HUGUENOTS-WALLOONS-EUROPE-L Archives

From: "Dave & Nancy Cazalet" <>
Subject: [HWE] Reference conversions
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 23:38:25 -0400

My ancestors were Catholics in France before the early 1600's. I suspect
they were simply raised in that religion and never thought much about it,
then they were caught up in the fervor of the Reformation and, once they
became Protestants, they were fiercely loyal to and actively involved in
their new found faith. Persecution does that.
When they fled to England, the next generation began to intermarry with
Anglicans and other faiths. The younger generation did not have the fervor
of their parents, and many times, joined their spouses faith as the path of
least resistance.
My ancestors then came to New York. As the generations went by they again
were not serious about or committed to their faith. When my grandfather
married my grandmother, an Irish Catholic, I'm sure the priest made it quite
clear that he had to convert to Catholicism or their would be no marriage
and my grandmother would be excommunicated, if they "lived in sin" without
the blessing of the church. My grandfather was indifferent and converted to
satisfy my grandmother.
By my generation, the power of the Catholic church over me (fear of
excommunication) had waned and I became a Presbyterian. Although I would not
say that I am "religious," I very strongly believe in God. I believe I can
worship God anywhere and the straight jacket of doctrine is not very
important in my opinion (meaning no offense to anyone's beliefs). Perhaps,
some of our ancestors felt the same way.
That's my opinion of how these changes in church affiliation occurred.

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• [HWE] Reference conversions by "Dave & Nancy Cazalet" <>