Visiting Protestant churches?

[wisdomseeker]

Why would a Catholic go to a protestant church?

1. Because they were invited and wish to be friendly
2. Because they wanted to understand their friend or neighbor better
3. Because they had to for class
4. Because their neighbor was singing a solo in the choir that day and was nervous about it
   I think worship in a protestant church for a Catholic is still worship, but I don’t feel it should take the place of mass in a Catholic’s life. I can’t think of anything I’ve heard said during a Lutheran service that would be of issue. All the Catholics I’ve ever had visit church with me have always remarked that it was so similar — that there were just some things missing.

syncretism is condemned by the holy father. we should not be mixing religion. the intention of protestants is to give Catholics the idea their worship is just the same and it is ok to mix all together. it is not ok. protestants unknowgly try allude Catholics to believe that we are all the same religion. we are not. the CC is suffering great damage already because of the infiltration of protestants beliefs into the mind of Catholics. we should listen to what the holy father is saying.

 

[wisdomseeker]

No, it is no longer in place. The 1917 canon law was replaced by the 1983 canon law.

Here is a link to the current canon law.

The 1983 code revokes the 1917 code:
Can. 6 §1. When this Code takes force, the following are abrogated:

1/ the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1917;
The 1983 code says the following about ecumenism:
Can. 755 §1. It is above all for the entire college of bishops and the Apostolic See to foster and direct among Catholics the ecumenical movement whose purpose is the restoration among all Christians of the unity which the Church is bound to promote by the will of Christ.

§2. It is likewise for the bishops and, according to the norm of law, the conferences of bishops to promote this same unity and to impart practical norms according to the various needs and opportunities of the circumstances; they are to be attentive to the prescripts issued by the supreme authority of the Church.

For the prescripts mentioned in canon 755, the Vatican has issued a document called Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism (see here).

This directory states the following about worshiping at a Protestant service:
118. In liturgical celebrations taking place in other Churches and ecclesial Communities, Catholics are encouraged to take part in the psalms, responses, hymns and common actions of the Church in which they are guests. If invited by their hosts, they may read a lesson or preach.

this seems contrary if i am reading it right to what the holy is saying. cardinal has said that we are not to go to protestant communities. also the holy father has said that there is only one Church. this document calls other churches, this does not seem right.

 

[Just_Lurking]

this document calls other churches, this does not seem right.

In the 1983 canon law, the difference between a Church and an ecclesial Community is whether or not they have apostolic succession. So the Eastern Orthodox and a few others are Churches, while Protestants are ecclesial Communities.

 

[wisdomseeker]

In the 1983 canon law, the difference between a Church and an ecclesial Community is whether or not they have apostolic succession. So the Eastern Orthodox and a few others are Churches, while Protestants are ecclesial Communities.

that is what i thought. although unspecified. this is confusing because it is generalized. the fact is that the cardinal arinze says that we are not to go to protestants communities. the holy father has condemned syncretism but this document seem to say the opposite.

 

[Lutheranteach]

syncretism is condemned by the holy father. we should not be mixing religion. the intention of protestants is to give Catholics the idea their worship is just the same and it is ok to mix all together. it is not ok. protestants unknowgly try allude Catholics to believe that we are all the same religion. we are not. the CC is suffering great damage already because of the infiltration of protestants beliefs into the mind of Catholics. we should listen to what the holy father is saying.

I don’t see the problem with participating to some degree. I do at mass. I say 95% of the things everyone else there says and does. When I disagree I stand silent and respectful. I don’t see the reason a Catholic could not do the same in a protestant setting.

 

[palmas855]

Why would a Catholic go to a protestant church?

1. Because they were invited and wish to be friendly
2. Because they wanted to understand their friend or neighbor better
3. Because they had to for class
4. Because their neighbor was singing a solo in the choir that day and was nervous about it
   I think worship in a protestant church for a Catholic is still worship, but I don’t feel it should take the place of mass in a Catholic’s life. I can’t think of anything I’ve heard said during a Lutheran service that would be of issue. All the Catholics I’ve ever had visit church with me have always remarked that it was so similar — that there were just some things missing.

I am so glad that a protestant said this. Every time traditionalists say that the Ordinary Form of the Mass resembles a protestant service they are roundly ridiculed by the progressives who claim to a person that there is no similarity at all. Kind of like several years ago when I posted a quiz asking if todays converts would have done so if the Mass was still in Latin. Progressives called everything except a child of God for even thinking such a thing. Yet, some time later several converts came forth on anti Traditional Mass threads stating unequivocally that they never would have converted if the Mass was still in Latin. The progressives were silent on that one just as I am sure they will be on this one.

As to the question, I have gone to several protestant gatherings in the past and something about them seemed very very sad and very forced. Like they were anxiously looking for something that wasn’t there. You could not hide that feeling with the songs, the fellowship or the preaching. The whole thing was just so barren and bereft of true religious feeling that it was depressing. I have never been back. And no you are not supposed to worship at a protestant gathering.

 

[lovemyboys]

Once in my town, joint vacation bible school for all the Catholics, Episcopalians, and Lutherans was held at a Lutheran church. What do you guys think of that?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Once in my town, joint vacation bible school for all the Catholics, Episcopalians, and Lutherans was held at a Lutheran church. What do you guys think of that?

Bible school isn’t a worship service, so there’s no danger in that sense.

BUT, this means Catholics may be exposed to Protestant interpretations of the Bible, which is bad.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I don’t see the problem with participating to some degree. I do at mass. I say 95% of the things everyone else there says and does. When I disagree I stand silent and respectful. I don’t see the reason a Catholic could not do the same in a protestant setting.

that is exactly my point protestants wants Catholics to believe that it doesnt matter. the CC is the True Church why would we want to go heretical places to hear what is contrary to what the Church teaches? it doesnt make any sense. the CC is called to evangelize all men. Catholics are not to be evangelized by another religion.

 

[Lutheranteach]

that is exactly my point protestants wants Catholics to believe that it doesnt matter. the CC is the True Church why would we want to go heretical places to hear what is contrary to what the Church teaches? it doesnt make any sense. the CC is called to evangelize all men. Catholics are not to be evangelized by another religion.

So what is allowed and what isn’t? Should a Catholic visiting a protestant church stand during the gospel reading? Or, is that worshipping? Can they read along, or sing responsively to the psalms? Can they sing the hymns? Recite the Nicene creed? Are they to sit quietly during petitions and not respond with a “Lord hear our prayer” when the pastor ask for God’s healing, comfort and mercy for Mr. and Mrs. Smith and their new baby that is in critical condition? I’m not getting why there is a need to disagree on things that both faith communities accept simply because it’s the other side saying it.

I’ve never seen anyone “evangelized” at my church unless the term “nice to have you visit with us today” is some code I don’t know about.

 

[Lutheranteach]

I am so glad that a protestant said this. Every time traditionalists say that the Ordinary Form of the Mass resembles a protestant service they are roundly ridiculed by the progressives who claim to a person that there is no similarity at all. Kind of like several years ago when I posted a quiz asking if todays converts would have done so if the Mass was still in Latin. Progressives called everything except a child of God for even thinking such a thing. Yet, some time later several converts came forth on anti Traditional Mass threads stating unequivocally that they never would have converted if the Mass was still in Latin. The progressives were silent on that one just as I am sure they will be on this one.

As to the question, I have gone to several protestant gatherings in the past and something about them seemed very very sad and very forced. Like they were anxiously looking for something that wasn’t there. You could not hide that feeling with the songs, the fellowship or the preaching. The whole thing was just so barren and bereft of true religious feeling that it was depressing. I have never been back. And no you are not supposed to worship at a protestant gathering.

I think you would find Lutheran and Catholic services have been very similar for a good while. As for something missing and sad. I’ve generally felt precisely the same way when attending mass so it’s a matter of perspective I guess.

 

[roveau]

During my ‘years in the wilderness’ I went to many Protestant services and was a member of a church for some seven years. I experienced great joy among the people and a true dedication and an earnest love of God. I don’t think it is helpful in this discussion to represent Protestant services as sad or forced… we’d not be that happy if Protestants said that of our Mass.

 

[Miserys_Fence]

the CC is called to evangelize all men. Catholics are not to be evangelized by another religion.

Seems to me to be a wee bit hypocritical that only Catholics are allowed to attempt to evangelize.

Everyone thinks their religion is the “right” one–Protestants too. If we are discouraged from visiting their churches, then I wholeheartedly support them discouraging their members from visiting ours.

Miz

 

[ConstantineTG]

that is exactly my point protestants wants Catholics to believe that it doesnt matter. the CC is the True Church why would we want to go heretical places to hear what is contrary to what the Church teaches? it doesnt make any sense. the CC is called to evangelize all men. Catholics are not to be evangelized by another religion.

You are assuming too much and missing the point. There are a ton of reasons why a Catholic may go to a Protestant service/church. Most of them doesn’t even involved getting preached on. Sometimes you just have a close relative or a spouse who is of another faith that you want to accompany. Sometimes a friend may be performing there with a song or something.

 

[BernadetteM]

Whether I have attended a fundamentalist church or a liturgical church, it only strenghtens my faith in the Catholic Church.

Even in my former Anglo Catholic parish I found something missing. I know exactly what it was, it was the Body and Blood of Christ. This happened once in my own parish when the priest had removed the Sacrament from the tabernacle as a guest speaker was there during a lenten mission.

I didn’t know why I felt that emptiness, until Father got up in the back of the church and told us that he had removed the Sacrament.

I had the same exact feeling in both churches.

As far as mega churches etc., at least in the ones I have attended I saw more entertainment than what I consider worship. I am sure that they all love the Lord and feel that what they receive during their services feed them, but unless you have received the True Body and Blood of Christ something will always be missing.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[wisdomseeker]

So what is allowed and what isn’t? Should a Catholic visiting a protestant church stand during the gospel reading? Or, is that worshipping? Can they read along, or sing responsively to the psalms? Can they sing the hymns? Recite the Nicene creed? Are they to sit quietly during petitions and not respond with a “Lord hear our prayer” when the pastor ask for God’s healing, comfort and mercy for Mr. and Mrs. Smith and their new baby that is in critical condition? I’m not getting why there is a need to disagree on things that both faith communities accept simply because it’s the other side saying it.

I’ve never seen anyone “evangelized” at my church unless the term “nice to have you visit with us today” is some code I don’t know about.

Catholics are not to go to other places of worship other than the CC. that is the teachings of the CC. they have no business going there.

here.

youtube.com/watch?v=-4qyL4pR0Rk

 

[wisdomseeker]

The funny thing about this thread, is that it is a Traditional thread, yet i see not many Traditional Catholics in here, too many untraditional opinions.

 

[Monica4316]

But what is the Church teaching? is it the current canon law (which was posted)?