You said,
“the Church doesn’t claim impeccability for its leadership.”
Yes it does. Christ is the head of the Church. Therefore, it does claim impeccability (but not if you are looking to men.)
And, again you said,
“Like it or not, Christ established a hierarchical church, with Peter in charge, and priests and deacons as teachers. This is what the Bible itself teaches throughout the New Testament...”
Where exactly does the Bible teach about the authority of Peter? Were the churches Paul wrote to directed to seek out Peter’s counsel or God’s in resolving local matters? Paul told these local assemblies to appoint elders (spiritually mature, discerning believers) to act in oversight capacity. But all were to take their direction from scripture and the Holy Spirit (who was to guide them into all truth.) In Acts 20 we read:
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”
They were not sending to Peter every time a controversy arose (in fact, Paul had more interaction with the assemblies in Asia Minor and Greece. If anyone was offering spiritual insights and docrinal distinctions to these fellowships it was Paul, and not Peter.)
Again you said
“But, as usual, you completely mis-understand Catholic doctrine”
That’s okay by me. I’m not interested in the docrtines of men—nor should anyone who claims Christ as Savior and Lord. Salvation is found in a person—Christ. The Church is His instrument on earth for the dissemination of the Gospel, for the edification of the saints, for the work of Christ (helping the poor, for example). The Church is precious to Christ and important to His work. Ultimately, though, the Head of the Church is what is most important. There are plenty of “whited sepulchres” around, dead places where there is no Living Head. The Book of Revelation warns us about the nature and practice of the Church in the end times and Christ hates these practices (the Nicolaitans, for instance). The answer to the problems of this world, to your problems and mine is not the Church, but the Christ. In reading through your postings you tend to promulgate an institution. I am trying to promulgate a Person.
Finally, you said,
“So I’ll stick to the original Church, as Christ founded it...”
To that I say, “Amen,” And to bring the conversation full circle, I rest on the Solid Rock, the true Rock, that Rock is Christ “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
May He continue to direct you as you seek to know Him and His purposes for your life.
He does, by his infallible Word (ALL of it, not just those snippets that are captured in the Bible). You see, I was once as deluded as you, but I examined the issues and learned the truth. I suggest you do the same.