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MyPseudonym
Guest
I am in RCIA. Is it a sin to occasionally attend a Protestant service?
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Metropolis
Guest
Nothing wrong with attending a Protestant service, just be aware that they do hold some beliefs that are contrary to Catholic beliefs. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. My husband actually asked his Priest about this (when we were dating I was a Protestant, but have since converted) and the Priest said it was fine, but to be aware they believe differently and that it isn’t a good idea to ditch Mass for the service, but usually there are ways to attend both because of multiple services.
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BVMFatima
Guest
Well since you are in RCIA to become a Catholic, I would sugigest learning the faith more on what we believe, so when you go to a Protestant service ( Which I Highly Do Not Encourage ) you will know what is against Church teaching and what is not. For example, the Protestants believe in sola scriptura ( Bible Alone ) Sola Fide ( Faith Alone without good works ) and they even come up with negative claims against us Catholics, such as saying we Catholics are not Christians. That is silly isent it?
As a Catechuman ( if you were already validly Baptized you would be a Candidate ) I would continue staying in the Roman Catholic Churches, because in the future when you become Catholic, it will fufill your Sunday obligation ( a habit you shall continue so you will get use to coming to Mass often. )
God Bless,
BVMFatima
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WoundedIcon
Guest
You may, just be prudent. I wouldn’t miss Mass for it though. And it’s a sin take their communion, just so you know.
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Marcalvira
Guest
Yes, it is sinful. Protestants are heretics. A traditional Catholic cannot support herecy. Attendance and participation in services, funerals etc, are acts celebrating what we know to be untrue. Many/most saints and martyrs suffered greatly and gave all in protest of the heresies that Protestants promote. To joyfully celebrate these same heresies is essentially mocking their sacrifice.
The Novus Ordo /VII sect is fine with this celebration of heresy… The VII sect is wrong. It is a new “church” protesting the original True Church.
Stick to the traditional Church teaching.
The Novus Ordo /VII sect is fine with this celebration of heresy… The VII sect is wrong. It is a new “church” protesting the original True Church.
Stick to the traditional Church teaching.
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Metropolis
Guest
Just to let you know not all protestants are sola scriptura or sola fide. Some common misconceptions. Some denominations don’t think Catholics are Christians, but not all. Another common misconception. Just thought you should know.Well since you are in RCIA to become a Catholic, I would sugigest learning the faith more on what we believe, so when you go to a Protestant service ( Which I Highly Do Not Encourage ) you will know what is against Church teaching and what is not. For example, the Protestants believe in sola scriptura ( Bible Alone ) Sola Fide ( Faith Alone without good works ) and they even come up with negative claims against us Catholics, such as saying we Catholics are not Christians. That is silly isent it?
As a Catechuman ( if you were already validly Baptized you would be a Candidate ) I would continue staying in the Roman Catholic Churches, because in the future when you become Catholic, it will fufill your Sunday obligation ( a habit you shall continue so you will get use to coming to Mass often. )
God Bless,
BVMFatima
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teachccd
Guest
While you got some good as well as some interesting answers here, the answer is no. There is no sin as you have not been fully initiated into the Catholic Church and so you are not under Canon law nor the precepts of the Church. But, that being said, even when you are a fully initiated Catholic Christian there still is no sin attending a Protestant service as long as you follow Catholic teachings regarding Sunday obligation and all of the doctrinal teachings regarding faith and morals. I have attended Protestant services but I am not a heretic since I do not assent to their teachings. Talk with your RCIA director/coordinator for a more specific answer to your particular needs. God bless you and your journey into the Church!!
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Marcalvira
Guest
It’s not a sin to attend a heretical service because the questioner has not been confirmed? What kind of hogwash is that? An unconfirmed person is living in sin, and an unconfirmed person reveling in heretic worship is beyond sinful. In fact true Catholics "pray for the souls in Purgatory and the CONVERSION of sinners… Again, the Novus Ordo church, is wandering blindly. If you want answers to these serious questions, please read the writing of the fathers of the Church, and get a traditional Catechism. The new post 1960’s stuff is basically Calvinist…
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Metropolis
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I am pretty sure it is against Church teaching (and against forum rules) to say that the New Catechism is not valid or "basically Calvinist. I grew up in a Calvinist Church and trust me, it has little to no resemblance . The Holy Spirit has always led the Church (this has been taught since the very beginning of Church History) and it’s leaders. I trust the Church and where the Holy Spirit leads it. To say otherwise is against Church teaching even older versions of Church teaching.
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Kathrin
Guest
I am personally not sure about attending but I am sure about one thing, namely that their service doesn’t fulfill the Catholic Sunday and Holy Day Obligation.
Also i THINK it is not allowed for Catholics to receive their communion (they would allow you I guess, but that is not what I mean, I mean from a Catholic point of view.
But maybe somebody else here who knows for sure can help better.
Best you talk to your priest in RCIA about it before you plan to attend one again!
Also i THINK it is not allowed for Catholics to receive their communion (they would allow you I guess, but that is not what I mean, I mean from a Catholic point of view.
But maybe somebody else here who knows for sure can help better.
Best you talk to your priest in RCIA about it before you plan to attend one again!
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Kathrin
Guest
i found this…
cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=225
I tried to find out - as I did not know the site - how valid the info is, and this fact looks to say it is valid: cuf.org/FaithFacts/index.asp
cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=225
I tried to find out - as I did not know the site - how valid the info is, and this fact looks to say it is valid: cuf.org/FaithFacts/index.asp
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iloveangels
Guest
It’s not a sin. Whether it makes sense or not depends on where you are in the RCIA process and where you are in your conversion process.I am personally not sure about attending but I am sure about one thing, namely that their service doesn’t fulfill the Catholic Sunday and Holy Day Obligation.
Also i THINK it is not allowed for Catholics to receive their communion (they would allow you I guess, but that is not what I mean, I mean from a Catholic point of view.
Best you talk to your priest in RCIA about it before you plan to attend one again!
RCIA is a time for studying and deciding. That means you’re making decisions about your faith and your life. You should be thinking about whether you want to be a Catholic or a Protestant and some comparing is fine if it’s part of that. By the time you get done deciding and studying and praying, then you will know whether you belong at that Protestant congregation or a Catholic parish.
Just so you know, going into this, you can’t belong to both. The reason for that is that there are contradictions between the two which make it impossible to be both at the same time. Also know that once you become Catholic, it’s permanent as far as Catholics are concerned. Becoming Catholic isn’t something you do just to try it out or anything like that. Be sure before you commit.
Back to your question: In general, it’s not sinful to go to an infrequent Protestant service, particularly funerals and weddings of family, as long as you are not shopping around for a new faith. Many Catholics consult their priest before they do this, because many of them, particularly cradle Catholics, fear Protestants. Just remember that there can be dramatic differences in some beliefs of Protestants and Catholics, and you can’t be both at the same time, and use your head, and you’ll be fine.
PS, Kathrin, that’s good advice. Catholics United for the Faith is legit. They are right about Communion. We are not to take it at Protestant Churches and they may not receive ours either. And you cannot fulfill your mass obligation at a Protestant Church.
PS, I’m a convert myself and have been through this process. Welcome to RCIA!
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Kathrin
Guest
i really think it is best the OP talk to the priest at the RCIA about this issue
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Kathrin
Guest
Very true, that is also why I really advise you to talk to the priest leading the RCIA about such questions or doubts.
I might have said unless really no mass is available, which is rare (and maybe it also depends on which kind of Protestant service you talk about then?) , but then also if no mass is available there is no obligation, really.
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Kathrin
Guest
Also because, as iloveangels has also pointed out, we here cannot know at which point in his/her faith the original poster is, and thus whether it makes sense.
Also Protestant services might vary a lot from area to area, or not?
Also as others also pointed out, I also want to say do not miss Sunday or Holy Day mass for it if there is a Catholic mass available (and I think most of us here are in places where it would be really rare that a Catholic mass isn’t held enough close by to go there and attend)
Also Protestant services might vary a lot from area to area, or not?
Also as others also pointed out, I also want to say do not miss Sunday or Holy Day mass for it if there is a Catholic mass available (and I think most of us here are in places where it would be really rare that a Catholic mass isn’t held enough close by to go there and attend)
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Metropolis
Guest
Protestant services vary area to area, denomination to denomination, and even synod to synod. For instance if you go to a Four Square service, you would see a big contrast from a Catholic service. While you may go to an Anglican/Episcopalian service and you would hardly be able to tell the difference. I grew up Protestant and I am now Catholic and it is funny to me how Catholics don’t realize how vast Protestants are in their beliefs and practices.Also because, as iloveangels has also pointed out, we here cannot know at which point in his/her faith the original poster is, and thus whether it makes sense.
Also Protestant services might vary a lot from area to area, or not?
Also as others also pointed out, I also want to say do not miss Sunday or Holy Day mass for it if there is a Catholic mass available (and I think most of us here are in places where it would be really rare that a Catholic mass isn’t held enough close by to go there and attend)
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WoundedIcon
Guest
While high church Protestants exist here in America, the fact is that our general way of handling Christianity is very mundane and austere. The evangelical IS the mainstream Christian, and even non-believers know that. I mean, it’s saturated our culture to the point where people get all weirded out over high church stuff. Our society hears something like “Christian ritual” as an oxymoron, not to even mention “Christian mysticism”.
Heck, even American Catholics “do” religion in a very banal way.
Quick, think of how many movies you’ve seen where someone gets killed (or anything evil is portrayed) to the tune of Gregorian Chant.
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Metropolis
Guest
ummm… ok. I was just pointing out that Protestant denominations vary greatly. Also depending on the are you will find more of a certain group than another. I use to live on the West Coast and in that area it was mostly Evangelicals/Non-denominational (I grew up as one), I moved to the North East and most people there were Catholic, now I live in Louisiana and most are either Baptist or Catholic. I think you would be surprised how much Christianity varies. I grew up in an anti-Catholic group, so you don’t have to tell me the fear surrounding high Church practices. lol. I think many Catholics, especially cradle Catholics tend to lump Protestants all in the Evangelical category. It may be true that there are large numbers in the states, but they are nowhere near all the Protestants and it isn’t fair to lump them all up especially when Protestant views vary greatly.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_the_United_States#Christianity You can see the breakdown under the Christian section.
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iloveangels
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This is actually no longer true. There are many non-denominational congregations now, and their worship practices vary a great deal from church to church. The mainstream protestant groups have been losing members for years. Banal church services really discourage people.
PS. I’m a convert.
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iloveangels
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I would agree with this BTW. I heard a “joyous Christmas song” in the middle of mass the other night that sounded like a dirge. Amazing. And not in a good way. Catholics do something to music–it’s like our version of muzak. LOL
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