[mgist]

In all honesty there is also the fact that the Catholic church coverted millions of people around the world after Jesus' death. Just one example is the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe (http://www.michaeljournal.org/guadalupe.htm ) in 1953. It was one of many apparitions in our church history. This was the event that led million of Mexican indians to Jesus.

These people tended to mix there native traditions, which were certainly pagan, with Catholism. Similar tendencies happened in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. I can see how some would see that influence of pagan culture, mixed with their limited Catholic knowledge of the time, and misunderstand Catholic teaching. Some of that mixture of culture and religion exsists to this day. I've seen some distortion of Catholic beliefs in Cuban households. I will certainly, lovingly remind them, that it is NOT Catholic. Those instances are really the exception. The Cathechism of the Catholic Church should clear up any of those doubts. I don't think too many of those who slander the "RC" have bothered to read the Cathechism.

[mgist]

Sorry, the Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the subsequent conversions began in 1531. TYPO

[trisham]

These people tended to mix there native traditions, which were certainly pagan, with Catholism. Similar tendencies happened in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. I can see how some would see that influence of pagan culture, mixed with their limited Catholic knowledge of the time, and misunderstand Catholic teaching. Some of that mixture of culture and religion exsists to this day. I've seen some distortion of Catholic beliefs in Cuban households. I will certainly, lovingly remind them, that it is NOT Catholic. Those instances are really the exception. The Cathechism of the Catholic Church should clear up any of those doubts. I don't think too many of those who slander the "RC" have bothered to read the Cathechism.

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You are quite right, friend. It is a work in progress for the Church, a constant struggle.