[AD from SpringBay]

None of that disproves the ancient belief among Christians in Purgatory, the Papacy, etc. As far as the Inquistion goes, yeah, not our best moment. But the destruction of monasteries and church properties, and the burning of "witches", doesn't exactly put Protestantism at it's infancy in the very best light either.

But that's sort of the point - tradition vs. canon, not trying to (mis)prove anything - just an observation. And I don't think the middle ages should represent the infancy of Roman Catholicism if, as Roman Catholics claim, it's been around since, "day one." Personally, call it what you want - evil is evil - no matter who is doing the burning and killing (Protestant or Catholic - wicked is as wicked does, that's what mamma used to say). You will know them by their fruit - something like that.

[Clintons a commie]

But that's sort of the point - tradition vs. canon, not trying to (mis)prove anything - just an observation

Well, when men like Polycarp, Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch profess belief in Jesus' real presence in the Eucharist, in Mary as Mother of God, and other doctrines, it makes me take notice. Especially since every one of these men knew some of the Apostles, and Polycarp was the disciple of John the Evangelist. I was a Protestant when I first encountered Christ. It was through the Fathers that I came to see that Christ's Church in primitive times believed what the historical Churchs of East and West believe, and that's why I'm a Catholic today.