FWIW, some background:

http://www.christendom-awake.org/pages/thomas-crean/praying-with-non-catholics.htm

If this is, in fact, a matter of divine law, then it cannot be dispensed by any ecclesiastical authority.

That's a pretty big IF.

Touché, Gavin! In all seriousness though, singing in the choir or playing the organ is hardly comparable to merely sitting in the pew silently.

Just because the bishop did it doesn't make it ok! I personally don't want to follow my bishop's lead in many areas. The Catholic faith is a pearl of great price that has been handed down to us from the apostles themselves, not the cult of a personality, be it pope, bishop, pastor, or otherwise. Just like the laity, clergy break commandments all the time.

The issue is not praying together, but rather taking part in non-Catholic worship—whether or not there is any serious risk of endangering one's faith. Even with the mentality of work and worship remaining separate, the musician is still actively supporting or facilitating non-Catholic worship, although he may not himself intend to take part in it as a worshiper. The article Liam linked to above discusses the difference between private prayer and public worship in the mind of the Church and the unanimous consent of preconciliar theologians. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read it for a better understanding.

I am hearing a Tridentine mindset at work in all this. There has been a Council since then. They changed things. Didn't say it was a great thing, just reality. Councils have the right to do such things. But if all the points you mentioned bother you, I don't see you being happy working in a Protestant church. It's not for everyone.

Noel, I will be standing at the door with Swiss Army watch in hand waiting for you. I realized in first grade that sharing is vastly overrated.

Noel Jones:

No, your understanding is not my understanding...if a person's faith is threatened, it's not the fault of the Catholic church or a Protestant church where one lays bricks, cooks, plays the organ....whatever.

Clearly not. Laying bricks, cooking, or providing electrical power cannot reasonably be construed as active participation in an act of worship. Playing the organ can. Even if the organist's religious affiliation is known to everyone in the congregation, a visitor could reasonably assume the organist was actively taking part in worship.

Years ago I knew an organist that was studying at Juilliard. He joined a church and then quit playing the organ for money since it was working on Sunday.

Surely this wasn't a Catholic church! In our theology, it is only the kind of work done that matters, not whether or not one is paid to do it. But the topic of this thread concerns the lawfulness of the work itself, not whether it's done on the day of rest.

CharlesW:

I am hearing a Tridentine mindset at work in all this.

My question was specifically about pre-Vatican II practice, but I wouldn't say Tridentine, per se. I worked for a Protestant church for many years. They were very good to me and I never had a single problem there, largely because I was able to set aside my own convictions and comply with any and every request, the strangest being to accompany "Jingle Bells" on the organ on the first Sunday of Advent. Despite an excellent employment experience, I always felt that my identity as a Catholic was compromised because of it, even though everyone knew it was "just a job" for me. During that period, I was once referred to as "being in the ministry" by a fellow Catholic who certainly should have known better. That being said, I've had FAR unhappier experiences working in Catholic churches, e.g. being insulted and cursed at by a priest, gossiped about by choir members, and endless complaints about music that would be considered quite excellent by anyone on this forum, I daresay.

The question is not about the quality of a work environment or experience, but whether or not it is pleasing to God for a Catholic to take part in non-Catholic worship. The organist might not consider the accompaniment of hymns an act of worship, but those who are singing them do. A singer might consider an anthem or motet nothing more than a musical performance, but the clergy and congregation view it as worship.

What would Francis say?

(I mean the one in Rome!)

I suspect that as a Byzantine, I have a more detached view of both Protestant and Roman Catholic worship. It wasn't/isn't my own model of worship so it became a job in both places. I always tell everyone that since Christ ate with sinners, I can work with the Latins. LOL. Not serious about that at all.

When I worked with the Protestants, I realized Catholic priests, other clergy, and laity could learn a great deal about Christian behavior from them.

Thanks to everyone who has responded. CHGiffen: This is correct. The article Liam linked to explains why it's unobjectionable for non-Catholics to take part in Catholic worship but not vice versa.

bonniebede: You shared some good thoughts and your sentiments are appreciated. I learned back when I was in RCIA that the Catholic Church does not accept the proposition that there are both visible and invisible true Churches, but rather only one visible Church, although it is possible for some souls outside the visible Church to be united to it. We also have to bear in mind that not all Protestants have been validly baptized. Some of the Protestant churches use a defective form, and in the churches that reject infant baptism, there are always some who make it to adulthood and never get baptized even though they continue going to church. If there is "only worship of God; worship by protestants and worship by Catholics of the one god [sic]," why limit common worship to Christians? Vatican II taught that Muslims "adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all-powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men" (Nostra aetate). Of course I don't advocate participation in Muslim worship, but it would follow logically if you hadn't mentioned baptism. In any case, those without the Catholic faith accept only the parts of it that agree with their own personal opinions (see also the Summa). For example, no Protestant means the same thing as a Catholic when professing belief in "the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins" in the Apostles' Creed. When this creed is recited in the context of Catholic worship, it has one meaning, even if non-Catholics happen to join in; within Protestant worship, it has a very different meaning, even if Catholics happen to join in. The fundamental questions remains: Is this pleasing to God? Even when no heretical or insufficient meaning is attached to the words themselves, as in the Our Father, there are still at least two acts of worship taking place, which essentially express two different religions. When Catholics pray the Our Father, it is an expression of everything we believe, not just the parts we believe in common with other denominations.

Gavin: That's a great point. Actually, I asked the question not for strictly personal reasons, but because of a discussion I had with an organist who plays for an SSPX chapel. My own conscience is valid for me, but not for anyone else (fortunately, most of the time!). The article by Fr. Thomas Crean seems to corroborate everything my friend's priest said. Although there are probably some instances of Catholics being encouraged to take part in ecumenical services, nobody has provided anything official documentation yet of Catholics being encouraged to participate in Protestant worship.

a visitor could reasonably assume

Most Protestant churches have a sign prominently displayed:

If you are a Visitor, please do not assume that the organist playing today is actively taking part in worship.

Really, you've got to be kidding me if you think what Protestants think about all the time, or even part of the time, is if the organist is Catholic.

If anything, they think: "Wow, he's really good for a Catholic organist!" or "Well, she's awful, but after all she's Catholic."

Of course, I went four years with Catholics asking me why I was working in a Catholic church...all due to the pastor being asked, 6 weeks after I was hired, by the bishop: "Is he Catholic?" and the priest: "I don't know, I never asked him, I just needed a director of music." This same parish also hired an elementary school counselor without asking and they had an Atheist counseling the good Catholic children and the bad ones.

Really, you've got to be kidding me if you think what Protestants think about all the time, or even part of the time, is if the organist is Catholic.

It was an issue with some at a church I worked for. I was not fired for it, the pastor wanted me there, but I was told to at least feign participation in non-musical parts of their services to keep the whisperers at bay.

No sacraments involved there.

No, but the mocking of a sacrament is taking place. If I were in that position, I'd excuse myself ("sorry, I have a conflict on that day."), allow another organist to take my place, and donate the bench fee to a Catholic charity - particularly one that supports traditional marriage.

The 1983 Code of Canon Law got rid of the obligation to receive the sacraments at one's parish of domicile. That change is also what allowed TLM devotees to seek liturgies elsewhere.

The Six Precepts of The Church

1. To attend Holy Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and to refrain from servile work
2. To Confess our sins at least once a year (traditionally done during Lent)
3. To receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter Season (known as the "Easter duty")
4. To observe the days of fasting and abstinence
5. To help contribute to the support of our pastors and provide for the needs of the Church according to one's abilities and station in life
6. To obey the marriage laws of the Church

Sorry if this is too off-topic. The question for me is how do we express precept #6 (as a parish, as a Church)?

I will leave the heretic burnings to the Trads

As a Catholic who self-identifies with the Traditionalist movement more than any other Catholic group, I highly resent that comment.

I believe all the teachings and laws of the Church, form the Gospels until the present day, and I try to follow them, though, being human, I often fail. I do not, however, follow the half-baked, politically correct, ramblings of certain religious and prelates. What was true in 33, was true in 415, was true in 1570, was true in 1908, was true in 1964, and is true in 2014.

Christ is the Way, theTruth, and the Life, and he has left us His Church, outside of which there is no salvation, guided infallibly by the Holy Ghost, and led visibly by the Successors of St Peter and the Blessed Apostles, to show us the Way, protect and proclaim the Truth, that we might gain the Life in beatitude with Christ in eternity. It is our bounden duty as members of His Church to do this, which is why we must 'preach the Gospel to all nations', that they 'might all be one', that all might share eternal life in Christ who is Love: Love does not allow one in error or on the path to eternal death continue in that path because the world sees it as intolerant to correct him (thus the error of religious pluralism). Love behoves us all to bring all men to the true Faith of Christ held by the Holy Catholic Church since the time of Christ. If that is not the sole purpose of the Church, to bring men to salvation, then all the blessed martyrs have died for naught, and all the sacrifices of the saints to bring the Faith to all men are in vain.

That all nations may come under the sway of Christ the King, and all men into the bosom of Mother Church.

If this makes me a heretic burner, so be it.

The original discussion was boring, anyway. There is no injunction against employment in a protestant church. If it harms your conscience, anyway, then don't.

Now let's fight about politics like we all want to.

Too late, I have already early voted. I voted for my crooked SOB's instead of that other party's crooked SOB's. ;-)

Again. This is why I am a monarchist. Because democracy is stupid.

Yeah, I just went there. :P

I prefer a Constitutional Republic, I wish we lived in one. Oh, wait...

Michigan Dearest. Although I believe Aristotle does live in Wisconsin. or Minnesota. Or something.

As with Ben and me, Aristotle lives in the state of wisconSIN (as some people put it). :)

Motyka is Indiana, I think, unless he's moved in the past few months.

The Balimore Catechism lists them slightly differently, and -- with regard to marriage -- more specifically:

A. The chief commandments of the Church are six:
1. To hear Mass on Sundays and holydays of obligation.
2. To fast and abstain on the days appointed.
3. To confess at least once a year.
4. To receive the Holy Eucharist during the Easter time.
5. To contribute to the support of our pastors.
6. Not to marry persons who are not Catholics, or who are related to us within the third degree of kindred, nor privately without witnesses, nor to solemnize marriage at forbidden times.

According to the old Catholic Encyclopedia, the number of these precepts has varied through the ages, so don't read too much into it if the list in the new Catechism has five points instead of six.

BUNREACHTNAhÉIREANN

In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom
is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all
actions both of men and States must be referred,
We, the people of Éire,
Humbly acknowledging all our obligations to our
Divine Lord, Jesus Christ, Who sustained our fathers
through centuries of trial,
Gratefully remembering their heroic and
unremitting struggle to regain the rightful
independence of our Nation,
And seeking to promote the common good, with
due observance of Prudence, Justice and Charity, so
that the dignity and freedom of the individual may be
assured, true social order attained, the unity of our
country restored, and concord established with other
nations,
Do hereby adopt, enact, and give to ourselves this
Constitution.

There are times I would be inclined to being a monarchist, but then we did not have a great experience of kings, and I sort of like our constitution.

Protestant services may now be held in Roman Catholic churches.

138. Because of developments in society, the rapid growth of population and urbanization, and for financial motives, where there is a good ecumenical relationship and understanding between the communities, the shared ownership or use of church premises over an extended period of time may become a matter of practical interest.

139. When authorization for such ownership or use is given by the diocesan Bishop, according to any norms which may be established by the Episcopal Conference or the Holy See, judicious consideration should be given to the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, so that this question is resolved on the basis of a sound sacramental theology with the respect that is due, while also taking account of the sensitivities of those who will use the building, e.g., by constructing a separate room or chapel.

140. Before making plans for a shared building, the authorities of the communities concerned should first reach agreement as to how their various disciplines will be observed, particularly in regard to the sacraments. Furthermore, a written agreement should be made which will clearly and adequately take care of all questions which may arise concerning financial matters and the obligations arising from church and civil law.

Protestants may now have Roman Catholic funeral Masses.

Canon Law states: “In the prudent judgment of the local ordinary, ecclesiastical funeral rites can be granted to baptized members of some non-Catholic church or ecclesial community unless it is evidently contrary to their will and provided their own minister is unavailable.”

So...is it permitted for a Roman Catholic organist to play for a Protestant service or a Catholic Mass funeral of a Protestant when held in a Catholic church?

ADDED: I apologize for interrupting this discussion with a comment that is on topic. I will try, try, try to not make this a habit.

Also, having been on staff in Germany at a Post WWII Simultankirchen myself, I am quite aware of them - so "The question remains whether Catholics can actively take part in non-Catholic worship without 1) breaking the first commandment of God, or 2) compromising their Catholic identity." my question remains - can a Catholic play for a Protestant service that is held in a Roman Catholic church without compromising their Catholic identity? Has the church building changed its identity as a Catholic church when it houses an Protestant service? Must it be shriven of sin for doing this before it may be used for Mass again?