Question For You Guys (About Female Pastors)

[Luigi]

If you're not comfortable going, then don't go. But I agree with CatherineM that you could go if you wanted to. To make things clear without causing offense, you could say something like,

"I'm not comfortable going to non-Catholic services, and I ordinarily wouldn't come to something like this. But since it's you, and this is so important to you, I will attend more as a witness than as a participant."

That might not be exactly the right wording, but you get the drift. She'd know how you feel, you'd still be supporting her, you could give her some feedback on her sermon, get your picture taken with her, that kind of thing.

You can pray the prayers along with your friend & the congregation, but not go to communion (if they have that sort of thing).

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Luigi' timestamp='1311816437' post='2277263']You can pray the prayers along with your friend & the congregation, but not go to communion (if they have that sort of thing).[/quote]
i guess i'm of a very different mind. i would be there as a 'witness' but def, def, definitely not as a participant - not even praying the prayers.

[Basilisa Marie]

[quote]Yeah I have never actually attended there, she's invited me to bible study and I've replied that I am part of a Catholic Bible study at my parish and she's invited me to women's group and I've indicated that I am part of a women's group so she's stopped inviting me to their faith formation stuff. The closest I got to "attending" their service is when my cousin's bible camp had to do a presentation/skit as part of the bible camp closing. [/quote]

Hmm, because she stopped asking if you want to come to formation stuff, it sounds like she's not out to convert you or anything. You're free to attend as a witness or even join in some of the prayers if you want to (or not!), but I would say that you're in a position where it wouldn't be rude to decline, since you've declined so much in the past. Like I said before, if I were in your position and uncomfortable about attending I'd just say something like you wish her the best but you don't attend non-Catholic church services, and then maybe ask her afterward how it went.

[Luigi]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1311817842' post='2277279']
i guess i'm of a very different mind. i would be there as a 'witness' but def, def, definitely not as a participant - not even praying the prayers.
[/quote]

Not even the Lord's Prayer? I'm not 100% positive, but I'd guess that even non-denominational Christians pray that one.

[faithcecelia]

We believe Christ called only men to be His priests, however we know Christ chose women also to share the good news of His resurrection - it was Mary Magdalene who told the apostles! I have absolutely no problem with women preaching - and indeed have myself before I became Catholic!

[carmenchristi]

If you are really uncomfortable, tell her the truth about it. There is, however, nothing wrong with participating at a service of another denomination. It doesn't mean that you are converting. Obviously you wouldn't take communion if they have it. As far as the prayers go, as long as there is nothing against our beliefs, you could pray them. Heck, most of the hymns we sing in the Catholic Church are protestant ones anyway! In my eyes, there is no conflict for women pastors in other denominations. Their denomination allows them to give sermons and lead prayers. If they wanted to do that in the Catholic Church then obviously it would become a problem. So morally, the issue (about you going or not) is indifferent.

[HopefulBride]

My problem with it all is that it is my personal preference not to go but at the same time I want to be supportive. I guess I am going to go and just sit in the back so that no one notices me not praying along or even reacting to stuff. The problem is I would make a baaaad poker player cause whenever I find something just plain silly or nonsensical I let it show (that is also one of my concerns) If I hear something that I know is theologically incorrect, how do I stop myself from reacting with my facial expressions? I'm going to jus trust God to help out with this one.

Thanks for all the feedback!

[Papist]

Our Protestant brothers and sisters are for the most part Bible only. What I find curious is that women preachers/pastors/etc. is not scripturally sound.

[Cherie]

For me, my opinion would be not to go, and to try to explain why as charitably as possible, but also very simply. No matter what, though, if you told her you didn't want to attend for whatever reason, she'd be offended. It's just the way it goes, and you would have to be prepared for that. For me, (among other reasons) I think going to a non-Catholic service tends to send the message that "we're all equal" and that Catholicism is just "another way" of many to get to Heaven, not the fullness of Truth that it is. Now, your situation is different, because it's a "special" event, not just a typical regular service. And I can totally understand wanting to be there for your friend.

Since you're going, listen carefully to what she preaches about. Even write notes if you want to remember points of discussion - if you hear something that doesn't match up with Catholic teaching, remember it. When she asks you what you thought, tell her honestly (and charitably, of course, but that's a given ). It's a great opportunity to start a theological discussion. (Have you had any theological discussions with her before? Now would be a GREAT opportunity to start!) Then invite her to a Catholic Mass

I'm sure you're not, but I just wanted to mention that you don't ever need to be afraid to take a stand in being a devout Catholic. I used to be so timid, especially in my high school years, about standing up for my beliefs or making people "uncomfortable" or angry because of them, and I very much regret that now. We're part of Christ's True Church. We're going to be persecuted, even if we go about sharing our Faith in the most charitable, kind, innocuous manner possible!

[Maggyie]

Women can definitely preach. If you have ever gone to a talk by a female Catholic apologist or speaker, you have heard a woman preach. Women who speak at retreats are preachers. I have even heard the argument that women who run blogs are preachers if they address theological/church concerns. After all, they are proclaiming the things of God not for themselves but to an audience.

Women aren't allowed to be ordained or preach at Mass. That's all. This would not be a Mass or a real ordination, it will basically be a social event with a lady (your good friend) giving a talk. The Catholic understanding of the Sacraments probably doesn't apply here because I'm guessing your friend's church doesn't argue she's receiving a sacrament, anyway.

[Papist]

She will certainly ask what you thought of her sermon/service. I'd be prepared for a honest response. What CherieMadame suggested about taking notes is good idea. If there is something you did not like or agree with in her sermon, I would approach it as that you don't understand what she meant and ask her some questions in order to understand. Her response to your question(s) may trigger another question, and so. Then you have a conversation that has moved from your critique to you trying to understand.

Note: The questions you ask should be designed to

[cmotherofpirl]

I would have no problems going as a guest or saying the Lord's Prayer. I just don't participate in any communion ritual. How can we ever expect our non-catholic friends to come to Mass if we refuse to attend theirs???

[fides' Jack]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1311817842' post='2277279']
i guess i'm of a very different mind. i would be there as a 'witness' but def, def, definitely not as a participant - not even praying the prayers.
[/quote]

I think you're right. I think it's canon law that Catholics can't participate in non-Catholic services.

[Basilisa Marie]

[quote name='fides' Jack' timestamp='1311977492' post='2278288']

I think you're right. I think it's canon law that Catholics can't participate in non-Catholic services.
[/quote]

You can participate in so much as attending, listening and joining in prayers that line up with Catholic teaching (if it's a Christian service), but you don't do more than that, and you have to also attend mass on Sunday. There's nothing wrong with attending something like...oh, I don't know...Muslim Friday services, as long as you follow those parameters. It doesn't make much sense for the Church to allow other Christians to come to mass so as to pray for Christian Unity and non-Christians to pray for peace, while completely barring us from going to their services and do the same thing.

[Seven77]

i agree with CatherineM and the others---you can go but just don't to communion, etc.

So, when the Church says not participate in a non-Catholic service this means no active participation (no crackers/juice, altar calls, etc) but mere attendance is ok when "appropriate"?