Pastor negative Catholic comment

[AttendeDomine]

I think this is a great example of why the Church once disciplinarily forbad Catholics from attending non-Catholic Christian services: it can be confusing, it can sow doubt, it can be a source of frustration, and it can be an occasion of sin.

Now, I don’t say it’s always bad to do such a thing. But I do say I can think of dozens of reasons why a Catholic shouldn’t, and can find very few exceptions where one should.

But my opinion is worth very little, because I’m very ignorant as to how things like this should be approached, especially from a pastoral perspective.

Now, the comments from the pastor are just a species of the old but many Catholics are hypocrites who do bad things approach. Yes, this is true. In fact, I myself am often an example of just such a Catholic, God help me.

However, it’s also true that many Catholics are not hypocrites, that they deeply love Jesus, that they have an extremely high level of holiness, and that they do wonderful things. Moreover, it’s true that the Catholic Church is Christ’s Church, and that it’s sinful to separate yourself from it because you’ve taken scandal. Would the first Christians have been right to deny the authority of the other apostles because they were scandalized by Judas?

You don’t judge the efficacy of a medicine by those who refuse to take it.

 

[Micosil]

I think this is a great example of why the Church once disciplinarily forbad Catholics from attending non-Catholic Christian services: it can be confusing, it can sow doubt, it can be a source of frustration, and it can be an occasion of sin.

Now, I don’t say it’s always bad to do such a thing. But I do say I can think of dozens of reasons why a Catholic shouldn’t, and can find very few exceptions where one should.

But my opinion is worth very little, because I’m very ignorant as to how things like this should be approached, especially from a pastoral perspective.

Now, the comments from the pastor are just a species of the old but many Catholics are hypocrites who do bad things approach. Yes, this is true. In fact, I myself am often an example of just such a Catholic, God help me.

However, it’s also true that many Catholics are not hypocrites, that they deeply love Jesus, that they have an extremely high level of holiness, and that they do wonderful things. Moreover, it’s true that the Catholic Church is Christ’s Church, and that it’s sinful to separate yourself from it because you’ve taken scandal. Would the first Christians have been right to deny the authority of the other apostles because they were scandalized by Judas?

You don’t judge the efficacy of a medicine by those who refuse to take it.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

For those telling the OP to not go to the protestant church, this is easy for them to say, but difficult for a man trying to grow in faith with his spouse who is of that protestant religion.

I would advise, stop looking at religion and center yourself on Jesus Christ first and foremost.

Faith is God’s revelation of Himself to you, however that may happen, and it can happen in protestant churches just as well as in a Catholic Church.

Religion, is our response to faith and it is where we grow closer to Jesus. If its just religion you’re seeking, religion is all you’ll get.

So, turn to Jesus Christ in prayer and ask for His guidance and help.

If going to your wife’s church is the answer for now, then do so.

Eventually your relationship with Jesus will grow and He’ll help you to be where He wants you.

Be at Peace in Christ

Jim

 

[Padres1969]

I was HOPING this would not happen.

I have returned to my roots as a Catholic several years ago. I met my wife in a Protestant Church. She remains a Protestant. I have insisted we go to church together because we are drifting apart as a family. She has gone to the Catholic Church with me on occasions but has let me know she has not plans on converting to Catholicism.

I have read of a great Catholic Apologist who went to the Protestant Church (in addition to the Catholic Mass), with his family and had the blessing of his Priest. Eventually his wife converted. But conversion is not my reason for this post.

I was worrying this might happen and I want to know how to handle it. This morning my wife, teenager and myself started attending a Protestant Church. My wife and I met at this church many years ago. The sermon was good except for the part where the Pastor claimed that “a Catholic Cardinal tried to give Martin Luther gold at the request of the Pope to try to quite him.” SIGH… How do I even know if this is true!!! For all I now this can be anti Catholic propaganda! Then he mentioned “we are saved by faith alone and not works…”

How do I handle this?

Might want to consider a different Protestant church (either individual church or denomination) if the one you’re going back to has an apparent anti-Catholic bent to it.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Might want to consider a different Protestant church (either individual church or denomination) if the one you’re going back to has an apparent anti-Catholic bent to it.

But the pastor didn’t say anything that was not true.

Jim

 

[Padres1969]

But the pastor didn’t say anything that was not true.

Jim

So a Cardinal did offer Luther gold to recant? I honestly can’t find anything backing that. But even if true, continuing to focus on it today seems needlessly divisive. Say what you will about the Catholic Church, but the leadership of today is not the leadership of the too often depraved and worldly leadership of the late 1400’s and early 1500’s.

As for sola fide, well you’re not going to find many Protestant denominations that don’t believe that but that too is possible.