Protestant Missionaries to Catholic countries

[leonie]

I’ve joined an ecumenical homeschooling group that is composed of very warm and loving moms and their kids. They have been very kind to me. But, one of the moms has a daughter who is a missionary to a Catholic country in central America.

Perhaps the topic will never come up, but should I express my dismay that a Protestant is going to a Catholic country as a missionary?

What is a good response?

 

[Mike_Dye]

My response would be not so much to the Protestant Mom or her daughter but more to my Church…What are we doing to counter it?..The answer is …“Pretty much nothing”…I’ts really not so much shame on them ,as it is shame on us!

 

[KCT]

I’ve joined an ecumenical homeschooling group that is composed of very warm and loving moms and their kids. They have been very kind to me. But, one of the moms has a daughter who is a missionary to a Catholic country in central America.

Perhaps the topic will never come up, but should I express my dismay that a Protestant is going to a Catholic country as a missionary?

What is a good response?

If it comes up, you could nicely ask why they feel they need to evangelize Catholics.

My husband has cousins who are Presbyterian missionaries. When their mission board asked them to go to Spain, they declined. They didn’t want to go to a Catholic country.

It is sad that many central and south American Catholics are successfully being evangelized by Protestant churches. —KCT

 

[Little_Mary]

Start giving her Catholic literature and tell her you are a missionary for your church in this country!!

 

[ReginaNova]

This is a very common practice for American evangelical Protestants to target traditionally Catholic countries in central and South America, and even in Europe. As a Catholic, I am deeply offended by it. But they are convinced they are bringing Christianity to pagans. Most will not come out and say it, but they absolutely believe that Catholics are pagans. Some even deliberately break laws–saying they are “teaching English” in China or Muslim countries as their cover for passing out (Protestant) Bibles and proselytizing their Protestant form of Christianity in violation of prohibitions against religious proselytizing.

I tend not to say anything. Though when a “non-denominational” Christian tells me their college-aged son or daughter is “volunteering” in China, Africa, or South America, I usually say something like “so they are doing missionary work”–just to let them know that I know what they are really up to. Invariably, it is a family that is very fundamentalist in their beliefs. I have come to accept that they are not open to discussion and they already know that Catholics are not going to heaven because we are not “born-again”. I am beyond the point of trying to reason with unreasonable people who are closed-minded.

 

[ReginaNova]

I’ve joined an ecumenical homeschooling group that is composed of very warm and loving moms and their kids. They have been very kind to me. But, one of the moms has a daughter who is a missionary to a Catholic country in central America.

Perhaps the topic will never come up, but should I express my dismay that a Protestant is going to a Catholic country as a missionary?

What is a good response?

leonie–Beware of “ecumenical homeschooling groups”! In my experience, they are not “ecumenical”. They are “non-denominational Christian” which actually means Protestant of a particular fundamentalist, evangelical flavor. Many of these groups ask members to sign a “faith statement” which appears to be “ecumenical” but is really Protestant (and includes things that are not in keeping with our Catholic faith). And oftentimes, the Catholic members are approached by other members to share their “born-again” experience. I have known several Catholic women who have been hurt to realize that other Christian women in such “ecumenical” groups don’t view Catholics as Christians, but as pagans who are not saved because we are not “born-again” (in their view). I hope that is not your experience, but be alert!

 

[leonie]

leonie–Beware of “ecumenical homeschooling groups”! In my experience, they are not “ecumenical”. They are “non-denominational Christian” which actually means Protestant of a particular fundamentalist, evangelical flavor. Many of these groups ask members to sign a “faith statement” which appears to be “ecumenical” but is really Protestant (and includes things that are not in keeping with our Catholic faith). And oftentimes, the Catholic members are approached by other members to share their “born-again” experience. I have known several Catholic women who have been hurt to realize that other Christian women in such “ecumenical” groups don’t view Catholics as Christians, but as pagans who are not saved because we are not “born-again” (in their view). I hope that is not your experience, but be alert!

Fortunately, two very devout Catholic families have paved the way in this group. But, yes, I feel quite guarded in the group. All ready, we’ve had to have discussions at home to discuss some comments thrown out by moms. Also, the faith statement is not objectionable

It is a nice group, though. So, we’ll give it a while longer.

I wish our Catholic group was better organized and had more middle school aged kids.

 

[DRIVING_BEAR]

First off don’t assume that because a contry “was” catholic
that it still is. an example France.
a recent poll found that only 8 % of french attented mass on a
regular basis, and of that 8% most were older people.
it’s clear that france is in need of all the help it can get.
Also as stated by catholic author Malcia Martin(sp) ( The one who pened "keys of this blood and hostage to the devil)
refered to europe as “post Christian”

So Catholics should be glad that us prostants are trying to fix your shortcommings, and at the same time shamed by your
poor performance

 

[ReginaNova]

Also, the faith statement is not objectionable

It is a nice group, though.

Ummm, I’ll bet anything it has such statements as:

*The Bible is the final authority on all matters.

The only mediator between God and Man is Jesus Christ.*

Such statements are not Catholic and are very much aimed at Catholic beliefs–ie, the authority of the Pope and Magisterium, and the mediation of saints. Catholics should not go along with such statements without objection (and of course, any group that has such statements are not open to discussion or they wouldn’t have a faith statement in the first place).

I have never seen a Catholic group that has a faith statement that members are required to sign. A faith statement is the hallmark of Protestant groups.

 

[a_cermak]

Truth is, many Central and South American Catholics have only a nodding acquaintance with their Catholic faith which is why it is so easy for the Protestant Missionaries to get converts.

 

[manualman]

Protestant missionaries have good intentions, but cause much harm in central American catholic nations. But God is in charge. Certainly it causes havoc in families and communities. But ultimately, the challenge of sincere, faith filled, but misled protestants will challenge the catholics to get serious about their faith, its doctrines and its teachings.

It’s not the sincere faithful evangelicals you have to worry about. It is the rapacious Jack Chick / Jimmy Swaggart types who dress themselves up as sincere believers, but really preach a hidden hatred cloaked in the Lamb’s clothing.

 

[El_Paulo]

First off don’t assume that because a contry “was” catholic
that it still is. an example France.
a recent poll found that only 8 % of french attented mass on a
regular basis, and of that 8% most were older people.
it’s clear that france is in need of all the help it can get.
Also as stated by catholic author Malcia Martin(sp) ( The one who pened "keys of this blood and hostage to the devil)
refered to europe as “post Christian”

I agree with my brother/sister on this point - it very much needs to be said and we Catholics should be reminded of the fact that a “Catholic” country does not mean that every one is Catholic. They need evangelists like anyone else.

But hey, there is good news!! At a recent mission to a town in the hills in Derbyshire, England, ALL the Churches banded together. Evangelistic events were held at a number of different church buildings in the town and if anyone wanted to take a step of faith (or to renew a lapsed faith) then the organisers sent them to a church contact within that person’s historic faith tradition or with which they already had links. I think this might well be ONE way forward.

So Catholics should be glad that us prostants are trying to fix your shortcommings, and at the same time shamed by your
poor performance

As regards that facetious final point - people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones! I don’t deny that the Catholic Church has a poor record in certain places but your statement needs balance. Less enlightened protestants engage in what I call “hit and run” evangelism, which can be agressive and insensitive - not taking into account that country’s particular culture - but I don’t go round claiming that’s what all protestants are like.

 

[Eileen_T]

Many non-Catholics denominations, who regard Catholics as non-Christians in need of “saving”, are offended by the Catholic teaching that there is no salvation outside the Church. Even though they do not understand what that Teaching really means.

On The One Hand, they do not believe Catholics are Christians.

On The Other Hand, they get upset at Catholic Church Teaching about Salvation.

 

[El_Paulo]

Many non-Catholics denominations, who regard Catholics as non-Christians in need of “saving”, are offended by the Catholic teaching that there is no salvation outside the Church. Even though they do not understand what that Teaching really means.

On The One Hand, they do not believe Catholics are Christians.

On The Other Hand, they get upset at Catholic Church Teaching about Salvation.

Maybe this is slightly off topic, but what do you think of people like Mother Teresa - her work was often not focussed on explicitly evangelising people - she was known to arrange Hindu burials for the poor Hindus she worked with because others couldn’t care less about giving them one. Is this not part of the mission of the Church - respecting anothers’ faith even if you don’t agree with it? In this way, maybe some Protestants could learn from this approach because this is the sort of stuff that opens the door to Christ, even if you don’t get around to speaking about him directly - and, in the right circumstances, it often makes a more profound impression.

For some people, a lifetime is not long enough for them to make their journey all the way into Christ’s Church, and I don’t believe that it is ‘right’ for some people to become Christians. I think that the direction one is travelling in is as important as the destination.

 

[leonie]

Ummm, I’ll bet anything it has such statements as:

*The Bible is the final authority on all matters.

The only mediator between God and Man is Jesus Christ.*

Such statements are not Catholic and are very much aimed at Catholic beliefs–ie, the authority of the Pope and Magisterium, and the mediation of saints. Catholics should not go along with such statements without objection (and of course, any group that has such statements are not open to discussion or they wouldn’t have a faith statement in the first place).

I have never seen a Catholic group that has a faith statement that members are required to sign. A faith statement is the hallmark of Protestant groups.

Nope, it is a really good statment of faith that my two devout Catholic friends helped write.

 

[leonie]

Just as an update, I haven’t had to say anything yet.

On another occasion, I did gently confront a woman who goes to Poland to convert the Catholics. She was a little offended that I was offended.

 

[Caesar]

Catholicism needs to do more to oppose the protestant heresies. We cannot allow Catholics to be corrupted by false prophets. Souls are at stake, but most hierarchs seem content at standing by and shrugging their shoulders.

 

[leonie]

Well, I think some of these Protestant missionaries have flashy programs. For example the missionary group to Poland to whom I was referring run a sports camp for the kids/teens. A bunch of wealthy Americans come in with new equipment and plenty of food and feel good spirituality.

That’s one reason I like the Legionaries. They run really great youth programs with solid catechesis.

 

[ReginaNova]

Nope, it is a really good statment of faith that my two devout Catholic friends helped write.

Lots of devout Catholics can err in their knowledge of their faith. And lots of devout Catholics agree to Statements of Faith that are at odds with their Catholic faith because they don’t see the discrepancies.

On another occasion, I did gently confront a woman who goes to Poland to convert the Catholics. She was a little offended that I was offended.

I have had similar situations. I felt better for having stuck up for my Catholic faith but I realized that the Protestant woman was not at all open-minded and really didn’t “hear” my point. So most times I felt that my efforts were wasted. As a result, I now save my energy to talk to Catholics to raise their awareness of these issues. Catholics (including me not so long ago) usually have no idea that many evangelical Protestants consider Catholics to be “unchurched”, or not Christian, not saved (meaning destined for hell!), or pagan (because we “worship” saints and Mary!):banghead:

 

[leonie]

Lots of devout Catholics can err in their knowledge of their faith. And lots of devout Catholics agree to Statements of Faith that are at odds with their Catholic faith because they don’t see the discrepancies.

:

Well, I can see I can’t convince you. But, I am a very well informed Catholic and I had no problem signing the faith statement.

But, I must say it was very generic to accomodate everyone’s diverse theology. At one point, they wanted to just use the Apostle’s Creed–which would have been fine with me!