Question about sacraments

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shoewindow3000

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Let’s say someone receives a valid baptism, but in a Protestant church.

Would it be possible for that person to go to a Catholic mass 10 minutes later, or would it be offensive to God?
(assuming they didn’t commit any mortal sin in those 10 minutes)
 
Anyone can attend Mass – it’s open to both saints and sinners.

The one thing to keep in mind is that a non-Catholic cannot receive communion.
 
What if that person wants to be Catholic and believes everything that the Church teaches?

They still cannot receive Communion?
 
shoewindow3000 said:
Let’s say someone receives a valid baptism, but in a Protestant church.

Would it be possible for that person to go to a Catholic mass 10 minutes later, or would it be offensive to God?
(assuming they didn’t commit any mortal sin in those 10 minutes)
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it would not be offensive for anyone baptized in a Protestant church to attend Mass at any time. Nor would it be offensive for an unbaptized person to attend Mass. Catholic liturgy is public and all are welcome.

What would be offensive is for anyone who is not in full communion with the Catholic Church to attempt to receive communion, which is the sign of that unity. Presumably you are speaking of an adult who has deliberately chosen to be baptized into a non-Catholic denomination, thereby rejecting full communion and rejecting the Catholic Church, her teaching and her authority. To then approach her with the intent to receive the sign and essence of the unity they have just rejected would be wrong.

If I am misunderstanding your question, let me know.
What if that person wants to be Catholic and believes everything that the Church teaches?
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They still cannot receive Communion?
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If they want to be Catholic and believe everything the Catholic Church teaches, then they would not have chosen to be baptized outside her 10 minutes ago. The fact that they made that choice shows they still have some confusion about what they believe. Anyone who has been baptized (or for that matter, any unbaptized person) who has come to believe that the Catholic Church holds the fullness of truth and all that Christ taught and commanded is welcome at any time to approach any Catholic parish and ask to be received into the Church. Their preparation and timing for that reception, culminating in reception of the Eucharist in holy communion, will be guided by their own needs and by the process ordained by the Church.

If this is you or someone you know, welcome home.
 
shoewindow3000 said:
What if that person wants to be Catholic and believes everything that the Church teaches?

They still cannot receive Communion?
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Puzzleannie answered your question, but I want to add a bit.

If you’re not already baptized but would like to be baptized as a Catholic, you’ll want to go through RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It’s the process the Church has developed for people to learn what Catholics believe and to receive the sacraments.

For those who are unbaptized, RCIA leads to baptism, confirmation, and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. It’s a totally glorious and joyful Mass that celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and the reception of the sacraments for those coming into the Church.

If you ask about RCIA at your local parish, they’ll direct you to someone who can answer your questions and help you start the process.
 
Because the RCIA they went to is run by liberals who say homosexual marriage and woman priests will “hopefully someday” be accepted by the Church because they have to “get with the times.”

Maybe someone doesn’t want to have to sit through a whole year of that!!!
 
shoewindow3000 said:
Because the RCIA they went to is run by liberals who say homosexual marriage and woman priests will “hopefully someday” be accepted by the Church because they have to “get with the times.”

Maybe someone doesn’t want to have to sit through a whole year of that!!!
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This is something to discuss directly with the priest. If he cannot deal appropriately with such heretical teachings, or if he is part of the problem, the Bishop needs to be notified. Check with another parish in the vicinity. You will likely find much more orthodox teaching there.

Christ’s peace.
 
shoewindow3000 said:
Because the RCIA they went to is run by liberals who say homosexual marriage and woman priests will “hopefully someday” be accepted by the Church because they have to “get with the times.”

Maybe someone doesn’t want to have to sit through a whole year of that!!!
Click to expand...
That still does not mean that you can participate in the Eucharist. If you “believe everything”, that includes the rules, and the rules say that you are not allowed to Communion, no matter how much you don’t want to wait. You must be a full member of the Catholic Church to participate in the Eucharist. Exceptions are made in certain circumstances for members of the Orthodox Church, Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church. So, even if you “believe everything”, you are still not a member of the Church. You need to be properly received, through a Profession of Faith and Confirmation.

Find a church that you like and talk to the priest about RCIA. If the church that you like has an RCIA that is “run by liberals” and they are teaching heresy, if you are serious about becoming Catholic, you should talk to the priest at that parish. If the priest does nothing about it, you can write to the bishop. Contact information can be found online.
 
shoewindow3000 said:
Let’s say someone receives a valid baptism, but in a Protestant church.

Would it be possible for that person to go to a Catholic mass 10 minutes later, or would it be offensive to God?
(assuming they didn’t commit any mortal sin in those 10 minutes)
Click to expand...
Possible, yes of course. All are welcome.
 
In the New Testament, first you were baptized(after hearing and believing the Gospel), then you learned the details later.

Why can’t they do that anymore?

With my luck, I’d get hit by a car and die the day before I’m to be baptized!
 
shoewindow3000 said:
Let’s say someone receives a valid baptism, but in a Protestant church.

Would it be possible for that person to go to a Catholic mass 10 minutes later, or would it be offensive to God?
(assuming they didn’t commit any mortal sin in those 10 minutes)
Click to expand...
The only way this would make sense is according to the traditional concept that everyone who is baptized is baptized Catholic, and the minute they do something against the Catholic faith, that is when they suddenly become Protestant (= heretic).

Unfortunately for you, Vatican II repudiated this version of traditional ecclesiology.
 
Just_Lurking said:
The only way this would make sense is according to the traditional concept that everyone who is baptized is baptized Catholic, and the minute they do something against the Catholic faith, that is when they suddenly become Protestant (= heretic).

Unfortunately for you, Vatican II repudiated this version of traditional ecclesiology.
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Evidence of this? I’d assume that pre-Vatican II, the Church was even more strict as to what “Catholic” meant.

Either way, the Catholic Church never allows Communion until one is properly catechized, and has “First Communion”. So the point is moot anyway. One who is baptized in the Roman Catholic Church is not automatically allowed to participate in the Eucharist.
 
Religio71 said:
Evidence of this? I’d assume that pre-Vatican II, the Church was even more strict as to what “Catholic” meant.
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This is just a fringe view that I had read on line somewhere. I thought it was here, but I haven’t been able to find it via search. I’ll post again if I come across it.
 
shoewindow3000 said:
In the New Testament, first you were baptized(after hearing and believing the Gospel), then you learned the details later.

Why can’t they do that anymore?

With my luck, I’d get hit by a car and die the day before I’m to be baptized!
Click to expand...
I think if you were an Apostle back then, you probably had a better-than-average ability to discern sincerity. I think nowadays the Church just wants people to fully understand what it is they are joining (the Body of Christ), and sometimes initial zeal fades when confronted with all the facts (not that yours will).

Don’t worry; if you die before you receive the Sacraments, you will have the benefit of Baptism of Desire. You will be saved (with all the usual caveats).

As others have said, go do RCIA at another parish or talk to the priest of the parish where you are. The main thing is you get baptized and become Catholic. You don’t have to go to Bible study with them in your house for the rest of your life. Just submit to the process. It will be a good chance to practice patience and you will already know if they are saying something off-base.
 
Gem said:
I think if you were an Apostle back then, you probably had a better-than-average ability to discern sincerity. I think nowadays the Church just wants people to fully understand what it is they are joining (the Body of Christ), and sometimes initial zeal fades when confronted with all the facts (not that yours will).
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Theology was also rather less developed at that time. No memorizing what transubstantiation is, or reciting the creeds, etc.
 
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