Z
zaida
Guest
Been getting great help from everyone on another thread, where I posted 4 questions! Everyone has been so helpful. Curious about this - I adore going to all sorts of services - is that allowed, when an RC?
- Status
1
1ke
Guest
One always has the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
Catholics can, in certain circumstances, attend services in non-Catholic ecclesial communities. Generally, one can attend such things as weddings, funerals, baptisms, especially those involving family members. One should not participate in a liturgical role nor receive communion in such a situation even if offered. One can pray, sing, and participate to the extent that the action is not in conflict with the Catholic faith.
One should not attend non-Catholic services on a regular basis, certainly not in place of Mass. One should not participate in a liturgical role. One must be careful not to give scandal or to fall prey to indifferentism. These services are not Mass.
Certainly you can attend as an observer-- to see what their service is like simply for educational purposes. I have visiteded a Jewish synagogue, for example, to learn about Judaism. But I did not worship there.
If you are converting to the Catholic Church, I suggest you focus on the Mass, not on non-Catholic services.
Catholics can, in certain circumstances, attend services in non-Catholic ecclesial communities. Generally, one can attend such things as weddings, funerals, baptisms, especially those involving family members. One should not participate in a liturgical role nor receive communion in such a situation even if offered. One can pray, sing, and participate to the extent that the action is not in conflict with the Catholic faith.
One should not attend non-Catholic services on a regular basis, certainly not in place of Mass. One should not participate in a liturgical role. One must be careful not to give scandal or to fall prey to indifferentism. These services are not Mass.
Certainly you can attend as an observer-- to see what their service is like simply for educational purposes. I have visiteded a Jewish synagogue, for example, to learn about Judaism. But I did not worship there.
If you are converting to the Catholic Church, I suggest you focus on the Mass, not on non-Catholic services.
Z
zaida
Guest
Thank you 1ke!!! that is helpful. Im not at the point of converting (yet?) but I have become really intrigued with the catholic faith. I am an episcopalian, and an adult convert to christianity. (grew up in a non religious household). I can honestly say I love all types of worship - from the happy-clappy, praise the lord type, to the silent quaker service, to my episcopalian “high church” beautiful ritual. I “feel” God and love in all. If I were to ever to convert, I would need to understand the RC churches teachings on attending other traditions. I regularly go to episcopalian services, and identify with and love my church, but when I get the chance, I go to other types of services with friends.
P
Pfaffenhoffen
Guest
C
charliedrake
Guest
Make sure you follow common Christian beliefs, no abortion on demand nor homosexuality.
E
Elvis_Guy
Guest
Great thread!! Thanks for the op…lots of Catholics get over concerned about say going to a wedding…a prior poster did a nice job…pretty much…it is a freedom of conscious in participation , and to avoid redundancy since it was well done…Sacramental Elements are the out of bound line… I went to an Episcopal Wedding and I was at the end of the pew it was packed house so…when the Communion started (being a bit landlocked)… I went or rather was surged forward so…when about 4 people were ahead to the priest I folded my arms…much as a non Catholic can do in our service and simply got a blessing which is technically in bound…as it is not an actuall sacrament …good stuff …thanks!
P
Paul_theApostle
Guest
Providing Catholics keep the Sunday obligation,can they go to Orthodox vespers or Divine liturgy on saturday night/sunday or other times?
C
Cavaradossi
Guest
If I recall, some of the Eastern Catholics who post here have said that it is not uncommon to attend vespers at an Orthodox parish if your own parish does not offer regular vespers.
D
DebChris
Guest
A Catholic may attend services with other denominations.
The binding condition is that the Catholic first attend Sunday Mass. He/she must also refrain from receiving communion in the non-Catholic service. To receive communion in a non-Catholic service is to ascent to a unity that does not yet exist.
The binding condition is that the Catholic first attend Sunday Mass. He/she must also refrain from receiving communion in the non-Catholic service. To receive communion in a non-Catholic service is to ascent to a unity that does not yet exist.
C
ChrisB103
Guest
I think the question has pretty much been answered, that yes, you can go to a non-Catholic worship service in good conscience. It also must be mentioned that you should be prudent in your attendance of non-Catholic services, and you must make sure that they in no way shake your Catholic faith. God bless everyone on this blessed Lord’s Day!
P
PJM
Guest
MAYBE!
DO NOT PARTICIPATE in any other faiths communion servies or baptism.
This idea is good, BUT kind of risky IF you are NOT well grounded in the Roman Catholic Faith. Be very careful. And why not just speand more time at MAss and Eucharistic Adoration:shrug:
God Bless,
Pat
P
Paul_theApostle
Guest
I heard or read once that all our private prayers at home,and also the church services such as matins or vespers are all prayers that are in preperation for the Mass/Divine liturgy where we partake of the Eucharist
So if Catholics are not going to partake of Orthodox Communion,then whats the point of going even a few steps in that direction by attending their church services or praying Orthodox prayers??
The point of these private prayers and vespers etc is preparation for the Eucharist,so if we’re not going to take Communion at the Orthodox ,whats the point in going to their vespers?
So if Catholics are not going to partake of Orthodox Communion,then whats the point of going even a few steps in that direction by attending their church services or praying Orthodox prayers??
The point of these private prayers and vespers etc is preparation for the Eucharist,so if we’re not going to take Communion at the Orthodox ,whats the point in going to their vespers?
R
RyanBlack
Guest
Well, for Eastern Catholics who attend Vespers or Matins at an Orthodox parish when their parishes do not offer them, the prayers are the same.
C
Contarini
Guest
This advice, which is standard on this forum, is not the same as that given by the Vatican in its “Principles and Norms on Ecumenism.”
This text explicitly allows Catholics to take part in a “liturgical role” (reading Scripture or even preaching), and says nothing whatever about not participating regularly.
I have pointed this out on several different threads. No one has provided a refutation. Perhaps you can be the first.
The primary reason to become Catholic, at least for me, is because of Christ’s prayer that we may all be one.
Jumping from one Christian communion to another, breaking fellowship with Christians with whom one has previously been in communion, is a pretty bizarre way of becoming “one,” surely.
Edwin
- Status