Are catholics allowed to go to a non-catholics funeral?

[rosie2013]

I have been to several funerals in the past few years and only two of them were Catholic. The others were not. I found it very difficult to even be at the non-catholic funeral let alone pray for the person who past. I know this sounds awful to say,and I feel bad for feeling this,but I always believed that you have to be baptized catholic in order to have everlasting salvation.So why pray for a soul that is in hell? Long Live Christ the King!

 

[Like]

I have been to several funerals in the past few years and only two of them were Catholic. The others were not. I found it very difficult to even be at the non-catholic funeral let alone pray for the person who past. I know this sounds awful to say,and I feel bad for feeling this,but I always believed that you have to be baptized catholic in order to have everlasting salvation.So why pray for a soul that is in hell? Long Live Christ the King!

No Rosie, It is OK to attend a Protestant’s funeral.

And we shouldn’t be even thinking the person is in hell. Only God knows one’s soul. Please do say prayers for them.

I can’t speak for you or anyone for that matter, but I have Catholic relatives (deceased) that I have thought they might not have been saved, but I do pray that they will be.

 

[Bobbie_Jean]

Yes - it is OK to go to go non Catholic funeral. As to the rest of your post, I would suggest you refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church to see what it says on salvation for those not part of the Church i.e., non-Catholics. I would also suggest you read Paul;s Epistle to the Romans. These two references would help you.

 

[txstm]

The Catholic Church does not teach that Salvation is limited only to Catholics. It teaches that the fullness of truth is found only in The Church. There are good Protestants in Heaven, and there are bad Catholics in hell.

 

[hamburglar]

The Catholic Church does not teach that Salvation is limited only to Catholics. It teaches that the fullness of truth is found only in The Church. There are good Protestants in Heaven, and there are bad Catholics in hell.

I’d be careful there. The Church is necessary for Salvation. To speculate certain people are in heaven seems a bit dangerous to me, unless they are a canonized saint.

 

[Bennie_P]

I’d be careful there. The Church is necessary for Salvation. To speculate certain people are in heaven seems a bit dangerous to me, unless they are a canonized saint.

Catholic, or not Catholic we can never know, while living this life, who will and will not, go to heaven for that is beyond our knowing, for we all live in hope of our salvation. So, it is no more a danger for us to live in hope that any of those dear to us will be where we ourselves hope to be. It is just as much of a danger, if not more, to say who will not be there.

Yes, the Church is necessary for salvation, but we should remember the Church is more then what is always visable to us and God’s mercy is beyond our individual understanding. So let us not cause undo worry, and leave all final judgement to our God.

For all us which make it to heaven, which I live in assurance of that hope if I finish the race, believe we will be very suprised as well as full joy to whom we will share that joy with.

All funerals, IMHO, should be celebrations of hope, for it is not known to those of us left what went on between the deceased and our God at the moment of death. Thus our response to death should be one of hope and not despair.

 

[hamburglar]

Catholic, or not Catholic we can never know, while living this life, who will and will not, go to heaven for that is beyond our knowing, for we all live in hope of our salvation. So, it is no more a danger for us to live in hope that any of those dear to us will be where we ourselves hope to be. It is just as much of a danger, if not more, to say who will not be there.

We are talking about funerals, the person is no longer living. You are right, we do not know, except for canonized saints. I took concern by the poster writing “There are good Protestants in Heaven, and there are bad Catholics in hell.”

Yes, the Church is necessary for salvation, but we should remember the Church is more then what is always visable to us…

This has long been the debate of extra ecclesiam nulla salus. The question has been, “Can one be Catholic and a member of the Church without living inside the physical Church on eart?”

For all us which make it to heaven, which I live in assurance of that hope if I finish the race, believe we will be very suprised as well as full joy to whom we will share that joy with.

Perhaps I’m off, but the only one I care to share the Next Life with is Christ. Yes, I would love to know that my loved ones achieved Salvation, but Christ is what matters in the end.

All funerals, IMHO, should be celebrations of hope, for it is not known to those of us left what went on between the deceased and our God at the moment of death. Thus our response to death should be one of hope and not despair.

What’s always been hard for me at funerals, both Catholic and non-Catholic, are phrases such as “he/she is in a better place now” or “God called home His little angel.” The first one assumes the person is in Heaven, which we do not know and should not be talked about. The second one is ridiculous, as humans, with body and soul, can never become angels. They are a different class of being.

 

[Thunderbird]

Catholic, or not Catholic we can never know, while living this life, who will and will not, go to heaven for that is beyond our knowing, for we all live in hope of our salvation. So, it is no more a danger for us to live in hope that any of those dear to us will be where we ourselves hope to be. It is just as much of a danger, if not more, to say who will not be there.

Yes, the Church is necessary for salvation, but we should remember the Church is more then what is always visable to us and God’s mercy is beyond our individual understanding. So let us not cause undo worry, and leave all final judgement to our God.

For all us which make it to heaven, which I live in assurance of that hope if I finish the race, believe we will be very suprised as well as full joy to whom we will share that joy with.

All funerals, IMHO, should be celebrations of hope, for it is not known to those of us left what went on between the deceased and our God at the moment of death. Thus our response to death should be one of hope and not despair.

I agree fully with this. To automatically assume that someone didn’t make it into heaven seems to me like attempting to put God into a box. Who am I to say who God will or will not allow into heaven?

Go to the funeral. Be there for your christian family…and who knows, maybe your presence will be the reason why someone decides to enter into the fullness of Catholic faith.

 

[Jimzz12]

I have been to several funerals in the past few years and only two of them were Catholic. The others were not. I found it very difficult to even be at the non-catholic funeral let alone pray for the person who past. I know this sounds awful to say,and I feel bad for feeling this,but I always believed that you have to be baptized catholic in order to have everlasting salvation.So why pray for a soul that is in hell? Long Live Christ the King!

I know its been a while since you made the post.

All validly baptized Christians are members of the Church. Not all are in the fullness of the Faith. Indeed, many Catholics are not in the fullness of the faith – when you don’t agree with say abortion or contraception – you are voluntarily seperating yourself from the benefit of the sacraments. An example of the range of the Church. The Bishop of Rome is the servant of all Christians. All Christians must heed his words. All. End of story.

The idea that one must be Catholic to have everlasting salvation is dangerous and heretical. That belief seperates you from the Church making you basically not a Catholic. The Church teaches the desire of a soul to know the face of Christ Jesus is paramount. The state of moral sin also applies. Plese refer to the Catechism.

When you are at the funeral of another faith. You are there to pray for the soul of the recently departed. Say your prayers to the angels and saints to ask them to pray for you as you pray for the dead.

 

[BrendanD]

All validly baptized Christians are members of the Church.
…]
The idea that one must be Catholic to have everlasting salvation is dangerous and heretical. That belief seperates you from the Church making you basically not a Catholic.

Let me get this straight…

1. Baptists, Lutherans, and Pentecostals are members of the Catholic Church, even though they specifically reject the Catholic Church and teach many heresies
2. But Catholics who believe in the necessity of Catholicism are not members of the Catholic Church

Is that right

 

[Mayu]

It does not say in the bible, “The only way into heaven is to be catholic.”

it says the only way to heaven is through the savior Jesus Christ.

I was raised Catholic, but my father was a Baptist. He read as many versions of the bible as he could find, he prayed constantly, he truly loved Christ and he was a good man of God.

Am I suppose to think my father will be abandoned by God because he is not Catholic?

God loves all of his creations, and anyone who turns to him with heartfelt honesty in the love of the savior Jesus Christ has a chance to be saved.

What kind of child of a loving and forgiving father are we that we would not pray for someone’s salvation simply because they were not Catholic?

Isn’t Pride a sin? to say our way to love Christ is the ONLY way to love Christ is very prideful, and it puts us in danger of judging others worthiness of heaven, and only God is the true judge of that.

The whole point of being children of God is to pray, not merely for ourselves, but for others as well. Pray for their well being, pray for their salvation, pray for them to see the light.

Isn’t witholding prayers for those who most need it, UN-christian? The whole point is to share God’s love, and to pray for redemption of those who don’t believe in Christ that their eyes will be open.

If we feel that our way is the only way, we’re ignoring God’s call to be Christ-like, merciful, and forgiving Evangelists.

So Pray for Christians and non-christians alike. Non-Christians especially need your prayers, that God will be merciful and open their eyes.

 

[Mayu]

I think of it this way.

I was raised Catholic, and I’m a praciticing Catholic… but I fight every day to be worthy of heaven and God’s mercy. I falter all the time, I sin, and I worry about my soul.

My dad didn’t have to fight as hard as I do to be faithful… because he believed with his whole heart. He had no doubt that Christ was the savior and God was almighty, and he didn’t fear death, even when his heart began to fail due to complications from cancer, and he knew he wasn’t long for the world. that only increased his faith in a life after this. His last words in fact, were words of faith, before he fell into a coma and died 24 hours later.

So by what everyone is saying…

The priest who has raped a small child has a better chance of getting into heaven simply because he’s Catholic, than my father who worshiped God, and has faith in Jesus Christ as the savior, simply because he’s baptist.

That’s very scary for those who believe that. It’s prideful to think that Christ would turn away those who believe in him and love him and have blind faith in him, and worship him as the true lord, simply because they are not Catholics. and Pride is a great sin.

 

[jean8]

I have been to several funerals in the past few years and only two of them were Catholic. The others were not. I found it very difficult to even be at the non-catholic funeral let alone pray for the person who past. I know this sounds awful to say,and I feel bad for feeling this,but I always believed that you have to be baptized catholic in order to have everlasting salvation.So why pray for a soul that is in hell? Long Live Christ the King!

rosie,
If these people were christians, they were your brothers in Christ.
Rom.2:11 tells us God does not show favoritism. he loves all of His children. The Lord commands that we love one another.

I love you in the Lord. I am a Lutheran. A very conservative one. we may worship in different churches, but we worship and love the One God, Jesus Christ, whom God the Father has sent.

God bless you,
jean8

 

[jean8]

Let me get this straight…

1. Baptists, Lutherans, and Pentecostals are members of the Catholic Church, even though they specifically reject the Catholic Church and teach many heresies
2. But Catholics who believe in the necessity of Catholicism are not members of the Catholic Church

Is that right

Brendan,
When referring to the Catholic Church, Catholic is is spelled with a capital ‘C’ To use catholic with lower caps refers to the universal church. Meaning all christians. All those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, this includes Catholics.

There is one branch of Pentecostals that deny the Trinity. This puts them outside of the Christian Church. They are known as ‘Jesus Only’ or ‘oneness Pentecostals’. You may look them up on the net if you wish. UPCI.org.

God bless you.
jean8

 

[BrendanD]

Brendan,
When referring to the Catholic Church, Catholic is is spelled with a capital ‘C’ To use catholic with lower caps refers to the universal church. Meaning all christians. All those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, this includes Catholics.

There is one branch of Pentecostals that deny the Trinity. This puts them outside of the Christian Church. They are known as ‘Jesus Only’ or ‘oneness Pentecostals’. You may look them up on the net if you wish. UPCI.org.

God bless you.
jean8

Thanks, I understand that that is your belief as a Lutheran. But that is not our belief as Catholics. My point in the above post, is that it’s ridiculous to say that protestants are members of the Catholic Church while also saying that Catholics who say that protestants are not members of the Catholic Church are not members of the Catholic Church themselves.

 

[jean8]

I think of it this way.

I was raised Catholic, and I’m a praciticing Catholic… but I fight every day to be worthy of heaven and God’s mercy. I falter all the time, I sin, and I worry about my soul.

My dad didn’t have to fight as hard as I do to be faithful… because he believed with his whole heart. He had no doubt that Christ was the savior and God was almighty, and he didn’t fear death, even when his heart began to fail due to complications from cancer, and he knew he wasn’t long for the world. that only increased his faith in a life after this. His last words in fact, were words of faith, before he fell into a coma and died 24 hours later.

So by what everyone is saying…

The priest who has raped a small child has a better chance of getting into heaven simply because he’s Catholic, than my father who worshiped God, and has faith in Jesus Christ as the savior, simply because he’s baptist.

That’s very scary for those who believe that. It’s prideful to think that Christ would turn away those who believe in him and love him and have blind faith in him, and worship him as the true lord, simply because they are not Catholics. and Pride is a great sin.

mayu,
May I extend my symathy for the lose of you beloved father. I’m sure he is with the Lord not because he was Catholic, but because was a christian and he loved the Lord .

God is no respector of persons. he loves all of His children. Even non-catholics.
(Rom.2:11

God forgives all sin, when we come to Him in repentence.
I hope you don’t believe this applys only to the Catholic church?
See Mt.7:1-5 The Lord will use the same measuring rod we use against another. We are not to judge our christian brothers.
You mentioned pride, Yes Pride is a sin which God hates. Prov.16;18 See verse 5 also.

I love you in the Lord,
jean8

 

[BrendanD]

Obviously, ALL people should be prayed for. Don’t care if they were Catholic, Baptist, atheist, whatever. Christians offer prayers, in hope, for all. But it is not correct for a Catholic to act as if the various protestant sects are equal to the Catholic Church, as if they’re just different options for different people, or as if the Catholic Church is just one part of “the real church.” That’s getting off-topic for this thread, but there are many writings from the saints and popes on that topic.

The priest who has raped a small child has a better chance of getting into heaven simply because he’s Catholic, than my father who worshiped God, and has faith in Jesus Christ as the savior, simply because he’s baptist.

Nobody thinks an (unrepentant) rapist priest is better off than a devout Christian. Being a Catholic is not assurance of salvation. Actually, there is a traditional saying something like “the floor of hell is paved with the skulls of priests.” I believe it’s from the writings of a saint.

 

[Dauphin]

Now that all the resident heretics and indifferentists have had their say, I think we should give the Magisterium a chance to chime in:

*“The Catholic Church alone is keeping the true worship. This is the font of truth, this is the house of faith, this is the temple of God; if any man enter not here, or if any man go forth from it, he is a stranger to the hope of life and salvation” - Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos
*
“Outside of the Church, nobody can hope for life or salvation unless he is excused through ignorance beyond his control.” - Pope Pius IX, Singulari Quidem

“The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics, can have a share in life eternal; but that they will go into the “eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41), unless before death they are joined with Her; and that so important is the unity of this ecclesiastical body that only those remaining within this unity can profit by the sacraments of the Church unto salvation, and they alone can receive an eternal recompense for their fasts, their almsgivings, their other works of Christian piety and the duties of a Christian soldier. No one, let his almsgiving be as great as it may, no one, even if he pour out his blood for the Name of Christ, can be saved, unless he remain within the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church.” - 11th Session of the Council of Florence, under Pope Eugene IV

“We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” - Pope Boniface VIII
*
“Now the holy Church universal proclaims that God cannot be truly worshipped saving within herself, asserting that all they that are without her shall never be saved.”* - Pope St. Gregory the Great, Moralia

This teaching does indeed “place God in a box”. The box is called Divinely revealed Catholic dogma.

To the subject of the thread, the law of the Church doesn’t forbid you from attending the funeral. You can hope that the person was, by the grace of God, united to the Church before death.

 

[jean8]

Thanks, I understand that that is your belief as a Lutheran. But that is not our belief as Catholics. My point in the above post, is that it’s ridiculous to say that protestants are members of the Catholic Church while also saying that Catholics who say that protestants are not members of the Catholic Church are not members of the Catholic Church themselves.

Brendan,
I wasn’t saying this was a belief of Lutherans.
I was giving the definition of the universal church which is catholic, spelled with a lower case c. It doesn’t refer to the RCC.

You can exhale now. lol

jean8

 

[Mayu]

thanks Jean8

I don’t know what church some of these Catholics are attending, but the churches I’ve been to do not say that God only saves Catholics, and abandons faithful believers of Christ simply because they are not Catholic.

I can’t see God first saving a baby rapist who professes to be a true Catholic, over a good man, who has remained unwaiverinly faithful to Christ, and tried to teach others about Christ’s love and mercy, simply because he’s Baptist.

That’s a rediculous way to think. How can we profess God to be a loving, merciful God, and claim God loves all of his creations great and small… if he abandons those who love him and worship him without question, because of the church they are affiliated with?

Like I said, in the bible it states the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ, our savior… My dad wasn’t Catholic, but he was a faithful servant of Christ.

Through Christ’s death and ressurection, he saved ALL of us… NOT just catholics. ALL who turn to him as the savior.