Unless I quote all 66 books of the Bible here (minus the apocrypha), then I am on your words, "picking and choosing" Scripture. Did not Jesus Himself quote Scripture passages to show the truth?
Like many Catholics, you hold on to this notion that you "started" the Christian belief and therefore you have no worries about adhering to any authority in Scripture. Let me remind you that Romans says we ALL have fallen short of the glory of God, and furthermore in Revelation that God severely judges churches for their failings. The Catholic Church and its supposed leaders will come under the gaze of The Lord very soon, as will you and I.
Do not hold onto truth or salvation because of who "started" the Roman church. Second century Christians would not recognize The Way in the current Roman church, and the Bible does not say Christ rewards hearts based on who claims they got to second base first. It says He judges, and that should bring fear and trembling to all of us. You hold on to tradition, but not the Scriptures. God will hold you accountable for that.
“..Like many Catholics, you hold on to this notion that you “started” the Christian belief and therefore you have no worries about adhering to any authority in Scripture. ..”
I did not start the Catholic Church, Jesus did.
And speaking of Scripture, here it is again from the New Testament:
MATTHEW Chapter 16 “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,* and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”
I know you love Jesus, SkyPilot, which is great, of course, but you should not believe LMSM, or the so-called National “Catholic” Reporter, and attack the Church.
Next time read the words from the Pope, or other leader, and not the media spin, or phrases out of context.