Say I were to visit my former church to see someone baptized. Would I have to sit there and not do anything? What could I do that would not mean worship?On the other hand, it would be wrong for you to worship at (as distinguished from to visit) a non-Catholic church.
I’m willing to listen to arguments both ways, but I’m inclined to agree with this. One point I would make is that this would have to be an initial baptism and not a “re-baptism” that is so common in many Protestant circles. That would be imitating, if not abusing, a sacrament, and I would have no part in that.I think that’s a bit over the top. We can and should join in prayer with our separated brethren.
I don’t believe the Church Herself agrees with you, as baptisms and marriages can be valid outside the Church. As Protestant churches (at least none I’ve attended) do not combine worship services and weddings, baptism of family members is one of the only reasons I can see myself attending a Protestant service. Besides prayer, I want to know what am I to do. Do I have to stand in the back and not appear to be part of the congregation? Can I sing or should I stay silent? How do I make it clear I’m “just visiting”? If “visiting” is okay but “worshiping” is not, then there is a distinction, and if it’s such a big deal, surely there are guidelines which would be clear to longtime Catholics. Aside from, obviously, not taking communion there… how do I “not worship”?It is best not to place yourself in a position that can lead to the falling from grace.
By going to non Catholic churches you place yourself in harm’s way by being in a place that is definatively non Christian in some way because of their falling from universality of all Christendom. It is only when in a truley Catholic environment is one in a place that is fully fertile for growth. Protestant churches all have failings because they have all strayed from the full Truth. They also lack all Sacraments.
There are few reasons to associate ourselves to teachings that are not fully Christian and it also depends on an individuals strengths. As an individual we can fool ourself in to thinking we are actually stronger than we really are and thus we become even more suseptable to corruption. Corruption in thinking and teachings…
As to “what constitutes worhip” you have many detailed answers that are all part of the whole. Yet your concern seems to be less involved in what worship is but rather a desire to have the Full Truth and the corruption of Truth. Kind of like wanting to have our whole cake and eat it too… You either have the Full Truth or you do not. If it is not Catholic then it is corrupted and lacking (period). No reason to stray, or is there?
No you would not have to sit there doing nothing. You can sing hymns, join in prayer, etc. (Assuming the songs and prayers are not in opposition to the Catholic faith… I’m thinking of fringe groups like LDS, Jehovah Witnesses, and non-Trinitarian churches).In this context:
catholic.com/thisrock/quickquestions/?qid=1809
Say I were to visit my former church to see someone baptized. Would I have to sit there and not do anything? What could I do that would not mean worship?
First of all, I would like to say that the answer provided is not 100% accurate. It states that worshiping at another church breaks the fist commandment. If it is a Protestant, Jewish, or Muslim church then, according to Catholic doctrine, it is the same God and you would not be breaking the first commandment.In this context:
catholic.com/thisrock/quickquestions/?qid=1809
Say I were to visit my former church to see someone baptized. Would I have to sit there and not do anything? What could I do that would not mean worship?
The Catholic Church recognizes, almost universally, Protestant baptisms and marriages. Please speak truthfully on matters and do not twist them to make your case stronger.They also lack all Sacraments.
Yes, the Catholic Church recognizes baptism and marriage, but Jack said they do not have ALL the sacraments, so he spoke truthfully. There was no twisting, just a failure to understand his point.The Catholic Church recognizes, almost universally, Protestant baptisms and marriages. Please speak truthfully on matters and do not twist them to make your case stronger.
Since God has ordained that we worship Him by offering proper sacrifice, and since that sacrifice is the Mass, attending a Protestant service is in fact like going to a prayer meeting or a praise service. It is not that it is bad, it is that it is not worship, or at least not complete worship. And it does not, in fact, fulfill ones Sunday obligation to participate in the Mass. So, for example, if you are in a mixed marriage you may attend your spouse’s church for the sake of harmony, but you must also go to Mass (you can’t do one this week and the other next week). And, sadly but perhaps obviously, you cannot received their symbolic communion, as that would imply a unity or equivalency that does not exist.Thank you … I see now that I was misinterpreting the statement; the writer must have meant that it’s wrong to routinely attend a Protestant church for purposes of worship (perhaps even neglecting Mass obligations) as if it’s just as good or close enough, rather than meaning that one may visit occasionally but be careful not to worship while visiting. I’ve read the question/answer I linked to several times over the past few months and was concerned every time!
That is not what jack said. Jack said that they LACK ALL THE SACRAMENTS which means that they do not have any of them. You are the one who failed to understand, so much so that you completely rephrased what he wrote.Yes, the Catholic Church recognizes baptism and marriage, but Jack said they do not have ALL the sacraments, so he spoke truthfully. There was no twisting, just a failure to understand his point.
Kotton