“I asked him if that baby grew up to be a completely lost person whether it would be better for a Protestant to witness to him about the mercy and grace of Christ, or would it be better if the Protestant missionary left him alone. He said that such a person is the Church’s responsibility, whether the Church ever “finds” him or not, so it would be better for the person if the Protestant left him alone. I was rather taken aback and told him that I would certainly rather see a lost person become an Apostolic than to see him remain dead in his sins, if those were the only two choices.”
I can’t remember if I am the Orthodoxer you were speaking with, but I think I agree with whoever it was who spoke to you assuming they were making this rule to apply in Orthodox countries. I will say that unlike many Orthodox, I really don’t have any problem with the Latin Church baptizing people in Orthodox lands but then again, I have no doubts at all about the validity or efficacy of Latin sacraments or orders.
I can’t remember if I am the Orthodoxer you were speaking with, but I think I agree with whoever it was who spoke to you assuming they were making this rule to apply in Orthodox countries. I will say that unlike many Orthodox, I really don’t have any problem with the Latin Church baptizing people in Orthodox lands but then again, I have no doubts at all about the validity or efficacy of Latin sacraments or orders.
I am owing of an explanation. In my post I was actually referring to our mutual friend from a recent thread. I wanted to tell this story, but given the current situation regarding pinging that I have with him, I wasn't sure what to do. So, I decided to ping you for ombudsman purposes, to make sure I was being fair to both him and to Orthodoxy in general. :)
Now, if we stipulate that the rule applies to Orthodox countries, then how can you say that a person is better off lost than to come to at least a "separated" (in the eyes of the Church) Christian faith? If the Church could or did reach everybody, then we wouldn't be there. Our missionaries do not hang around the outside doors of Orthodox Churches on Sunday mornings waiting to prey on those coming out from services. We reach out to the truly lost, those who have nothing in their lives at that moment. I'm just surprised at any attitude that says: "better to rot in hell than to be Protestant". :)