[xzins]

But I have always loved catholics, the people themselves, and the "unseen" church that exists alongside the visible one

A very good sentiment. We are to love fellow Christians wherever they are.

I think of what exactly prevents my being a Roman Catholic and I know that I would have to overcome my theological difference with: immaculate conception, assumption, veration of leadership and of saints & angels, and opulence.

I haven't heard that anyone is interested in accomodating me. :>)

[Kolokotronis]

"I think of what exactly prevents my being a Roman Catholic and I know that I would have to overcome my theological difference with: immaculate conception, assumption, veration of leadership and of saints & angels, and opulence."

Gee, Padre, I thought we had you until I got to the angels, saints and opulence part! :)

[jo kus]

I think of what exactly prevents my being a Roman Catholic and I know that I would have to overcome my theological difference with: immaculate conception, assumption, veration of leadership and of saints & angels, and opulence.

Brother, those are easily swept away if you believed that Christ left a group (called apostles) authority to preach and teach the Gospel, guaranteeing that Holy Spirit would preserve this body of teachings for all time against the gates of hell. It is easy to believe if you see in the Pastorals the first generation of Apostles passing the "torch" to the next generation. Once that step is made, the rest is cake... (at least for me, it was). Once I got there, I knew that my faith had to precede my understanding of such doctrines - in time, I would come to understand the "why" of the Immaculate Conception, etc.

Regards

[Alamo-Girl]

I think of what exactly prevents my being a Roman Catholic and I know that I would have to overcome my theological difference with: immaculate conception, assumption, veration of leadership and of saints & angels, and opulence.

I haven't heard that anyone is interested in accomodating me. :>)

LOLOL! My family is about half Catholic and all Christian.

As for me, I'll never become Catholic (or Orthodox or Calvinist or whatever) simply because I do not embrace the doctrines and traditions of mortal men. But that's just me.