Posted on 07/12/2010 10:28:06 PM PDT by Quix
Quixicated emphases in color and/or bold appear below within some paragraphs. The headings in bold are in the original. Some extra paragraphing also injected.]
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Every time I hear someone claim to be an “ex-Catholic”, a sense of sadness comes over me. In just about every case, people leave the Catholic Faith due to a lack of understanding.
What unmitigated balderdash! What a cop-out! What a brazen distortion of reality! Far from "just about every case," probably a major chunk of such folks were heavily well trained in the hallowed halls of the Institution. Many were instructors--even Catechism instructors for many years in the Institution. That brazen falsehood just does not hold water.
After all, if Catholics truly believed that they were members of the one, true Church founded by Christ (and necessary for their salvation), nobody would ever leave!
THANKFULLY, many former RC's have learned that the above assertion is simply NOT TRUE! PRAISE GOD FOR THE TRUTH!
In an effort to help clarify what the Catholic Church teaches, I have compiled a list of 10 important facts that every Catholic should know.
NONSENSE. I'm not sure some of the assertions got within a galactic cluster's closeness to "facts."
More than simply Catholic trivia, these are important concepts that can help us to better understand and defend our beliefs. In no particular order, these items have been compiled based upon my work at Following The Truth and my own study of the Catholic Faith.
1. Women Will Never Be Priests – Often incorrectly lumped in with the subject of married priests, this is a doctrine that has been infallibly decided and will not change. In 1994, Pope John Paul II issued an Apostolic Letter, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, in which he declared once and for all that “the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.” Unlike the issue of married priests (which could possibly change), women’s ordination is an impossibility that will not happen. It is not a “glass ceiling” or the Church’s attempt to hold back women. Instead, it is an infallible recognition that men and women have different roles and that Christ instituted a male priesthood.
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I'll wait to comment on some of the following. I hope other Proddys will comment before I can get to them.
2. Fridays Are Still Days Of Penance – Ask almost anyone and they will tell you that Catholics are no longer required to abstain from meat on Fridays throughout the year. However, the current Code of Canon Law (CIC) states that, with the exception of solemnities, “All Fridays through the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and times throughout the entire Church.” (CIC 1250) Furthermore, “Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities.” (CIC 1251) In the United States, the bishops have declared that it is permissible to substitute some other form of penance, but we are still urged to fast from “something” in remembrance of the Lord’s death on the cross.
3. The Bible Is A Catholic Book – Did you ever wonder how the Bible came into being? A little known, but easily documented fact is that the books of the Bible were compiled by the Catholic Church. For many years after Christ ascended into Heaven, there was debate about which scriptural writings were inspired by God. The canon of Scripture (the books of the Bible) was first formally decided at the Synod of Rome in 382. This decision was upheld at the Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397). At these Catholic Church councils, the same 46 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books that appear in today’s Catholic Bibles were declared to be inspired by God. As a side note, approximately 1200 years after this decision was made, Martin Luther and the Protestant reformers removed 7 books from the Old Testament. As a result, most Protestant Bibles are still missing these 7 books.
4. The Mass Is The Same Sacrifice As Calvary – The biggest mistake that many Catholics make is treating the Holy Mass as “just another church service”, similar to those held by other religions. In the Mass, Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross is made present, its memory is celebrated and its saving power is applied. The Council of Trent teaches that Christ left a visible sacrifice to His Church “in which that bloody sacrifice which was once offered on the Cross should be made present, its memory preserved to the end of the world, and its salvation-bringing power applied to the forgiveness of the sins which are daily committed by us.” When we attend Mass, we are mystically transported to Calvary, where we can unite ourselves with the Lord’s Sacrifice to the Father!
5. Annulments Are Not Catholic Divorces – Unlike the legal process known as “divorce” (in which a marriage is terminated), a declaration of nullity (annulment) states that a valid marriage never existed. This decision is based upon the finding that on the day that marriage vows were exchanged, some essential elements were lacking. This process is completely in conformity with the Catholic teaching regarding the indissolubility of marriage. Incidentally, the granting of an annulment does not render children illegitimate.
6. In Vitro Fertilization Is Morally Unacceptable – Many Catholics suffering from infertility utilize this process in the hopes of conceiving children, while remaining unaware that the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) declares it “morally unacceptable”(CCC 2377). In the Vatican Instruction, Donum Vitae, the Church states “…in conformity with the traditional doctrine relating to the goods of marriage and the dignity of the person, the Church remains opposed from the moral point of view to homologous ‘in vitro’ fertilization. Such fertilization is in itself illicit and in opposition to the dignity of procreation and of the conjugal union, even when everything is done to avoid the death of the human embryo.”
7. There Is No Salvation Outside Of The Catholic Church – Originally stated by St. Cyprian, the Latin axiom “Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” reminds us that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church. This dogma was declared at the Fourth Lateran Council and is a source of confusion for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. According to the Catechism, all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is His Body. It does not mean that non-Catholics cannot achieve salvation. Individuals who are unaware that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church may still achieve salvation through the merits of the Church, despite their lack of knowledge.
8. In An Emergency, Anyone Can Baptize – Although the ordinary ministers of Baptism are bishops, priests and deacons, anyone can baptize in an emergency, even a non-baptized person. This extraordinary decision can be attributed to the necessity of Baptism for salvation and the Church’s desire to make it readily available to all.
9. Hell And Purgatory Still Exist – Contrary to the belief of many Catholics, the Church still teaches that “the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin, descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, eternal fire” (CCC 1035) Furthermore, “all who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation, but after death they undergo purification, so to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (CCC 1030) This purification process, formally declared by the Church at the Councils of Florence and Trent, is known as Purgatory.
10. Catholics Don’t Worship Mary And The Saints – Many Catholics are confused about the role of the Blessed Mother and the Saints. Should we pray to Mary and the Saints or should we go “right to the top” and pray to God? In a nutshell, the Catholic Faith teaches that we must worship God alone. Mary and the Saints are to be honored, not worshipped. However, their intercession can be extremely powerful and emulating their virtues can put us on the road to Heaven.
While the above list only scratches the surface of the robust Catholic Faith, it provides a glimpse into the depth of Catholic teaching. Further explanation on these and other topics can be found by examining the Code of Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, both of which can be found online at the Vatican website (www.vatican.va). Not only will studying the teachings of the Catholic Church enable us to better defend her when challenged, it will help us to become closer to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who founded our Church 2,000 years ago.
I think they have armed themselves with long rulers, whacking the knuckles of those who dare to disagree.
the sisters of mercy and tolerance marches on. with their jack boots stomping in unison.
7. There Is No Salvation Outside Of The Catholic Church – Originally stated by St. Cyprian, the Latin axiom “Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” reminds us that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church. This dogma was declared at the Fourth Lateran Council and is a source of confusion for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. According to the Catechism, all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is His Body. It does not mean that non-Catholics cannot achieve salvation. Individuals who are unaware that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church may still achieve salvation through the merits of the Church, despite their lack of knowledge.
But, but ,but, I’ve been told, over and over, strongly and emphatically, that that is NOT what the Catholic church teaches, that I’ve made it up, that I’m mistaken, that I’m relating contrived anecdotes.
How can this be?!?!?!
Wellllllllllllllll . . . how CAN that be . . . ? . . .
based on VERY convoluted:
1. RUBBERY THINKING based on
2. RUBBERY HISTORY &
3. RUBBERY ‘Bibles” &
4. RUBBERY DICTIONARIES &
5. RUBBERY ‘logic’ &
6. RUBBERY ‘theology’ &
7. RUBBERY engulfing tyrannical power-mongering &
. . .
. . .
I suspect you are well read hereon enough to know that
a sizeable percentage of RC’s hereon are rather routinely and chronically emphatic
about the Vatican INSTITUTION and ONLY the Vatican Institution
comprises, equals, is totally and the only authentic Body of Christ on earth.
Further, that there is NO salvation apart from the Vatican Institution and slavishly following her edicts, rituals etc.
Yeah, there are some relatively few RC’s who mildly to moderately protest occasionally.
On the whole, on such issues, it is the rabid cliques who in volume and frequency seem to carry the day and the white hanky flag of EXCLUSIVIST ROMAN CATHOLIC DOGMA . . . LONG LIVE THE IN-GROUP AND TO BLAZES WITH THE OUT-GROUPS mentality.
That’s the NORM around these parts.
So qualifications such as yours just don’t ring very true nor hold much water.
We’ve been sold far too often and far too intensely the bill of goods that the above is the truly truest true truth of salvation and the Roman Catholic way to the Roman Catholic Heaven . . . via purgatory, of course.
When seemingly the VAST BULK of the RC’s hereon either overtly and loudly or by seeming ‘UNNHHUUUUNNH’S’ AND ‘AMEN’S’ assent to, if not out right applaud such descriptions of ‘spiritual reality,’ I think Proddys can understandably be considered to at least be paying attention when we accept the fact that
THOSE WHO CALL THEMSELVES [ROMAN] CATHOLICS ADHERE TO SUCH IDEAS, DOGMA, RITUALS, MENTALITIES. AND THEREFORE, THAT’S WHAT COMPRISES BEING A ROMAN CATHOLIC.
ALL THE MORE SO WHEN EVEN A LOT OF THE MORE “SPIRITUAL” of the lot—who otherwise—tend to SOUND more spiritual and mostly behave MORE spiritual than a lot of the rabid clique sorts—when THOSE characters hereon also tend to subscribe to such notions and applaud such notions, then we are left inescapably with accepting that as
AT LEAST WELL ABOVE AVERAGE LIFE-AS-A-ROMAN-CATHOLIC-FACT.
That is, when a vast majority of Roman Catholics assert, behave, communicate that as basic Roman Catholic truth, those minority clusters of RC’s who claim otherwise can only be viewed as the peripheral minority being prissy about hair splitting distinctions.
If you really want to get your brain tied up in knots, remember that the pope said non-Catholics could be saved, and the pope is not infallible.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh. THERE YOU HAVE IT!
The reason for all the
INSTITUTIONALIZED RUBBERY STUFF.
They HAVE to have rubbery brains to cope with all the convoluted self-contradictory stuff . . . and still get a little sleep at nights.
Save us the finger pointing and post all the data from your catechism as to requirements for salvation...
EXCELLENT SUGGESTION.
I wonder how many dozens of pages and umpteen hundred cross references that will take!
Is there a basement division of the Vatican . . . or maybe in a lofty tower somewhere . . .
that spends all their time dreaming up these fantasies?
Thanks for your kind words and understanding.
Yeah, that jack-booted image sort of just jumps out vividly from all the brazen evidence.
Thx.
I see no problem with this. Of course, anyone validly baptized by Trinitarian formula is baptized into the One True Church, since there is only One True Church.
How does that square exactly with "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38).
Are these two different baptisms?
All of Christianity is under attack. The attack is two pronged being from without by those who want an end to any influence believers have on the moral direction of this culture and by those within who want the churches to be lead by the culture.
The latter are more dangerous because they know the language of faith and twist it to apply a Christian gloss to immoral and sinful behavior. By doing this they weaken the voice of the churches to stand against such horrors as abortion. Or worse yet to give support to such crimes against God.
And they are able to make inroads because too many Christians (especially Catholics) have been so poorly instructed in the faith they can’t even tell when they are being handed a load of manure. Like the whole “Jesus never said anything about gay marriage.” argument.
And by the time the vast majority of your cohorts hereon get done defining/explaining
it is defined yet again as ONLY that under the Vatican umbrella or at least more or less IN COMMUNION with the Vatican.
Aren't any of y'all going to be honest about that phenomenon hereon?
"Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position."
--2 Peter 3:15-17
Lots of lawless men and errors these days. Thank the Lord He built a Church to guide us, and didn't leave us to our own personal fallible interpretations of scripture.
EXCELLENT POINTS, IMHO.
THX.
Might I suggest a change in your tagline . . .
hug your babies . . . as often as mutually workable, the rest of their lives.
I’ve known teens who were reared well enough that they enjoyed hugs even in front of school mates by either parent.
Some parents do it right.
I see no problem with this. Of course, anyone validly baptized by Trinitarian formula is baptized into the One True Church, since there is only One True Church.
You will not have salvation until you ask YHvH for His salvation. It would appear that being validly baptized by
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
Trinitarian formula only guarentees that you
are a member of the Roman "church".
Holy Spirit is more than able to impress on individuals and groups what HIS priority meaning is.
If He’s not doing so . . . folks may have spiritual wax in their spiritual ears . . . or Holy Spirit may not be making everything the priority the humans think He needs to at that time in that context.
The Pharisees JUST KNEW Jesus HAD to make certain petty things a PRIORITY.
GOD had a different opinion.
Please elaborate.
1. I have an aversion . . . even a hostility . . . toward the special exclusivist terms of the Roman system.
2. I don’t remeber what they all mean. I don’t really want to remember such stuff.
MUCH MORE FALLIBLE
in my observation
than the Proddy groups individually or lumped together.
A self-righteous, bureaucratic, political, self-serving, magicsterical power-mongering elite
is ALWAYS going to be more fallible than earnest common folks taking God at His Word and trying to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling as God instructed.
As God in His time will make abundantly clear.
Already, it's clear that the Vatican is headed down the globalist yellow brick road.
THAT'S a LOT more fallible than I want to be anywhere near.
Agreed.
Been meaning to ask you . . .
What is this all about?
And is there anything interesting to be learned from it?
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