Going to Protestant funeral

[aball1035]

I was invited to go to this funeral of a Protestant aquaintance of mine, and was hesitent before saying that I was sorry and had “previous plans”. The reason I backed out was because I had heard that Catholics are forbidden to go to non-Catholic funerals unless it’s a close friend or family member.

What’s the ‘rule’ or ‘obligation’ if there is one?

and what about weddings and other religious ceremonies (that are non-Catholic)?

 

[passus]

Catholics are not forbidden from attending non-Catholic funerals. “Close friend or family member” is also an extremely broad criteria and nothing like that would ever be found in the law.

As far as non-Catholic weddings go, you have to judge based on the situation. In a sense you have to ask yourself, “Is God going to be there?” because if He isn’t, then you shouldn’t either. Weddings you know to be invalid or between Catholics who are disobeying the marriage laws of the Church and same-sex commitment ceremonies are, to name two examples, not the kinds of functions you want to acknowledge with your presence (which in turn implies your support) there.

For any other non-Catholic religious ceremonies, you must use prudent judgment as well although the possibilities are myriad and so it becomes heavily a matter of conscience. Always make an informed and reasoned–not rationalized–decision. Such ceremonies can range from an ecumenical prayer service where your participation as a Catholic is encouraged to a séance, which no Catholic should ever participate in.

 

[DJgang]

I think it’s so sad when some Catholics actually believe this…

would you not want to go to a funeral for the people there? Of course. You may have friends who are not Catholic and their parents may die… you wouldn’t refuse to go to that funeral and be of some support for that person…believe it or not, you can still go to a Protestant funeral and even pray a Rosary (I’ve done it.)

Be aware though, it will be more a social atmosphere. Everyone will be talking before and after the service.

 

[maryjk]

I think it’s so sad when some Catholics actually believe this…

But “Traditionally,” going to a non-Catholic service could be considered a sin.

From My Confession Book, Tan Publisher, in 1958. Examination Conscience:

page 5 The First Commandment
Did I go to non-Catholic services?

Wouldn’t this count as a non-Catholic service?

 

[celticsfan1983]

I don’t think so. I think of a “service” as something where the main objective is worshipping God. Funerals are more of a way to honor the dead, for lack of a better description, and to be with other grieving people.

Next time, do not hesitate. I went to my stepdad’s grandmothers funeral, and it was a beautiful thing. If you want to keep the Catholicism going, be like me and very discretely say the rosary during it

 

[DJgang]

But “Traditionally,” going to a non-Catholic service could be considered a sin.

From My Confession Book, Tan Publisher, in 1958. Examination Conscience:

page 5 The First Commandment
Did I go to non-Catholic services?

Wouldn’t this count as a non-Catholic service?

Hum… would that possibly fall under not going to Mass. IOW, going to a Protestant service instead of Mass.

A funeral service at a Protestant church is like … um… a memorial.

Oh, and I want to ask, does it say in the Catechism not to attend a Protestant service? No, just that we do not receive communion.

 

[maryjk]

Hum… would that possibly fall under not going to Mass. IOW, going to a Protestant service instead of Mass.

A funeral service at a Protestant church is like … um… a memorial.

Oh, and I want to ask, does it say in the Catechism not to attend a Protestant service? No, just that we do not receive communion.

Anyone have an old Baltimore Catechism handy?

I agree with you that there isn’t a problem going to a non-Catholic funeral. I just wonder if some people think it is a problem because of what they were taught? I know my Mother was taught that it was a sin to attend a Vacation Bible School that wasn’t Catholic. And it was a sin to attend a non-Catholic wedding. Maybe funerals fell in with that.

 

[DJgang]

Anyone have an old Baltimore Catechism handy?

I agree with you that there isn’t a problem going to a non-Catholic funeral. I just wonder if some people think it is a problem because of what they were taught? I know my Mother was taught that it was a sin to attend a Vacation Bible School that wasn’t Catholic. And it was a sin to attend a non-Catholic wedding. Maybe funerals fell in with that.

You do have me curious now …

 

[maryjk]

You do have me curious now …

Sorry…

I will look at it tomorrow when I am at work.

 

[ihm1993]

You should definately not go. To go what be to recognize openly that you reject the dogma: Outside the Church, there is absolutely no salvation. It is a mortal sin for a catholic to attend any non-catholic service.

 

[Le_Cracquere]

You should definately not go. To go what be to recognize openly that you reject the dogma: Outside the Church, there is absolutely no salvation. It is a mortal sin for a catholic to attend any non-catholic service.

One could also end up accidentally touching us or being obliged to shake one of our hands. Beware!

 

[Deacon_Dale_1]

You should definately not go. To go what be to recognize openly that you reject the dogma: Outside the Church, there is absolutely no salvation. It is a mortal sin for a catholic to attend any non-catholic service.

I presume this is a joke?

 

[PaulinVA]

You should definitely not go. To go what be to recognize openly that you reject the dogma: Outside the Church, there is absolutely no salvation. It is a mortal sin for a catholic to attend any non-catholic service.

Of all of your posts, this one takes the cake.

Do you actually believe this? Yes, I fear you do.

 

[maryjk]

Sorry…

I will look at it tomorrow when I am at work.

You should definately not go. To go what be to recognize openly that you reject the dogma: Outside the Church, there is absolutely no salvation. It is a mortal sin for a catholic to attend any non-catholic service.

Checked the old Baltimore Catechism and the current Catechism of the Catholic Church. Neither had anything about attending services like a funeral at another church. It was not even mentioned.

Sorry, ihm1993, to say it is a mortal sin, you need to back it up with something.

 

[ihm1993]

Popes before Vatican II have acknoweleged and frequently stated that there is no salvation outside the Church. So to go and acknowelege that a schismatic person would go to heaven, is a open denial of the dogma outside the Church there is no salvation. To reject that dogma takes you out of communion with the Church. And of course the vatican II “Deacon” who replied to my post wouldnt stand by TRUE Church dogma.

 

[PaulinVA]

Popes before Vatican II have acknoweleged and frequently stated that there is no salvation outside the Church. So to go and acknowelege that a schismatic person would go to heaven, is a open denial of the dogma outside the Church there is no salvation. To reject that dogma takes you out of communion with the Church. And of course the vatican II “Deacon” who replied to my post wouldnt stand by TRUE Church dogma.

So, the Church holds the keys to salvation? I agree 100%.

Show me, please, where that is interpreted as meaning that one has to be a baptized member of the Church to be saved.

The Church can *control *salvation and determine who is saved from the totality of humanity.

 

[ihm1993]

Pope Gregory XVI, Summo Iugiter Studio, May 27, 1832, on no salvation outside the Church: “You know how zealously Our predecessors taught that article of faith which these dare to deny, namely the necessity of the Catholic faith and of unity for salvation… Omitting other appropriate passages which are almost numberless in the writings of the Fathers, We shall praise St. Gregory the Great who expressly testifies that THIS IS INDEED THE TEACHING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. He says: ‘The holy universal Church teaches that it is not possible to worship God truly except in her and asserts that all who are outside of her will not be saved.’ Official acts of the Church proclaim the same dogma. Thus, in the decree on faith which Innocent III published with the synod of Lateran IV, these things are written: ‘There is one universal Church of all the faithful outside of which no one is saved.’ Finally the same dogma is also expressly mentioned in the profession of faith proposed by the Apostolic See, not only that which all Latin churches use, but also that which… other Eastern Catholics use. We did not mention these selected testimonies because We thought you were ignorant of that article of faith and in need of Our instruction. Far be it from Us to have such an absurd and insulting suspicion about you. But We are so concerned about this serious and well known dogma, which has been attacked with such remarkable audacity, that We could not restrain Our pen from reinforcing this truth with many testimonies.”

Pope Eugene IV, The Council of Florence, “Exultate Deo,” Nov. 22, 1439: “Holy baptism, which is the gateway to the spiritual life, holds the first place among all the sacraments; through it we are made members of Christ and of the body of the Church. And since death entered the universe through the first man, ‘unless we are born again of water and the Spirit, we cannot,’ as the Truth says, ‘enter into the kingdom of heaven’ [John 3:5]. The matter of this sacrament is real and natural water.”

(and as you probably already know, The Pope is infallible and His words are guided by the Will of God, The Holy Ghost.)

 

[TOP]

…and baptism using the Trinitarian formula are recognized by the Church. This is getting ignorant. Tim

 

[ihm1993]

Not if one holds heretical beliefs and denies Catholic Dogma. The Catholic Faith was created by God. The protestent sect was created by a rebellious ex-monk driven by the devil. To say you dont have to be in communion with the catholic Church to be saved, is to say that all the Catholic martyrs who laid down their lives for the Church during the protestent revolution dies in vain. You are ignorant. How about studying the catholic Faith before vatican II took place.

 

[PaulinVA]

When one is arguing extra ecclesiam nulla salus one must be sure that one doesn’t go off the deep end and become a Feenyite, which would, of course, be wrong.

In 1943, Pope Pius XII said in Mystici Corporis . “We urge each and every one of [those outside Catholic unity] to be prompt to follow the interior movements of grace, and to seek earnestly to rescue themselves from a state in which they cannot be sure of their own salvation. For even though, by a certain unconscious desire and wish, they may be related to the Mystical Body of the Redeemer, they remain deprived of so many and so powerful gifts and helps from heaven, which can be enjoyed only within the Catholic Church.”