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

[benidict]

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

thank you thank you thank you theosism. you have reiterated to 2nd in a much much better way what i tried to tell him on the sufficiency thread. ive been up for awhile. staff duty. this pretty much sums up my views i expressed to him and he could not accept. thank you. and God bless

 

[2nd_Adam]

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.

This current positon and practice speaks volumes.

 

[2nd_Adam]

thank you thank you thank you theosism. you have reiterated to 2nd in a much much better way what i tried to tell him on the sufficiency thread. ive been up for awhile. staff duty. this pretty much sums up my views i expressed to him and he could not accept. thank you. and God bless

Okay, on this thread… do you believe that Mormons are your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you believe the Magisterium teaches Catholics to receive Mormons as your brother and sisters in Christ?

 

[TheosisM]

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

Yes, and in the case of Mormons, it seems as if a traditional understanding of God (i.e. the Trinity) is also necessary, since they use basically the same baptismal formula as we do.

 

[2nd_Adam]

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).

For my understanding, in what church was she baptized as an infant?

 

[Marie5890]

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.

Again with one caveat…That is if there has never been any valid baptism ever performed…

I was baptized Catholic as a baby but never really formed in the faith…I became LDS and was baptized LDS (my Catholic baptism being seen as invalid) when I older…

SO when I came to become Catholic I did not need to be baptized at the Easter Vigil as I already had been as a baby…

Many present day Mormons are converts (esp Latin American Mormons)…Its highly likely they were indeed baptized Catholic as babies…Hence they DO have a valid baptism…

Just throwing that out as a reminder that not all Mormons are life long Mormons but rather converts from other faiths…

 

[ralphinal]

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?

Other than the stance on baptism, I have not seen much said about Mormons by the Church.

 

[Marie5890]

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).

Thank you

That is indeed what I am saying …

 

[2nd_Adam]

Yes, and in the case of Mormons, it seems as if a traditional understanding of God (i.e. the Trinity) is also necessary, since they use basically the same baptismal formula as we do.

I’m so confused. We are in agreement that Mormons reject the historic view of our Triune God, correct? Therefore, are you saying Mormons baptize in the formula as Protestants and Catholics; therefore, Mormon baptism are valid when a Mormon converts to the Catholic Faith?

 

[2nd_Adam]

Other than the stance on baptism, I have not seen much said about Mormons by the Church.

It must be very difficult to be Catholic. Do you co-fellowship with your Mormon family, friends, and neighbors as one in Christ? Or do you proclaim the gospel to them as the mission field?

 

[ralphinal]

I’m so confused. We are in agreement that Mormons reject the historic view of our Triune God, correct? Therefore, are you saying Mormons baptize in the formula as Protestants and Catholics; therefore, Mormon baptism are valid when a Mormon converts to the Catholic Faith?

I think that Theosis is giving the reason Mormon baptism is considered invalid.

If a Mormon convert had never been properly baptised, yes they must be baptised before becoming Catholic

 

[ralphinal]

It must be very difficult to be Catholic. Do you co-fellowship with your Mormon family, friends, and neighbors as one in Christ? Or do you proclaim the gospel to them as the mission field?

Why is it an either/or? Do you not understand that the best way to preach the Gospel is NOT to use words?

 

[Marie5890]

For my understanding, in what church was she baptized as an infant?

I was baptized Catholic as an infant. The two other ladies with whom went thru RCIA with me were baptized on Luthuren and Congregationalist.

All of our baptisms were valid so at the Easter Vigil the two of them were officially welcomed into the Catholic Church

(by my infant baptism I already was a member so I was not part of this moment)

then the 3 of us were confirmed and received the Eurcharist for the first time…

Sorry for the confusion

 

[TheosisM]

I’m so confused. We are in agreement that Mormons reject the historic view of our Triune God, correct? Therefore, are you saying Mormons baptize in the formula as Protestants and Catholics; therefore, Mormon baptism are valid when a Mormon converts to the Catholic Faith?

NO, I believe I have repeatedly stated that all Mormon converts are baptized into the Catholic Church (unless, like Marie, they had received a valid baptism prior to their conversion to Mormonism, like if they were raised Catholic, left, and then revert). Mormon baptism is seen as invalid.

What I am saying is that in the case of Mormons (and perhaps in general), it seems as if using the correct baptismal formula is not enough for the valid baptism to occur, but there also needs to be the correct, Trinitarian understanding of God. Because this (Trinity) is not present in Mormonism, although they use the correct formula, the baptism is still seen as invalid.

For reference, Mormons use this formula (from memory, so correct me if I’m wrong): “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. This seems like a valid formula, since not all are simply “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox say “The servant of God [name] is baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”). SO, a belief in the Trinity also seems necessary.

 

[2nd_Adam]

Why is it an either/or? Do you not understand that the best way to preach the Gospel is NOT to use words?

I’m sorry brother, that is the most unbiblical post that I have read on Catholic Answers. Humanists, Mormons, Atheists, and Jehovah Witnesses can actually do greater works which benefit humanity on a temporal basis than Christians. The gospel is the proclamation about what God has done for fallen humanity.

 

[benidict]

Okay, on this thread… do you believe that Mormons are your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you believe the Magisterium teaches Catholics to receive Mormons as your brother and sisters in Christ?

your question in and of itself is out of context 2nd. but i do stand by what i wrote on the sufficiency of Christ thread on post 281-286-288-290-and 294. anyone can go to these to get the proper context of where you are coming from. if i am in error. then i would appreciate a fellow Catholic to instruct me in this. not a protestant. i will humbly admit to any mistatements i have made. but i do not believe i was outside of what the magestirium stated. that is the difference between us my brother. i can and have submitted to correction from my Catholic brothers and sisters in all humility. i do not claim to be a spokesman for the Church. but i will be judged by my fellow believers and by no-one else. i encourage any of my brothers and sisters to go to these post and please refine me where i have made any errors. I would appreciate it. it is always good to submit to correction. dont you agree brother 2nd? corona and palm trees waiting for you. just get here before next june.lol!:grouphug:God bless you and yours.

 

[ralphinal]

I’m sorry brother, that is the most unbliblical post that I have read on Catholic Answers.

Really? I suggest that you re-read the Gospels. Jesus told them to proclaim the Good News, but if you actually pay attention, we are told to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, comfort the sorrowful, etc. Jesus himself did more than proclaim the Kingdom.

And, as God is my witness, if Jesus could dine with tax collectors and prostitutes, there is NO REASON anyone cannot be kind to Mormons.

 

[crazzeto]

I guess the simplest way to put this, is the Catholic church believes that the core “must” set of beliefs may be found in the Creed(s). Both say the same thing, the Nicean is more specific. If one accepts the sum total of the Apostles and Nicean Creed(s) then they are Christian for sure. If they don’t, then there is some question of whether or not they’re Christian. However I’m not aware of wether the Vatican has an officially published list of all world religions and whether or not they are classified as Christian. I’m just not sure where to pull an official Magesterial document on this. I think this is the best answer one can give.

In the case of Mormons, it’s not possible to say they accept the sum total of the creed. They don’t beleive in one God, the father son and holy spirit as a trinity. Point in fact, it’s apparent they accept multiple Gods (yes there’s a long running thread on this, everyone out of the Church says they do so I can’t argue their point). As this is the case, apparently it’s difficult to call Mormon’s Christians.

Does that mean they’re all damned to hell? No, this has come up several times before. There are good Mormons who truely beleive. I’d suggest they are at a dissadvantage when it comes to salvation like all non-christians (and even some christians who accept doctrine not condusive of salvation). But this is not an automatic ticket to damnation.

 

[2nd_Adam]

your question in and of itself is out of context 2nd. but i do stand by what i wrote on the sufficiency of Christ thread on post 281-286-288-290-and 294. anyone can go to these to get the proper context of where you are coming from. if i am in error. then i would appreciate a fellow Catholic to instruct me in this. not a protestant. i will humbly admit to any mistatements i have made. but i do not believe i was outside of what the magestirium stated. that is the difference between us my brother. i can and have submitted to correction from my Catholic brothers and sisters in all humility. i do not claim to be a spokesman for the Church. but i will be judged by my fellow believers and by no-one else. i encourage any of my brothers and sisters to go to these post and please refine me where i have made any errors. I would appreciate it. it is always good to submit to correction. dont you agree brother 2nd? corona and palm trees waiting for you. just get here before next june.lol!:grouphug:God bless you and yours.

There is no private interpertation of Sacred Scripture for Catholics and Protestants alike. Since Sacred Tradition is part of the Word of God for Catholics, I would say that there is no private interpertation for Sacred Tradition either. You guys cannot twist Sacred Tradition to fit your personal views.

 

[Marie5890]

2ndAdam…

Are you looking for an official proclamation from the Magesterium on Mormonism specifically…One way or the other???