What is the Catholic Church's official view of Protestants?

Question

Do they still think of us as "lost" or are we excommunicated? doomed to hell? or what? i dont know the official view.. thanks

Thanks for all your good answers. I appreciate everyone weighing in on this. I just asked b/c i consider Catholics to be my Brothers in Christ, not separated or different from me. I think the little differences should be not worried about. If that makes you think i'm doomed to Hell (as someone said we protestants were going) than I'm not sure what God you are worshipping. God Bless!

Answer 1

It depends upon whether you mean their view of the churches or their view of individual protestants.

Since the Catholic Church considers itself to be the original and only church founded by Christ, all other christian churches are, by that definition, heretical or (at best) misguided - pretenders to the throne, if you will.

However, they recognize that most individual followers of such denominations (including most of their clergy) sincerely believe that they are doing the right thing. And they believe that God does not punish people for simply being ignorant of (what they consider to be) the facts.

So, while the original leaders of the Reformation (or, as the Catholic Church calls it, "The Protestant Revolt") were excommunicated ages ago, sincere Protestants of today are not. Nor are they doomed to hell, in the eyes of the church. They, like Catholics, will be judged by what is in their hearts & minds, and their willingness to do God's will as they understand it.

Answer 2

I can't recall the official view on all Protestants but I do know one thing. And that is that the Catholic Church is trying to create dialogue between ourselves and Protestants. I know there are a few religions that have good relationships with us, ex. Lutherans, and I think Methodists. As far as the others I'm not 100% sure so I don't want to say something and have it not be true.

Answer 3

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

"Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth" are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements."

Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

The infallibility of the Pope is contested - but they can't be excommunicate from something they never belonged to.

Modern Ecumenicism is the recognition of the similarity of faith. In the past the devil was in the details (and the collection plate) and I'm sure they used to burn in hell - not so much now.

Answer 5

hi, In those situations the church and state were intertwined. human beings had the existence philosophy of the "chain of being", God on proper, aristocracy and church below him accompanied with suggestions from trades and surfs on the bottom. Protestants and anabaptists were to those societies a sparkling and modern threat to the social fabrics of those situations very like communists, Muslim radicals and different communities were in our better present day situations. They were dealt with hence as different upstarts are dealt with with suggestions from our society at present. once Protestant done supremacy of their countries, Catholics reall were given whacked and persecuted. Over 70,000 killed in the British Isles in previous Henry's and Bess's reigns on my own. Cheers, Michael Kelly

Answer 6

They are referred to as our "Separated Brethren" and we honor their sacraments. For instance if someone is married in a protestant church they cannot be married again in a Catholic Church until the first one is declared null.

The Holy Father also holds talks with their various leaders and is working toward more Unity all the time. Not that you all have to be Catholic either. But that we could someday receive communion in each others churches etc.

And if you really don't know please don't answer. And don't answer with some crap from the Dark Ages please they were called "Dark" for good reason! Thanks.

Answer 7

Unlike other religions (Baptists especially) the Catholic church does not believe that you will be doomed to hell or lost just because you believe and participate in another religion. You have the right to worship in the manner that you enjoy and we do not deny you your right to go to heaven or in that case hell.
We also allow our members to dance., that is why you never see Baptists making love standing up, someone may think that they are dancing!!!!!!

Answer 8

As I understand it, the Roman Catholic Church considers most protestants to be "separated brothers."

Answer 9

Our Catholic Church has a lot of respect for different religions. At Thanksgiving, several churches in our city have a community Thanksgiving Service.

Answer 10

They are lost souls, cut off from the great Pope who alone knows the truth in matters of religion. The Pope is so great, he is able to correct the mistakes of previous Popes.