>> there is nothing the Church holds which contradicts Scripture or Tradition.<<
Then find the ascension of Mary or the perpetual virginity or the prayers to dead people in scripture.
I honestly don’t have time to spend on these topics, having spent too much time in this thread already.
They have all been endlessly debated here on FR and I have participated in many of those discussions. No amount of proof or exegesis has been enough to convince most protestants here, but that is not the purpose is it? Only the Holy Spirit can move the human heart to belief.
The topic of the original thread is the one I have tried to adhere to, with only a couple of tangents I hope. It struck a chord with me, as I state in one of my earliest posts and that prompted my participation here.
Alas, that participation must come to an end as I have other duties to attend.
I have enjoyed it and I especially appreciate the mostly amiable exchanges.