Do you have any thoughts or ideas on how the Catholic and Protestant churches could better work together...?

Question

To heal the rift that has been between them for so long?

And I am not looking for answers that require one to cave in to the demands of the other, but answers that both Catholics and Protestants could embrace as a starting point to find a common ground between them to begin either a re-unification of the Body of Christ, or at least an agreement to disagree on some issues, and an agreement on others. With the eventual goal being one Body of Christ that can function together without a bitterness or resentment over doctrinal issues.

Answer 1

First they both need to get off of their high horse and realize that the importance of Jesus' message was love and that ALL of these silly rules where invented by man. His message was that his father loved those that were good to themselves, good to each other, and showed devotion to G-d.

Then they would realize that regardless of how they choose to practice Christianity that they are still work towards the same ends.

Answer 2

When there is a disaster, like an Earthquake or hurricane, etc. I do not think that anyone is asking. All help comes by those who are able.

On the level concerning eleemosynary functions, once again, I do not think that there is anyone asking which denomination is which.

However on the level of salvation, it becomes a tender issue, because between the two: Protestant and Catholic, there is one or the other (and sometimes both!) that preaches another Gospel, as in what this is talking about:
Galatians 1
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

Someone is preaching another Gospel! One or the other. And as I said, sometimes both. Which? The ones who preach a Gospel which is not in accordance to what Jesus Christ told us about.

So there will always be this disagreement. It will be up to Jesus coming back to Earth in order for there to be unity in the church. As men have tried in the past, so have they failed, the rift is too deep.

I am actually encouraged by that. I know that all the fussing will continue because I know that Jesus makes things right - He is the 'Righteouser'. He will correct what needs correcting because he will be here on Earth and may be asked about anything, anything at all.

Answer 3

I don't so much see the rift being between the churches themselves. At least with the 'close-to' Catholic churches (Lutheran, Episcopalian, etc.) I see them working together quite a bit already. I think the churches see that we all have much more in common than different, at least in most places
I see the separation more within individual people. Some Catholics look at non-Catholics like lepers. Some protestants (mostly the more fundamentalist types) think Catholics are servants of the Anti-Christ. I think the only effective way to change their opinions is to actually get them to go to each others services. Get a JH to come to Mass, as maybe he would see that we teach basically the same thing. Have Catholics go to a Baptist service, and they'll see that it's not all about snake charming, etc.

Answer 4

One-on-one as individuals is probably the only way it can happen -- for that reason, your first answerer is not too far off base (so to speak). If one views others as belonging to a particular group, then one's perceptions of that group taint any real dialogue.

On the other hand ... I've worked side-by-side with a church basement full of Baptist women, as the only Catholic in the room, assembling care packages for deployed troops. I was a person to them -- a grandmother, a quilter, a fellow Christian. One woman asked, "do you go to a nearby church, dear?", to which I responded "yes, St. Mary's down the road". "Oh, that's such a pretty church building! Could you give me a hand with taping this box?".

I have never met any fundamentalist, evangelical, or otherwise non-Catholic Christian who takes that one thing about me -- my Catholicism -- and makes it an issue, especially when we are working together in the community. But if I'm an impersonal statistic, one of several million Catholics, yes; it's really easy to condemn me right along with the rest. So I'm thinking that any "group" effort will be not well-received or very successful. There are opponents of ecumenism on both sides, and that's about all they agree upon.

Answer 5

Matthew;10:34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I come not to send peace,but the sword.
St Luke;12:51
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you Nay;but rather division:

there are many things that we can not fix God will take care of the ungodly and I for one am going to try to let him.
I am not saying that Catholic or Protestant are right or wrong or even that one is better or worse than the other God will do the weeding and the removing of bad limbs(he said he would)
I have my faith and it is not in man or mans religions but rather in my Father and his Word;Amen

Answer 6

It will never happen. The rift has existed for too long, and it will be like the Sunnis and the Shiites: two groups of people worshiping the same deity, forever bent on arguing over petty trifles.

Answer 7

We need to work together on issues where we are in agreement, such as Pro-Life, service to the poor and homeless, anti-war and peace, protecting the environment, et al.

One special area that really needs participation from all christians is ministry to the incarcerated. ("When I was in prison, you visited me.") There already is an organization that conducts retreats within prisons called Kairos. It is totally non-denominational, and it is an opportunity for all Christians to see one another as a fellow servant and brother/sister in the Lord.

Answer 8

we already have a common ground - Jesus.

You mention the re-unification of the Body of Christ. The only way to RE-unify is for the dissenting party to return to the original and follow their teachings and recognize their authority.

Answer 9

There is enough of a schism in the denominations of the Protestant churches. What it needs to come down to is Christ crucified on the cross for our sins. We need to accept the free gift of salvation. Secondly, avoid sin.

Answer 10

They both fail to realize that they both believe in Jesus. they can start from there. They should see that both have same goals.
You know it's not anything new. In other cultures too, like Hinduism, people follow the same God, but are divided with minor differences. Same thing with Sikhism and Buddhism.