Sin to take part in Non-Catholic worship?

[EsclavoDeCristo]

I know that one must attend Mass on Sunday if possible. However, I have always been told that after attending Mass you may attend another service, for example, a protestant one. There are various reasons to do so: invited by a friend, have non-Catholic familiy members, etc.

Last night at our church discussion group we discussed # 206 from the Baltimore Catechism #3:

Why does a Catholic sin against faith by taking part in non-Catholic worship?
A Catholic sins against faith by taking part in non-CAtholic worship because he thus professes belief in a religion he knows is false.

There is a more indepth answer to this question and the proceeding one which asks “How does a Catholic sin against faith?”

The problem at the meeting arose when a convert couple discussed how their son is very active in an evangelical church and how some times the mother goes to suppport the son who is a youth pastor. She was having a tough time seeing her presence at his services as a sin.

What concrete sources can I refer her to that may explain further this teaching? I don’t want to turn her off or scandalize her but want her to be able to understand and embrace it.

 

[puzzleannie]

it is not a sin to attend, such as a wedding or funeral for a non-Catholic friend or relative at another denomination’s church, or as a visitor. It is a sin to actively participate in the worship, especially the communion service, since this would be tantamount to agreeing with their teaching of or rejection of true doctrine on the Eucharist. fine to listen to the bible readings and sing, these are things all Christians can do together, but not to answer an altar call or take communion. you would not want to attend Sunday school classes or bible studies which are sure to teach things against Catholic doctrine.

 

[EsclavoDeCristo]

puzzleannie:

it is not a sin to attend, such as a wedding or funeral for a non-Catholic friend or relative at another denomination’s church, or as a visitor. It is a sin to actively participate in the worship, especially the communion service, since this would be tantamount to agreeing with their teaching of or rejection of true doctrine on the Eucharist. fine to listen to the bible readings and sing, these are things all Christians can do together, but not to answer an altar call or take communion. you would not want to attend Sunday school classes or bible studies which are sure to teach things against Catholic doctrine.

Our discussion group is facilitated by a priest. He told us that to attend a funeral or wedding is okay, but to attend a regular service, just being there is a sin, because it creates scandal, more or less. He basically said that your presence alone shows that you are condoning the service.

The problem comes when this lady wants to attend because her son goes there, eventhough it is a regular service, not a funeral or wedding.

 

[Big_Easy_Big]

What does the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” say about this, as opposed to the Baltimore Catechism? What does Canon Law say about this?

In reply to a similar question on an EWTN site I found the following answer:

Source: www.ewtn.com
Link: ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?Pgnu=1&Pg=Forum2&recnu=2&number=441348
Answer by Fr. John Trigilio on 6/11/2005:
Catholics MAY attend Protestant services and may sing, pray, etc. but they CANNOT and SHOULD NOT ever receive communion in a non-Catholic church. That is considered COMMUNICATIO IN SACRIS and is still forbidden by canon law (#1365). However, one can still be very devout, loyal, obedient and an orthodox Roman Catholic and at the same time be ecumenical. Attending non-Catholic prayer services is not forbidden. Receiving any sacrament or alleged sacrament in a non-Catholic church is forbidden. Catholics cannot consider a Protestant worship service as fulfilling their Sunday obligation, however, and must still attend a Catholic Mass. Only absolute necessity can a Catholic go to an Eastern Orthodox church for their Sunday obligation when there is no Catholic Church (Latin or Byzantine) in a reasonable distance.

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