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Does Catholicism teach that priests are middlemen? I.E. do I really need a Priest to make me right and forgive my sins? Must I confess to a priest, and not just directly to God

The priest is another Christ for purpose of confession. When Christ told his Apostles "Whose sin you forgive are forgiven" Christ's will on the matter was expressed. So yes you need a priest for forgiveness except in emergencies and since God never demands the impossible you sins can be forgiven. When the emergency passes, if it does, you should go to a priest as soon as reasonably possible.

Does the beauty of the mass, and the worhsip of Mary and the Saint amount to idolatry?
No. Idolatry is placing anything above or before God. The beautiful is a gift from God and reflects Him.

Most importantly is the submission to authority. Submitting to authority is the biggest problem in my life. It was a problem with my parents, it has been a problem with my jobs (witness my day time freeping), and it was a problem with Christ. I have overcome it with Christ (although still struggle with it) and have made good progess with parents, bosses, etc.

Christ established an authority on FAITH AND MORALS only..the Catholic Church. Thank authority is expressed by the Pope, Ecumenical Councils and the ordinary teaching of the Church over time. The authority of humans over us is deigned by God and our obedience to them is pleasing to God, but we are not to be obedient to them when they ask of us immoral things.

Does a Catholic submit to an authority other than God? While I admire and trust the men I watch on EWTN, it only takes a few minutes of FReeping to be reminded of limp-wristed catholics. Or, to be more generous, by accepting the authority of the church, am I accepting the authority of the MEN who run the church?

Only the authority of the Pope in faith and morals and in discipline. There are always appeals from the acts of lesser clergy and again our obedience to the lesser is pleasing to God as long as they do not command the immoral.

In protestantism, one can walk away from a pastor with unsound teachings. However, how does one do this in Catholicism? What does one think when a Vatican offical utters something stupid (like criticizing Israel for not giving aid, when in reality Israel offered the aid and Sri Lanka rejected it)? Or, when local bishops have been complicit in covering up sex scandals and transferring priests to inflict their harm elsewhere?

The Church has survived for centuries in spite of bad Popes and stupid clergy. The Church abounds with them. A Catholic must always keep their eye on the authentic teachings of the Church and when necessary must give respectful criticism to any bad behaviors on the part of the Pope or the clergy.

I would be very grateful for any advice. My wife is on my case about my watching EWTN all the time, and of course this is very meaningful to me personally.

PS:

Who runs EWTN? It seems to be such a better expression of the faith than that presented by big city parishes

Read about Mother Angelica. She started EWTN and has battled those types of priests and bishops about which you speak. And yes, she does present the authentic faith better than most parishes.

God bless and welcome to the true faith when you convert.

Revelation

14And to the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:

15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot.

16Thus because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spue thee out of my mouth.

17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and am grown rich, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that *thou* art the wretched and the miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked;

18I counsel thee to buy of me gold purified by fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not be made manifest; and eye-salve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.

19I rebuke and discipline as many as I love; be zealous therefore and repent.

20Behold, I stand at the door and am knocking; if any one hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with me.

21He that overcomes, to him will I give to sit with me in my throne; as *I* also have overcome, and have sat down with my Father in his throne.

22He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
~Darby

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Another of our Master's letters to the seven churches of His Revelation.

Christ established an authority on FAITH AND MORALS only..the Catholic Church.

This is an important point I didn't emphasize enough. If the Pope tell you oranges are better for you than apples or which horse to put your money on at Belmont - you can quite safely ignore him. This gets a little dicey tho when talking about less obvious issues such as the government of societies or economics. These concepts are intimately related to the morality of acts and human systems so while they do not qualify as dogma they are authoritative and should be strongly considered.

The wisdom of some of these teachings can really amaze a person if you take the time to consider them.

Imagine that, if you start with a sound theological and philosophical foundation - you have a much great chance of reaching the correct conclusions.