All too often we base our views of other people, not on their teachings, but upon our view of them. Sometimes, with the Catholic church, I think we want them to not view us as Christians because many among us don't view them as Christians. In order to clarify this and help continue a little bit of the unity that the recently deceased Pope wished to bring about, I will share some of the Catholic views of Protestants.
Here is a website that I found concerning Catholics and their views of Protestants.
With this one, scroll down to the section, "Seperated Christians of the West":
Here is another site.
The main quotes from that one are the quote from Vatican II (1976) and Dominus Lesus Document (2000).
Vatican II:
"The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions. She has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and teachings, which, although differing in many ways from her own teaching, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens all men."
Dominus Lesus Document:
The remaining Christian denominations which have not preserved the Apostolic succession. They are not "churches in the proper sense." However, their members are "incorporated in Christ and thus are in a certain communion, albeit imperfect, with the Church."
Here is a more meatier site that quotes a lot of Vatican II and other Catholic documents:
Here's are some of the highlights from Vatican II:
". . . in subsequent centuries much more serious dissensions appeared . . . for which, often enough, men of BOTH SIDES were to blame. However, one CANNOT CHARGE WITH THE SIN OF SEPARATION those who at present are born into these communities and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with RESPECT and AFFECTION as BROTHERS. For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."
"The brethren divided from us also carry out many liturgical actions of the Christian religion. In ways that vary according to the conditions of each Church or community, these liturgical actions most certainly can truly engender a LIFE OF GRACE, and, one must say, can aptly GIVE ACCESS TO THE COMMUNION OF SALVATION."
This is from the Catechism of the Catholic church:
"Believers who respond to God's word and become members of Christ's Body, become intimately united with him: "In that body the life of Christ is communicated to those who believe, and who, through the sacraments, are united in a hidden and real way to Christ in his Passion and glorification" [citation of Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 7], This is especially true of Baptism, which unites us to Christ's death and Resurrection . . ."
The teaching of the Catholic church states that faithful Protestants are Christians. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
I think it would be wise to end with two statements from Vatican II.
"The sacred Council exhorts, therefore, all the Catholic faithful to recognize the signs of the times and take an active and intelligent part in the work of ecumenism."
". . . every effort to avoid expressions, judgments, and actions which do not represent the condition of our separated brethren with truth and fairness and so make mutual relations with them more difficult . . . Through such dialogue everyone gains a truer knowledge and more just appreciation of the teaching and religious life of both communions."
Watch out for the potholes.
