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TrueLight
Guest
Yes I’m technically protestant but I have been attending mass instead of the reforned church (except for once a month), studying and trying to behave like a good catholic.
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thequeen
Guest
I wouldn’t go with her especially since she is trying to save you from Catholocism tell her kindly that you apreciate the invite but that you will stay true to our ourHoly Mother Church. You especially do not want to encourage her in her endeavors .
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LDNCatholic
Guest
Then, and please don’t take offence at this, but if you’re trying to behave like a good Catholic, once you have converted (which I assume you are planning on doing), you may have to be willing to drop the choir activities.Yes I’m technically protestant but I have been attending mass instead of the reforned church (except for once a month), studying and trying to behave like a good catholic.
I say may, because I am not a Church authority and there may be some way around it (there isn’t as far as I know but as I say, not an authority)…
As for the matter of their open communion, whether you are attending their church or not, you understand that their communion would not be open to you. Catholics simply cannot take communion in Protestant services. It implies a communion with them that does not exist.
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TrueLight
Guest
I understand. No offense taken.
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jmcrae
Guest
Once you have been Confirmed, and even once you start getting into the really serious portion of your RCIA experience, you will have very little time for any activities outside of your daily work and your Catholic parish.Yes I’m technically protestant but I have been attending mass instead of the reforned church (except for once a month), studying and trying to behave like a good catholic.
Your involvement with the Protestant choir will probably just drop away naturally, over the course of time.
Well, the reason it “looks bad” is because it “looks like” you don’t believe in their doctrines - which is true - you don’t. And there’s nothing actually “bad” about that.
Also, when you think about who’s watching the film, think of the fact that it might be your priest or your RCIA instructor - and use that thought to keep yourself in line.
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valoriuslobo
Guest
That’s a great idea. Be nice but direct.
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TrueLight
Guest
Ha ha. Yes that would definitely be bad.Once you have been Confirmed, and even once you start getting into the really serious portion of your RCIA experience, you will have very little time for any activities outside of your daily work and your Catholic parish.
Your involvement with the Protestant choir will probably just drop away naturally, over the course of time.
Well, the reason it “looks bad” is because it “looks like” you don’t believe in their doctrines - which is true - you don’t. And there’s nothing actually “bad” about that.
Also, when you think about who’s watching the film, think of the fact that it might be your priest or your RCIA instructor - and use that thought to keep yourself in line.
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JM3
Guest
vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/general-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_19930325_directory_en.html
Sharing in Non-Sacramental Liturgical Worship
- By liturgical worship is meant worship carried out according to books, prescriptions and customs of a Church or ecclesial Community, presided over by a minister or delegate of that Church or Community. This liturgical worship may be of a non-sacramental kind, or may be the celebration of one or more of the Christian sacraments. The concern here is non-sacramental worship.
- In some situations, the official prayer of a Church may be preferred to ecumenical services specially prepared for the occasion. Participation in such celebrations as Morning or Evening Prayer, special vigils, etc., will enable people of different liturgical traditions—Catholic, Eastern, Anglican and Protestant—to understand each other’s community prayer better and to share more deeply in traditions which often have developed from common roots.
- In liturgical celebrations taking place in other Churches and ecclesial Communities, ***Catholics are encouraged to take part ***in the psalms, responses, hymns and common actions of the Church in which they are guests. If invited by their hosts, they may read a lesson or preach.
- Regarding assistance at liturgical worship of this type, there should be a meticulous regard for the sensibilities of the clergy and people of all the Christian Communities concerned, as well as for local customs which may vary according to time, place, persons and circumstances. In a Catholic liturgical celebration, ministers of other Churches and ecclesial Communities may have the place and liturgical honors proper to their rank and their role, if this is judged desirable. Catholic clergy invited to be present at a celebration of another Church or ecclesial Community may wear the appropriate dress or insignia of their ecclesiastical office, if it is agreeable to their hosts.
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ConstantineTG
Guest
Why are you not going to attend your sister’s wedding? Against your conscience that she is getting married? Unless she’s an active Catholic who thinks its the same thing, there is no reason you should go. Snubbing the occasion on the basis of faith of a legitimate marriage would only turn her and her husband-to-be from Catholicism. Instead of being an example of charity, you give them the impression that Catholics are spiritual elitists.
As for your supervisor, sure, humor him. There is nothing wrong with that. Again the key is to be an observer, not a participant.
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valoriuslobo
Guest
No, that’s not at it all…if I had known the reactions I’d be getting from that comment, I’d have never said it. Mea culpa…
It was said merely to give full context of where I was at mentally.
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504Katrin
Guest
I’m very curious also, and I will go with a protestant friend of mine to their church on Easter Monday to see how they celebrate mass and the Eucharist
Won’t participate in the Eucharist tho just watching of course
Won’t participate in the Eucharist tho just watching of course
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InquisitorMax
Guest
What’s wrong with stating the truth in charity?
We don’t attend Protestant services because Protestant sects were founded in heresy and do not have the fullness of the Truth. They don’t recognise the Apostolic Succession nor the necessity of our Sacraments. Some are hostile to Catholicism.
State calmly what you see wrong with Protestantism, argue if you have the knowledge to do it, then move along.
Catholics and Protestants alike have got the idea that there is some equivalence in our religions. This is due to false ecumenism and the notion that chumminess = Christian Charity.
When you see pictures of Catholic priests, in Roman collars, getting their pictures taken with Anglican Wimmenpriests, who are also wearing Roman collars, you know the Devil is having a good laugh.
We don’t attend Protestant services because Protestant sects were founded in heresy and do not have the fullness of the Truth. They don’t recognise the Apostolic Succession nor the necessity of our Sacraments. Some are hostile to Catholicism.
State calmly what you see wrong with Protestantism, argue if you have the knowledge to do it, then move along.
Catholics and Protestants alike have got the idea that there is some equivalence in our religions. This is due to false ecumenism and the notion that chumminess = Christian Charity.
When you see pictures of Catholic priests, in Roman collars, getting their pictures taken with Anglican Wimmenpriests, who are also wearing Roman collars, you know the Devil is having a good laugh.
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Ruth_Catherine
Guest
I wouldn’t go with your boss to the protestant church. Sorry, old cliche, “curiosity killed the cat.”
I was curious once about protestantism also. I watched alot of it on television. I was only going to go a couple of times but I didn’t come back to catholicism for 14 years.
You would be better off studying more about catholicism. Learning what the Catholic church teaches and then you would be able to explain your faith more and then maybe bring her into the Catholic church.
Most protestants don’t really know what Catholics believe. Most of what they know have been rumors they have heard over the years. I heard all those rumors and believed them and then when I returned and began to study the RCC I found out so much of what they believe about the RCC wasn’t true. I certainly can’t read your bosses mind but my experience is protestants feel the need to save Catholics from the RCC. As a protestant I saw alot of that going on.
Another thing I have realized since returning to the Church. People are watching us. People are watching to see how true we are to the faith and how easy we could be pulled away and if we really are Christian. Do we really believe what we say we believe.
Just a little something about your sister’s wedding. I attended my nephew’s wedding not too long ago. It was his second marriage, no annullment from the first. The new wife had been married before and there was no dispensation from the church. After attending that wedding I knew I had done something wrong, because after the wedding what do we say to the couple. “Congratulations.” My nephew had been raised Catholic and I realized I had congratulated him for being in a mortal sin and then gave him a gift. If your sister’s wedding isn’t for a year I would pray for her and her fiance alot. God can work wonders. I love novenas and there are many powerful saints who will help us in our prayers.
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SecretGarden
Guest
I think it’s important to mention that one cannot put all of the Protestant churches under one classification. True there are some Protestant sects that preach heresy but I’ve also met the rare priest who despite wearing the coller isn’t a saint either.
It’s like comparing different types of music. Christ is the music but each denomination is a different type. I would call Catholic classical music. There are several Protestant churches that are very similar to the Catholic such as The United Church of Canada, the Anglicain church and the Presybetarian church. They are similar in terms of their service structure (liturgy) but very different in terms of doctrine. For example despite having numerious classical composers, not a single one is the same. The Evangelical churches such as the Baptist, Pentecostal, and nondenominational are also very different but they also share the love of Christ. (BTW they are more pop and rock music.) What unites the Catholic church with the different Protestant churches is Christ. What makes us all Christians is found inside the Apostles and Niceen creeds. These beliefs we all share. Therefore it’s important to not generalize the Protestant church for it’s beliefs because each denominations is like a different genre of music. There is a ton of great music in there but one will also find the odd sour note.
By saying no as Catholics we cannot attend a Protestant service every now and then is nonscense. There is no reason why we cannot attend a mass on a Sat evening and attend the rare Protestant service on Sunday morning. As Catholics we can learn alot from them. Such as how many of us truly know our scripture? Truly understand why Jesus died on the cross or understand the impact of Mary saying yes to be Jesus’s mother? Or understand what it means to have a relationship with Christ? It’s been my experience that it’s mostly the Evangelical Protestants who know their stuff alot greater than most cradle Catholics I’ve met. No offense to some who truly know their stuff but keep in mind, I’m from Quebec and Catholicism used to be extremely huge up here. It’s so sad to see the beautful churches that are closing down because of lack of participants. It’s also been my experience that it’s mostly the converts that can equalize the knowledge base with the Evangelical Protestans vs most of the cradel Catholics I know.
If you attend a Protestant church every now and then, you aren’t going to hell. Who knows you might get inspired to learn your stuff or develop a deeper relationship with our Lord by attending a rare service. You might learn something in a different way such as God’s love or something that is found inside the Apostles or Niceen Creeds. God works outside the boxes we create. You can sing their songs, you can listen to the sermon (homily.)
Please don’t judge them because they are Protestant, they are also your brothers and sisters of Christ. If a Catholic decides to attend a protestant church for whatever reason, in addition to their Catholic church, let’s not judge the person but rather love them. Everyone has a reason to attend a non Catholic church. I attend my Pentecostal young people’s group whenever I can. Plus I’m attending Easter service with my family on Sunday morning after a late Easter vigil on Sat. Does that make me a bad Catholic?
Because Christ lives inside all the churches, I don’t see no reason why the person cannot go to his sister’s wedding. Christ is love. If he loves his sister, isn’t it only natural for him to want to be there? The only thing he can’t take is communion but that is a standard Catholic/Protestant element. I don’t think in this case we should be so stanch on doctrine instead let’s allow God’s love to reign over this joyious occassion.
Let’s all pray for the couple and who knows maybe they will decide to come back to the Catholic church. If they don’t at least they are attending a Christian church. There are so many people out there who aren’t attending any Christian church at all.
It’s like comparing different types of music. Christ is the music but each denomination is a different type. I would call Catholic classical music. There are several Protestant churches that are very similar to the Catholic such as The United Church of Canada, the Anglicain church and the Presybetarian church. They are similar in terms of their service structure (liturgy) but very different in terms of doctrine. For example despite having numerious classical composers, not a single one is the same. The Evangelical churches such as the Baptist, Pentecostal, and nondenominational are also very different but they also share the love of Christ. (BTW they are more pop and rock music.) What unites the Catholic church with the different Protestant churches is Christ. What makes us all Christians is found inside the Apostles and Niceen creeds. These beliefs we all share. Therefore it’s important to not generalize the Protestant church for it’s beliefs because each denominations is like a different genre of music. There is a ton of great music in there but one will also find the odd sour note.
By saying no as Catholics we cannot attend a Protestant service every now and then is nonscense. There is no reason why we cannot attend a mass on a Sat evening and attend the rare Protestant service on Sunday morning. As Catholics we can learn alot from them. Such as how many of us truly know our scripture? Truly understand why Jesus died on the cross or understand the impact of Mary saying yes to be Jesus’s mother? Or understand what it means to have a relationship with Christ? It’s been my experience that it’s mostly the Evangelical Protestants who know their stuff alot greater than most cradle Catholics I’ve met. No offense to some who truly know their stuff but keep in mind, I’m from Quebec and Catholicism used to be extremely huge up here. It’s so sad to see the beautful churches that are closing down because of lack of participants. It’s also been my experience that it’s mostly the converts that can equalize the knowledge base with the Evangelical Protestans vs most of the cradel Catholics I know.
If you attend a Protestant church every now and then, you aren’t going to hell. Who knows you might get inspired to learn your stuff or develop a deeper relationship with our Lord by attending a rare service. You might learn something in a different way such as God’s love or something that is found inside the Apostles or Niceen Creeds. God works outside the boxes we create. You can sing their songs, you can listen to the sermon (homily.)
Please don’t judge them because they are Protestant, they are also your brothers and sisters of Christ. If a Catholic decides to attend a protestant church for whatever reason, in addition to their Catholic church, let’s not judge the person but rather love them. Everyone has a reason to attend a non Catholic church. I attend my Pentecostal young people’s group whenever I can. Plus I’m attending Easter service with my family on Sunday morning after a late Easter vigil on Sat. Does that make me a bad Catholic?
Because Christ lives inside all the churches, I don’t see no reason why the person cannot go to his sister’s wedding. Christ is love. If he loves his sister, isn’t it only natural for him to want to be there? The only thing he can’t take is communion but that is a standard Catholic/Protestant element. I don’t think in this case we should be so stanch on doctrine instead let’s allow God’s love to reign over this joyious occassion.
Let’s all pray for the couple and who knows maybe they will decide to come back to the Catholic church. If they don’t at least they are attending a Christian church. There are so many people out there who aren’t attending any Christian church at all.
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mrose1
Guest
Please correct me if I am wrong, but a Catholic - lapsed, active, or otherwise - attempting marriage outside a Catholic liturgy without a dispensation is at least attempting to contract a sacrament in a seriously illicit manner. However, I think this is actually invalid because of the Church’s requirement that one with express permission from the Local Ordinary (Bishop) witness the marriage.
Canon 1108.1 Only those marriages are valid which are contracted in the presence of the local Ordinary or parish priest or of the priest or deacon delegated by either of them, who, in the presence of two witnesses, assists, in accordance however with the rules set out in the following canons, and without prejudice to the exceptions mentioned in cann. 144, 1112.1, 1116 and 1127.2-3.
Canon 1108.1 Only those marriages are valid which are contracted in the presence of the local Ordinary or parish priest or of the priest or deacon delegated by either of them, who, in the presence of two witnesses, assists, in accordance however with the rules set out in the following canons, and without prejudice to the exceptions mentioned in cann. 144, 1112.1, 1116 and 1127.2-3.
Code:
Canon 1124 Without the express permission of the competent authority, marriage is prohibited between two baptised persons, one of whom was baptised in the catholic Church or received into it after baptism and has not defected from it by a formal act, the other of whom belongs to a Church or ecclesial community not in full communion with the catholic Church.
Canon 1125 The local Ordinary can grant this permission if there is a just and reasonable cause. He is not to grant it unless the following conditions are fulfilled:
Canon 1125.1 the catholic party is to declare that he or she is prepared to remove dangers of defecting from the faith, and is to make a sincere promise to do all in his or her power in order that all the children be baptised and brought up in the catholic Church;
Canon 1125.2 the other party is to be informed in good time of these promises to be made by the catholic party, so that it is certain that he or she is truly aware of the promise and of the obligation of the catholic party.
Canon 1125.3 both parties are to be instructed about the purposes and essential properties of marriage, which are not to be excluded by either contractant.
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LDNCatholic
Guest
By their very nature, every Protestant ecclesial community teaches heresy.
It’s a matter of being complicit in the mortal sins of another. We don’t get to be Catholics on our own terms. There is a code of behaviour that is to be followed if one is to be an authentic Catholic. A Catholic must not be an accessory to a mortal sin.
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Ruth_Catherine
Guest
I believe it would be better if you don’t know scripture or your “stuff”, you would be better off to find a Catholic Bible study. Many Catholic churches offer classes to help you learn about what the Catholic church teaches and besides that there are tons of books and websites out there to help you learn. The problem with thinking you are going to learn scripture from a protestant church is that, first they are protesting against the teachings of the Catholic church so you won’t learn the whole truth and maybe even learn something that isn’t true and second they don’t even agree with each other on what the scripture means, so you will be left as I was; confused.
Maybe we would gain some Catholics back if we encouraged them to stay home or to come home to learn instead of trying to learn something somewhere else.
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valoriuslobo
Guest
Thanks for the sound advice and personal insight.
I’ve decided to refrain from attending my supervisor’s worship service.
I will pray for your nephew and his new bride. Sadly, this isn’t rare in the divorce and remarriage happy USA. And yes, the pray intention for my sister to be wed in the Church is in my daily prayers. Good idea about the novena.
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SecretGarden
Guest
I agree we need to encourage our people to stay but we also need to give them a reason to stay. Up here in Quebec, there is a long list of political reasons why people left the Catholic church. I hate to say it but in those days the reasons were valid. Now we need to find ways to bring them back. It’s coming slowly but there is alot that needs to be done. I believe it’s necessary to look towards the Evangelical Protestant side for ways to do it. They are very good at maintaining their people of all ages. Look at the young adult populations of some of these churches. They are huge in some cases they take up about half of the congregation. Most Catholic churches would love to have half of their young adult population. They must be doing something right because they have all of the people of all the generations while right now Catholic parishes are struggling to maintain and keep their existing young people. Young people inside the Catholic church are a minority.
My other point is that most Protestant Churches know their material verses the Catholic side or about 80%of main Catholics that do know their material are mostly those who converted from another denomination or religion. The fact that they know their material so well should be inspire Catholics to do the same. Unfortunately for so many Catholics, Catholicism is treated like a religion. You follow certain rules, do certain things and violà you are Catholic. It doesn’t work that way. Following the rules doesn’t make you any better of a Christian than following the instructions to put together a tv stand from Sears makes you a carpenter. Part of the Christian journey is about having faith, having a relationship with our Lord and constantly seek ways to be more like him. This is the Christian faith that bypasses Catholicism and Protestantism. It’s what brings us together as a body of Christ.
In addition, when it comes to attending a Protestant Bible study, we have the Niceen Creed and the New Testament that are exactly the same. We both believe that Christ died on a cross to save us from our sins. He did not die because someone thought it would make an interesting story. There are aspects where the beliefs are the same and why can’t we join together and celebrate it?
What you said regarding finding a Catholic bible study is valid but unfortunately depending on where people live and their availabilities it’s not always possible to find one. Not all Protestant Churches are protesting against Catholicism. There is alot of misconceptions about our denomination that we need to correct and that itself can only happen when some of us are willing to step out of our Catholic box and speak up and correct as necessary. Trust me it’s not easy to be the only Catholic inside the Protestant circle and yet it’s a necessary one.
You mentioned your concern about not learning the “whole truth.” I would be interested to hear what you mean by it. Not that I don’t understand it myself but forums like this are great because stranger from across the world can dialogue with each other.
Peace,
SG
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TrueLight
Guest
I’ve come a long way in a little over a month. Who would have thought I would be quoting the CCC. So here I go:
CCC 819
819 “Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth” are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: “the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.” Christ’s Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him, and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."
Yes, Protestant churches don’t have fullness of the truth, but can we stop acting like they are not “separated brethren”? Can we stop acting like they are anathema?
CCC 819
819 “Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth” are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: “the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.” Christ’s Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him, and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."
Yes, Protestant churches don’t have fullness of the truth, but can we stop acting like they are not “separated brethren”? Can we stop acting like they are anathema?
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