Is it wrong of me to be disappointed when I did NOT hear the priest at Mass bash protestants?

Question

as a non-believer, I was actually expecting it when I accompanied my friend to a Catholic Mass, and I thought I was going to hear bashings against the protestants since protestants are bashing Catholics without any qualms, but I was disappointed because I didn't hear any bashing from the Catholics even until the end of the Mass.

is it possible that the attacks are one-sided, being the Catholic Church the recipient of the protestants' hostility?

Answer 1

I guess they don't figure the Fundies are even worth mentioning. Jack Chick Tracts have made it very clear what "Real" Christians think of Catholics. We all know about the Fundies, they are always presenting their views in the news. Ted Haggard and Fred Phelps are prime examples of Fundamentalist thought.

Answer 2

You can be disappointed or not as you like, but as a Catholic, if I ever heard that kind of bashing at a Mass, I would not attend Mass at the offending Church again, and I would probably report the priest to his diocesan authority. The purpose of Catholic Mass is to honor and worship God in the liturgy of the Word and the celebration of the Eucharist. Period. Hate, gossip, politics (whether national or interfaith) have no place there.

As far as the general scope of "attacks" go, the Catholic Church is certainly willing to engage in lively theological debate with our Protestant brothers and sisters. However, personal attacks on anyone are absolutely frowned upon. To engage in such behavior is inconsistent with the Christian calling to love our neighbors, no matter which faith they practise. All of us who profess the Catholic Faith need to be aware of this and be careful about how we treat others, even if they are hateful towards us.

Answer 3

There really isn't any place in the liturgy for that sort of thing. Our focus is on the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- and worship as the body of believers. One of the first things we do during Mass is recall to mind our sins ("in my thoughts, and in my words; in what I have done, and what I have failed to do") in preparation for that worship. That's just about the last time we're focused inward, except for "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you" just prior to Holy Communion.

The homily, or sermon, follows the Scripture readings and is supposed to be explanatory of them as well as edifying. Bashing doesn't fit the bill there, and in any case the priest has also prayed for forgiveness of sins right along with us; it wouldn't be appropriate to spend the time he is supposed to be edifying us in tearing down others.

Outside of Mass -- such as in Bible study groups, or RCIA classes -- yes, the doctrinal differences between Catholic and Protestant-derived Christian teaching are appropriately discussed. The most "bashing" I have ever seen at either is gentle fun poked at some practice or another. More often it's a straightforward "Protestants teach XYZ, but this is what the Church believes." I have heard no wholesale condemnation, or outright hatred expressed. That doesn't mean it can't happen ... but we are ever aware that these are our brothers, and to hold prejudice against a brother is a sin.

On that basis, if you ever hear bashing of others at a Mass, *that* is what should disappoint you. It certainly would me.

Answer 4

I don't hear bashing, but I do hear correction. For example, a couple of weeks ago our parish priest explained where evangelical Protestants are going wrong in misinterpreting Matt 24 in support of a "rapture." A correct reading shows that Jesus is warning us against the danger of being "taken," when we want to be "left" alive with God.

An important work of the Church is to defend the faith against false teaching and heresy. The apostles initiated this work in the first century, and the Church has continued countering false claims down through history.

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 5

No, you will not hear any Protestant bashing at Catholic services. Criticizing other's beliefs and practices is NOT loving and therefore NOT appropriate at a Catholic Mass.

Kimo, all of the quotes you gave us were from Popes that were living BEFORE the "Reformation". The people they were talking to were those people who turned their backs on the Catholic Church, the ONLY Christian Church at the time.

Answer 6

i'm an atheist yet I grew up going to a Protestant Church or perhaps nevertheless we've been listed as Southern Baptist, we occurred to have an exceptionally low-key preacher. He under no circumstances stated Catholicism and once I have been given older and introduced to my mom and father that i wished to circulate to a Catholic Church, they have been horrified yet once I requested 'why', they did no longer understand. And presently i've got been conscious that fairly some Protestants around here (the south) do no longer understand lots of something with regard to the Catholic Church. and that they 'understand' approximately as little with regard to the Bible as they do one yet another. they're exceptionally clueless approximately faith often, so a techniques as i will tell.

Answer 7

If you know GOD through His Son JESUS, there will be love in your heart and you will not "bash" anyone. JESUS died for each one of us and when we accept that gift we are all adopted into GODs' family. NEWS FLASH: There will be Catholics, Protestants, an other "denominations" in Heaven and we are all a part of HIS church.

A Christian (whether Catholic or Protestant) does not attack anyone. We are called to share the Truth in love not with hate!

Answer 8

Kimo says...
OK, but according to the catholic pops, ALL other Churches are heretics .. no one can be saved outside the catholic church.
At least other Churches don't say that...LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

So Kimo went way back to 1208AD to criticise the Catholics..LOL.THE CATHOLICS HAVE COME A LONG WAY FROM 1208 MY FRIEND...but Islam remains the same. Today, Islam still believe that all non-Muslims are heritics.
Idiots like KIMO need some more high School learning.

Answer 9

I've been to several Mass celebrations and I have never heard the Catholics ever mentioned about these protestants. it's very different from bible-fundamentalist gatherings where you will be leaving with a heavy and angry heart because they always talk bad about other people's beliefs and practices.

Answer 10

I've been to a few masses, and plenty of other churches, and never heard the sort of things you suggest.

Some of us do try to follow the teachings of our founder, in spite of a near universal belief in this forum that no such people exist.