Why Some Catholics Leave—and Why I Chose to Stay

I grew up in a Catholic household, schooled in a Catholic institution, befriended nuns and priests, immersed in the sacraments and routines of the Church. And yet, I felt something was missing. There was a distance between my heart and the rituals I was raised with. So I went astray.

For years, I was no longer an active Catholic. I questioned the Church—its teachings, its traditions, especially its leaders and certain religious orders whose actions didn’t match their words. The hypocrisy I saw made me lose faith—not in God, but in the structure that claimed to represent Him.

But as I matured, I realized that walking away never truly brought peace. The questions lingered. The longing remained. And so I humbled myself. I picked up the Bible—not to prove the Church wrong, but to understand where it all began. I started reading Church history, watching Catholic vlogs, devouring books on theology and tradition. I felt spiritually hungry. I was thirsty for clarity. I needed more. I wanted to know more.

And in that seeking, I found peace. I found that the answers were there all along. The place I had left in search of truth was the very place where truth was waiting for me—with open arms. The home I needed to be in was the home I grew up with: the Catholic Church.

It’s a painful reality: many Catholics leave the Church and join other Christian denominations. I’ve seen it happen among friends, family, and even within myself. Often, it comes down to two things: a lack of deep understanding of the Catholic faith, and disillusionment from scandals or broken examples.

Let me say this clearly: the pain caused by betrayal and sin within the Church is real. But if we allow the failures of people to define the Church, we risk turning our backs not on human error—but on divine truth.

Many leave without ever discovering the richness of Catholicism. They see only rules, not the relationship. They notice the rituals, but not the revelation behind them. They hear about saints and Mary, but not about their deep connection to Christ. They see the Church as merely a human institution, forgetting that it was divinely instituted by Jesus Himself.

We don’t need more cultural Catholics—we need intentional ones. We need seekers. We need believers who aren’t afraid to dig, to question, to rediscover. And when they do, they’ll find a Church that still stands, not because of perfect people, but because of a perfect promise:"You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).

Let’s do our part in spreading the Good News through our Church. Don’t be afraid to understand, to research, to ask hard questions. Approach the Church not just as an outsider or critic, but as a child returning home. The truth of our faith can withstand scrutiny, and was never meant to be blindly followed—but deeply known.

This Church—despite its struggles—is still the Bride of Christ. She carries the Scriptures, the sacraments, the saints, and the Spirit that still speaks today.

So seek boldly. Live faithfully. And if you’ve left, don’t be afraid to come home.