Dear PugetSound,
The Catholic Church is misunderstood precisely because it is the one Church that follows Christ’s words to the letter. He said we must eat His body and drink His blood. Many fell away because they couldn’t believe this. Only the Catholic Church believes, and has always believed, this.
He said Peter was the rock He would build his Church on and gave him the power to loose or hold things in heaven. Only the Catholic Church believes, and has always believed, this.
He promised the Holy Spirit would always be with His Church and guide it and that it would never end. Only the Catholic Church has roots all the way back to Christ and his Apostles. All others are branches from the main trunk of Catholicism.
There is so much beauty and wonder and mystery and joy in Catholicism. Please don’t be angry at those who can’t help but want to share it with you. If you used to translate the Catechism as a child, I suspect you know what I am talking about and have some experience with our Church. If the Catholic Church, through its imperfect representatives, has hurt you, I humbly ask you to forgive and not hold the Church responsible for its flawed members. I invite you to re-examine the Catholic Church. I encourage you to read Scott Hahn or Tim Staples. They examined Catholicism from a Protestant perspective and found truth and beauty there.
Finally, if you pay attention, you will see that the Catholic Church is loathe to pass judgment on anyone. They leave it to God. That is why Nancy Pelosi, Ted Kennedy, and the like continue to call themselves Catholics; because the Church itself has not yet condemned them.
In short, Catholics believe they have the fullness, or fullest understanding, of the faith Christ wanted from us. We don’t know who is or is not saved. Christ will judge all in their varying levels of understanding. We just have to tell you that we believe we have the most complete, whole, and enduring form of Christianity: the one, holy, apostolic and catholic faith! Please give the Church a fair, adult examination and I think you will find much to appreciate.
If not, I hope you will at least forgive past hurts. Unfinished business is like mud in your wings. I say this as someone who has been deeply hurt by poor leaders in our Church. What matters is the teaching, dogma, and good news the Catholic Church is founded upon.
Did you know that for the first 200 years, the Catholic Church did not believe in transubstantiation? That it was symbolic?
Did you know that Jews and Gentiles were accepted into the Body of Christ?
Did you know that Jesus said it was by Faith and Faith alone that we are saved? The actions of doctrine are not Biblical?
I’m aware of Catholic doctrine - I was raised Catholic for 12 years, and have family who are Catholic (including a priest and a director Christian Education and RCIA director at a local parish).
Catholic doctrine has several issues with scripture, including marriage of priests, transubstantiation (brought up above), baptism of children, and others. I’m willing to consider those small doctrinal issues and worship together; apparently many of you Catholics consider us heretical or unsuitable to be in the Body of Christ, no matter what the Scriptures actually say...
“Finally, if you pay attention, you will see that the Catholic Church is loathe to pass judgment on anyone. They leave it to God. That is why Nancy Pelosi, Ted Kennedy, and the like continue to call themselves Catholics; because the Church itself has not yet condemned them.”
As far as I see it, the fact thay pro-baby butchery Catholic pols aren’t publicly confirmed as being excommunicated by their own well known odious actions is something to be ashamed of. Because it’s shameful. There would be nothing wrong with bishops calling out folks that not only support baby-butchery but claim it’s cool with Church teaching to do so. Bishops are supposed to teach. You can’t teach such bad sinners as us Catholics without discipline, and public discipline is the kind that teaches the most.
Freegards