Catholics switching to Protestant

[steve_b]

…and specifically in regards to the Protestantism that the OP specifically mentioned, I believe this is supported by the general spirit of ecumenism that has defined our relationship since Vat. II–why we refer to our Protestant counterparts as ‘separated brethren’, and not heretics.

Then Card Ratzinger, prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote this Re: Ecclesiology of Vat II. https://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFECCV2.HTM

(all emphasis mine)

"If we go back now to the Council text certain nuances become evident. The text does not simply say, “The Church is entirely present in each community that celebrates the Eucharist”, rather it states: “This Church of Christ is truly present in all legitimate local communities of the faithful which, united with their pastors, are themselves called Churches”. Two elements here are of great importance: to be a Church the community must be “legitimate”; they are legitimate when they are “united with their pastors”. What does this mean? In the first place, no one can make a Church by himself. A group cannot simply get together, read the New Testament and declare: “At present we are the Church because the Lord is present wherever two or three are gathered in His name”. The element of “receiving” belongs essentially to the Church, just as faith comes from “hearing” and is not the result of one’s decision or reflection. Faith is a converging with something I could neither imagine nor produce on my own; faith has to come to meet me. We call the structure of this encounter, a “Sacrament”. It is part of the fundamental form of a sacrament that it be received and not self-administered. No one can baptize himself. No one can ordain himself. No one can forgive his own sins. "

One could ask, what does the highlighted text say about the legitimacy of Protestantism which is 100% selfmade, having left the Catholic Church 1500 + years after Jesus establishes the Catholic Church?

Also

Vat II doesn’t deny that Protestantism is one of The Great Heresies in history.

Re: the topic of the thread,

Any consequences for one’s soul for Leaving the Church ?

• scripture says the following about division and the one who divides (all links functional)
• Romans 16:17-20 , Galatians 5:19-21 , the same Greek word διχοστασίας dichostasia is used in both selections, and translated as either division / dissension / factions /sedition, depending on the translation one uses. διχοστασίας , has the consequence of “shall not obtain the kingdom of God” for one’s soul who dies in that sin. Note: there is no expiration date to that warning.
• The Church teaches the same. 846

Jesus wants PERFECT unity, ZERO division in what HE established. John 17:20-23 .
G:

Because there is a huge difference between what our ‘separated brethren’ hold and champion, versus what the true enemies of the Church–the relativists, secularists, materialists, agnostics, and atheists–hold and champion, as they seek not only to deny Christ His divinity–but to deny divinity itself.

I would add to your list, any one in heresy is an enemy of the Church as well,

Titus 3:10
“As for a man who is factious ( αἱρετικὸνheretic ), after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

 

[steve_b]

And…what if one converts to Judaism? Islam?

From what I’ve read over the years on this forum, the Christian God chooses who gets “salvation” in the end…

What you’re really asking, where’s the evidence for Jesus being God and the source of all salvation.
D:

and no one on this earth knows for sure what will happen and how he’ll choose.
Who knows! Maybe He sends everyone to heaven!
If he’s all-loving, as some people like to say, that would make sense.

We wouldn’t know there is a heaven or hell, or that there is eternal consequence for us outside of this life based on our actions in this life, if it wasn’t for Divine revelation.

That same revelation doesn’t say everyone goes to heaven. It doesn’t even say many. It actually says In Context
D:

But is he going to go through all the trouble and pain and drama of sending himself/his son to earth to be beaten and tortured then crucified…to later on, 2000 years later, punish a Christian who is kind and searching and honest…and take away their salvation…only because they switch churches? After giving everyone this so-called “free will”? Really?

Speaking plainly, the one offering salvation makes the rules. Salvation is on His terms not ours.

“Free will” is what makes us culpable for what we do. We really and truly have choices and are asked to make choices. If we didn’t have free will we wouldn’t be culpable for anything, because we wouldn’t be able to choose freely between what is good or bad.
D:

I sure wouldn’t want to align myself with a God who does that.

Assuming you know what you’re saying, If you believe that and live your life till the end with that disposition, He will honor your choice for all eternity.