Protestant service ok to attend?

[Iohannes]

Bishop apologizes for aide’s remarks on Protestant service
By PAUL ASAY THE GAZETTE

Colorado Springs’ Catholic bishop has issued an apology after his assistant angered local Catholics by saying they shouldn’t attend services at Protestant churches.

In a letter released Tuesday, Bishop Michael Sheridan, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs, said his executive assistant, Peter Howard, was out of line when he talked to The Gazette for an Oct. 17 story.

Howard told The Gazette that Catholics should not attend Protestant worship services even if they also celebrate Catholic Mass, saying such services could “confuse” some Catholics and that their participation denigrates the Catholic faith.

Howard wrote a column in a similar vein for the Oct. 7 issue of the diocesan newspaper, saying attending Protestant services is contrary to church teaching.

Sheridan wrote that Howard’s comments to The Gazette caused “a great deal of distress and hurt” among Christians and non-Christians — though he believes the hurt was unintentional.

“While Mr. Howard is free to ex- press his opinions as a Catholic layman, it is important that it be known that the interview was done without my knowledge or direction and does not represent my thinking on the subject,” Sheridan wrote. “Nevertheless, I am deeply sorry for any hurt or insult that has been experienced, and I humbly ask that all men and women of good will accept my apology.”

Howard’s comments were significant because some of the diocese’s 130,000-plus Catholics attend both Protestant and Catholic services. New Life Church, Colorado Springs’ largest congregation, is said to attract thousands of Catholics every weekend.

Sheridan’s letter was distributed to people attending the annual Center for Christian-Jewish Dialogue banquet at the Doubletree Hotel World Arena. The diocese received the Dove Award from the center for its work in Jewish-Christian relations.

The letter also was sent to The Gazette.

Sheridan could not be reached for comment Thursday.

His letter did not mention Howard’s Oct. 7 column, titled “Why Not Attend New Life?” In the column, Howard said Catholics should not participate in liturgical Protestant services — i.e. worship services — because of the theological differences between Protestantism and Catholicism.

“Such ‘active participation’ in a Protestant liturgical service, therefore, acts contrary to our faith which professes fundamentally different beliefs in critical ecclesiological and theological areas,” Howard wrote.

Other Catholic leaders disagreed with Howard. The Rev. Karl Useldinger, diocesan chancellor and judicial vicar, says the Catholic church allows — and even encourages — its faithful to participate in other Christian services as long as those other services aren’t replacing Catholic Mass.

Useldinger added that Catholics are “not to take part in another church’s sacraments” such as communion, but are allowed to sing, pray and otherwise participate in Protestant worship.

Michael Ciletti, deacon for St. Francis of Assisi Parish, said Howard was “dead wrong” in his column.

He said he encourages his parishioners to attend and participate in Protestant services so they can learn more about them.

“You should be able to participate in their liturgy in a respectful way,” Ciletti said.

He said he was offended by Howard’s column.

“I think to have a column like that sends the wrong kind of message,” he said. “I think it’s an insult."

 

[ComradeAndrei]

Yes, it is ok to attend a protestant worship service-provided that you don’t replace Sunday Mass with said protestant service. I personally don’t like to go to protestant services, frankly because it sometimes becomes somewhat of an occaision of uncharitableness on my part. I just can’t get over being in a “church” with no Eucharist, no valid priesthood, nothing of the substantiveness of the Catholic Church.

That being said, unless you are strong in your Catholic faith I would not go so far as to encourage it. Sounds like some of the clergy in Colorado are trying a little to hard to pander to protestants in the name of “ecumenism”.

 

[emsvetich]

I think that one should consider the message that they are sending if they decide to attend a protestant service. If you are Catholic and truly believe in the sacrifice of the mass, then any others service would be meaningless. I would rather spend the time in additional prayer at my catholic church.By attending/participatingin a protestant service, you are supporting a non-catholic denomination and possibly bringing scandal to yourself and others. Curiosity in what transpires at such a service is not, in my opinion, sufficient reason to attend. If a protestant friend asked me to attend their services, I would politely decline and remind them that I am a faithful Catholic. As the just completed synod has said, we are NOT in communion with non-Catholic denominations.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Iohannes:
There is nothing wrong with attending a Protestant service as long as you have some necessary reason for attending. Praticipating in liturgical actions on a regular basis in an official or ecumenical way like preaching, reading, etc. would require your Bishops permission. Participating in communion or any sacrament like actions would not be allowed. The Bishop needs to start inviting wayward sheep to return home to the flock.

 

[Jabronie]

emsvetich:

I think that one should consider the message that they are sending if they decide to attend a protestant service. If you are Catholic and truly believe in the sacrifice of the mass, then any others service would be meaningless. I would rather spend the time in additional prayer at my catholic church.By attending/participatingin a protestant service, you are supporting a non-catholic denomination and possibly bringing scandal to yourself and others. Curiosity in what transpires at such a service is not, in my opinion, sufficient reason to attend. If a protestant friend asked me to attend their services, I would politely decline and remind them that I am a faithful Catholic. As the just completed synod has said, we are NOT in communion with non-Catholic denominations.

You know, I wouldn’t call it “meaningless” to attend a protestant service. I consider it more like listening to Christian music or watching a TV evangelist. Sometimes there’s a good message. It’s just not a sacramental Mass, so if you have time to do it, go ahead.

I attend my girlfriend’s Lutheran service sometimes with the understanding that I won’t take communion there and I still need to attend weekend Mass at my church. I look at it more like a learning experience instead. Or perhaps a building full of potential converts

 

[palmas85]

Why would anyone want to??? There is nothing in a Protestant service that would interest me so I can see no valid reason to attend.

 

[AmISearching]

palmas85:

Why would anyone want to??? There is nothing in a Protestant service that would interest me so I can see no valid reason to attend.

I would think that most people attend because of family. For instance once I convert, I will likely when home visiting my family, attend an early mass and then attend Church with my family, because it is my family.

Same thing when I will be going back to my old College for Homecoming - I will find a mass time I can attend, but I will still go to our Campus church on Sunday Morning with my college friends.

I don’t necessarily see why anyone who isn’t attending because of such a reason would go - perhaps there is one, but most of the time I think it is due to Protestant family members, not some other desire… although in this article it sounds like that might not be the case…

 

[AltarMan]

There is another reason to attend some Protestant services. To recall some things that have been lost (at least here locally) during the Mass that are still commonly practiced at some Episcopalian and Lutheran services. Obviously one has to do the research to ensure they are allowed during the Mass, but it really helps to jog the mind to see it in person.

Following are a few things I do at the Masses I serve. They are not done at any other Masses at my parish, and they began with me seeing them at a Episcopalian service:

• Use of burse, chalice pall and veil.
• Use of sanctus bells.
• Far greater use of incense (every Sunday I serve, not just on Easter.)
• Use of a real golden lavabo pitcher and basin, and not a glass mixing bowl and used glass vinegar cruette.
• Wearing of cassock/surplice in place of alb.
• A special pillow to locate the Sacramentary on the altar, so the priest dosen’t have to tilt it with one hand to read it.
• Flanking the ambo with servers/candles when the Gospel is proclaimed (when another sympathetic server is available.)
• Use of patens during Communion (when another sympathetic server is available.)

While none of the above makes the Mass any “better”, it sure tends to add some level of solemnity which more and more people seem to enjoy.

 

[palmas85]

AmISearching?:

I would think that most people attend because of family. For instance once I convert, I will likely when home visiting my family, attend an early mass and then attend Church with my family, because it is my family.

Same thing when I will be going back to my old College for Homecoming - I will find a mass time I can attend, but I will still go to our Campus church on Sunday Morning with my college friends.

I don’t necessarily see why anyone who isn’t attending because of such a reason would go - perhaps there is one, but most of the time I think it is due to Protestant family members, not some other desire… although in this article it sounds like that might not be the case…

In the case of family members I can see a reason, barely. I have attended Protestant services of different tyes over the years and have found very little in them of any substantive value other than a somewhat more emotional experience generally. I have never been to Lutheran, Episcopalian or Anglican services however, so I would not really know how they are.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

I would tend to agree with Palmas. I mean, it’s okay if you’ve not used the service to replace the Sunday obligation and if you don’t receive any of their ordinances/sacraments, but really, I don’t see the point of getting up on Sunday morning for your basic preaching service sans the Sacrment. I like listening to some preachers on the radio, but if no valid mass, I could use the sleep.

 

[bear06]

Hasn’t anyone had the need to attend the wedding of two protestant people you know? Hasn’t anyone gone to an “ecumenical” prayer service before a pro-life event? I’ve done both of these things. There is nothing evil about doing this. Like everyone else has said, there are sometimes reasons to do this. It doesn’t mean that you abandon the Catholic faith to do this. Went to the wedding on Saturday and still attended my Church on Sunday. Went to a prayer rally and still got up before the rescue and attended a Catholic Mass. Ecumenism is bad only when one gives up something of their faith to do it.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

bear06:

Hasn’t anyone had the need to attend the wedding of two protestant people you know? Hasn’t anyone gone to an “ecumenical” prayer service before a pro-life event? I’ve done both of these things. There is nothing evil about doing this. Like everyone else has said, there are sometimes reasons to do this. It doesn’t mean that you abandon the Catholic faith to do this. Went to the wedding on Saturday and still attended my Church on Sunday. Went to a prayer rally and still got up before the rescue and attended a Catholic Mass. Ecumenism is bad only when one gives up something of their faith to do it.

Yes, Bear, but *regularly? *I grew up Baptist, I don’t want to relive that!

 

[totustuusmaria]

bear06:

Hasn’t anyone had the need to attend the wedding of two protestant people you know? Hasn’t anyone gone to an “ecumenical” prayer service before a pro-life event? I’ve done both of these things. There is nothing evil about doing this. Like everyone else has said, there are sometimes reasons to do this. It doesn’t mean that you abandon the Catholic faith to do this. Went to the wedding on Saturday and still attended my Church on Sunday. Went to a prayer rally and still got up before the rescue and attended a Catholic Mass. Ecumenism is bad only when one gives up something of their faith to do it.

It is true that there are times when it is necessary and even laudible to attend a non-Catholic liturgy. Nor is it intrisically wrong to visit a non-Catholic Church as long as one doesn’t practice communio in sacris.

One has a responsibility, however, according to Traditional Catholic Thinking (and the old Code of Canon Law which is no longer in effect) to not attend a protestant service regularly. This is for two major reasons:

#1 because attending a non-Catholic service regularly puts one’s Catholic faith in danger. I’ve seen it over and over: a Catholic we frequents a protestant Church first begins to think less about what makes him truly Catholic, then tends to move away from the notion of the Catholic Church as the One True Church, and then begins to disagree with Catholic dotrines, and may finally leave the Catholic Church.
#2 it is a scandal. A Catholic who frequents a protestant service is a proximate and material cooperator with the service. The service is not meant to be something in addition to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass but something in the place of it. Thus a Catholic who attends a protestant Church regularly is saying by his proximity that there is no problem with substituting the Holy Mass with a protestant service.

Traditionally this would never have been allowed. Why should it be allowed now? Frequent attendance at a protestant service consititutes, in my opinion (not canonically) a sort-of communio in sacris. It is a way of “recieving the mysteries” from protestants, even if one never recieves the “sacrements” from them.

 

[bear06]

JKirkLVNV:

Yes, Bear, but *regularly? *I grew up Baptist, I don’t want to relive that!

I was not speaking of regularly. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was addressing

Why would anyone want to??? There is nothing in a Protestant service that would interest me so I can see no valid reason to attend.

Did anyone notice that we really don’t know all Mr… Howard said from this article? He might have implied that nobody should ever attend for any reason. If you look at this article, it’s actually very poorly written. There seems to be a lot of paraphrasing on the authors part. If you look just at what Mr. Howard said, he doesn’t seem to mention regular attendance. Then you’ve got the more paraphrasing in which a priest is seemingly saying that you should attend a protestant service regularly. Quotes and quotes in context would make this whole situation much more clearer. Wouldn’t you say it would’ve been wrong of Mr. Howard to say that you should NEVER attend a protestant service?

Well, like I said, I don’t take too much of this article at face value because it’s really poorly written.

 

[Marian_Carroll]

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[A.Pelliccio]

this is just more PC nonsense. I am offended that the faith has to take its talking points from liberal multi -culturalists.

 

[CatholicNerd]

Br. Rich SFO:

There is nothing wrong with attending a Protestant service as long as you have some necessary reason for attending. Praticipating in liturgical actions on a regular basis in an official or ecumenical way like preaching, reading, etc. would require your Bishops permission. Participating in communion or any sacrament like actions would not be allowed. The Bishop needs to start inviting wayward sheep to return home to the flock.

Br. Rich, a few months ago I was hired as the director of music for a Methodist congregation. I’ve gone over the matter with my confessor, and in light of the fact that NO Roman parishes in the diocese are currently looking for an organist (or at least have no interest in paying one. I play for a few as a substitute and am paid handsomly but nobody needs a paid permanent organist right now) and I desparately need the money to stay in school, I’ve been given the go-ahead to stick with the job. He’s not mentioned a need to ask His Grace for permission to participate in the Methodist service.

I must admit that their communion services leave me VERY unsettled. I’ve deliberately tried to shy away from selecting Eucharistic motets for my choir to sing since I do not wish to in any way send the message that I somehow believe that their bread and wine are in any way the body and blood of our Lord.

This particular congregation seems to adhere to modalism, denying the existence of the Holy Trinity. It’s all very bizarre, and I’m very nervous about keeping the job, but until a Catholic parish offers me a job (Rather difficult, since I spend half of the year in school and half at home!) I’m stuck… It’s definitely not something I’d recommend to anyone. Is there a proper procedure spelled out in canon law for contacting the bishop to ask for his permission to participate in protestant services?

Thanks for your help!

 

[palmas85]

bear06:

Hasn’t anyone had the need to attend the wedding of two protestant people you know? Hasn’t anyone gone to an “ecumenical” prayer service before a pro-life event? I’ve done both of these things. There is nothing evil about doing this. Like everyone else has said, there are sometimes reasons to do this. It doesn’t mean that you abandon the Catholic faith to do this. Went to the wedding on Saturday and still attended my Church on Sunday. Went to a prayer rally and still got up before the rescue and attended a Catholic Mass. Ecumenism is bad only when one gives up something of their faith to do it.

Going to a wedding is not the same as going to a regular religious service. I have never attended any form of Ecumenical service nor would I. My faith is in the Catholic Church only. Sorry, but that is where it is and where it will stay.

One question about ecumenism? Is the Catholic Church the true Church, yes or no??

 

[Catholic_Heart]

This particular congregation seems to adhere to modalism, denying the existence of the Holy Trinity. It’s all very bizarre,

This is a ;new one on me…I grew up in the Methodist Church, and can tell you for sure that the Trinity was certainily recognized as a reality…

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

CatholicNerd:

Br. Rich, a few months ago I was hired as the director of music for a Methodist congregation. I’ve gone over the matter with my confessor, and in light of the fact that NO Roman parishes in the diocese are currently looking for an organist (or at least have no interest in paying one. I play for a few as a substitute and am paid handsomly but nobody needs a paid permanent organist right now) and I desparately need the money to stay in school, I’ve been given the go-ahead to stick with the job. He’s not mentioned a need to ask His Grace for permission to participate in the Methodist service.

I must admit that their communion services leave me VERY unsettled. I’ve deliberately tried to shy away from selecting Eucharistic motets for my choir to sing since I do not wish to in any way send the message that I somehow believe that their bread and wine are in any way the body and blood of our Lord.

This particular congregation seems to adhere to modalism, denying the existence of the Holy Trinity. It’s all very bizarre, and I’m very nervous about keeping the job, but until a Catholic parish offers me a job (Rather difficult, since I spend half of the year in school and half at home!) I’m stuck… It’s definitely not something I’d recommend to anyone. Is there a proper procedure spelled out in canon law for contacting the bishop to ask for his permission to participate in protestant services?

Thanks for your help!

It is spelled out in ecumenical documents, those that speak to the relationship of the Catholic Church to other Christian communities. What you are speaking of is a paid professional job not a liturgical or ministerial position. It is however a thin line. If I were a Marriage counselor and held sessions at different places on a regular basis once a month. I could do so at a Lutheran or Methodist church. I would however be bound to hold the Catholic view of Marriage when doing this.