"Interfaith Services" in a Catholic chapel

  • Thread starter Thread starter Caesar
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Caesar

Guest
I happen to go a hospital chapel once a month for the TLM (the only one in my city is only once a month). On my way out after Mass today (a wonderful Missa Cantata btw) I caught a glance of the chapel’s shedule. Apparently once a week there is something called an “Interfaith Service” there. That chapel is Catholic, in a Catholic hospital- why exactly is there a liberal protestant-style “Interfaith Service” there? Is this allowed?
 
I’m sure it is…one of the wonderful things I love most about being Catholic is that no matter how much our faith is criticized, the Church is always accepting to anyone regardless of denomination with open arms. How wonderful it is that someone who may not be Catholic can go to an interfaith service to pray for a Catholic loved one at the hospital. Wouldn’t you argree?
 
That chapel is Catholic, in a Catholic hospital- why exactly is there a liberal protestant-style “Interfaith Service” there? Is this allowed?
Does it say right on there that it’s a liberal, Protestant-style interfaith service, or are you just assuming that part?

Not all interfaith services are liberal, and not all are done in the Protestant style. “Interfaith” simply means that it’s not a Mass, and that people of all different religions are welcome to attend.
 
Where in this interfaith service, do you think that it will be mentioned that, these people Must convert to the Catholic Church?

Nowhere - this is false Ecumenism.
 
Where in this interfaith service, do you think that it will be mentioned that, these people Must convert to the Catholic Church?

Nowhere - this is false Ecumenism.
Normally I would agree, but in this case we are talking about a hospital. Spouses or other family members there of staff or patients may have a need for this kind of thing.

Its not a horrible as it seems on the surface I am sure.

It seems like a way for some to cope better together… I dont know.
 
Normally I would agree, but in this case we are talking about a hospital. Spouses or other family members there of staff or patients may have a need for this kind of thing.

Its not a horrible as it seems on the surface I am sure.

It seems like a way for some to cope better together… I dont know.
Firstly, yes, any hospital chapel should respect the fact that those non-Catholics who choose to attend these interfaith services (most of them will in fact be non-Catholics who are attending precisely BECAUSE they aren’t Masses) are in an extremely emotional state and will most likely not take kindy to being evangelised. In fact who’s to say that these interfaith services would even be run by Catholics?

If you or a loved one were sick and in a hospital run by Protestants and attended a service advertised as being interfaith there, would you appreciate being told that Catholicism is wrong and tht you must join xyz denomination which runs the hospital?

Secondly - St Paul called on us to ‘be all things to all men in order to win souls’. A simple hardline spouting of the line that they must convert is totally contrary to the spirit of this scripture Moreover it will not only not achieve anything at such a gathering, it will drive people away who would have been won over by a slightly gentler approach.
 
I agree with you LilyM. Thats how I feel. Thanks for making it more concrete.

I think we tend to forget also that one may become a Catholic by this kind of ministry being available.

Just think, the non catholic might find it so touching that they may ask more questions… it could lead to something., Isnt that what we all pray for?🙂
Firstly, yes, any hospital chapel should respect the fact that those non-Catholics who choose to attend these interfaith services (most of them will in fact be non-Catholics who are attending precisely BECAUSE they aren’t Masses) are in an extremely emotional state and will most likely not take kindy to being evangelised. In fact who’s to say that these interfaith services would even be run by Catholics?

If you or a loved one were sick and in a hospital run by Protestants and attended a service advertised as being interfaith there, would you appreciate being told that Catholicism is wrong and tht you must join xyz denomination which runs the hospital?

Secondly - St Paul called on us to ‘be all things to all men in order to win souls’. A simple hardline spouting of the line that they must convert is totally contrary to the spirit of this scripture Moreover it will not only not achieve anything at such a gathering, it will drive people away who would have been won over by a slightly gentler approach.
 
This past Saturday after Mass, when the priest was making announcements, he said that along with 2 Masses at our church on Thanksgiving, there would be a prayer service at the nearby church whose name escapes me at the moment, but is non Catholic.
I think it’s wonderful that a community can come together and pray, no matter the religion.
Caesar, you need to lighten up a bit.
Kathy
 
I think we tend to forget also that one may become a Catholic by this kind of ministry being available.
Yes, it may happen. However, one could easily be more swayed to become a Muslim, or a Buddhist or a Hindu Pagan from what they might see at these interfaith services if they are weak in their Faith.

Lets get down to the bottom line here, these protestants and people of other faiths are in Error, Error which could damn their souls to Hell. To not oppose error, and not instruct people that they are in error (I do mean charitably instruct people they are in error) is to support it, and be an accessory to that error.

I wager that not once in this interfaith service, will there be any mention of that the Catholic Church is the Church founded by Our Lord, and it is absolutely necessary to be in it, for their eternal salvation.
 
But, do you really think that they will suddenly think- oh, its good the Catholic Church has decided its not the Church anymore?

Heck, I dont think they are going to assume we sold out, do you?
 
But, do you really think that they will suddenly think- oh, its good the Catholic Church has decided its not the Church anymore?

Heck, I dont think they are going to assume we sold out, do you?
If you don’t tell them, or give them the impression by almost endorsing their religion, thats exactly what they are going to assume.

Thats exactly what many are thinking today - they DO think the Catholic Church has changed its position and ‘dropped’ the Dogma of Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus. Because this false ecumenism gives the impression that their faiths are not in error, and that they have no need to convert to the Catholic Faith.
 
If you don’t tell them, or give them the impression by almost endorsing their religion, thats exactly what they are going to assume.

Thats exactly what many are thinking today - they DO think the Catholic Church has changed its position and ‘dropped’ the Dogma of Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus. Because this false ecumenism gives the impression that their faiths are not in error, and that they have no need to convert to the Catholic Faith.
Maybe there could be a disclaimer somewhere like we still are here for you 24/7 in the event you would like to know more about the CC?

I dont think you should say to them hey - you are only invited here because we are nice, so do your thing but dont forget- you ARE WRONG. Yes, you are wrong but we pity you so dont forget you are going to hell in a handbasket if you dont wise up.

Come on! We dont even teach they will go to hell!
So what CAN we say?
 
We dont even teach they will go to hell!
Heretics and adherants of False religions (this includes Protestantism) who are not inconceivably ignorant don’t go to Hell? (and let me stress, such Ignorance is incredibly rare - more so than the Modernists and Relativists would have you believe)

I think all the past Popes from the beginning of the Church to around JPII - where things have gotten wishy washy - and teaching/Dogmas of the Catholic Church don’t agree with you on that one.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_Ecclesiam_nulla_salus

Maybe read this, and the quotes of Past popes through the ages.
 
Catholic hospitals do not just treat Catholic patients. I work in one and I would venture to say that the majority of our patients are of varying faiths.
What would have happened if when Pope JP II died, news stations would have refused to broadcast anything because they may not have been of the Catholic faith? Imagine the missed opportunity for evangelism, had they done this.
Tell me, Caesar, does the sign at the chapel say " For Catholics Only"?
Kathy
 
Heretics and adherants of False religions (this includes Protestantism) who are not **inconceivably ignorant **don’t go to Hell? (and let me stress, such Ignorance is incredibly rare - more so than the Modernists and Relativists would have you believe)

I think all the past Popes from the beginning of the Church to around JPII - where things have gotten wishy washy - and teaching/Dogmas of the Catholic Church don’t agree with you on that one.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_Ecclesiam_nulla_salus

Maybe read this, and quotes of Past popes through the ages.
Then why dont we teach the Hell prospect then? I have never seen it done.
 
I happen to go a hospital chapel once a month for the TLM (the only one in my city is only once a month). On my way out after Mass today (a wonderful Missa Cantata btw) I caught a glance of the chapel’s shedule. Apparently once a week there is something called an “Interfaith Service” there. That chapel is Catholic, in a Catholic hospital- why exactly is there a liberal protestant-style “Interfaith Service” there? Is this allowed?
This is a hospital chapel, not a Catholic church right? I was in the Cleveland airport recently and there was a “interfaith” chapel there. I could see the red candle burning, so there was a tabernacle, but the sign posted stated when Mass was, when different Protestant services were held. I thought it was a fabulous idea to provide religious services when people are traveling. It’s the same at hospitals, in my experience. So, I’m not really sure what the problem is.
 
I happen to go a hospital chapel once a month for the TLM (the only one in my city is only once a month). On my way out after Mass today (a wonderful Missa Cantata btw) I caught a glance of the chapel’s shedule. Apparently once a week there is something called an “Interfaith Service” there. That chapel is Catholic, in a Catholic hospital- why exactly is there a liberal protestant-style “Interfaith Service” there? Is this allowed?
Hosptial chapels usually do not have a Tabernacle. The Blessed Sacrament would normally have to be removed, for the chapel to be used for anything other than a Catholic Mass. In this case it is a simple prayer chapel.
 
Hosptial chapels usually do not have a Tabernacle. The Blessed Sacrament would normally have to be removed, for the chapel to be used for anything other than a Catholic Mass. In this case it is a simple prayer chapel.
Nope, the Tabernacle is on one of the side altars. It is permament.

The Chapel was built for use by the Sisters of St. Joseph (being at St. Joseph’s Hospital) in the early 1900s. Until a couple decades ago is was only used as a Catholic Chapel. It as stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ; statues of the Blessed Virgin, Our Lord, and St. Joseph; icons of the Blessed Virgin and various Saints; a confessional; Holy Water fonts; and the stations of the cross along the walls on beautiful gilded plaques. It is a traditional Roman Rite Chapel:

http://www.queenofangelsoratory.ca/London/londonchapel.jpg

http://www.queenofangelsoratory.ca/London/highaltar.jpg

NOT a simple prayer chapel.
 
Nope, the Tabernacle is on one of the side altars. It is permament.

The Chapel was built for use by the Sisters of St. Joseph (being at St. Joseph’s Hospital) in the early 1900s. Until a couple decades ago is was only used as a Catholic Chapel. It as stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ; statues of the Blessed Virgin, Our Lord, and St. Joseph; icons of the Blessed Virgin and various Saints; a confessional; Holy Water fonts; and the stations of the cross along the walls on beautiful gilded plaques. It is a traditional Roman Rite Chapel:

NOT a simple prayer chapel.
WOW! That is spectacular. I have never seen anything like that in a hospital before. I suppose at one time the Sisters most likely lived on the property and this was their chapel. I had looked this up a few years ago. But we found documents that indicated the the Blessed Sacrament needed to be removed from the tabernacle and secured, before anything other than a Catholic liturgy could take place in the space. It was found under use of “Sacred Space”? I recall it also indicated that the altar was never to be used for ANYTHING but celebrating a Catholic Mass, with no exceptions.

We loaned our church building once to a Methodist congregration for Christmas one year. Which is why we went looking for the information. We set up a “table” for their use in front of the main altar, which they were not allowed to use.
 
WOW! That is spectacular. I have never seen anything like that in a hospital before. I suppose at one time the Sisters most likely lived on the property and this was their chapel. I had looked this up a few years ago. But we found documents that indicated the the Blessed Sacrament needed to be removed from the tabernacle and secured, before anything other than a Catholic liturgy could take place in the space. It was found under use of “Sacred Space”? I recall it also indicated that the altar was never to be used for ANYTHING but celebrating a Catholic Mass, with no exceptions.

We loaned our church building once to a Methodist congregration for Christmas one year. Which is why we went looking for the information. We set up a “table” for their use in front of the main altar, which they were not allowed to use.
Well, after the TLM the FSSP seminarians who served the Missa Cantata brought a wooden table out of the sacristy (that is an actual wooden table, like something you might have in your kitchen) and placed it in front the the High Altar you can see in the pictures. This is what they use for the weekly Novus Ordo Mass and the interfaith service. I also noticed that the statues get cloths draped over them and the candles and crucifix on the High Altar are taken away.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top