May I attend a Protestant service?

[lola5555]

My mother never allowed me to attend any of my friends’ churches if they were not Catholic, and she felt it was disrespectful to them to go and not take it seriously. In truth, I have no wish to go to a Protestant service, but I am curious if there is an official Church stance.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

If your only purpose would be to satisfy personal curiosity, then no, you should not attend a non-Catholic religious service. If there were some serious and objective reason to go as a means of support for a Protestant friend or family member (e.g., a funeral, a wedding, a holiday), you could go as a guest. You would not take direct part in the service, and you would not receive communion at such a service. If the service was held on a Sunday or holy day of obligation, you would also have to attend Mass.