refused to obey him. Let's see how both Blair and Gingrich line up with this pattern.
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Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 8:20 PM By JPeterman
JLS, unfortunately my rebuttal was not approved for posting. The Catechism says nothing about non Catholic non Christian marriages and Fr Trigilio himself has said on his "Web of Faith" show that these are not recognized as marriages.
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Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 8:51 PM By JLS
Quoting the Catholic Encyclopedia: "Christ revoked the dispensation granted in the Mosaic law. He promulgated the original Divine law of monogamic and indissoluble marriage; in addition, He raised marriage to the dignity of a sacrament (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3 sqq.; Luke 16:15 sqq.; Mark 10:11 sqq.; 1 Corinthians 7:2 sqq.)."
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Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 10:27 PM By steven
Why does the Church care about gay marriage when it would not be recognized anyway?
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Posted Saturday, April 18, 2009 6:56 AM By Richard Flores
It is unfortunate that marriage in the US does not follow the historical tradition. In many countries, the process reflects the truths associated with marriage, and there are two, separate ceremonies; one at the town hall and one in the church. Because the US is predominately protestant, the process is combined, which is NOT "optimal" in nature. There are actually two marriages during the ceremony, one is civil and one is sacramental. Since his marriages were NOT celebrated in the church, they are NOT "legitimate", sacramental unions and there is no need for an annulment.
Welcomoe, Newt! We'll take him over pro-death Pelosi any day!
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Posted Saturday, April 18, 2009 12:26 PM By JLS
Because, steven, the mission of the Church is to discipline the nations and teach the Gospel.
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Posted Saturday, April 18, 2009 4:01 PM By Anne T.
Steven, even non-Catholics or non-Christians care about so-called gay marriage. For one reason it would open the door to anything goes. How could we outlaw polyandry -- two women marrying one man, or polygamy -- one man with more than one wife, or even incest if marrying a person of the same sex is a "right"? A woman could even marry her own aunt. That's just crazy. It isn't a "right" to marry someone of the same sex. We discriminate all the time on who can marry whom. There is bad discrimination and there is good descrimination.
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Posted Saturday, April 18, 2009 6:23 PM By Talithia Kumi
Mary: Are you saying the CCC doesn't tell it like it is?
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Posted Saturday, April 18, 2009 6:35 PM By Anne T.
Bruce, the Catholic Church does recognize marriages between two Protestants, so perhaps his wife or wives were unbaptized and he could get the Pauline or Petrine Previlege.
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Posted Sunday, April 19, 2009 8:08 AM By JLS
JPeterman, many of my posts also are not posted. Sometimes I rewrite, and find these posted. A year or so ago, one of the editors explained that the shear volume of submittals made vetting difficult. CCD receives lots of unsavory submittals, which clog up the process.
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Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 6:46 AM By Steven
Once you attempt legislation upon religious grounds, you open the way for every kind of intolerance and religious persecution.
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Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 11:37 AM By Ski Ven
Regarding comments that are not posted: One time, I accidentally hit the post comment button before I was finished writing. I am glad that it did not make it through the system. Sometimes I write something without undertaking appropriate reflection first and it does not make it through. I guess it is a win win for me.
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Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 6:08 PM By Jake
If you like this snake oil salesman, then God help you all!
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Posted Tuesday, April 21, 2009 7:18 AM By JLS
Good point, Jake. A. What does conversion to Christ do to souls that we can see in subsequent actions? B. Is there anything Newt has done lately to indicate a deep faith response to God? C. or, like it is with the convert Tony Blair, will his snake oil drumming rather intensify?
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Posted Tuesday, April 21, 2009 7:25 AM By JLS
Mary, the CCC is published for us all, just as is Holy Scripture. What does the early Roman Church teach about accusing of deception those who try to learn the truth by discussion and argument?
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Posted Wednesday, April 22, 2009 7:13 AM By Ski Ven
Also, there are probably some people who would like to curse me lower than a dog but can't publish such comments on this website.
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