Member of both a Protestant church and the Catholic Church

[Nigel7]

Touchy subject, especially for a woman (my friend) who was raised Catholic, fell away from the Church as a young teen, recently came back, but still attends her nondenominational church with her kids every week.

Just a few details. This is someone who I reconnected with just over a year ago (I knew her in elementary school, looong ago). She found me on facebook, and seeing all the Catholic stuff on my page she asked me about it. Long story short, she was raised Catholic but hadn’t been to Mass since she was 15 years old. After a few messages back and forth about Catholicism then she met me for Mass, her first Mass in nearly 30 years. Soon then she went to confession and has been attending Mass frequently (almost daily) and receiving the most blessed sacrament.
She still though attends her nondenominational church with her kids every Sunday (and also makes it to Sunday Mass by herself) and has no plans to discontinue this routine. She’s also received communion in other churches during this time, and I of course told her that she cannot do that (I explained to her Church teaching on that matter, but she just felt that I was judging/condemning her, as she always does when I try to gently steer her in the right direction concerning her Catholic faith. She is EXTREMELY thin skinned).
So, she’s basically a Protestant/Catholic hybrid now, and she sees nothing wrong with it.

Two questions.

1. Is what she is doing wrong, living this life of a Protestant/Catholic hybrid? (I think so, but really need some others (name removed by moderator)ut here)
2. Is she in a state of perpetual mortal sin doing this?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Christian_Soul]

Touchy subject, especially for a woman (my friend) who was raised Catholic, fell away from the Church as a young teen, recently came back, but still attends her nondenominational church with her kids every week.

Just a few details. This is someone who I reconnected with just over a year ago (I knew her in elementary school, looong ago). She found me on facebook, and seeing all the Catholic stuff on my page she asked me about it. Long story short, she was raised Catholic but hadn’t been to Mass since she was 15 years old. After a few messages back and forth about Catholicism then she met me for Mass, her first Mass in nearly 30 years. Soon then she went to confession and has been attending Mass frequently (almost daily) and receiving the most blessed sacrament.
She still though attends her nondenominational church with her kids every Sunday (and also makes it to Sunday Mass by herself) and has no plans to discontinue this routine. She’s also received communion in other churches during this time, and I of course told her that she cannot do that (I explained to her Church teaching on that matter, but she just felt that I was judging/condemning her, as she always does when I try to gently steer her in the right direction concerning her Catholic faith. She is EXTREMELY thin skinned).
So, she’s basically a Protestant/Catholic hybrid now, and she sees nothing wrong with it.

Two questions.

1. Is what she is doing wrong, living this life of a Protestant/Catholic hybrid? (I think so, but really need some others (name removed by moderator)ut here)
2. Is she in a state of perpetual mortal sin doing this?

Thanks for your feedback.

As a non practicing Catholic with interest in other faiths, I can’t answer to her perpetual state. But an interesting story and faith journey. Since she was raised Catholic, was she baptized in a Catholic church? If so, even during those 30 yrs, though not practicing, was she not considered a Catholic by the Catholic Church unless she formally renounced to her bishop? And would still be today?

 

[Nigel7]

Since she was raised Catholic, was she baptized in a Catholic church?

Yes.

If so, even during those 30 yrs, though not practicing, was she not considered a Catholic by the Catholic Church unless she formally renounced to her bishop? And would still be today?

Yeah, she was confirmed and received first communion as a child in the Catholic Church, drifted away as a teen, and has now returned all these years later.

A person, once confirmed, can drift away and return to the Church many years later, typically. Really all that is normally required of them to be reconciled to the Church is a visit to the confessional.

 

[abon12]

She should solely go to Catholic mass because she is a Catholic. Though, its ok to go to protestant masses. Not like she is committing a sin just by being there. A better question is what are her beliefs? Those of Catholicism or Protestant? Does she believe she is truly receiving the body of blood of Christ at Mass? If so, she should def not go to Protestant mass.

 

[Nigel7]

She should solely go to Catholic mass because she is a Catholic. Though, its ok to go to protestant masses. Not like she is committing a sin just by being there. A better question is what are her beliefs? Those of Catholicism or Protestant? Does she believe she is truly receiving the body of blood of Christ at Mass? If so, she should def not go to Protestant mass.

Yeah, she believes in the Real Presence in the Eucharist (I’ve explained so much to her, and she does understand), though she’ll partake in the crackers and grape juice at the nondenominational church too, which I cautioned her (gently) against. I know that receiving in other churches is forbidden since we are not “in communion” with them.

Her beliefs are a hybrid of Protestantism and Catholicism. She won’t leave the one, so participates in both.

 

[abon12]

I used to go to Lutheran mass with my Mom, whose Lutheran, and receive the bread and wine. I was not informed it was wrong. But I mean its not the end of the world. I mean babies are being murdered everyday and all this women is doing is going to Mass, like she is supposed too, and going to Protestant mass on top of that. Could be worse.

 

[SaintFrancis333]

Protestants do not have mass. They have services (worship services) whatever they want to label them as, but they do not have mass. Mass is where we receive Christ in flesh and blood. That can not be achieved in any protestant or non denominational ecclesiastic community.

 

[Nigel7]

ENCYCLICAL LETTER
ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA
OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO THE BISHOPS
PRIESTS AND DEACONS
MEN AND WOMEN
IN THE CONSECRATED LIFE
AND ALL THE LAY FAITHFUL

The Catholic faithful, therefore, while respecting the religious convictions of these separated brethren, must refrain from receiving the communion distributed in their celebrations, so as not to condone an ambiguity about the nature of the Eucharist and, consequently, to fail in their duty to bear clear witness to the truth. This would result in slowing the progress being made towards full visible unity. Similarly, it is unthinkable to substitute for Sunday Mass ecumenical celebrations of the word or services of common prayer with Christians from the aforementioned Ecclesial Communities, or even participation in their own liturgical services. Such celebrations and services, however praiseworthy in certain situations, prepare for the goal of full communion, including Eucharistic communion, but they cannot replace it.

CHAPTER THREE
THE APOSTOLICITY OF THE EUCHARIST
AND OF THE CHURCH
vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Touchy subject, especially for a woman (my friend) who was raised Catholic, fell away from the Church as a young teen, recently came back, but still attends her nondenominational church with her kids every week.

Just a few details. This is someone who I reconnected with just over a year ago (I knew her in elementary school, looong ago). She found me on facebook, and seeing all the Catholic stuff on my page she asked me about it. Long story short, she was raised Catholic but hadn’t been to Mass since she was 15 years old. After a few messages back and forth about Catholicism then she met me for Mass, her first Mass in nearly 30 years. Soon then she went to confession and has been attending Mass frequently (almost daily) and receiving the most blessed sacrament.
She still though attends her nondenominational church with her kids every Sunday (and also makes it to Sunday Mass by herself) and has no plans to discontinue this routine. She’s also received communion in other churches during this time, and I of course told her that she cannot do that (I explained to her Church teaching on that matter, but she just felt that I was judging/condemning her, as she always does when I try to gently steer her in the right direction concerning her Catholic faith. She is EXTREMELY thin skinned).
So, she’s basically a Protestant/Catholic hybrid now, and she sees nothing wrong with it.

Two questions.

1. Is what she is doing wrong, living this life of a Protestant/Catholic hybrid? (I think so, but really need some others (name removed by moderator)ut here)
2. Is she in a state of perpetual mortal sin doing this?

Thanks for your feedback.

While as long as she is attending her Sunday obligation -it’s not wrong per se to also attend Protestant services…but she is wrong to receive communion! It is diarespectful to the Eucharist…and really disrespectful to Protestants as well. If she truly believes that the Eucharist IS the body and blood of Christ…what she is saying by receiving at the Protestant church is that it is just a symbol.

Yes…to me she is in grave danger as she is trying to make her own religion hybrid…God can not be pleased by that.

 

[Hmgbrd]

While as long as she is attending her Sunday obligation -it’s not wrong per se to also attend Protestant services…but she is wrong to receive communion! It is diarespectful to the Eucharist…and really disrespectful to Protestants as well. If she truly believes that the Eucharist IS the body and blood of Christ…what she is saying by receiving at the Protestant church is that it is just a symbol.

Yes…to me she is in grave danger as she is trying to make her own religion hybrid…God can not be pleased by that.

Yes, that is correct. We are not allowed to receive in non Catholic assemblies. Only in the Catholic Church can one receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the Eucharist.

As far as I know, attending a non Catholic service is not expressly forbidden, but is discouraged for Catholics who are not strong in the knowledge of the Faith.

What about her children? It must be terribly confusing for them! Isn’t she required as a Catholic to bring up her children in the Catholic Church? Some non-denominational assemblies do not believe in the Trinity and hence do not validly baptize.

I can understand that she doesn’t want to lose her social friendships at her old “church”. So for her personally to attend some of their events (not necessarily services) and not listen too closely and believe and profess things that contradict the Catholic faith would be OK. But there is only one Eucharist and that is in the Catholic Church. As you posted, it is irreplaceable!

 

[mab23]

I would giver he some good Catholic books to read, if she reads books

or if she doesn’t care for books, give her some lighthouse catholic media CD’s and encourage her to listen to the local Catholic radio station, and let her know if she has any questions she should call them during Catholic Answers live

 

[eamonnroma]

Yes, that is correct. We are not allowed to receive in non Catholic assemblies. Only in the Catholic Church can one receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the Eucharist.

As far as I know, attending a non Catholic service is not expressly forbidden, but is discouraged for Catholics who are not strong in the knowledge of the Faith.

What about her children? It must be terribly confusing for them! Isn’t she required as a Catholic to bring up her children in the Catholic Church? Some non-denominational assemblies do not believe in the Trinity and hence do not validly baptize.

I can understand that she doesn’t want to lose her social friendships at her old “church”. So for her personally to attend some of their events (not necessarily services) and not listen too closely and believe and profess things that contradict the Catholic faith would be OK. But there is only one Eucharist and that is in the Catholic Church. As you posted, it is irreplaceable!

When you say Catholic Church are you meaning the Roman Catholic Church? As we know in the Eastern Churches and Orthodox Churches one also receives ‘the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the Eucharist’.

 

[kag1982]

A famous person example of this is Senator Rubio, who himself went through an interesting faith journey. His wife is Protestant and I believe that he attends both an Evangelical megachurch and a Catholic Church when he is home in Miami. The kids I believe attend the Protestant church with their mom.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

A famous person example of this is Senator Rubio, who himself went through an interesting faith journey. His wife is Protestant and I believe that he attends both an Evangelical megachurch and a Catholic Church when he is home in Miami. The kids I believe attend the Protestant church with their mom.

Yes…so?

The question would be if he receives communion at the Protestant church. The OP indicates that this women does…and is trying to follow her own blend of religion. Your example is a little different as he is attending for his wife but I doubt he received communion there.

We have a couple that does that at our parish. She comes to Mass…does not receive communion…he goes to her mega church…does not receive communion there. That is fine.

 

[MissBorgia]

Protestants do not have mass. They have services (worship services) whatever they want to label them as, but they do not have mass. Mass is where we receive Christ in flesh and blood. That can not be achieved in any protestant or non denominational ecclesiastic community.

thank you for pointing that out. drives me nuts when someone says mass when talking about another church service.

and people will prolly throw rocks at me for saying this, but you can’t have it both ways. can’t be Protestant AND Catholic. Just like you can’t be a Mason & Catholic. Don’t get me started on Native American traditions and prayers within Mass.

 

[kag1982]

Yes…so?

The question would be if he receives communion at the Protestant church. The OP indicates that this women does…and is trying to follow her own blend of religion. Your example is a little different as he is attending for his wife but I doubt he received communion there.

We have a couple that does that at our parish. She comes to Mass…does not receive communion…he goes to her mega church…does not receive communion there. That is fine.

Of course, it is disrespectful if she isn’t a member or doesn’t believe. I just thought it was an interesting example and speaks to the fact that this is more widespread than one would imagine.

 

[abon12]

I think some are taking this a bit too seriously. I mean, yea, she shouldn’t go to Protestant service and Catholic mass, but compared to most she is doing alright. Many Catholics dont even go to Mass. Better she do both than do none at all! And of course best to solely go to Catholic Mass because she is Catholic.
A healthy alternative could be to simply go to Protestant service w/out receiving bread and wine or whatever. Its not a sin to simply be there.

 

[kag1982]

I’m actually thinking that a lot of it is for the kids? Are the kids older… preteens or teens? If so, it makes sense to permit them to continue to attending the church they enjoy.

 

[Hmgbrd]

When you say Catholic Church are you meaning the Roman Catholic Church? As we know in the Eastern Churches and Orthodox Churches one also receives ‘the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the Eucharist’.

No of course not. I am only referring to the OP’s friend who is attending a non denominational assembly and at the same time her Catholic Church.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

thank you for pointing that out. drives me nuts when someone says mass when talking about another church service.

and people will prolly throw rocks at me for saying this, but you can’t have it both ways. can’t be Protestant AND Catholic. Just like you can’t be a Mason & Catholic. Don’t get me started on Native American traditions and prayers within Mass.

It can be very dangerous too as many protestant denominations are looking to “save” us poor Catholics and bringing us away from that “evil” Catholic Church.

Quite honestly…I wish they would invest their time in people who have never heard the gospel instead of trying to convert us…

And it drove me nuts…thankfully someone pointed it out…protestants do not have Mass…it’s called a service…