What are the barriers between Catholics and Protestants?

[kingal86]

Just want to try and address the particular point on infallibility.
First, you do understand that not everything the pope says is infallible don’t you?

I did used to think that everything the Pope said was infallible, but after reading this forum I understood that it was only certain special things he says. So there’s a collaborative procedure based on scripture, tradition, the catechism etc. for formulating doctrine, but the Pope has the final say, with the belief that he is guided by God in this?

Yes that helped thanks.

The thing about “losing his marbles” comes from my habit of taking things to extremes (I wonder that about politicians with nuclear weapons too), I hope no offence was taken.

I’ve read the logic behind some of the things I disagree with and feel I understand the reasons, but don’t at present agree with some of the reasoning, esp. regarding birth control and completed marital acts.

Though TBH a lot of my reasons for some of them are probably selfish or relativistic, e.g. how hard it would be to meet a partner in Britain if you avoided fornication, how long people in that society usually wait before marriage–usually in late 20s/early 30s (in contrast to most of Western history & biblical times when people were married off around puberty), the temptation to marry someone you might not be suited to quickly (I know some evangelicals at uni who married at 18, 19–which in my generation is extremely young–at least among the white population).

 

[JRKH]

I did used to think that everything the Pope said was infallible, but after reading this forum I understood that it was only certain special things he says. So there’s a collaborative procedure based on scripture, tradition, the catechism etc. for formulating doctrine, but the Pope has the final say, with the belief that he is guided by God in this?

Yes that helped thanks.

Glad I could help.
As to the thing of the pope having the final say, to an extent this is true, but one must recognize the desire on the part of the Holy See to achieve prayerful consensus in matters of teaching and not to either “put it to a vote”, or to present it as a “fiat accompli”, both of which would only cause problems.
It is true that such teachings will be written by the Pope or his advisors and approved by him (after much review) and signed by him, but this is not unlike the president of the US signing a Law already reviewed and passed by the Congress. (Don’t know how it works in Britian)

The thing about “losing his marbles” comes from my habit of taking things to extremes (I wonder that about politicians with nuclear weapons too), I hope no offence was taken.

No offence taken - it is a valid concern and one that you can be sure the Magisterium has considered. After all we rarely have a young pope, and since the office is for life, the diseases of the aged, including dimentia must be thought of and planned for.

I’ve read the logic behind some of the things I disagree with and feel I understand the reasons, but don’t at present agree with some of the reasoning, esp. regarding birth control and completed marital acts.

Though TBH a lot of my reasons for some of them are probably selfish or relativistic, e.g. how hard it would be to meet a partner in Britain if you avoided fornication, how long people in that society usually wait before marriage–usually in late 20s/early 30s (in contrast to most of Western history & biblical times when people were married off around puberty), the temptation to marry someone you might not be suited to quickly (I know some evangelicals at uni who married at 18, 19–which in my generation is extremely young–at least among the white population).

Yes I too have had difficulty coming to terms with some teachings - some I still struggle with. The thing really comes down to an acceptance of authority. Once one becomes convinced that The Church is right on the big things, it becomes easier to accept the little things, even though we might not fully understand the reasoning.
Then as we live within the structure of the Church’s teachings (on sexual matters of instance) there comes a greater understanding, born of experience, as to why these teachings are good. Hard to explain but trust me - it’s true.

Peace
James

 

[kingal86]

No offence taken - it is a valid concern and one that you can be sure the Magisterium has considered. After all we rarely have a young pope, and since the office is for life, the diseases of the aged, including dimentia must be thought of and planned for.

Thanks that cleared a few things up.

I thought they must have taken some account of that. I thought others must struggle with some of the doctrines too, I’m glad you reconciled yourself and found a place in the Church.

 

[Redbaron998]

I voted Other

For me its Ignorance as the greatest single obstacle in the way between Catholics and Protestants. I grew up Protestant and converted after educated myself more fully on Christian History and sound doctrine.

Is it the reason for everyone? No, some Protestants have very real grievances that they fully understand and are opposed the Catholic Church on that Issue. But for your typical Protestant is Protestant because he grew up Protestant and; A. They know nothing different. B. Sees no reason to become Catholic or C. Has been taught anti-Catholicism.

How to combat this? General Education on the Catholic faith, especially in the importance of the Eucharist and Christ’s desire in the Scripture for one united visible church.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen hit the nail on the head: “Most people don’t hate what the Catholic Church teaches… they hate what they think the Catholic Church teaches.”

Protestant Mindset: (When I say this I mean whats around me, Baptist, Methodist, etc… not original Protestants like Anglicans or Lutherns who more often have a much better grasp of Theology (again generalizing from personal experince))
Your average Christian (Protestant or Catholic for that matter) has usually never heard of people like Polycarp, Ignatius, Clement I, Augustine etc…, has usually not read the bible in detail or if has glossed over or not understood the parts that grant the Church authority or advocate doctrines such as the Eucharist. Advanced Theological debate isn’t going to accomplish much; personal humility and Faith will go far. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!

Also keep in mind that there is a different mindset overall in many Protestants. We as Catholics usually go to the local Catholic Parish because its close and thats where Christ is in the Eucharist. The average Protestant church shops (NOT ALL, I AM NOT TRYING TO STEROTYPE, this is my personal experience) to find a Pastor they like and join that church. When that Pastor retires or moves so do they often times. They see no reason why to be Catholic, unless the Priest gives really good homilies its unlikely they will join. You have to establish that the Catholic Church is not just another church on the street who has a good priest, its something special.

 

[IrishAm]

I think the biggest barrier is “jargon.” I was raised Protestant, went through a long period of Evangelical Christianity (for which I am most grateful, having learned my Bible through and through, and all the words to common hymns , before coming home to Catholicism nearly 40 years ago. So I can “translate” my faith to a Protestant using expressions that are meaningful to them and can understand what they are saying to me without being offended. As a result, I have had many Protestant friends come to understand and appreciate Catholicism – and sometimes to join in communion with me through their conversion!

(As a simple example, I learned a very long time ago that the answer to “Are you saved?” is simply “YES!!” Then wait to see where they take the conversation from there.)

 

[JRKH]

I think the biggest barrier is “jargon.” I was raised Protestant, went through a long period of Evangelical Christianity (for which I am most grateful, having learned my Bible through and through, and all the words to common hymns , before coming home to Catholicism nearly 40 years ago. So I can “translate” my faith to a Protestant using expressions that are meaningful to them and can understand what they are saying to me without being offended. As a result, I have had many Protestant friends come to understand and appreciate Catholicism – and sometimes to join in communion with me through their conversion!

(As a simple example, I learned a very long time ago that the answer to “Are you saved?” is simply “YES!!” Then wait to see where they take the conversation from there.)

This is something I am learning about now as I am spending some time on a non-catholic board. The folks there are not really “anti-catholic” or anything, but it seems like I’m trying to learn a new language sometimes.
I’ve made a few blunders, but I’m starting to learn.

Peace
James

 

[Carlan]

Just as a point of clarification - The Catholic Church also believes in the “priesthood of all believers”.

1268 The baptized have become “living stones” to be "built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood." By Baptism they share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission. They are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Baptism gives a share in the common priesthood of all believers.

Such a belief does not preclude either heirarchy OR unified and authoritative teaching body.

Peace
James

Thank you James for clarifying that mistaken belief of our separated brother.Peace to all, Carlan

 

[Marc_Anthony]

This is something I am learning about now as I am spending some time on a non-catholic board. The folks there are not really “anti-catholic” or anything, but it seems like I’m trying to learn a new language sometimes.
I’ve made a few blunders, but I’m starting to learn.

Peace
James

I know, right? Nothing can be approached directly. Every point needs to be made in a roundabout way.

 

[JRKH]

I know, right? Nothing can be approached directly. Every point needs to be made in a roundabout way.

You bettcha - and I think one thing that needs to be approached is the term “tradition”.
It is slung around by both catholics and protestants and I don’t think we are talking about the same thing at all - or at least not understanding the full scope of it.

I would guess that every Protestant on the other board you and are frequenting, when they here the word “traditon”, automatically jumps to "man-made traditions’ (Mt 15: 5-6). Thus they see any “tradtion” in a negative light.

I even considered starting a thread to disucss this, but fear I am not equiped to lead/deal with such a discussion.

Peace
James

 

[clroelant]

In my experience, Portestants have an “anwhere but in the Catholic Church” attitude. Catholic hymnals, prayer books, devotionals, etc. are full of entries authored by Protestants, but I’ve viewed 365 day devotionals Protestants use without a single Catholic reference. 2000 years’ of history and yet not one person (Aquinas, Augustine, etc) worthy of inclusion? Even more amazing-Protestants fellowshipping with others whose views they totally reject (read conservatives with those from liberal denominations), but unwilling to do so with Catholics who share their values more closely. Also, a Protestant moves to a new town and looks for a Church that is close to what he believes. He will never consider trying the Catholic Church-again even if its beliefs are much closer to his own than some of the Protestant churches available. Chuck Roelant

 

[joandarc2008]

My other is the Eucharist - We have it they don’t. It is a major barrier.

 

[turtle18]

Many excellent points on this thread… I think the root cause of it is they understand the Bible one way and we understand it a different way. I told one of my friends that I didn’t understand how anyone could read the Bible and not be Catholic. How does anyone get that the Eucharist is supposed to be a symbol from reading the Bible? The Bible clearly does NOT support that interpretation.

But then again, how do some people read the U.S. Constitution and get that there is a right to abortion in it?

And Protestants do believe that tradition is a bad, bad thing. BUT how many of them acutally realize the Roman Catholic faith is rooted in the Jewish tradition?

 

[turtle18]

Oh, I think the other biggie is divorce and remarriage…of course, that is how we ended up with the Anglican Church.

 

[CoachSTL]

Let us try to explore the relationship and responsibility between Catholicism and Protestantism as brothers and sisters.

sinner,

I think the barrier is simple. Protestants, and anyone who is in protest with the Catholic Church, Protestant or Catholic, do not see the real meaning of The Church and why it teaches what it teaches.

I will go on to state that when one finally sees the real meaning of The Church, they make a critical choice. The journey of truth and joyfulness then begins for them.

 

[wisdomseeker]

– Sacraments? or lack of?

– Although the CC does not (or should not) worship Mary, I think some protestants think we do.
I actually think some Catholics do worship Mary and Saints (mostly in other countries), but that’s just my take and a whole other issue…
We are to highly "admire’ Mary - - and the statues,Saints, etc,etc…

– Protestants (from my experience) seem to know/study the Bible much more than us Catholics. Again, my personal experience and view on this…

We both Love our Father, Son and Holy Spirit… what matters most!

God Bless…

This is not true. i have a friend who studied the Bible for years and read the Bible everyday, by the way, she is a protestant. i never studied the Bible. all i have is what i learn by talking to other Catholics and read history of the Church.
i can tell you, that she is constant telling me that knows the Bible better than anybody but when i mention parts of Scriptures she tells me, show me that in the Bible, i never saw this verse. she has no clue what is in the Bible, apparently they only study parts of the Bible that is convienient and is what they use to discredit Catholics and can take Catholics away from the Church. if Catholics can learn Scriptures that proves that the verses protestants use to discredit the Church, learn history of the Church, protestants will run in fear and confusion. for one, they have no clue of history of the Church and they cannot reason. they tend to change subject to derail the issue. they just want to preach the Bible. let them preach, when they are done, go at. it is your turn.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

I think some of the barriers are the misunderstandings from the Protestant side on Catholicism…at least that was my experience.

Another barrier…well the fact that now that I’ve come home my Protestant friends are telling me I’m going to hell…well not coming right out and saying it but they might as well have. And of course I always get cautioned to be “careful” and “cautious” when I’m there. Look…I’m at Mass to worship God…to me it’s demeaning to tell me to be “careful”–like they are going to start passing out kool-aid.

 

[mangy_dog]

My apologies beforehand if my reply here offends someone’s sensitivities.

True christians are those who believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ as true God and true man.

Having said that - all true christians came from the Catholic church and some day ( I pray) they will all return.

Because, the Catholic church is the one, true church that Christ intended to exist after His ascension into heaven and of which He left Peter as it’s first pope - 263 popes later to Pope Benedict XVI. And the gates of hell will not prevail against her.

Apart from this, I also feel that a lot of protestants that are considering the idea of converting to Catholicism (overtly or covertly), are observing the catholics in their everyday life, to see how they behave and talk ( or don’t talk) about their catholicism.

Many protestants that would convert probably won’t because of “flaky catholics” and some will convert despite “flaky catholics”.

If we are wishy-washy about our catholicism, some protestant is watching and noticing. If we are devout and reverent catholics some protestant is surely wathcing and noticing.

Catholics: If you are wondering why protestants are so against catholicism - don’t look farther than your own example to them. You must have a life of the spirit and a life of prayer at all times and all places. Regardless of whether someone is watching or not.

Protestans: I hope and pray that God’s grace will bring you home, my brothers and sisters. Please hold to the example of devout and reverent catholics and please ignore the flaky ones because they need God’s grace also.

In the love of Christ,

mangy dog

 

[joandarc2008]

My apologies beforehand if my reply here offends someone’s sensitivities.

True christians are those who believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ as true God and true man.

Having said that - all true christians came from the Catholic church and some day ( I pray) they will all return.

Because, the Catholic church is the one, true church that Christ intended to exist after His ascension into heaven and of which He left Peter as it’s first pope - 263 popes later to Pope Benedict XVI. And the gates of hell will not prevail against her.

Apart from this, I also feel that a lot of protestants that are considering the idea of converting to Catholicism (overtly or covertly), are observing the catholics in their everyday life, to see how they behave and talk ( or don’t talk) about their catholicism.

Many protestants that would convert probably won’t because of “flaky catholics” and some will convert despite “flaky catholics”.

If we are wishy-washy about our catholicism, some protestant is watching and noticing. If we are devout and reverent catholics some protestant is surely wathcing and noticing.

Catholics: If you are wondering why protestants are so against catholicism - don’t look farther than your own example to them. You must have a life of the spirit and a life of prayer at all times and all places. Regardless of whether someone is watching or not.

Protestans: I hope and pray that God’s grace will bring you home, my brothers and sisters. Please hold to the example of devout and reverent catholics and please ignore the flaky ones because they need God’s grace also.

In the love of Christ,

mangy dog