I’m not sure why I got trashed with a Roe vs. Wade question, but you handled it ably, thanks.
As for your very pertinent observation about coming to the Church versus coming to Jesus, that’s really the bottom line here. Jesus said He was the Gate, and to come to him. The Church says that it is the Door to get to Jesus who is the Gate.
Which means, of course, that the Church has to deny personal experiences of both God and Jesus as heresy, if they have not been reviewed, judged, interpreted, applied and sanctioned by the Church. In fact, Pope Francis confirmed this just the other day.
As a result, I would like to announce that I am the Toll Booth Operator, to the Door, to the Gate. And my fees are small, as long as they are steady. And I take any currency, including Bitcoin and PayPal.
LOL!!!!