This last Wednesday I said a vigil Mass at one of my parishes for All Saints Day. Across the street there is protestant church (which I will leave unnamed to protect the guilty). They were having a "Halloween" celebration and parents were bringing their costumed children to the church, entering in, and after about 15 minutes coming back out and leaving. I have no idea exactly what the celebration was like, but there was one thing that was hard to ignore; it was the man standing at the door greeting the families as they entered. He was dressed like the grim reaper. No sickle in hand, but the costume could not be mistaken.
I could not help but notice a stunning imagery that was being presented there. When the grim reaper greets you at the door of the Church, how can one not think that something is amiss? I am not criticizing the observance of Halloween, but rather asking: what is being said by that particular choice of the "greeter's costume"? I pray that no one noticed the imagery and that it was just a matter of ignorance (otherwise, someone was saying that entering that church leads to death!). What does protestantism lead to? It is hard to say that it leads clearly and definitively to Christ, especially when there are so many errors in it.
Now I know that there are a number of protestant churches that are much more Catholic than they wish to admit (and many, like high church Anglicans, who willingly admit it). Yet, we have to acknowledge that protestantism is not merely "another church". Protestant churches are better referred to as "ecclesial communities". As I have said many times, the Church's position on protestantism is not a neutral acceptance. As with my previous post, the Church has had a very hard time since the vast misunderstandings of Vatican II began (right after the Council ended). It appears, as I speak with many Catholics (and even some clergy) that the confusion has not been gotten rid of.
No, we do not want to demonize our protestant brethren who remain in their churches--if it is done in ignorance. Yet, at the same time, we must admit that there is nothing in Catholic dogma that guarantees that those who are baptized, but out of communion with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, will be able to enter into the presence of Christ in eternity. It is a hope based on the mercy of God, and how He deals with those who desire to serve Him but are ignorant of the right ways (cf. Romans 2:14-16).
If a person eats a "pretty good" diet, but avoids certain essential nutrients, we can presume that his health will suffer for it. In the same manner, if a person has some of the historic Catholic faith, but his protestantism has rejected portions of it, we expect that it will be that much more difficult for him to stay on the path to eternal life. How can one believe the faith if he only has some of it?
This is even more serious a matter when it comes to considering our Catholic brethren who are living and believing things that are contrary to the faith. They are fully accountable to believe and practice the faith, and, for many (especially the clergy!), a rejection of it is not likely a matter of ignorance. What will we do in these days, when there is so much ignorance? Parents, catechize your children; adults, seek to teach the truths of the faith to those around you; and everyone, live a life of faithful devotion to our Lord, so that others will be drawn into the Barque of Peter; outside of which "there is no salvation".
