Do You Ever Attend Non-Catholic Worship Services?

[SwizzleStick]

People seem to be getting all twisted-up because I am equating these services to the Mass or Divine Liturgy. I’m not. I specifically said that in my original posting. They also don’t take the place of either one. I am obviously aware of that.

I look at it as an hour of reading the Bible, prayer and fellowship. It’s funny that someone mentioned the Charistmatic movement. That couldn’t be more misplaced. The services are fairly formal yet far different than a Mass. If a Catholic parish were to have a big Bible study, I suspect many would look similar to this service.

I wouldn’t do this if there was even the tiniest hint of anti-Catholicism. It’s Christian lite for sure but it certainly is pleasureable on a Sunday evening after dinner…

I think Catholics may attend a non-Catholic service for just cause, as long as we meet our Mass obligation too. Otherwise, I take it that we should not attend a non-Catholic service. As I indicated in my earlier post, I’ll keep looking for clarification.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I’ve been to Anglican services with my mother on a few occasions. I went to one at Easter and honestly it drove me insane. It was so unstructured, during the sign of peace people were just wandering around the church freely, it took forever. We even watched a cartoon movie about Easter, it just seemed so inappropriate.

Honestly I would never go to a non-Catholic service on a regular basis, it doesn’t seem appropriate to me. Even if one doesn’t take Communion at these services, it still gives the wrong impression (ie. that one approves of the teachings/practices of this church) and could be almost scandalous. But that’s just me.

Exactly my feelings. I recently attended my niece’s confirmation at a Lutheran church and it was just crazy. I got the sense that they knew something was missing, didn’t know what it was, and so stuck in everything they could think of to fill the gap. There was a ‘worship’ band, traditional choir, and another music group all of whom sang at different times during the service, but not really anywhere you’d expect it. And Lutherans have a liturgical structure (like Anglicans and Methodists) that is similar to the Cathulic church.

I would never go on a regular basis. The OP’s pastor looked pained for a reason!

 

[heathernoel]

I have no reason to attend a non Catholic service. However, I have been inside a presbytarian church for my daughter’s graduation. While it was their holy place of worship, I found the empty cross to be a cold contrast to the warmth I feel at my church.

 

[Jim_Dandy]

Would you mind elaborating? What truth and lies? What was the affiliation of that particular church?

Those of us who have come home to the True Church, perhaps, tend to be more opposed to Protestant services than others. I won’t attend ANY service in any other ecclesial community (there is only one Church) except the funeral of a friend or relative. The only true worship is the Mass.

The answer to “what truth and lies” would depend on which of the thousands of denominations one is referring to.

To believe as the first Christians believed is to be Catholic,.to worship as the first Christians worshipped is to be Catholic.

Not all,but some other worship services are big on entertainment and fellowship; all are short on the teachings of the Apostles.

No offense intended, but I’ve been there, done that. Never again.

Jim Dandy
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!

 

[ElToro]

I think Catholics may attend a non-Catholic service for just cause, as long as we meet our Mass obligation too. Otherwise, I take it that we should not attend a non-Catholic service. As I indicated in my earlier post, I’ll keep looking for clarification.

Is that really the teaching of the Church? Obviously our weekly obligation comes first and I would never attend a non-Catholic service at the cost of meeting my obligation.

As crazy as this sounds I considered asking my pastor is we could put together a weekly worship/prayer service at my parish. Certainly not to replace the Mass. (Some of you need to read that last sentance 3-4 times before proceeding.) But after thinking about it for a while there is just no way it would work. We lack the caliber of music ministry that would be required to make it a success. We lack the type or caliber of preaching that would be required. We lack the inherent fellowship – people would be zipping out of there as soon as they could if Mass is any indicator.

There is also the problem of the “insiders” That group of people at many parishes that attend almost every event and ultimately try to control everything. They’re usually disliked and they ruin a lot of good works. The insiders would lay waste to such an effort in my parish within 6 months.

 

[Jim_Dandy]

I wouldn’t do this if there was even the tiniest hint of anti-Catholicism. It’s Christian lite for sure but it certainly is pleasureable on a Sunday evening after dinner…

Every Protestant community is anti-Catholic by virtue of its existence. As a former Protestant, I giggle at the idea that they won’t criticize the CC or try to convert you.

They do not acknowledge that the Catholic Church wrote the New Testament they are studying. There’s only one correct interpretation – and that’s the interpretation of the Church that wrote it, canonized its contents, and has been teaching it for 2,000 years.

Jim Dandy

 

[ElToro]

Those of us who have come home to the True Church, perhaps, tend to be more opposed to Protestant services than others. I won’t attend ANY service in any other ecclesial community (there is only one Church) except the funeral of a friend or relative. The only true worship is the Mass.

You are horribly wrong about that. When I go to Bible Study tonight and we pray in community it will be a “true worship” of God. When I say my prayers tonight it will be a “true worship” of God. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass isn’t even the only “true” sacrificial liturgy within the Church. I wish people would stop posting that sort of misinformation.

Jim Dandy

 

[ElToro]

Every Protestant community is anti-Catholic by virtue of its existence. As a former Protestant, I giggle at the idea that they won’t criticize the CC or try to convert you.

They do not acknowledge that the Catholic Church wrote the New Testament they are studying. There’s only one correct interpretation – and that’s the interpretation of the Church that wrote it, canonized its contents, and has been teaching it for 2,000 years.

Jim Dandy

Sadly you have already showed your ignorance on your earlier posting. If the head minister did not tell the truth and they did try to evangelize me, I wouldn’t return. That’s an easy one to fix.

You’re compounding the shortcomings of your earlier comments by saying that “They do not acknowledge that the Catholic Church wrote the New Testament they are studying.” Actually the Catholic Church did not write the New Testament as you suggest. But God did use His Church to compile the canon of the Christian Bible and quite a few Protestant groups acknowledge that fact even if they disagree with the contents of the canon (which is becoming less and less common.)

 

[ElToro]

Exactly my feelings. I recently attended my niece’s confirmation at a Lutheran church and it was just crazy. I got the sense that they knew something was missing, didn’t know what it was, and so stuck in everything they could think of to fill the gap. There was a ‘worship’ band, traditional choir, and another music group all of whom sang at different times during the service, but not really anywhere you’d expect it. And Lutherans have a liturgical structure (like Anglicans and Methodists) that is similar to the Cathulic church.

I would never go on a regular basis. The OP’s pastor looked pained for a reason!

Largely I think because he wondered why this group is offering something he does not. Yes, he can confect the Blessed Sacrament and no Protestant minister can do that. But that’s not an excuse for having inferior music, preaching and fellowship.

Some seem to use the AWESOME GIFT of Catholic Sacrificial Liturgies (including the Mass) as an excuse not to want or provide excellence in music, excellence in preaching and excellence in fellowship. I find that deeply troubling. Will excellence in music, excellence in preaching and excellence in fellowship ever cause me to abandon Catholic Sacrificial Liturgies? No way. But I still want both and I am envious (in a good way) of those that DO get both within the context of a Catholic Sacrificial Liturgy.

 

[Tsuwano]

I have attended Buddhist funeral services for members of my wife’s family and fellow teachers in my school who have passed away. I have attended friend’s and relative’s wedding ceremonies in Protestant communities, mostly Southern Baptist, and have been invited to Jewish Seder meals by friends. I do not do this regularly, but only for special ceremonies.

 

[TobyLue]

I really enjoy the singing, the fellowship and the communal prayer. I sure whish my parish had that level of music and fellowship.

First you need to read and learn more about what the Mass is all about. It is not about making one feel good. Buy “The Lambs Supper” by Scott Hahn

I see where some links have been provided that are very good. I have attended non-catholic services in the past for the same reason but I knew something was missing that the fellowship, music communal prayer could never provide. THE EUCHARIST. I started learning more about the Mass and decided never again to go to protestant services unless I would go as an observer.

I know this guy who did exactly the same thing you are doing. He said the people there were NOT anti-catholic and welcomed him. However, he started challenging me regarding Catholic teachings and I know he didn’t come up with those himself. You must understand that this preaching may be their own personal interpretations and they may not come right out and say it but they may slowly start putting doubts into your mind regarding the CC. This is what happened to this guy and now he no longer attends Mass because its more fun at the other churches, and he gets these fuzzy-wuzzy feelings. They will point out certain passages in scripture and even though they wouldn’t say it outright that the CC is wrong, but their explanation may be contrary to CC teachings and before you know it they’ve got you hook line and sinker.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Is that really the teaching of the Church? …

Still looking, I don’t know, but that appears to be the case. I think Catholics may attend a non-Catholic service with good reason, i.e, a wedding, a funeral, but not just because. Please see the links I provided in my first post in this thread.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have been to a number of protestant services over the years; situations i simply couldn’t avoid. Never otherwise.

My major impression is that they’re 'centerless". There’s really no unifying principle. You go there. You sit. They sing a song. The preacher reads something out of the Bible. They sing some more. The preacher delivers a sermon. They maybe pass around the little “chicklet” looking breads and the grape juice, but there doesn’t seem to be much purpose in it, and most of the time they don’t do it at all. Another song. Then people get up and start wandering out. They do socialize a bit before and after. Sometimes they have a “fellowshipping” afterward (oh! how I hate that word!) which is basically socializing. And they sit the entire time, like spectators at a movie.

Then everybody goes home.

Now, when it comes to Fundamentalists, there’s a whole lot more fire and brimstone in the sermon, a lot of “Amen!” and “Yeah!” at particular points. Some holding the arms up in the air. Altar call. Now and then a screech or a scream. Sometimes somebody gets “slain in the spirit” and goes down. But it still lacks any purposefulness; any real center. Seems like an exercise in getting the adrenalin up and not a whole lot more.

Lutheran and Anglican services are more orderly and cerebral. I’ll give them that. But Lutheran services are woefully Spartan, and Anglican sermons can be, well, nutty.

The Catholic Mass is centered and purposeful. Everything leads to the Eucharist, and the entire focus is on it. People pay attention. No personal displays. Nothing crazy. All centered on Christ in the Eucharist. Clear beginning. Clear ending. Prayers and readings that all fit together. The priest knows what he’s doing, isn’t improvising and is not there to entertain.

Sometimes there is socializing afterward, usually in an annex. Maybe I’m antisocial, but I have known a lot of those people all my life and if I want to socialize with them outside of Church, I do. If I don’t, I don’t. I’m not big on “fellowshipping” and think it’s artificial. Church events, like picnics and fairs are a different thing, and I like them and the socializing that goes on because it’s all purposeful. You’re there to put on an event and raise money for the school or something. It’s not just an artificial get-together done for the purpose of getting together. I like working at them, and I like the people and their kids, but I don’t have to pretend we’re bosom buddies. The relationships are friendly, appropriate and natural, not forced.

No, I never go to non-Catholic services unless I absolutely have no graceful alternative. I have never been to a single one I thought worth attending.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Here is a post from a Catholic priest. The specific post applies, though the title of that thread differs from our discussion.

Is receiving communion in a Presbyterian church a sin?
forum.catholic.org/viewtopic.php?p=703158#p703158

Here is another post from Fr. Serpa here at CAF:

Why can’t Catholics receive Protestant communion?
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=229077

Here’s another CAF discussion:

Can A Catholic Attend A Protestant Worship Service?
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=4652092

I found this:

Is There Scandal in Ecumenical Prayer?
catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=484

Attending non-Catholic services
catholicforum.fisheaters.com/index.php?topic=3233346.0

But, I also found this.

Attending a Protestant Service
cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=225

 

[SwizzleStick]

I posted a lot of links, but maybe it would be more helpful to post the actual Q & A with relevant info bolded. The rest of the answer from Fr. Angel is worth reading too.

"Jeff:
Quote:

It is wrong to miss Mass without a grave reason.
It is wrong to fully and actively participate in a non-Catholic service.
It is not wrong to attend, in the interests of domestic tranquility, a non-Catholic service so long as we do not fully and actively participate (for example, taking communion) and it is known to those to whom it is relevant (such as our firiends and family) that we do not endorse the service as “just another church service equally valid with the Mass”.

That is my undersatnding.
**Jeff, I can cite papal encyclicals, especially “Mortalium Animos” of Pope Pius XI and the Vatican II Decree on Ecumenism. These documents forbid “comunicatio in sacris” which means participating together in worship. There is no distinction between “actively participate” and “passively participate.”

Do not get confused with the occasional participation in an ecumenical prayer service at which Catholic and Protestant clergy are present together. Those services are carefully planned out so that the faithful will not be exposed to anything which contradicts Catholic teaching.

Also, do not get confused with the occasional attendance at a wedding or funeral, which is done out of some urgent family need for attendance. Even these ceremonies would be off limits where there is the danger of scandal or exposure to dangers against the faith…** The case being discussed here is where one is routinely attending Protestant services and Catholic Mass has not been actively sought out first.

I don’t mind you disagreeing. But for the future, I ask that if you are going to enter a delicate pastoral question such as this, you need to research and back up your assertions with church documents. It gets very confusing when you take a contrary position and don’t cite anything more than “That is my understanding.”

“That is my understanding” sums up well why so many Catholics are Protestantized in their spirituality and approach to worship. The grave error of indifferentism, so vigorously condemned at Vatican I, and with pointed and scathing words against the US Catholic Church by Pope Leo XIII, is now mistaken to be the official Catholic position.

One does not know whether to laugh or cry at the lamentable state of affairs.

---

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Angel"

Source link: forum.catholic.org/viewtopic.php?p=703158#p703158

 

[SwizzleStick]

Another actual Q&A posted with most relevant info bolded:

"Mar 28, '08, 6:42 am …
Why can’t Catholics receive Protestant communion?​

I occassionaly go to a midweek service at a Methodist church several of my friends belong to. They have communion once a month. I recognize that they do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I’ve read through some of the other threads and seen that it Is it wrong for me to participate in their communion service. My question is why is it wrong as long as I recognize that it is only symbolic? …

jeaniemarie

Mar 28, '08, 9:30 am …
…
Re: Protestant Communion​

Hi,

**In the first place a Catholic has no business attending Protestant church services even occasionally. To participate in a heretical worship service and especially a communion service can be sinful for a Catholic because such an act is an affirmation of what we believe to be untrue. To attend an ecumenical service or a wedding or baptism is allowed, but Catholics are not allowed to attend such churches for the main reason of worship. **Now if there are no Catholic churches in the vicinity on a Sunday, Catholics are allowed to participate in the Liturgy of Churches whose clergy are validly ordained such as the Eastern Orthodox Churches—including the reception of the Eucharist. Although we consider them to be in schism (not in union with the Pope) with the Catholic Church, such Churches are not heretical and share our basic beliefs.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P. "

Source link: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=229077

 

[SwizzleStick]

Another Q&A with another view with most relevant info bolded:

"Attending a Protestant Service

Issue: May a Catholic attend a service at a Protestant church? How may a Catholic participate?

Response: A Catholic may attend and participate in common prayer at services in Protestant churches. Catholics are encouraged to pray and sing, and they may read or preach, but a Catholic may not receive “communion” if this is part of the service.

Discussion: There is no ban against a Catholic attending a Protestant service, although a Catholic may not receive “communion” if made available. This is largely a consequence of the invalid ordination of ministers attempting to confect the Sacrament. Canon 844 of the Code of Canon Law says that Catholic members of the Christian faithful may receive sacraments only from Catholic ministers. Further, the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that there can be no “Eucharistic intercommunion” between the Church and Protestant communities (no. 1400).

Participation in common prayer without taking part in a communion rite is an act of true ecumenism—promoting unity without denying the truths of the one true faith—and should not likely be a cause of scandal. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in its 1993 Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism, encourages such participation:

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 (no. 118).

However, the Catholic must not think of the worship service as an addition or substitution for Mass. It is important that the Catholic does not give the impression that there is no real separation between Catholics and Protestants. Protestant services must not be attended in order for the Catholic to experience “feelings” of fellowship or closeness to God."…

Attending a Protestant Service
cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=225

 

[thequeen]

Nothing but the Catholic Church will do for me now since I know the fullness of truth.I come from a pentecostal Church of God background so I know all about lively praise and worship but it will never take the place of a valid Catholic Mass.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Another Q&A with another view with most relevant info bolded follows. First I posted it, then deleted it, then posted it again after I found the Diocese of Bishops on CUF’s Advisory Board and saw some reliable Catholic names on the Board.

"Attending a Protestant Service

Issue: May a Catholic attend a service at a Protestant church? How may a Catholic participate?

Response: A Catholic may attend and participate in common prayer at services in Protestant churches. Catholics are encouraged to pray and sing, and they may read or preach, but a Catholic may not receive “communion” if this is part of the service.

Discussion: There is no ban against a Catholic attending a Protestant service, although a Catholic may not receive “communion” if made available. This is largely a consequence of the invalid ordination of ministers attempting to confect the Sacrament. Canon 844 of the Code of Canon Law says that Catholic members of the Christian faithful may receive sacraments only from Catholic ministers. Further, the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that there can be no “Eucharistic intercommunion” between the Church and Protestant communities (no. 1400).

Participation in common prayer without taking part in a communion rite is an act of true ecumenism—promoting unity without denying the truths of the one true faith—and should not likely be a cause of scandal. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in its 1993 Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism, encourages such participation:

**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 (no. 118).

However, the Catholic must not think of the worship service as an addition or substitution for Mass. It is important that the Catholic does not give the impression that there is no real separation between Catholics and Protestants. Protestant services must not be attended in order for the Catholic to experience “feelings” of fellowship or closeness to God."…**

Attending a Protestant Service
cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=225

 

[thequeen]

Nothing but the catholic Church will do for me I come from a pentecostal Church of God background so I know all about lively praise and worship however it will never replace a valid Catholic Mass.