Can I attend baptisms at a Lutheran church?

[Mfrombach]

My sister-in-law is having two of her children baptized at a Lutheran church. The baptisms will take place in the middle of the Sunday service. Can I, as a Catholic, attend and participate in the service, with the exception of their communion?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Since Lutheran baptisms are valid baptisms, you can attend the service and participate in those parts of the service that do not conflict with Catholic teaching (with the exception, as you noted, of Lutheran communion from which you must abstain). If you do not know enough about the differences between Catholicism and Lutheranism to know what is and is not in line with Catholic teaching, I recommend simply attending as a guest who observes but does not participate in the service. As a guest, you may stand when the congregation stands and sit when they sit or kneel, but otherwise remain disengaged from the service.

Also, please remember that the Lutheran service will not fulfill your Sunday obligation to attend Mass. You will have to attend Mass at a Catholic church either on the preceding Saturday evening or go later in the day on Sunday, depending on the Mass schedule available in your area.

Recommended reading:

Principles and Norms on Ecumenism by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity