“Ask a Priest: May I Attend Protestant Services to Appease My Kin?”

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest
Q: I converted to the Catholic faith from Protestantism, but sometimes my family wants me to attend the Protestant church with them. I feel this is wrong, since the Catholic Church is the true Church of Christ, but I don’t want to offend them, so wanted to see if it was OK to go and occasionally worship with them. – T.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: Congratulations on entering the Catholic Church. I hope that you are discovering its many treasures, among which the most valuable is the Eucharist.

The Eucharist, the very body and blood of Christ made present among us, is at the center of the Mass. That is why the Catholic Mass is a unique form of worship. It is the highest form of prayer we can offer to God.

It is also in a class by itself. This means that no Protestant service can substitute it. So if you are thinking of going to a Protestant service in lieu of Sunday Mass, the answer is no. The Protestant service would not fulfill the Sunday (or holy day) obligation.

Now, if you are thinking of accompanying a family member to a Protestant service occasionally to build family unity, but without skipping your Mass obligations, then there might be some flexibility.

Nevertheless, you would want to be aware of the possible pitfalls. You obviously shouldn’t participate in the communion that is offered; to do so would send the signal that you are in accord with that denomination’s beliefs.

You would also want to be prepared to hear things that aren’t in accord with the Catholic faith. Protestant views of the Eucharist and the papacy and the Blessed Virgin Mary could be radically from the Catholic view. How might those non-Catholic stances affect your own faith if you heard them year after year?

Then, too, you might want to ask how your attendance at Protestant services is being perceived within the family or among friends. Would a young niece or nephew get the impression that Catholic Masses and Protestant services are pretty much the same, since Uncle X goes to both? These are the kinds of issues you might want to take to prayer.

For the record, it is good to mention that you shouldn’t worry about offending your relatives by not attending a Protestant service. Witnessing to your Catholic faith is one of the best things you could do for them.

Keep learning more with Ask a Priest

Got a question? Need an answer?

Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type in your question or send an email to [email protected] and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…

Have a question?

Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time.

Ask A Catholic Priest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use.  You can ask about anything: liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events. Our goal is to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…

Need an answer?

Be in the know

Sign up to receive the latest questions and answers by email biweekly.

Have a Question about the Faith? Get the answer here!

Scroll to Top

Ask a Priest a Question

Please note:

Questions regarding details of abuse of minors or vulnerable adults (including pornography) could be the subject of a mandated report to civil authorities. Mandated reporters are persons identified by law who have an obligation to report suspected child abuse and neglect. 

Sign Up to Receive Ask A Priest

* indicates required

Looking for another country?

RC Near You

News & Resources

News & Resources

The Regnum Christi Mission

The Regnum Christi Identity

Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!