Does the Catholic Church accept Mormons as your brother and sisters in Christ?

[2nd_Adam]

Please see this thread below to verify what I am hearing.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=5945092#post5945092

It appears several Catholics are posting that the Catholic Church accepts Mormons as your brothers and sisters in Christ. I have asked those Catholics to provide official Catholic sources to support this claim. I don’t believe the Magisterium teaches the Catholic people that Mormons are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Please help me understand the official Catholic teaching in regards to Mormons as your brother and sisters in Christ.

Evangelicals do not receive Mormons as Christian siblings. We share the truth in love with our Mormon friends, relatives, and neighbors so that they would come to know the One True God through the historic Jesus Christ as defined by Scripture and historic creeds and confession.

 

[benidict]

Please see this thread below to verify what I am hearing.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=5945092#post5945092

It appears several Catholics are posting that the Catholic Church accepts Mormons as your brothers and sisters in Christ. I have asked those Catholics to provide official Catholic sources to support this claim. I don’t believe the Magisterium teaches the Catholic people that Mormons are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Please help me understand the official Catholic teaching in regards to Mormons as your brother and sisters in Christ.

Evangelicals do not receive Mormons as Christian siblings. We share the truth in love with our Mormon friends, relatives, and neighbors so that they would come to know the One True God through the historic Jesus Christ as defined by Scripture and historic creeds and confession.

i would suggest people go to the sufficiency of Christ thread to get a context of what this is about.

 

[zerinus]

Evangelicals do not receive Mormons as Christian siblings.

Evangelicals do not receive Catholics as “Christian siblings”. Evangelicals do not receive anybody as “Christian siblings”. They hate everything and everyone including themselves!

 

[ralphinal]

Official Catholic teaching is that Mormon baptism is not valid baptism. Official Catholic teaching is that most non-Catholic baptisms ARE valid. Official Catholic Teaching is that one of the effects of a valid baptism is that you become an adopted Child of God and heir to the Kingdom.

Now, that does not mean that Mormans are evil or anything like that. It means that the Church sees a defect in the matter or the form of the baptisms and does not accept them.

 

[crazzeto]

Based on what I’m hearing about the faith from (former) Mormons, I’d have to say no they’re not necessarly our brothers in Christ even though they technically believe in him. Is it possible that every single former mormon out there is disgruntled… perhaps, but it’d be a first that every single convert (to Catholisism) from a former non-orthdox christian faith has hated their previous formation. Most typically, the converts are appriciative of the positives of their former formation, even though they see the errors being taught.

 

[Marie5890]

Please see this thread below to verify what I am hearing.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=5945092#post5945092

It appears several Catholics are posting that the Catholic Church accepts Mormons as your brothers and sisters in Christ. I have asked those Catholics to provide official Catholic sources to support this claim. I don’t believe the Magisterium teaches the Catholic people that Mormons are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Please help me understand the official Catholic teaching in regards to Mormons as your brother and sisters in Christ.

Evangelicals do not receive Mormons as Christian siblings. We share the truth in love with our Mormon friends, relatives, and neighbors so that they would come to know the One True God through the historic Jesus Christ as defined by Scripture and historic creeds and confession.

2Adam…are you asking if the Catholic Church accepts the Mormon baptism as a valid one?..The answer is no…By the same token Mormonism feels any baptism other than Mormon baptism is also invalid…

Is this your question??

 

[TheosisM]

Official Catholic teaching is that Mormon baptism is not valid baptism. Official Catholic teaching is that most non-Catholic baptisms ARE valid. Official Catholic Teaching is that one of the effects of a valid baptism is that you become an adopted Child of God and heir to the Kingdom.

Now, that does not mean that Mormans are evil or anything like that. It means that the Church sees a defect in the matter or the form of the baptisms and does not accept them.

Very true. There are also many Protestants/Evangelicals that are not even baptized, since they may not see it as important.

The Catholic Church has never made a statement on whether Mormons are our “brothers and sisters in Christ”. Similarly, the Catholic Church has not made a statement on every single Church/ecclesial community or religion as to whether they are our “brothers and sisters in Christ”. What the Church has said is that valid baptism joins one to the Church in some way, yet they are still separated/out of full communion with it, due to the various heresies taught, schism, and/or lack of valid sacraments and apostolic succession. So, by virtue of valid baptism, various Eastern Orthodox and Protestants can be considered our separated brethren. However (and this is my opinion), there is nothing wrong with saying that individual Mormons are also our brothers and sisters in Christ, though they may not be so in the same way that, say an Anglican or an Eastern Orthodox may be because of their valid baptism.

And all of this ecumenical talk does not distract from the real issues that separate Catholics from Protestants, and some (some Anglican and Lutheran churches) are closer to the fullness of Truth than others (Calvinism).

"Nevertheless, our separated brethren, whether considered as individuals or as Communities and Churches, are not blessed with that unity which Jesus Christ wished to bestow on all those who through Him were born again into one body, and with Him quickened to newness of life-that unity which the Holy Scriptures and the ancient Tradition of the Church proclaim. For it is only through Christ’s Catholic Church, which is “the all-embracing means of salvation,” that they can benefit fully from the means of salvation. We believe that Our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant to the apostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head, in order to establish the one Body of Christ on earth to which all should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the people of God. This people of God, though still in its members liable to sin, is ever growing in Christ during its pilgrimage on earth, and is guided by God’s gentle wisdom, according to His hidden designs, until it shall happily arrive at the fullness of eternal glory in the heavenly Jerusalem."-Unitatis Redintegratio (“Restoration of Unity”), Decree on Ecumenism

 

[2nd_Adam]

Official Catholic teaching is that Mormon baptism is not valid baptism. Official Catholic teaching is that most non-Catholic baptisms ARE valid. Official Catholic Teaching is that one of the effects of a valid baptism is that you become an adopted Child of God and heir to the Kingdom.

Now, that does not mean that Mormans are evil or anything like that. It means that the Church sees a defect in the matter or the form of the baptisms and does not accept them.

If I understand Catholic Theology, baptism is necessary to be united to Christ. When Protestants become Catholic, usually the Protestant baptism is received as being valid. When a Mormon converts to the Catholic Faith, a Mormon has to be baptized to be in the Catholic Faith. The separated brethren designation is reserved for Protestants, correct. I know Orthodox Christians are also received as siblings in Chris too. The bottom line, the Catholic Church does not call Mormons to be your siblings in Christ, correct? The issue is not a matter of calling non-Christians to be evil. Heck, Jesus called His disciples to be evil. The issue is about the need of Christ and who we consider the mission field. It seems evangelism is very tough for Catholics since it seems Catholics appear very confused about Muslims, Jews, Mormons, and other non-Christian people.

 

[zerinus]

Do Evangelicals accept Catholics as “brothers and sisters in Christ”? Evidently not, according to this article and video:

carm.org/religious-movements/roman-catholicism/are-roman-catholics-christian

That is exactly what 2nd Adam believed—except that he doesn’t have the honesty (or the guts) to say it plainly like Matt Slick does!

 

[2nd_Adam]

Based on what I’m hearing about the faith from (former) Mormons, I’d have to say no they’re not necessarly our brothers in Christ even though they technically believe in him. Is it possible that every single former mormon out there is disgruntled… perhaps, but it’d be a first that every single convert (to Catholisism) from a former non-orthdox christian faith has hated their previous formation. Most typically, the converts are appriciative of the positives of their former formation, even though they see the errors being taught.

Thanks for your post. I am really after the official Magisterium position about Mormons and the Mormom gospel. I have not found anything from official Catholic teaching that the Catholic Church teaches her people to receive Mormons as Christian sibling. Is my conclusion correct.

 

[benidict]

Evangelicals do not receive Catholics as “Christian siblings”. Evangelicals do not receive anybody as “Christian siblings”. They hate everything and everyone including themselves!

now now z. lets not paint them all with a broad brush. if we get johnnc on this thread, you just may really like him. now give 2nd a hug.:grouphug:

 

[Marie5890]

If I understand Catholic Theology, baptism is necessary to be united to Christ. When Protestants become Catholic, usually the Protestant baptism is received as being valid. When a Mormon converts to the Catholic Faith, a Mormon has to be baptized to be in the Catholic Faith. The separated brethren designation is reserved for Protestants, correct. I know Orthodox Christians are also received as siblings in Chris too. The bottom line, the Catholic Church does not call Mormons to be your siblings in Christ, correct? The issue is not a matter of calling non-Christians to be evil. Heck, Jesus called His disciples to be evil. The issue is about the need of Christ and who we consider the mission field. It seems evangelism is very tough for Catholics since it seems Catholics appear very confused about Muslims, Jews, Mormons, and other non-Christian people.

There is a caveat here I need to point out…Many adult converts to Mormonism have already been baptized when they were babies…(Like me)…I didnt have to be baptized when I was received into the Catholic Church as I already had a valid baptism…

Im guessing now you are asking about cradle Mormons…

 

[ralphinal]

If I understand Catholic Theology, baptism is necessary to be united to Christ. When Protestants become Catholic, usually the Protestant baptism is received as being valid. When a Mormon converts to the Catholic Faith, a Mormon has to be baptized to be in the Catholic Faith. The separated brethren designation is reserved for Protestants, correct. I know Orthodox Christians are also received as siblings in Chris too. The bottom line, the Catholic Church does not call Mormons to be your siblings in Christ, correct? The issue is not a matter of calling non-Christians to be evil. Heck, Jesus called His disciples to be evil. The issue is about the need of Christ and who we consider the mission field. It seems evangelism is very tough for Catholics since it seems Catholics appear very confused about Muslims, Jews, Mormons, and other non-Christian people.

Not really. Catholics do not understand the term “non-Christian” or “invalidly baptized” to mean damned. Just because someone does not know the Truth about Jesus CHrist does not mean that God cannot chose to save them.

Mormons are not considered separated brethren, no. But they are still human and made in the image and likeness of God.

If you want Catholics to say all Mormans are damned, you will be waiting for a long, long time.

 

[2nd_Adam]

Very true. There are also many Protestants/Evangelicals that are not even baptized, since they may not see it as important.

The Catholic Church has never made a statement on whether Mormons are our “brothers and sisters in Christ”. Similarly, the Catholic Church has not made a statement on every single Church/ecclesial community or religion as to whether they are our “brothers and sisters in Christ”. What the Church has said is that valid baptism joins one to the Church in some way, yet they are still separated/out of full communion with it, due to the various heresies taught, schism, and/or lack of valid sacraments and apostolic succession. So, by virtue of valid baptism, various Eastern Orthodox and Protestants can be considered our separated brethren. However (and this is my opinion), there is nothing wrong with saying that individual Mormons are also our brothers and sisters in Christ, though they may not be so in the same way that, say an Anglican or an Eastern Orthodox may be because of their valid baptism.

And all of this ecumenical talk does not distract from the real issues that separate Catholics from Protestants, and some (some Anglican and Lutheran churches) are closer to the fullness of Truth than others (Calvinism).

"Nevertheless, our separated brethren, whether considered as individuals or as Communities and Churches, are not blessed with that unity which Jesus Christ wished to bestow on all those who through Him were born again into one body, and with Him quickened to newness of life-that unity which the Holy Scriptures and the ancient Tradition of the Church proclaim. For it is only through Christ’s Catholic Church, which is “the all-embracing means of salvation,” that they can benefit fully from the means of salvation. We believe that Our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant to the apostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head, in order to establish the one Body of Christ on earth to which all should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the people of God. This people of God, though still in its members liable to sin, is ever growing in Christ during its pilgrimage on earth, and is guided by God’s gentle wisdom, according to His hidden designs, until it shall happily arrive at the fullness of eternal glory in the heavenly Jerusalem."-Unitatis Redintegratio (“Restoration of Unity”), Decree on Ecumenism

A valid baptism by the Magestirum is reserved for those who have been baptised in the Triune formula, correct?

 

[ralphinal]

now now z. lets not paint them all with a broad brush. if we get johnnc on this thread, you just may really like him. now give 2nd a hug.:grouphug:

Johnnc is Lutheran, not evangelical. Lutherans do hate everyone, including themselves, but that is because they are a Germanic faith

 

[2nd_Adam]

There is a caveat here I need to point out…Many adult converts to Mormonism have already been baptized when they were babies…(Like me)…I didnt have to be baptized when I was received into the Catholic Church as I already had a valid baptism…

Im guessing now you are asking about cradle Mormons…

So, are you saying that the Catholic Magestrium is receiving Mormon baptism as being valid?

 

[TheosisM]

Thanks for your post. I am really after the official Magisterium position about Mormons and the Mormom gospel. I have not found anything from official Catholic teaching that the Catholic Church teaches her people to receive Mormons as Christian sibling. Is my conclusion correct.

There is no official Magisterium position about Mormons and the Mormon gospel. The only thing is that Mormon baptism is not valid, and Mormon converts to Catholicism are to be baptized. Originally, I believe that many Mormons were conditionally baptized (I think the formula is “If you are not yet baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father…”), which is done when there is doubt that a valid baptism was performed (this is not limited to just Mormon converts). More recently, the position is to baptize all Mormon converts.

 

[2nd_Adam]

Not really. Catholics do not understand the term “non-Christian” or “invalidly baptized” to mean damned. Just because someone does not know the Truth about Jesus CHrist does not mean that God cannot chose to save them.

Mormons are not considered separated brethren, no. But they are still human and made in the image and likeness of God.

If you want Catholics to say all Mormans are damned, you will be waiting for a long, long time.

Oh… I understand the ecumenicism of the Catholic faith in regards to Muslims, Jews, and Mormons. But, do you put Muslims, Jews and Mormons in the same category? Or does the Magisterium put Mormons in the category of Orthodox and Protestant Christians?

 

[Marie5890]

So, are you saying that the Catholic Magestrium is receiving Mormon baptism as being valid?

No…what I am saying is that many adult converts to Mormonism had already been baptized when they were babies with a baptism that is considered valid…Even though they have since become Mormon, that original baptism has not become invalid…

Mormons dont recognize any baptism but their own, that is why the baptize EVERY convert…

 

[TheosisM]

So, are you saying that the Catholic Magestrium is receiving Mormon baptism as being valid?

It does not. What she was saying is that she was baptized as an infant, then converted to Mormonism later on, then came to Catholicism. She did not have to be baptized, because she received a valid baptism before conversion to Mormonism (and the Mormon baptism does not wipe out the valid baptism).