Is it OK to attend Protestant services?

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bpsblackbelt

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My 17 year old son has an opportunity to play the piano on Sunday mornings at the local Disciples of Christ church. It won’t interfere with attending Mass, and I feel like his faith is strong so he won’t be misled by what he observes. Is there a problem with this?
 
As long as he’s fulfilling his Sunday obligation that’s fine.
 
There are only three possible issues. First, as pointed out by Yerusalyim, he must still attend mass. Second, it should not result in a challenge to his faith (you have said that it won’t, just pay attention). Third, there is some chance that it might be an endorsement of that as an alternative to the Catholic faith to others. I would not worry about that one unless that church has a habit of recruiting Catholics.
 
If I were in your son’s position, I would be inclined to do it, just for the experience as a musician.

The D of C, to my knowledge, is a fairly liberal denom and not known for having an anti-Catholic bent. If it were the Baptists, Assemblies of God or SDA, I would feel completely differently - I wouldn’t go near those places, not because of any fear that my Catholic faith would be in danger, but simply because slander of my religion is part of their routine.

Of course, if I were later offered a similar opportunity at a Catholic church, I would make the switch!
 
FYI–Disciples of Christ Church does have a Communion that is open to all believers every week. I know that some on here have recommended that Catholics not receive Communion in other churches.

“Disciples congregations celebrate the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. The table is open. That means that all Christians are invited to respond to Christ’s invitation to draw closer to Him around the communion table. For Disciples, the open table is a powerful symbol of our deep commitment to Christian unity. The open table honors diversity even as it celebrates unity in Christ.”

Disciples of Christ is one of our"frontier churches". I have never heard anything with Catholic bashing from them.
disciples.org/

God Bless!
 
Bpsblackbelt:

I was a musician (piano/organ/guitar, and choirmaster) for several years before I was ordained (I’m United Methodist). I loved playing in Catholic Churches… but as a rule they don’t pay as well as Protestant Churches.

Any experience in any church as a starting musician is invaluable. And the DOC’s won’t snatch your son away from his faith.
 
emeraldcoast said:
FYI–Disciples of Christ Church does have a Communion that is open to all believers every week. I know that some on here have recommended that Catholics not receive Communion in other churches.

“Disciples congregations celebrate the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. The table is open. That means that all Christians are invited to respond to Christ’s invitation to draw closer to Him around the communion table. For Disciples, the open table is a powerful symbol of our deep commitment to Christian unity. The open table honors diversity even as it celebrates unity in Christ.”

Disciples of Christ is one of our"frontier churches". I have never heard anything with Catholic bashing from them.
disciples.org/

God Bless!
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If they are not anti-Catholic, it does help.

I am one of those who “recommends” Catholics not reveive in other churchs. NOt to derail the thread, but it is the rule of the Catholic Church, not an opinion. If you want, I can find the citations. Please make sure your son knows that as well.
 
bpsblackbelt said:
My 17 year old son has an opportunity to play the piano on Sunday mornings at the local Disciples of Christ church. It won’t interfere with attending Mass, and I feel like his faith is strong so he won’t be misled by what he observes. Is there a problem with this?
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I wonder about his faith being strong enough not to be misled. If he’s there every week, getting to know the fine people who attend that church, hearing their sermons over and over, how can he not help but be influenced?

I’ve seen people on this forum comment that having a non-Catholic in the choir is a good thing because being at Mass every week might influence the person to become Catholic. In your son’s case it’s going in the other direction.

I’d rather see him get involved in the Catholic church in some capacity.
emeraldcoast said:
FYI–Disciples of Christ Church does have a Communion that is open to all believers every week. I know that some on here have recommended that Catholics not receive Communion in other churches.
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The “some on here” would actually be the Church herself. Per canon law:

Can. 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone.
 
I think kids can be swayed. I feel he may like the ‘easiness’ of their sermons and decide that is for him. I couldn’t allow my sons to play anywhere else but the CC.
 
Righteousone said:
I think kids can be swayed. I feel he may like the ‘easiness’ of their sermons and decide that is for him. I couldn’t allow my sons to play anywhere else but the CC.
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Do you allow your sons to play with non-Catholic kids??:rolleyes:

Coming from a non-Catholic whose children attend Catholic school, I do not “fear” that my kids will become Catholic because they attend the school or that they go to mass every week.

God Bless!
 
Thank you, everyone, for your comments. They have been very helpful. We have stressed to him that he is not to participate in communion at their church. Thanks again.
 
bpsblackbelt said:
Thank you, everyone, for your comments. They have been very helpful. We have stressed to him that he is not to participate in communion at their church. Thanks again.
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That’s good.

I am not sure what God’s will is in this situation; however, if I were in your situation, I would pray that he finds a Catholic church to serve with his talent. I also pray that he, when grows up a bit, doesn’t date a non-Catholic girl. I don’t mean any offense here, but I prefer that my son will get to know a Catholic one.

I have seen couple with different faith work, but others don’t. I also know my friend’s son hanging around with different church (not Catholic) and what happens? the parents have to go through helping him with his faith because he spent time going to church there instead of his parents’.
 
bpsblackbelt said:
My 17 year old son has an opportunity to play the piano on Sunday mornings at the local Disciples of Christ church. It won’t interfere with attending Mass, and I feel like his faith is strong so he won’t be misled by what he observes. Is there a problem with this?
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I don’t know about the modern (post-V2) rules, but under the rules of the traditional Catholic church, a Catholic could not attend non-Catholic religious services, but I THINK they were permitted to attend for weddings, funerals, etc (I’d have to check it.)

In Judaism, we have a rule called marit ayin, which means, “How something appears to the eyes of others”, IOW we are to avoid anything that might give people the wrong impression.

Paul, in the NT, advocates a similar belief: “Abstain from every APPEARANCE of evil”.

In Orthodox Judaism, we are not allowed to attend religious services of non-Jewish religions (or even non-Orthodox services, such as reform, conservative, etc). This presented a dilemma for me recently, because a former neighbor of our died to whom we were close, and we could not attend the funeral because its being held (today, in fact) in a Buddhist temple, with idols everywhere. The reason we are not to attend is because we’re not to give credence to false religions, but also, because others, seeing us go in, might falsely assume we are going to worship their deities.

We sent a fruit basket instead 🤷
 
What about calling your church pastor on the issue of your child playing music at a different church? I am sure that your pastor knows your child, so most likely he will give you some good insight if he thinks this will be something fruitful for your child to explore.

God Bless!
 
The examination of conscience from my Church’s site has this point to consider:

Did I endanger my faith by joining or attending meetings of organizations opposed to the Catholic faith (non-Catholic services, the Communist Party, Freemasonry, New Age cults, or other religions)? Did I take part in one of its activities?

I believe it is a bad idea to allow your son to participate in non-Catholic worship.
 
jam070406 said:
The examination of conscience from my Church’s site has this point to consider:

Did I endanger my faith by joining or attending meetings of organizations opposed to the Catholic faith (non-Catholic services, the Communist Party, Freemasonry, New Age cults, or other religions)? Did I take part in one of its activities?

I believe it is a bad idea to allow your son to participate in non-Catholic worship.
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It is not like he is going to be playing with the Hare Krishnas’ on a street corner in San Francisco. 🤷

God Bless!
 
emeraldcoast said:
It is not like he is going to be playing with the Hare Krishnas’ on a street corner in San Francisco. 🤷

God Bless!
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What’s the difference? He’ll be playing a non-Catholic service at a church with heretical views opposed to Catholic teaching.
 
  1. Thus, Venerable Brethren, it is clear why this Apostolic See has never allowed its subjects to take part in the assemblies of non-Catholics. There is but one way in which unity of Christians must be fostered, and that is by furthering the return to the one true Church of Christ of those who are seperated from it, for from that one true Church they have in the past fallen away.
    -Pope Pius XI (Mortalium Animos)
 
Well if that’s God calling for OP’s son…why not !! Just that the OP need to highlight to her son that he is a catholic and not allow to partake communion in protestant church.

I don’t know what is getting wrong in America, protestant is MAKING ANNOUNCEMENT no to date Catholic and vice verse. I wonder if the entire America population would to transport and live in Asia (where non believers dominate the contintent) then all parents will have headache with their kids becoz the chances of dating a non believers is higher then dating a believer. Countries engage in christianity can have so much problem then those who doesn’t…what is the problem God with all these pple…🤷
 
beeliner said:
If I were in your son’s position, I would be inclined to do it, just for the experience as a musician.

The D of C, to my knowledge, is a fairly liberal denom and not known for having an anti-Catholic bent. If it were the Baptists, Assemblies of God or SDA, I would feel completely differently - I wouldn’t go near those places, not because of any fear that my Catholic faith would be in danger, but simply because slander of my religion is part of their routine.

Of course, if I were later offered a similar opportunity at a Catholic church, I would make the switch!
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I agree with Beeliner…but I may add this: there are other teens in this church who may have some questions-he could think of this as a way to educate others about the Faithful.

Father Bless,
Karol Lynn
 
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