Am I allowed?

[Lochias]

Since there are differing opinions on this, and since only one (in the posts I read) has been expressed, I figured I’d speak up for the other.

I think this is an absolutely fine thing to do, to show up, talk to a couple people, and express your gratitude for the time you spent there. It makes perfect sense to me to want to tell those who you spent so much time worshiping with that you really enjoyed your time in their church and that it helped you to grow closer to God, that you wish them well, but that you feel like God is leading you towards Catholicism.

That said, it is extremely likely that people will try to dissuade you, but I absolutely do not think that correct response is to isolate yourself from these people, or to leave without a word.

I see no problem with occasionally (we do not want to give the impression to them or to ourself, somewhat subconsciously perhaps, that we are part of their faith, but occasional should be fine) attending a service for another faith, so long as we are absolutely clear on what we are and aren’t doing, do not let our obligations to our own faith slide, and make sure that we are both careful of our own faith AND are not pushing it on others at their place of worship.

Some of those may be hard for some people, and it may be worth being careful to make sure that you can pull it off - if you find the preaching there seeming to weaken your faith, you may need to do some studying to resolve whatever questions it raised and the like. But I am absolutely opposed both to the idea of separating ourselves entirely from others and to the idea that we must avoid ideas we disagree with entirely. (Be careful with exposure in such a way as to make sure that we can research each disagreement that comes up before seeing more so that we don’t just get hit by wave after wave of things that sound right but disagree with us yes, but hide from it no.)

I tend to both agree and disagree. As the foundation for all that we do in life, I would think a new Catholic would be better off staying within a Catholic church for a long while. That is one of the main places that formation of the Faith occurs, and it might send a mixed message, at best, to the OP’s former church. Some Protestant sects will “pounce” on perceived weakness, and it may very well be a time of weakness for the OP, new to his/ her faith as he/she is.

I would advocate that the OP spend some time with their former church friends outside of the church setting…go hang out n’ do whatever. As the OP increases their faith and knowledge of the Catholic Church, they’ll become more of a beacon to those around them.

 

[Iron_Donkey]

I tend to both agree and disagree. As the foundation for all that we do in life, I would think a new Catholic would be better off staying within a Catholic church for a long while. That is one of the main places that formation of the Faith occurs, and it might send a mixed message, at best, to the OP’s former church. Some Protestant sects will “pounce” on perceived weakness, and it may very well be a time of weakness for the OP, new to his/ her faith as he/she is.

I would advocate that the OP spend some time with their former church friends outside of the church setting…go hang out n’ do whatever. [emphasis added] As the OP increases their faith and knowledge of the Catholic Church, they’ll become more of a beacon to those around them.

This I think would be a wise move as well. Perhaps more wise than attending the service, even. Mainly what I don’t like is the idea of Catholics telling everyone that absolutely everyone is welcome to Mass, no obligations, no assumption that being there means agreeing with Catholicism (your protestant friend who is in town is welcome to come and worship without making a profession of being Catholic so long as they don’t receive communion), but then turning around and telling Catholics that it’s absolutely forbidden to have anything to do with a Protestant service. I know that the Mass is sacred and I certainly believe that we are right, but I deny that we can say a non-Catholic can come to Mass without giving a pretense of being Catholic, but that a Catholic can’t go to a Protestant service without a pretense of being Protestant.

It may not always be wise to do so, and we must be sure to maintain outward and inward honesty in purpose, but there are ways to make it work and reasons why doing so may occasionally be a good idea.

But again, I agree that it might be wiser to go out to lunch with a few of them, or somesuch - but I think this to some degree depends on the OP and the people he wants to talk to, and I don’t think that going to a service there is necessarily a terrible thing.

 

[Randy_Carson]

What would happen to this person for going to a Protestant - Christian - Church too much? From God’s perspective? Just curious…

The Catholic Church would have no position on this provided that the individual did not decide to skip mass because he or she had already been to Church that Sunday.

God probably doesn’t care one way or the other.

Satan, on the other hand, care a lot, and that’s where the problems begin.

Let the firestorm begin…

 

[jmcrae]

What would happen to this person for going to a Protestant - Christian - Church too much? From God’s perspective? Just curious…

God warns us in the Book of Proverbs that the double-minded one is unstable in all his ways; his end shall be like the fall of a mighty tower, built upon shifting sand. He also warns us in the New Testament that no one can serve two masters (especially if they are at cross-purposes); ultimately, he will come to hate them both.

 

[CleverUserName]

In theory, no. A Catholic is not allowed to have common participation in worship (communicatio in sacris) with communities not in full communion with the Church, though some very feeble ground is left for the sake of ecumenism.

Remember that a protestant community does not have valid sacraments. To participate for a Catholic would mean to not acknowledge that their doctrine is erroneous, even though we do not charge our protestant brothers with formal heresy (since they were, so to speak, “born into” these communities rather than willfully leaving the Church and joining them).

In short: you took a wonderful step in seeking full communion with the Church, and you will probably be of greater help if you show the solidity of your decision by not attending any more protestant activities.

Below, one of the most quoted answers by Fr. Serpa

But the OP is not fully Catholic yet. She is in RCIA.
Fr. Serpa was speaking to someone who is Catholic in your quote.
I have heard a local priest tell an RCIA student that they are allowed to attend service at their former protestant church. I think the expectation is that they won’t want to for very long, the more they learn about the Catholic Faith.

I think the bigger question is; Why are you still attending Protestant services (you said for several weeks so far) while going to RCIA and stating how firm you are in your Catholic walk? Missing people is one thing, but attending a Protestant service is another thing entirely. As I’ve stated earlier, there are other “venues” for visiting with friends you miss. I assume they are not showing up for Catholic Mass because they miss you and want to see you?

 

[cheezey]

I would strongly advise against it because you may be tempted to stay Protestant and I can guarantee you that the Protestant churches are NOT the one true Church instituted by Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Just curious. How do you gaurantee?

 

[cheezey]

God warns us in the Book of Proverbs that the double-minded one is unstable in all his ways; his end shall be like the fall of a mighty tower, built upon shifting sand. He also warns us in the New Testament that no one can serve two masters (especially if they are at cross-purposes); ultimately, he will come to hate them both.

Isn’t God the Master of Both? It’s not as if God is the Center of the Catholic Church and Bozo the Clown is the Center of the Protestant Church. Yes, the doctrines are at cross purposes, so I agree that that could be confusing and could be risky as to how to serve Him. It was stated by the poster that in no way will there be a return to the Protestant Church. Okay, that’s good. I would in no way return, either, in practice. Just as I would go to my friend’s Church to understand what it is she follows, (not to believe what she believes, and making sure it is not a cult or worse), I would also go to where I initially made friends, where I was led from (that often leads to another path), respect their faith (and humbly disagree), to gradually leave that Church as I learn my new one. Essentially ween myself from the social aspect (and it is partially a social aspect; it is a way to meet fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, not Bozo.) And invite them to my Church for the observance of my entry. Which is how they may come to see that my Church is a very good thing, indeed. After all, that is how many people come to change, including the Catholic Church.

 

[cheezey]

The Catholic Church would have no position on this provided that the individual did not decide to skip mass because he or she had already been to Church that Sunday.

God probably doesn’t care one way or the other.

Satan, on the other hand, care a lot, and that’s where the problems begin.

Let the firestorm begin…

THAT’S a good response

 

[cheezey]

Just curious. How do you gaurantee?

sorry for my own misspelling.

 

[Pete_Holter]

I’ve already completely made up my mind. That’s why I’m in RCIA.

Perhaps I am less prudent, but I am full of zeal for the Lord’s House. I say go and evangelize. You sound firm and grounded in the Rock of the faith of Peter. Tell them what you have heard and seen and touched of Catholicism and invite them to come and see for themselves. This is an exciting time. Don’t participate in their celebration of the LORD’s supper, of course.

Welcome to the Church of our LORD, for which He died and was raised.

With love in Christ,
Pete

 

[Bonnie]

I’m sort of slow sometimes, but a question finally occured to me. You’ve been in RCIA for at least 2 or 3 months now (assuming your parish has a schedule like ours) & you attended your old Protestant church as recently as a couple of weeks ago.

Why didn’t you tell people then you were becoming Catholic? And why would they be wondering what happened to you in just a couple of weeks? Are you sure you’re not just missing the vibes & music & people you were used to seeing? Did you go straight from regular attendance at your P. church to RCIA? You may not have given yourself enough time to say goodbye to your old church. (OK - that was more than 1 question, plus a comment! )

 

[Zenkai]

I’m sort of slow sometimes, but a question finally occured to me. You’ve been in RCIA for at least 2 or 3 months now (assuming your parish has a schedule like ours) & you attended your old Protestant church as recently as a couple of weeks ago.

I started RCIA a few weeks late, so I started meeting with the RCIA director to get caught up. I started meeting with him on November 2nd.

Why didn’t you tell people then you were becoming Catholic?

Didn’t know how to bring it up.

And why would they be wondering what happened to you in just a couple of weeks?

I usually went every week.

Are you sure you’re not just missing the vibes & music & people you were used to seeing?

I actually like the music better in the Catholic Church, but I do miss the people at my old Baptist church.

Did you go straight from regular attendance at your P. church to RCIA?

After I started meeting with the RCIA director, I attended the Baptist church for a few more weeks, but I haven’t been to the Baptist church in a few weeks now.

 

[Bonnie]

After I started meeting with the RCIA director, I attended the Baptist church for a few more weeks, but I haven’t been to the Baptist church in a few weeks now.

Your replies (you are remarkable good-natured!) made me think of 1 more question. How long did you attend Mass before deciding to become Catholic? And if it was a short time - like just a few months or less - what made you decide to become a Catholic?

 

[Zenkai]

(you are remarkable good-natured!)

Thanks!

How long did you attend Mass before deciding to become Catholic?

The first Mass I attended was on August 11th, 2012. I had already decided to become Catholic before then.

And if it was a short time - like just a few months or less - what made you decide to become a Catholic?

I began studying a lot about Christianity and it’s history, and I realized that the Catholic Church is the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church started by Christ.

 

[Bonnie]

OK - with all that new info in mind, my opinion is even more strongly to stick with the Catholic Church. You haven’t been attending for very long & while you’ve read a lot, you haven’t immersed yourself in the Church.

If you have family or special friends at the Baptist chuch, by all means go to special services - like anniversary celebrations, funerals, or whatever. (It’s been a loooong time since I was Baptist - I don’t remember how things go there!) But I really couldn’t advise going more often then once every 2 months or so. More than that & the comfort of what you have known may have more of a draw than the new life you are learning about.

There is more than just head knowledge in the Catholic Church. There is the whole Catholic culture thing. I remember how delighted I was when I learned the Catholic grace before meals: Bless us O Lord… It was wonderful being able to say the same prayer as everyone one else. It still tickles me. That’s just a little thing, but there is so much more, and if you keep your social life at the Baptist church you will miss out on some of the Catholic culture.