Why Be Catholic And Not A Protestant/Evangelist?

[James_Trevor]

Any diocese or parish where “blessings in lieu of Communion” is practiced is disobeying the Vatican:

QUOTE:

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (Protocol No. 930/08/L):

1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.
2. Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia de Mysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).
3. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.
4. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry”. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.
5. **In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics **and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).

END QUOTE (bold added)

Jim Dandy

Thank you for putting this to our attention, I did not know this.

 

[Calgar]

**The Catholic Church is the original nomination – the Mother Church of all Christendom, it is not one of the thousands of ‘de-nominations’ that have broken away from her – or have broken away from some other denomination that broke away from her – ad infinitum.

**

Just curious: Are are the orthodox churches protestant?

 

[AlainVanille]

Any diocese or parish where “blessings in lieu of Communion” is practiced is disobeying the Vatican:

QUOTE:

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (Protocol No. 930/08/L):

1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.
2. Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia de Mysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).
3. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.
4. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry”. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.
5. **In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics **and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).

END QUOTE (bold added)

Jim Dandy

Hmm yes thanks for bringing this to our attention. Well, so far I don’t participate in Communion. I just, don’t go. :yup:
Also partly because I’m more reserved and don’t wish to partake in the Eucharist in any way since I’m not yet baptised Catholique.

 

[ctkrcia]

Another good, non-threatening tool is podcasts of Catholic Answers Live!

 

[AlainVanille]

For a good, well-indexed and searchable online copy of the CCC, I’d recommend the USCCB’s website. A quick link directly to their CCC is here.

There are many different publications of the CCC. I would HIGHLY recommend the one that the USCCB puts out. It’s large, and the current cover (Second edition) is green. While the actual content should be consistent regardless of which one you buy, the one the USCCB puts out has several comprehensive indexes, as well as a Glossary that has definitions of terms along with which paragraphs in the CCC address those terms. This is the best research-based CCC for that reason. It also has a handy index where you can look up many of the scripture verses in the Bible and see what the CCC has to say about each of those verses in context.

The quickest way to get your hands on one is to find a Catholic bookstore. Depending on where you are, there may be an independent one near you, or you could try local parishes. Most parishes have some kind of book/gift store, and those that do are likely to stock a few copies of the CCC.

Depending on how much you really want to dig into the CCC, there is also a compendium that is quite interesting. The CCC references scripture and many church writings and writings of many of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church. The compendium expands those documents so that you can go read the source that is being quoted in the CCC. That’s a fairly research-intensive approach, but some people like to have that level of backup to what they read.

I’m a convert myself of about 12 years, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made! One of the things that continually astounds me is that when I’m willing to dig in and find out WHY the Church teaches a certain viewpoint, there is always a reasonable, logical, AND spiritual/scriptural background. Teachings that can seem odd, foreign, or just plain random never are, even if it takes some research to figure out where those teachings are coming from. Believe it or not, I’ve found this to be true in 100% of the areas I struggled the most with. (and for the record, that list of “struggled the most with” was initially quite lengthy!)

Good luck, and remember that even once you join RCIA, go through the 8 or 9 months of instruction typical to most programs, and complete the sacraments required for full initiation into the Church, your journey will have just begun.

Haha Good to know that. I’m not really a scholar although I intend to further research and study regarding any subject which may interest me. As with the Catholic, Church and her teachings, I am happy to know that the more I found out it is true.

It felt quite weird at first, I mean, I’m not Catholic yet it is as though I strongly defend the faith and my still-protestant brothers and sisters just cannot understand. To me, I feel sad because they ARE capable of understanding, but they deny to know the Truth just as God has given me to see. (How else would you explain from being a freethinker to suddenly one day having the desire to be Catholic, when no Catholic I know of tried to do their evangelising, unlike the Charismatic Protestants that some of my friends are.)

God instill in me something. And that something compels me to seek. And what is to be sought is freedom (or so I thought) but being a youth, that freedom is not the same as is commonly defined by other youths. Instead, it refers to the seeking of Truth.

[BIBLEDRB]John 8:32[/BIBLEDRB]

By then I already open to Jesus, but I still wasn’t sure. So I went along when my friend invited me to one of her bible study. And John 8:32 so struck a chord with me and I began my journey to know more. And the more I know, the more I realised Catholicism IS the true way. Weird right? As though Protestantism was the one that would make me Catholice.

I just hope others are open to study more and not be misguided.

 

[CopticChristian]

Just curious: Are are the orthodox churches protestant?

No.

 

[CopticChristian]

Hi everyone. I’m posting this question is also for a friend who wishes to know Jesus but she is confused regarding the different denominations of Christianity.

I myself find myself to be siding with Catholicism as the true way, but she is afraid that Roman Catholicism is a cult, as she has been into a Mormon Church and somehow found that RC is similar to theirs (based on an evangelist website, which of course does not speak the full truth regarding the Catholic Church and her teachings.) and do not want to be misled.

I am also not yet a Catholic but I still believe that God has led me to defend His one true way and so I tried to refute the points stated by the evangelist protestant regarding the Catholic Church (which are not uncommon - the ‘worship’ of Mary, salvation through good works, authority of the Church vs. sola scriptura, etc etc.) from what I myself have learned, having going through the Apologetics forum…

But she is still not yet convinced, but by refusing to take up any denomination, by praying at home and not going to Church and just reading the Bible, is that not also a Protestant way??
Just wondering…

And if so, what can be done to convince her?

I was hoping we could maybe go through RCIA together…

Thanks for your help and God bless uu all!!

There is nothing you can do to change anyones mind. Only they can do that with the help of the Holy Spirit. You can tell her the truth.

To be Protestant you will learn what Catholic priests Knox, Zwingli, Luther and a Catholic Lawyer, Calvin, formulated as Christianity. To be Protestant you will learn everything that the Catholic Church teaches as far as the basic elements of the Nicene creed are concerned with some exceptions.

If She studies Catholicism she will learn everything that Knox, Zwingli, Luther and Calvin were taught before they chose to deny certain Church teachings.

 

[attaway]

Give her the book “Rome Sweet Home” By Scott & Kimberly Hahn, if she’s willing to read it front to back I think it will change her view. It goes through Scott Hahn’s whole journey from when he was young and very anti-Catholic (He even would convert people away from Catholicism!) till when he was starting a family as a protestant minister and started finding all the truths in the church

It also goes through all the reasons why the Catholic church is right, compared to Protestant churches. I also recommend you read it too! It is a really good book

I have found that if a certain faith needs a book written by humans for the sake of royalties or literary fame to spread their message, then it probably is a cult. Rome Sweet Rome can hardly be compared to the Holy Spirit inspired Scripture as a means for leading people to God.

And if we follow the other advice that someone wrote here about explaining that the Catholic Church wrote and was responsible for the Bible, then you will also have to explain why Peter it’s leader was married, and how the Old Testament was written when there was no Church at all, and how if God the Holy Spirit inspired the writing perfectly and accurately then the church did not “inspire” anything, or it would be blasphemy would it not?

Lets be careful to separate fact from faith and to also make sure the two line up together.

 

[shepherd_girl]

If you had to pin Catholicism down to the single most important element that separates it from other Christian sects, it is the Holy Eucharist. No other faith teaches communion is the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ.
As for why not be a Protestant - well, look at the menu of choices. Should one be Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, etc.? Which one of them offers the fullness of truth? Even within each denomination there are differences in scriptual interpretation.
All roads lead to Rome.

 

[BrianH]

Others teach that in some form although less defined in some ways.
Eastern Orthdox
Oriental Orthodox
Church of the East
Lutherans
Anglicans
Then there are those who believe in a Real Presence which many Methodists do.

 

[Trebor135]

I have found that if a certain faith needs a book written by humans for the sake of royalties or literary fame to spread their message, then it probably is a cult. Rome Sweet Rome can hardly be compared to the Holy Spirit inspired Scripture as a means for leading people to God.

Wow. I haven’t read a paragraph more bizarre than this in a long time.

Should no atheist read the books of William Lane Craig, an evangelical apologist who defends Christianity against its foes, because that would mean automatically that the faith would be a cult?

And if we follow the other advice that someone wrote here about explaining that the Catholic Church wrote and was responsible for the Bible, then you will also have to explain why Peter it’s leader was married,

1. Celibacy is a discipline, not a doctrine–it’s a rule of the church which must be followed by those in its care, but can be changed if the time comes when this is deemed appropriate or necessary. Have you read 1 Corinthians chapter 7 in full? And do you know any Protestant pastors, even one, who have given up marriage for the sake of the kingdom?
2. A dispensation can be given so that a married man can be a priest, such as for Protestant pastors who become Catholic.
3. Peter may very well have left his wife to follow Christ, or he could have been a widow. The New Testament refers to his “mother-in-law”, but never to his “wife”.

and how the Old Testament was written when there was no Church at all,

There was a Jewish hierarchical authority back then, however. Read Numbers chapter 16–it’s about a rebellion against that authority, whose participants were punished severely.

and how if God the Holy Spirit inspired the writing perfectly and accurately then the church did not “inspire” anything, or it would be blasphemy would it not?

There’s no need to set up a false dichotomy between Church and Bible. Jesus set up a church, and the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible. The Church was guided by God to determine which books, and how many, belonged in the Bible: Jude, James, and Revelation were accepted, but Clement’s letter to the Corinthians and the Shepherd of Hermas were set aside.

Lets be careful to separate fact from faith and to also make sure the two line up together.

Amen! Enough of this baseless evangelical myth-making and incoherent lecturing toward your non-Protestant assumed inferiors.

 

[Calgar]

No.

Then what are they? They aren’t roman catholic.

 

[White_Peony]

Hi everyone. I’m posting this question is also for a friend who wishes to know Jesus but she is confused regarding the different denominations of Christianity.

I myself find myself to be siding with Catholicism as the true way, but she is afraid that Roman Catholicism is a cult, as she has been into a Mormon Church and somehow found that RC is similar to theirs (based on an evangelist website, which of course does not speak the full truth regarding the Catholic Church and her teachings.) and do not want to be misled.

I am also not yet a Catholic but I still believe that God has led me to defend His one true way and so I tried to refute the points stated by the evangelist protestant regarding the Catholic Church (which are not uncommon - the ‘worship’ of Mary, salvation through good works, authority of the Church vs. sola scriptura, etc etc.) from what I myself have learned, having going through the Apologetics forum…

But she is still not yet convinced, but by refusing to take up any denomination, by praying at home and not going to Church and just reading the Bible, is that not also a Protestant way??
Just wondering…

And if so, what can be done to convince her?

I was hoping we could maybe go through RCIA together…

Thanks for your help and God bless uu all!!

Ok, so she’s into the Bible. Walk her through Catholicism and the Bible. Show her how it lines up. Besides, it gets you into God’s Word as well!!! If she’ll listen, go for the whole “fullness of faith” thing!

God bless!!!

 

[Trebor135]

Then what are they? They aren’t roman catholic.

Protestantism is based on two pillars, sola scriptura and sola fide–with the exception, I believe, of Anglicanism, which denies the latter. Eastern Orthodoxy has never taught these doctrines, so it cannot be classified as part of Protestantism.

 

[Wildkit]

Hi everyone. I’m posting this question is also for a friend who wishes to know Jesus but she is confused regarding the different denominations of Christianity.

Great question, and as I ask myself,…why do all these seemingly miralces happen only in this one Church? Is someone trying to tell me something?

Of course these supposedly miracles are really fake,…

I absolutley love the one in Lanciano, Italy and how they had such great scapulars to slice out of a piece of heart in 700 AD. Any yet while that is over 1300 years later,…why isn’t this just dust?

therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/lanciano.html

Thank you Lord for this internet,…maybe someone is indeed trying to tell me something!

 

[Miriam1947]

Hi everyone. I’m posting this question is also for a friend who wishes to know Jesus but she is confused regarding the different denominations of Christianity.

I myself find myself to be siding with Catholicism as the true way, but she is afraid that Roman Catholicism is a cult, as she has been into a Mormon Church and somehow found that RC is similar to theirs (based on an evangelist website, which of course does not speak the full truth regarding the Catholic Church and her teachings.) and do not want to be misled.

I am also not yet a Catholic but I still believe that God has led me to defend His one true way and so I tried to refute the points stated by the evangelist protestant regarding the Catholic Church (which are not uncommon - the ‘worship’ of Mary, salvation through good works, authority of the Church vs. sola scriptura, etc etc.) from what I myself have learned, having going through the Apologetics forum…

But she is still not yet convinced, but by refusing to take up any denomination, by praying at home and not going to Church and just reading the Bible, is that not also a Protestant way??
Just wondering…

And if so, what can be done to convince her?

I was hoping we could maybe go through RCIA together…

Thanks for your help and God bless uu all!!

I am a convert and one of my favorite books is:

The Biblical Basis for the Catholic Faith by John Salza

He also has a great website:

scripturecatholic.com/index.html

 

[attaway]

Wow. I haven’t read a paragraph more bizarre than this in a long time.

Should no atheist read the books of William Lane Craig, an evangelical apologist who defends Christianity against its foes, because that would mean automatically that the faith would be a cult?

If the tool you use to bring people to the Lord is the latest popular book from the Christian book store then I would say you have a problem with what your god may be. An atheist may read the book you’ve mentioned to his benefit, but may I remind you that it is the Holy Spirit which brings someone to God.

 

[AlainVanille]

Hmm I think that we can also co-operate with the Holy Spirit.
And also, didn’t the Bible also talk of evangelisation? What is it then if not us doing our part to share the Gospel with everyone else?

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

If the tool you use to bring people to the Lord is the latest popular book from the Christian book store .

The only person saying that is you. It is the Holy Spirit that converts the heart. Rome Sweet Home is a well written account of how the Spirit worked in a couples hearts.

God bless

 

[hn160]

There is nothing you can do to change anyones mind. Only they can do that with the help of the Holy Spirit. You can tell her the truth.

To be Protestant you will learn what Catholic priests Knox, Zwingli, Luther and a Catholic Lawyer, Calvin, formulated as Christianity. To be Protestant you will learn everything that the Catholic Church teaches as far as the basic elements of the Nicene creed are concerned with some exceptions.

If She studies Catholicism she will learn everything that Knox, Zwingli, Luther and Calvin were taught before they chose to deny certain Church teachings.

A side note on Zwingli, he was never excommunicated as was Luther. Does anyone know why?