Charlene Wittstock Current Events Part 10: January 2008 - June 2011

[lancchick]

I'm not sure if this is addressed in another thread, but People magazine is reporting that Charlene converted to Catholicism. Obviously a big step for anyone so, congratulations to her. Charlene Wittstock Converts to Catholicism : People.com

[CrownPrincess5]

Good for her, but then again I guess she had no choice.

[melina premiere]

In the official princely wedding, it was said there was no rule for the wife of the prince sovereign to be catholic, but Charlene perfers to convert to catholic religious, it is good thingh.
In Nice Matin, it is said that the people of Monaco the natives people could watch the civil wedding on bigs screens on the place of palace and they will have cocktail with the brides further there will be in an another coktails with the residents and than there will be a big concert with Jean Michel Jarre.The Mayor of Monaco said the native monegash people will receive their cards of invitation in the middle of april.This morning, I heard that the fests and the two weddings will be boardcasted

[Jaya]

Originally Posted by lancchick

I'm not sure if this is addressed in another thread, but People magazine is reporting that Charlene converted to Catholicism. Obviously a big step for anyone so, congratulations to her. Charlene Wittstock Converts to Catholicism : People.com

May the good Lord Bless and protect Charlene as she has had the faith to change her religion of her own accord.That will assist in raising a family. as well as being closer to Monaco........she has been a good sport and wise about her spirituality.

[Nathalie Cox]

Finally we have things clear!
Good to know she is catholic now.

[melina premiere]

I am agree with you,it is more clear now

[FanofMonaco]

Charlene did have a choice. The heirs have to be Catholic but she does not. Still I think it was a good move and will make the citizens happy.

[Bones]

This is good news. Even though it is not mandatory, it is respectful of the people, history and traditions of Monaco for Charlene to convert. I do wish it had happened sooner, I'm not judging her in any way, but it would have looked more "sincere" (for lack of a better word -I'm not saying she's not) if this had happened some months ago. In any event, good for here, glad to see it. Assuming both take it seriously, it is important for a good marriage to have both in agreement on the big issues like religion.

[Lakshmi]

I think that Charlene's converting to Catholicism was diplomatic. It is also quite surprising that only several weeks ago Mr. Barsi, who is Monaco's bishop, told in interview that CW didn't have to convert. Now she is catholic, so it happened quite fast.

[smdouglas]

Originally Posted by Lakshmi

I think that Charlene's converting to Catholicism was diplomatic. It is also quite surprising that only several weeks ago Mr. Barsi, who is Monaco's bishop, told in interview that CW didn't have to convert. Now she is catholic, so it happened quite fast.

That's the apparency...

I converted to Episcopaleon years ago and that was several months of classes. I understand that conversion to Roman Catholic is even more of an effort.

[melina premiere]

If Charlene did not convert , there will be many critics here, now she convert"how can she convert so quickly?" I remembered all the critics. Mgr Barsi was very reserved because it was the palace who must annonce the convert not him. In a talk on the monaco club press, he refused to answer to a report who asked him if the future princess will convert or was already converted. He said 'there will be a communique of the palace on this subject'. You can watch the interview of Mgr Barsi on the monaco club press on march the 17th.

[Zonk]

Actually I think the time difference between the engagement and the announcement that she has converted is good.

I am not Catholic nor have I converted from another faith but I would imagine that its not a decision that is taken lightly, and one day you say...Oh I want to be Catholic now. I assume she had to take classes, etc.

The timing now makes me think she put some thought as well as education/learning the new religion.

[lancchick]

Originally Posted by Zonk

Actually I think the time difference between the engagement and the announcement that she has converted is good.

I am not Catholic nor have I converted from another faith but I would imagine that its not a decision that is taken lightly, and one day you say...Oh I want to be Catholic now. I assume she had to take classes, etc.

The timing now makes me think she put some thought as well as education/learning the new religion.

I'm speaking from experience. I did "convert" from a Protestant denomination of Christianity to Catholicism about six months before my wedding to a Catholic. As I was already a baptized Christian, I took the sacraments of reconciliation and the eucharist. For mere common folk like me, I did nine months of classes but I know speaking to others that some people can skip over the formalities and jump straight to being a Catholic.

Although people use the word convert, conversion usually means coming to another religion, like Islam to Christianity or vice versa. As Charlene (and me) were already Christians, I think the better word is being accepted into the Catholic Church.

As for her motives, who the heck knows and what's the point of speculating? I think it's great that she can take the eucharist along with the rest of her soon-to-be husband's family. It would look very awkward if she couldn't IMO.

[Moonmaiden23]

Well, I hope it is a sincere conversion, and not just because she wanted to ingratiate herself to the Monagasques.

Because I don't think it mattered that much to PA and his family.

On the other hand, it WILL make her Nuptial Mass less awkward for her.

[Jaya]

I seriously doubt Charlene would have converted if she was not conscientious of it.She does strike me as sensible girl.And I believe she had a choice left open to her. And she decided to convert.It could be considered and perceived as formality but she chose of her own voliton and autonomy to agree with it.May god Bless her.

[melina premiere]

Many signs made think that she would convert, at the first interview, she answered I am not protestant, I am not catolish I am christian, than at the national fest she made the sign of the cross with the holy oil at the entry of the cathedral, she knelt at the moment of the salut , signs that protestant do not make(I think), than at the sainte Devote she made the sign of the cross at the altar in the cathedral and also on the balcony and at the Princess Antoinette's funeral she knelt and made the signs of the cross, she answered as the other members of the family to the sentences of the archbishop. We are surprised because the palace said on the site of the mariageprinciermonaco2011 that there was no rule for a princess to be catholic.
I think that official church and palace did not want the people think there was a pressionon her.
For the thrue faith, I think that she converted because all the principaly family is catholic, the people of Monaco is also catholic, her future children will be catholic, and it will not be easy to stay protestant.

[Moonmaiden23]

melina-premiere, I agree with you. And I am more than slightly relieved that she converted because I think it shows a willingness to make concessions to the demands of her new position.

CW doesn't strike me as someone who even thought much about religion and Church attendance...now she is part of a ruling family that has had traditionally close relationships with the Pope and the Holy See...and where(at least publically...privately is another story ) they are required to appear as committed Catholics.

It's a big, rather scary leap to make and I am impressed with CW that she has determined to do it...when she did not really have to.

[melina premiere]

I remembered having seen on Point De Vue that the Duchess of the Kent the wife of Prince Edward converted to the catholic religion. I do not know if it is the right place on this board to pose this Question? Was it true? It seemed that one of her son converted at the catholic religion.

[PetraHel]

Originally Posted by melina premiere

I remembered having seen on Point De Vue that the Duchess of the Kent the wife of Prince Edward converted to the catholic religion. I do not know if it is the right place on this board to pose this Question? Was it true? It seemed that one of her son converted at the catholic religion.

It is true and her son Nicholas converted as well, AFAIK.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by PetraHel

It is true and her son Nicholas converted as well, AFAIK.

And also Baron Downpatrick and Lady Marina Windsor the 2 oldest children of the Earl and Countess of St. Andrews where confirmed catholic. But their mother is also catholic.