is it true the mission of protestant churches is to convert the catholics to their churches?

Some of the fundamentalist and evangelical Christians act as if their mission is to convert Catholics. I converted to Catholicism in the early 70's, and since then, I have never heard a priest preach against any Protestant denomination.

However, I've been in a lot of Protestant churches when much of the sermon was a diatribe against Catholics and Catholicism. You can probably guess the denominations that have been the worst about trying to convert Catholics.

I've also come home and found a bag of anti-Catholic tracts hung on the doorknob all because I have statues of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary in my yard. My house is located just about halfway between two Protestants churches, and it's anybody's guess as to which one is responsible for the Chick tracts.

I wish there was some way to convince our Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ that just because we don't believe as you do, that doesn't mean Jesus isn't our Lord and Savior, too.

Edit:

Including some of the people who've answered this question. Did it ever occur to any of you that Catholics might just love Jesus as much as you do and have committed their lives to Him?

We may not use the same words as you do to describe salvation, but we are His people, and He is our Lord. Catholics have given their lives to serve Him and spread the Gospel. And many of those Catholics have died, rather than deny Him.

Think about that the next time you're tempted to tell us that we aren't "real" Christians like you are.

There are so many Protestant churches and they're not unified. Some would like to convert Catholics, I'm sure. That's not their main mission. Most are there to provide spiritual growth for their members.

No...To be honest they can stay Catholic. A big difference between Catholics and myself as a Lutheran is how we view the Church. For a Lutheran the Church is anywhere where the gospel is preached and the sacraments are administered, So their are going to be true believers anywhere this happens, Including the Roman Catholic Church. I do believe that Lutherans (in conservative forms) have a better understanding then Catholic but this does not make me anymore saved then they are. I see very little point in conducting mission work in Catholic areas.

Our mission is to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth and Baptize in the name of the Father. Son, and Holy spirit. If Catholics wish to join us we welcome them. If not then that is fine too. i am very happy with them being good Catholic Christians.

Catholics and a people of any other faith, and those with no faith, are welcome to attend a protestant church. But most Catholics are instructed to not attend a protestant church. why is that?

The Catholics that I have talked with hold strong belief in Catholic traditions which were handed down for generations. If those traditions conflict with the bible, then the bible is wrong according to Catholics. Protestants have learned that it is extremely rare to convert a Catholic to another religion.

Its our mission to bring the Truth of God to those who are perishing. That includes all people who do not follow the Truth. Most Catholics follow what the catholic Church teaches, not the Truth from God in the Bible.

So yes our mission is to bring the Truth of God to the Catholics also.

25 years as a protestant, different denominations according to which church was closer or had the best pastor, and I never saw any of them even talk about converting anyone else.

No - Jeancommunicates has it right. Quite frankly it is your choice what you believe. All we are trying to do is to understand and practice the truth, not practice the 'traditions of men' that Paul speaks of while also speaking of false apostles appointed by man.

Remember when Jesus died, the temple curtain tore, ensuring that everyone has direct access to the throne room, the Holy of Holys, through Him. So we no longer have to go through a high priest, priest or minister or pastor to communicate with our heavenly Father. Just the truth - as Luther found out, willing to sacrifice his whole ministry and dispelling the myth of Zoroaster and therefore satanic control over our lives.

So, I have never tried to convert my catholic mother, sisters, in-laws etc and they will tell you that. But, when asked, I do tell what is in the bible as opposed to what their priest practices and tells them. Unless the Holy Spirit convicts you first, anything I say is going to rejected.

Dont worry, the truth will find you but maybe too late for eternal life.

No. The mission of the protestant Christian is to spread the gospel of Jesus the Christ throughout the world. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and the spirit of God dwells within you? A church is just a building and it is no benefit to the Lord. The Body of Christ is of benefit to the Lord.

Nope; not at all.

In fact, in evangelizing, people in my denomination are asked not to "poach" other churches, but, to bring the message of Jesus to non-Christians only. Catholics are already Christian, so, we don't.

You are sadly mistaken.

Our mission is share the Gospel and win people to the Lord Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth.