Scenario: 
Martin is laid up in a hospital with a badly broken leg, following a skiing accident. His leg may be weak, but his Catholic faith isn’t. He’s had nothing better to do than to read back issues of Envoy for the last two weeks. 

Bob, a heart attack victim, occupies another bed in the same room. Martin is a friendly guy and has gotten to know his roommate in recent days. He knows that Bob was baptized Catholic but hasn’t practiced in years. 

Daily, a young Protestant preacher comes by to share his faith and offer encouragement. The pastor is intent on saving Bob’s soul, and in the process, he is encouraging Bob to be re-baptized as a Christian. Bob’s heart is weak. Who knows how long he may live? What should Martin do? What would you do?

I think a Catholic is already a Christian and there is no need to push Bob to be re-baptized. There should be an amount of personal desire to be re-baptized. And asking to be re-baptized would be an insult to the parents who had him baptized. And one should honor one’s parents. If a baptized Protestant should abandon the right path in life for different reasons, should he be re-baptized also when he comes back to Christian life?

First, much would be gained if Martin and the preacher got together to pray for Bob to evolve positively and live more by the Word of God. Then, once Martin knows his roommate better, he could start dialoguing with him and touching on strong subjects such as eternal life, joy, love. He could start asking Bob whether he ever read the Bible and is ready. He could show that all kinds of answers are given there to all kinds of questions. 

I personally think that one cannot rush to save somebody. One should treat the person to be saved the same way God treats us, softly, gently. Good surprises might come out of it, provided prayers are made sincerely and regularly.
Monique, France

I would talk to Bob, after praying and asking the Holy Spirit and Our Lady and my guardian angel to help soften Bob’s heart to my tongue. I would ask him if he has read anything lately, especially some small pamphlet or magazine such as Envoy, concerning
what the new Catechism says about returning to the Church. I would ask a priest friend to stop by casually some day and engage Bob and me in conversation so that Bob could get to know a priest again. 

I might ask Bob to wear a miraculous medal or put a green scapular near his bed. Then I’d pray like crazy the Rosary and the Memorare! Thanks for letting me try to help! 
Kathleen M. Virnig, via email

I would join the conversation, listening for a while at first. Then I would gently but clearly explain, using Bible references (when possible), the truth. The key to this method is to smile, listen, and use a gentle tone of voice (even if you are seething inside). I like to use Bible references when talking to Protestants, because then they can investigate for themselves and because to them it may be the only creditable source. If nothing else this method tends to spark some conversation.

I think I would do two things. One, I’d try to share my faith with Bob and try to get him to see things from a Catholic perspective. I’d try to help him see that as Catholics, we are Christians, and there is no need for him to be re-baptized. I’d try to share God’s love and mercy with Bob the best that I could. 

Second, I’d call a Catholic priest and ask him to begin to visit Bob as well. The problem as I see it is that the Protestant minister is willing to give his time and energies for Bob’s soul. Where is the Catholic clergy at this time in Bob’s life? Isn’t there a Catholic chaplain at the hospital? 

The final thing I’d do is pray, pray, pray for Bob. Perhaps I’d even ask Bob if he minded if I prayed over him (from my hospital bed). Perhaps he would appreciate saying the Our Father with me. I would try to get hold of some Catholic prayer books for him to use and encourage him to participate in the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. 
Mary Ann T., via email

If I were Martin, I would ask my priest to come and visit me in the hospital, and arrange it so I could speak privately to him, preferably without Bob’s knowledge. I would explain Bob’s situation and about the Protestant minister’s well-intentioned efforts. Then, the priest could come to visit Martin at a time when Bob was there and could reach out to him at that time. 

After visiting with Martin for a while, it would be the most natural thing in the world for the priest to be introduced to Martin’s roommate and to strike up a conversation with him as well. A simple “Is there anything I can do for you, Bob?” from the priest may open the floodgates! On the other hand, Bob may simply demur, in which case the priest should be prepared to follow up. It may take a few visits to reach the point where Bob is comfortable enough to speak, too. 

I would only do this if it seemed that Martin was at all interested in what that Protestant minister had to say. If Martin has rejected God, then being approached by a priest may be incredibly disturbing for him, and that’s not something he should be subjected to. 
However, I like to think that Martin, like most of us, longs to come home to the Lord. A gentle approach, an invitation to be reconciled, delivered in the appropriate manner, can open the doors for someone who’s feeling unworthy of the Lord. 

If Martin knows a priest that can reach out to Bob in this way, he would be doing a great good to connect the two of them. Someone needs to remind Bob that our Lord is always waiting for us, His prodigal sons and daughters. Since a priest can offer absolution and speaks from knowledge and experience, Bob would be more inclined to listen to him than to a lay person. After all, what does a lay person know? That might be the question that Bob asks. 

The priest should bring along with him some of the briefer summaries of the Catholic faith, such as Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth, or the wonderful booklet that my parish distributed last year, Outlines of the Catholic Faith. Bob can look through these and be reminded how very little our Lord really asks of us, and he will see how much good sense and love is in His laws. It’s past time for Bob to come home! 

Also, and this is very important, Martin should pray for Bob, not just for his physical recovery but for his spiritual renewal. Pray that he will accept the Lord. Without knowing Bob, I would caution Martin not to mention this to him, as many people feel patronized if they hear, “I’m praying for you.” I imagine they think that they don’t need any help, and of course, it is just the ones with that attitude who need the most help of all! 
Joan Hedman, via email

I would introduce myself to the other guy in the room. I would tell him when the Protestant pastor left that he doesn’t need to be re-baptized to re-establish his relationship with God. I’d give him some of the magazines for him to pass the time. I would receive the Eucharist in my room daily. I would be a soft sell.
via email

Martin is in a tough spot, but remember that we are all called to share the Truth always. I should heed that advice too. You can’t keep it under a bushel basket.
via email

Although Bob hasn’t practiced the Faith in some time, Martin should try to get Bob to take a walk down memory lane. Recalling his days as a youth, most likely attending Mass with his parents, Bob should certainly be able to remember some of the antiphonal responses during Mass, such as the Creed: “We believe in one God . . . one baptism for the forgiveness of sins . . . the resurrection of the body . . .”

Fondly recalling his memories will bring him in touch with the Truth of the Faith, and the Bible. All in a fond manner. Who knows? This might be the spark Bob needs.
Michael Cugini, via email

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