I consider Catholics my brothers and sisters in Christ. Are there some who are lost and unsaved? Sure, but there are unsaved Baptists and Methodists as well.
Would I have preferred the one who returned to Catholicism to become a Born Again Christian? Sure and I pray for that. But I do also know some “Born Again Catholics” and even a few “Pentecostal Catholics”?
OK, but do you acknowledge that there is a significant portion of born-again protestants who do NOT consider Catholics Christians? It isn’t a small fringe element, either. I know them. In my aquaintance, among serious believers I’d say a majority.
I have no beef with it. But my wife’s Catholic and these peopoe have no qualms telling me she isn’t Christian and all the reasons why. For the record, it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I appreciate people who stand on principle, however unpleasant it may be for some to hear.
But again, I could point you do probably a dozen people I know personally who will tell you that you are mistaken to believe Roman Catholics are Christians.
Hank