Can Catholics attend a Protestant service?

[andrewstx]

You will note that the reason the OP cited for wanting to attend is NOT because he misses their services or wishes to worship as they do, but because he misses the PEOPLE who all happen to be there in one place at one time.

So while Fr. Serpa’s opinion has significant merit, I’m not sure I’d always agree with him and I don’t think the context of his opinion is directly applicable here.

To the OP, don’t mind us. We like to examine issues for the mental sharpening it provides. We’re not arguing. Really!

Why can’t the OP make friends in his Catholic church? That question has been in the back of my mind from the first of this thread.

 

[Peter_J]

The Vatican’s Principles and Norms on Ecumenism seem to say otherwise.

From where I sit, the “scandal” is caused by Catholic contempt for Protestants, which belies the teaching of Vatican II that the Church rejects nothing true and good in other religious traditions and that many elements of sanctification are found in non-Catholic Christian churches. Most Protestants, in my experience, do not understand that this teaching exists, because the practice of Catholics seems to indicate that there is nothing of value in Protestantism.

Why are Catholics not more worried about this very serious scandal?

Edwin

I would say that the particular Catholic circles that you spend time in are not representative of Catholicism.

 

[Brandall]

I would say that the particular Catholic circles that you spend time in are not representative of Catholicism.

Would “Catholic circles” include this forum?

 

[Peter_J]

Would “Catholic circles” include this forum?

I’m reluctant to say yes or no because of the technicalities of the question. After all, it’s the “Non-Catholic Religions Forum”, not the “Catholic Religions Forum”.

 

[johnnyc176]

So while Fr. Serpa’s opinion has significant merit, I’m not sure I’d always agree with him and I don’t think the context of his opinion is directly applicable here.

But it was applicable to your comment…

You may take some flak for it from certain types of folks in the EF catholic community though. IMO, they’re just being snobs.

There are differing opinions about the value of attending a service at a protestant community by many in Catholicism not just Traditionalists and having nothing to do with snobbery.

 

[Contarini]

I would say that the particular Catholic circles that you spend time in are not representative of Catholicism.

Online, that’s correct. However, I do know a lot of Catholics in “real life” who don’t fit this profile at all, particularly in the academy.

The main reason I spoke as I did is not so much my experience with Catholics but my experience with Protestants, especially Episcopalians. My former priest, for instance, seriously believed that Catholics think themselves to be the only true Christians. (At the same time, my bishop was a friend of Fr. Richard O’Brien and both he and my priest clearly liked the fact that Fr. O’Brien told him that Anglicans were basically just as Catholic as Catholics, and might even have a better way of doing things. But when our diocese hosted an official Catholic-Anglican dialogue, then-Bishop D’Arcy insisted on Fr. Lawrence Cunningham rather than Fr. O’Brien as the Catholic representative. I think Bishop D’Arcy was quite right to do so–Fr. Cunningham is a much better representative of Catholicism as a whole than Fr. O’Brien on the one hand or Fr. Serpa on the other! But this reinforced the impression my priest had that someone as friendly to Anglicans as Fr. O’Brien wasn’t representative of official Catholicism. I should also recognize that Northern Indiana Catholicism is pretty conservative compared to Catholicism in some other parts of the country.)

Edwin

 

[Skye_Ariel]

 

[manualman]

But it was applicable to your comment…

There are differing opinions about the value of attending a service at a protestant community by many in Catholicism not just Traditionalists and having nothing to do with snobbery.

Ah, I see. You took my first post as an assertion that anyone opposed to a catholic attending a protestant service is a snob. That’s not what I meant. I was responding specifically to the OP and for the circumstances he described, not making a universal and general statement.

I get the concern and share it generally. I’ve seen many partially formed cradle catholics evangelized by evangelicals and then persuaded that the reason it hadn’t happened earlier was because they didn’t attend a “bible believing” church that preached the true gospel. Nice and handy that scapegoating. Not MY fault that I was resistant to humbling myself, admitting my sin and need for a Savior for so long. It was THEIR fault. Perhaps not so humble yet after all, eh?..

I just didn’t think that the OP was in much danger of that scenario and my responses have reflected that. Thanks for making me clarify. My post shouldn’t be considered a general opinion on the matter, but a specific opinion on the OP’s circumstances.

 

[Tommy999]

I grew up in a Baptist Church and loved my time there. A very good friend of mine is now pastoring that church and I visit when I can. Last week was one of those times.

I love the Catholic Church and there are things there that I can find nowhere else. I’m more comfortable now, than I ever have been being in a body of believers where their doctrine was more like my own.

There are things about my old Baptist Church that are unique too. They are very friendly and outgoing, they love God and it’s a shame that there has always been a doctrinal wedge in between me and them. However, if you went to a Baptist Church for a month, there would be very little you would hear there that you would dispute. The sermons are better, the Baptist Hymnal is better and the Baptists actually sing the songs. I’ll visit again and it will be enjoyable. It’s not the Catholic Church but it is certainly an honorable worship.

:tiphat:

I agree wholeheatedly, Brandall. It is from someone like you who actually liked and saw much value in his evangelical church experience that I would like to hear more about what Catholicism has to offer.

I think you did a good job of describing the kind of churches that I have attended most of my life. I would much rather hear from you about what is special about the Catholic faith that attracted you to it than I would from those who misrepresent and defame those same faith traditions that I hold near and dear.

I would automatically dismiss what the bashers have to say because if they disrepect and mischaracterize my faith, I already find their faith unattractive and not something I would want to be a part of if they are the norm. .

 

[getysbg]

:tiphat:

I agree wholeheatedly, Brandall. It is from someone like you who actually liked and saw much value in his evangelical church experience that I would like to hear more about what Catholicism has to offer.

I think you did a good job of describing the kind of churches that I have attended most of my life. I would much much rather hear from you what is special about the Catholic Church that attracted you to it than I would from those who misrepresent and defame those same faith traditions that I hold near and dear. I would automatically dismiss what they had to say, because if they disrepect and mischaracterize my faith, I already find their faith unattractive if they are true ambassadors of it.

Tommy999! See if you can find a copy of Tim Staple’s CD “The Bible Made Me Do It”. Tim was raised Baptist, was a Youth Minister for an Assembly of God Church and attended Jimmy Swaggart’s Bible College. He has a very interesting journey. If you can’t find it, contact me and I’ll send you a copy. It deals exactly with your points and topics.

John Newbold johngetysbg@aol.com

 

[Tommy999]

Tommy999! See if you can find a copy of Tim Staple’s CD “The Bible Made Me Do It”. Tim was raised Baptist, was a Youth Minister for an Assembly of God Church and attended Jimmy Swaggart’s Bible College. He has a very interesting journey. If you can’t find it, contact me and I’ll send you a copy. It deals exactly with your points and topics.

John Newbold johngetysbg@aol.com

Thanks, getysbg (John). By the way, I am a Civil War buff and have been to Gettsyburg before and really liked it.

 

[getysbg]

Thanks, getysbg (John). By the way, I am a Civil War buff and have been to Gettsyburg before and really liked it.

Tommy999, When I wake up in the morning, I pour a mug of coffee, walk past seven houses and take a seat on a fence. I’m “right smack dab” in the middle of Pickett’s Charge. For a CW buff, it doesn’t get any better than that. Let me know about the CD.

 

[Kat_Sherwood]

As long as they are doctrinally sound there should be no problem.

Example:

There is a wonderful “Protestant” song called “Mary Did You Know”. We wanted to sing it during the Christmas season however I found one verse that does not comport with Catholic teaching:

"The child that you delivered, will soon deliver you."

We believe that Mary was preserved from sin through the sacrifice of her Son, prior to her being conceived. Christ’s sacrifice is eternal and is not subject to time.

So we changed the words in this verse to read “The child that you delivered, had first delivered you.” and went on our way.

I really love this song! Thank you for the instruction.