What are some similarities between a Roman Catholic church and a Protestant church and was one more important than the other in the Baroque period?

Answer 1

Since Vatican II, there is much more similarity between Catholics churches and Protestant churches. Originally, only the Anglican Protestants had interiors invoking a Catholic church since they still had altars, iconography and even tabernacles. There used to be a very palpable difference when entering a Catholic church versus a Protestant church, so much so that the members of each church would feel uncomfortable to enter the building of the other, so alien was the interior.

Modern Catholic churches since the 1960s have made an attempt to modernize and adapt to the world while complimenting the Protestant form of design and worship. To this end most modern Catholic churches resemble a Lutheran church at first glance. The altar is now pulled out from the wall and looks like a table, the tabernacle is often absent from the sanctuary, iconography is minimal and those symbols that are used are usually generic Christian symbols such as vines, bread, fishes, impressions of Jesus, colorful mosaics and other things that do not invoke particular sentiments of any single denomination. Catholic Mass and its execution has also sought parity with the Protestant form with more emphasis being put on the congregation and social participation through frequent singing and responses, ceremonies being recited in the vernacular, the choir placed at the front, the multiple use of jubilant responses and psalms, the use of secular musical instruments, Eucharistic ministers, the congregation bringing up the offerings, handshaking during Mass, the singing of popular hymns of Protestant origin, the handling of Communion and sometimes reception of both species (they are consecrated in Catholic ceremonies) and the inclusion of Protestant prayers. As well, modern Catholic services and even catechism tend to lean more towards solely Biblical interpretations and often neglect the aspect of Holy Tradition in their catechesis and devotions. In addition to this, many Catholic practices have been quelled and forgotten and emphasis is instead put upon active participation in parish groups and charismatic meetings, which is very similar if not identical to Protestantism in execution and spirit.

Still, some differences persist even in modern Catholic churches. A tabernacle and sanctuary lamp can still be found as well as there being statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary or other saints. Catholics churches also have holy water fonts, which only some Protestant churches have retained. Some high Anglican churches now actually look more Catholic than Catholic churches, so radical have been the changes in Catholic church construction and arrangement since Vatican II.