Should Catholic chuches rent/loan their facilities out for nonCatholic worship services?

[ALLGIRLS]

I don’t know why this bothers me, but it does . My parish allows a Lutheran congregation to use the Knights of Columbus hall on Sundays for their worship service. This has been going on for several years now (I don’t know why the Lutherans haven’t managed to secure their own building by now ). To make matters worse, they’re Missouri Synod Lutherans, who, last I checked, still have some pretty anti-Catholic doctrines (they still say the Pope is the AntiChrist ).

My church is pretty orthodox, otherwise. So I’m wondering if there is just something wrong with me for having a problem with this? I know we’re supposed to be ecumenical, but we’re also called to evangelize, so how do you strike a balance? This seems like enabling folks to remain in a church that teaches erroneous doctrines. And don’t get me wrong, I’m normally not antiProtestant. My IL’s are S. Baptist and nonDenom., and they’re better Christians than I am, and I’m sure will spend less time in purgatory than me (even though they don’t believe it exists!) .

What do you all think?

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[dhgray]

I really wouldn’t have a problem with it unless they (as you put it) have some pretty anti-Catholic doctrines (they still say the Pope is the AntiChrist ).
It’s a great way to evangalize and show the how charitable Catholics are.

 

[mschrank]

Be offended they are heretics.

We really need to keep this in mind. Protestantism is a heresy, not just a schism like the EO (sorry EO’ers)- but a full blown HERESY.

Denies the real presence. Denies Mary is mother of God. Denies the priesthood, denies, denies, denies.

Would you let Arians or Docetists or Cathari to worship in your Parish Church?!!

 

[puzzleannie]

I don’t know why this bothers me, but it does . My parish allows a Lutheran congregation to use the Knights of Columbus hall on Sundays for their worship service. This has been going on for several years now n

it is not even a church building but a meeting hall, so what is the problem?

 

[dhgray]

it is not even a church building but a meeting hall, so what is the problem?

The Knights of Columbus, though Catholic, is a private “for profit” organization.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

it is not even a church building but a meeting hall, so what is the problem?

I don’t know, that why I created the thread . It just doesn’t feel right to me. Maybe because I know MS Lutherans hold antiCatholic doctrines (our leader is the Antichrist, but we’re good enough for them to use our buildings? ).

Keep 'em coming.

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[AgnosTheist]

Whats the big deal? Catholics dont care that the Hagia Sophia had been turned to a Mosque. So dont pull your hair out for a petty meeting hall.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

Whats the big deal? Catholics dont care that the Hagia Sophia had been turned to a Mosque. So dont pull your hair out for a petty meeting hall.

I CARE!

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[puzzleannie]

The Knights of Columbus, though Catholic, is a private “for profit” organization.

yeah so what, it is not owned by the Catholic Church, not used for liturgy, people rent it out for weddings and other events, so I still don’t get the beef.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

yeah so what, it is not owned by the Catholic Church, not used for liturgy, people rent it out for weddings and other events, so I still don’t get the beef.

Oh, okay. I was under the impression it was connected to my parish (it’s my parish’s K of C Council’s building, and right across the street from the church). I guess the Knights are like Catholic Charities, then, nonSectarian? Alright, I guess there is no problem, then. Nevermind.

I do wonder, then, if they’d have to rent the hall out for, say, a gay “wedding” reception, per a state’s antidiscrimination laws? Hmmm.

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[Spirithound]

I do wonder, then, if they’d have to rent the hall out for, say, a gay “wedding” reception, per a state’s antidiscrimination laws? Hmmm.

I believe this has actually come before a court of some jurisdiction, either Canadian or American. Try a Google search, tell us the results

 

[bluestarsneyes]

Be offended they are heretics.

We really need to keep this in mind. Protestantism is a heresy, not just a schism like the EO (sorry EO’ers)- but a full blown HERESY.

Denies the real presence. Denies Mary is mother of God. Denies the priesthood, denies, denies, denies.

Would you let Arians or Docetists or Cathari to worship in your Parish Church?!!

This is about as offensive a post as I’ve read on this site!!!

I’d like to know WHICH Protestant founder ever denied Mary was the mother of Jesus? Um…pretty sure that a quick snap through Matthew, Luke or John would fix them.

OR is this simply just Protestant bashing…whatever absolutely pointless and offensive post…get real!

 

[O.S.Luke]

In more than one church I have served, we have allowed Catholic congregations to worship in our sanctuary when a tragedy struck or construction was taking place. And we didn’t charge one penny.

I found out, sadly, that when I was in a similar predicament, that the church we allowed to use our sanctuary during their construction would not return the favor. It came across to most of my members very unfavorably.

Because of this, I would say that NO church should rent or loan their facilities to another church from a different tradition… or even let them use them for free.

 

[A.Pelliccio]

I voted no, but there is one exception. I would say that the Orthodox could use Catholic facilities, maybe not the Church because we recognize them as having valid sacraments and they actually believe in the real presences during holy communion. As for Protestants well they can take their tambourine shaking somewhere else.

 

[university_guy]

I voted yes but i mean with a separate building (like K of C hall) but the Actual Church I would say no because of the differences in what we believe.
For instance if you don’t believe in the real presence, wouldn’t you look at the altar as a regular table?

But as for Separate buildings… I wouldn’t be against it… Even the more anti-catholic groups.

O.S. Luke: I’m sorry to hear your favor was not returned… That’s plain rude…

 

[SemperFidelis]

This is about as offensive a post as I’ve read on this site!!!

I’d like to know WHICH Protestant founder ever denied Mary was the mother of Jesus? Um…pretty sure that a quick snap through Matthew, Luke or John would fix them.

OR is this simply just Protestant bashing…whatever absolutely pointless and offensive post…get real!

Well if it walks like a duck…

 

[psyche23]

Under NO circumstances can a church be rented out for a Gay wedding! To clear this up, the law does not delegate who religions accept or reject so they have no say in how their buildings are run.

That being said, it is unwise to rent out the church to other religions of any kind simply because it is where the blessed Eucharist resides. In the old testament, only one priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies and even then only once a year. So the Blessed Eucharist must be protected whenever possible. This is not to say that whoever rents the church will commit sacrilige, but the chance is not worth taking. Of course other denominations may visit the church with appropirate supervision if necessary, but I am of the opinion that a non catholic should never approach the Blessed Eucharist.

For example, in Rome during mass a man went up for Communion (was not Catholic) returned to his seat and went a second time, this time pocketing the Blessed Eucharist and later selling it on Ebay. You might have heard this… turns out he thought it didn’t mean it was the actual body and blood, and didn’t think we’d get so offended… so honest mistake on his part (we hope), but it shows how we must keep Christ on Earth sacred. He can of course take care of himself, but it is our duty to provide as much protection as we are able.

 

[blldg13]

This is about as offensive a post as I’ve read on this site!!!

I’d like to know WHICH Protestant founder ever denied Mary was the mother of Jesus? Um…pretty sure that a quick snap through Matthew, Luke or John would fix them.

OR is this simply just Protestant bashing…whatever absolutely pointless and offensive post…get real!

Bluestarsneyes did write “Mother of God”, not “Mother of Jesus”. Quite a few Protestants want to deny the fact that the fullness of God was in Mary. Since life begins at conception, the moment the Holy Spirit entered Mary and Jesus was 1 cell, He was God. That, I think, is what is meant by “Mother of God” and therefore all of our Mother, as God created us in His “likeness”. Hope that helps clear things up regarding the post you were concerned about.

 

[bluestarsneyes]

Okay I get where you are going…just a tricky play on words…MANY and All Protestants as you guys like to call it…that I know consider Mary the MOTHER OF JESUS and since Jesus claimed to be God…therefore the Mother of God…it’s whether Mary would have to be sinless as a result of her carrying God in her womb is the rub.

However, I think there are many many many Catholics and Protestants that still have debate in their minds and it’s really a matter of opinion to be totally honest. It’s a matter of your personal faith. The Catholic Church made it’s opinion on this and leads it’s followers in that direction.

I personally see no fault in going there so to speak because it’s not clear…it’s just not either way…it’s a matter of does it REALLY matter…in my humble opinion…the role of Mary WAS unique and she is the Mother of God…and therefore…have no problem recognizing her role and her life and her actions and she was blessed among women…of course…she’s just not Jesus is my only personal take and the take of MOST that actually study Mary’s role.

YES I agree though there are some Protestants that stay far away from Mary…lol…and actually I think it’s like some Catholics do in other areas…it’s really a rejection of the Catholic Church…and if you get to the heart of things and stop viewing it as Protestant or Catholic…I think the heart of God would be saddened to see Mary have NO ROLE or mention in some churches and yet he’d be as well confused at some that know more of Mary than of God himself. Which is a true statement on both extremes.

 

[mercygate]

In more than one church I have served, we have allowed Catholic congregations to worship in our sanctuary when a tragedy struck or construction was taking place. And we didn’t charge one penny.

I found out, sadly, that when I was in a similar predicament, that the church we allowed to use our sanctuary during their construction would not return the favor. It came across to most of my members very unfavorably.

Because of this, I would say that NO church should rent or loan their facilities to another church from a different tradition… or even let them use them for free.

I hear you, O.S. And it was generous of you to allow your Catholic brethren to take shelter in your ‘sanctuary’. You DO understand, however, what the difference is between a Catholic church building and a non-Catholic place of worship – right?

Nevertheless, I would think a Catholic church might have let you use the undercroft or the gym as a gesture of good will.