WHY THE MAGISTERIUM MAKES SENSE TO ME

Depends upon which RC interpretation you listen you, or you which century you live in.

Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam:
“We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.”

“If, therefore, the Greeks or others say that they are not committed to Peter and to his successors, they necessarily say that they are not of the sheep of Christ, since the Lord says that there is only one fold and one shepherd (Jn.10:16). Whoever, therefore, resists this authority, resists the command of God Himself. “ Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam (Promulgated November 18, 1302) http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/b8-unam.html

Pope Boniface I, Epistle Ad Thessalon: “Whosoever has cut himself off from the Church of Rome has become an alien to Christianity.” Pope Boniface I, Epistle Ad Thessalon, LAF, vol IX:57; FOC, p 324 (quoted in Apostolic Digest, by Michael Malone, Book 4: “The Book of Christians”, Chapter 2: “Those Who Reject Christ’s Church Are Anti-Christian”).
http://www.geocities.coexcept it bem/Athens/Troy/6480/catholics/apostolic4chp2.html

Now for the nuanced work of a committee trying to please 2 sides

LUMEN GENTIUM: 16. The Church recognizes that in many ways she is linked with those who, being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian, though they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter. (Cf. Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:15-16 and 26)

For there are many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal. They lovingly believe in God the Father Almighty and in Christ, the Son of God and Saviour. (Cf. Jn. 16:13) They are consecrated by baptism, in which they are united with Christ. They also recognize and accept other sacraments within their own Churches or ecclesiastical [Protestant] communities...

They also share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits. Likewise we can say that in some real way they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit, for to them too He gives His gifts and graces whereby He is operative among them with His sanctifying power. Some indeed He has strengthened to the extent of the shedding of their blood... Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium; solemnly promulgated by Pope Paul VI, November 21, 1964

Also,

“Absolute, immediate, and unfaltering submission to the teaching of God’s Church on matters of faith and morals-——this is what all must give..”

“The Vicar of Christ is the Vicar of God; to us the voice of the Pope is the voice of God. This, too, is why Catholics would never dream of calling in question the utterance of a priest in expounding Christian doctrine according to the teaching of the Church;”

“He is as sure of a truth when declared by the Catholic Church as he would be if he saw Jesus Christ standing before him and heard Him declaring it with His Own Divine lips.”

“So if God [via Rome] declares that the Blessed Virgin was conceived Immaculate, or that there is a Purgatory, or that the Holy Eucharist is the real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, shall we say, “I am not sure about that. I must examine it for myself; I must see whether it is true, whether it is Scriptural?” —“Henry G. Graham, “What Faith Really Means”, (Nihil Obstat:C. SCHUT, S. T.D., Censor Deputatus, Imprimatur: EDM. CANONICUS SURMONT, D.D.,Vicarius Generalis. WESTMONASTERII, Die 30 Septembris, 1914 )]

ROFL!!!

Thanks for your thoughtful response.

A couple quick replies.

I’ve seen people with their rosary w/crucifix or medallion to some ‘saint’ hanging from their rearview mirror, and being absolute jerks behind the wheel.

Me too! (I hope you're not implying that there are no Protestant jerks behind the wheel... :-)

But, is it THAT hard to pray, that one needs icons or images ‘to draw their mind and attention’ to seek and commune with God?

No, it just enhances the process. It's like looking at a photo of a deceased loved one when you want to remember them -- you don't really need it to remember them, but it helps to focus your memories.

How would you like to have a friend come up to you and repeat the same exact words over and over EACH time you made contact. The Lord spoke of people thinking they would be heard for ‘their much speaking’.

Look at it like this. When your kids were little, if they came up to you and said, "I love you daddy!", would that grow old if they said it every day? How about twenty times a day? Also, do you think that when Jesus taught us all to pray the "Our Father" he wants us to change the words every time we pray it? Now, if you are referring to the Rosary, the repetition helps to calm you down and enter a contemplative state, where you are supposed to meditate on the various events in the life of Jesus Christ. It is NOT vain repetition...

As far as asking of the deceased to pray for/help us, the only biblical cases of that were bad scenarios (king Saul and the sorceress, and the parable of the rich man and Lazarus). Asking of one that has passed from this life?.....Jesus clearly said to ask him.

For this one, it would take too much writing to try to explain that here. (I think I have written too much already.) There is an answer though... :-)

If are sincerely seeking the truth about this, I would refer you to more in-depth reading addressing this and other issues, which you can find from a number of sources - here are some good authors and links to start at.

Catholic books by Scott Hahn, Stephen Ray, Patrick Madrid, Peter Kreeft, Karl Keating, or David B. Currie.

Check out some of the following web sites:

   Scott Hahn's Web Site

   Catholic Answers Web Site

   Catholic Convert - Stephen Ray's Web Site

   Patrick Madrid's Web Site

   Peter Kreeft's Web Site

   Ask A Catholic Web Site

HI Daniel- I do get a kick out of your posts because you can bring up a good point. I think we all try to be fair but sometimes we can't help ourselves to play the gotcha game. Myself included. I will say you do show the Url to be fair and I applaud that gesture. But this was in the url site you presented. Just to be fair.

The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia says: "The Bull lays down dogmatic propositions on the unity of the Church, the necessity of belonging to it for the attainment of eternal salvation, the position of the Pope as supreme head of the Church, and the duty thence arising of submission to the Pope in order to belong to the Church and thus to attain salvation. - in the writings of non-Catholic authors against the definition of Papal Infallibility, the Bull ...

was used against Boniface VIII as well as against the papal primacy in a manner not justified by its content.

The statements concerning the relations between the spiritual and the secular power are of a purely historical character, so far as they do not refer to the nature of the spiritual power, and are based on the actual conditions of medieval Europe.

'Unam' is frequently quoted, and misquoted, by anti-Catholics trying to prove that Boniface VIII, and Popes in general, are arrogant and evil men, intent on extending their own power."

Now we see another view of these quotes and in what context.

Wow, that is all flowery, poetic appreciation language for what Mary has done for all of us.

Without consulting you or me (or using you or me), God chose only ONE PERSON to make an entrance for Jesus into the world of humanity in order to offer salvation to us.

Nobody before her or after her was ever asked to do that -- ONLY MARY.(She is an extremely SPECIAL human being, because she is the ONLY ONE chosen by Almighty God for that purpose -- EVER.)

Mary had free will, and could have said either yes, or no. She chose to say yes, and that "yes" impacts all of humanity, by God's sovereign choice. She was specifically chosen by God to bring Jesus and HIS salvation to us, and if you have a problem with that, perhaps you should take it up with God.

We love her, and appreciate beyond words what she has done for the rest of us humans by her simple "yes" to God.

Some people write poetic love expressions to her, and while others may think they sound silly, or that they say something they don't, these folks have done the best they could to express their love and "thank you" to Mary for saying yes to God.

That has absolutely nothing to do with worshiping Mary as a "goddess", and if you believe that it does, you are simply mistaken.

NOT at the time Christ made the distinguishing statement.

Says who?

If God designed his word to be your teacher why didn’t he give us a book instead of a church?

What an Incredibly obtuse . . . blasphemous perspective . . . given the priority Christ and The Father place on HIS WORD.

1. Deuteronomy 33:9
Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!

2. Joshua 1:18
Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!

3. 2 Samuel 7:21
For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!

4. 1 Kings 18:36
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!

5. Job 4:4
Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!

6. Psalm 119:9
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!

7.

Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
8. Psalm 119:16
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
9. Psalm 119:17
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
10. Psalm 119:25
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
11. Psalm 119:28
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
12. Psalm 119:41
Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
13. Psalm 119:42
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
14. Psalm 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
15. Psalm 119:57
Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
16. Psalm 119:58
I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
17. Psalm 119:65
Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
18. Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
19. Psalm 119:74
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
20. Psalm 119:76
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
21. Psalm 119:81
My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
22. Psalm 119:89
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
23. Psalm 119:101
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
24. Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
25. Psalm 119:107
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
26.
Psalm 119:114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
27. Psalm 119:116
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
28. Psalm 119:130
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
29. Psalm 119:133
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
30.
Psalm 119:139
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
31. Psalm 119:140
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
32. Psalm 119:147
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
33. Psalm 119:148
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
34. Psalm 119:154
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
35. Psalm 119:158
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
36. Psalm 119:160
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
37. Psalm 119:161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
38. Psalm 119:162
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
39. Psalm 119:169
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
40. Psalm 119:170
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
41. Psalm 119:172
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
42. Psalm 138:2
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name! .{even}. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
43.
Proverbs 23:9
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
44. Jeremiah 15:16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
45. John 17:6
I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
46. John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
47. Acts 4:29
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!
ALL WILL BECOME BROKEN ON OR CRUSHED UNDER--NOT the magicsterical; NOT the INSTITUTION; NOT the Organization—GOD’S WORD!

If God designed his word to be your teacher why didn’t he give us a book instead of a church?

LOL
The BOOK was given before the church ever came into existence.
Jesus himself used the Old Testament scriptures to testify who he was . The Apostles used the Old Testament scriptures to testify of who Jesus was and they didn't do it in churches , and they didn't do it on Sunday , they did it on the Sabbath in Jewish Temples.

Every single person present when The Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost was Jewish . The head count given was only the head count of how many Jewish males received The Holy Spirit . Whenever head counts were taken in Israel it was only the males that were counted . In fact every single head count taken in the New Testament of a believer was the head count of a Jewish man . If you don't believe that just try looking for head counts once the Gospel was taken to the gentiles ... you won't find any exact numbers saying how many were saved .

The Old Testament if full of Messianic prophesies that testify of Jesus . In fact every single Holy Day that given in the Old Testament also testifies of him .

The second half of the book was not needed to preach the Gospel , because the old book had everything in it needed to tell the whole world who he was/is .

Just one small sample of Jesus in the Old Testament

Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Thank you so much for those beautiful Scriptures, dear brother in Christ!

God did not say that miracles, signs, wonders, apparitions, masses, religious institutions, wafers, wine, statues, saints, rosaries, incense, chants, lighting candles, or fallible men who declare themselves infallible, would reveal His truth. He said the Holy Spirit would reveal truth. IF the Holy Spirit resides in you. And if you are saved, you are a member of the body of Christ, and the Holy Spirit resides in you.

AMEN! AMEN!

Still waitin’ on that OT scripture telling Simeon he’d see the Messiah before he died to substantiate your personal definition of God’s Word.

What’s it been Quix: three, four years?

We know now that . . . the verse about:

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he . . . Prov 23:7

is more LITERALLY TRUE than anyone had imagined.

What we think about and speak about A LOT, can even change our DNA.

We also know that significant degrees of early childhood ATTACHMENT DISORDER leave such children somewhat literally brain-damaged in terms of how they handle emotions and relationships.

I believe we are seeing a similar BRAIN ALTERING phenomena regarding

The Vatican Ashteroth-Mary-Goddess caricature that so many RC's are addicted to worshiping so blasphemously.

Their brains have increasingly obviously been altered by all the brainwashing, propaganda of the INSTITUTION as well, no doubt, by the demonic forces assisting therewith--that they evidently literally CANNOT distinguish between

veneration, adoration, worship

and continue to spout the dogmatic party line as an excuse to continue the only thing their brains know how to do regarding the Ashteroth-Mary-Goddess caricature, personage.

i.e. worship her--as their words, tones, emotions, actions etc. so emphatically demonstrate--while verbally and mentally DENYING ALL THE WAY that the obvious is taking place.

INCREDIBLE. I knew there was something missing in our understanding of what was going on with them. Maybe this is it.

LOL The BOOK was given before the church ever came into existence.

You can qualify to your heart's content: that statement is simply false.

Some good ideas in here!

Vultus Christi

CCCC?

By

Father Mark

on February 3, 2012 8:10 AM |

You were called to freedom, brethren;
only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh,
but through love be servants of one another.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
But if you bite and devour one another
take heed that you are not consumed by one another.
(Galatians 5:13-15)

CCCC? Yes. The Catholic Code of Charity in Communications. No one can deny that blogs, forums, and various social networks, all of which have an immense potential for good, have become hotbeds of the sins of gossip, detraction, calumny, rash judgment, scandal-mongering, and discourtesy. I submit that it is time to formulate an international CCCC, a Catholic Code of Charity in Communications. Face it, brethren, the so-called "catholic" internet venues have become a near occasion of sin.

Should the lapses, weaknesses, and sins of others be discussed, analyzed, and picked apart in so-called Catholic venues on the internet? Do such things build up the Body of Christ? Does not Saint Paul present us with the standard of Catholic blogging? "For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, blog on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

Once formulated, the CCCC would be proposed to every blog, forum, discussion group, and social network of Catholic interest. Those responsible for the same would be invited to make a public online commitment to support and uphold the CCCC in all their communications. The commitment would encompass all that appears on a given internet venue, including comments posted.

What are the sins commonly perpetrated on blogs and in discussion group threads? The Catechism of the Catholic Church (articles 2475-2487) offers a clear exposition of the most widespread:

III. Offenses Against Truth

2475 Christ's disciples have "put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." By "putting away falsehood," they are to "put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander."

2476 False witness and perjury. When it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness. When it is under oath, it is perjury. Acts such as these contribute to condemnation of the innocent, exoneration of the guilty, or the increased punishment of the accused. They gravely compromise the exercise of justice and the fairness of judicial decisions.

2477 Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty:

- of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor;

- of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failings to persons who did not know them;

- of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.

2478 To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way:

Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved.

2479 Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one's neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.

2480 Every word or attitude is forbidden which by flattery, adulation, or complaisance encourages and confirms another in malicious acts and perverse conduct. Adulation is a grave fault if it makes one an accomplice in another's vices or grave sins. Neither the desire to be of service nor friendship justifies duplicitous speech. Adulation is a venial sin when it only seeks to be agreeable, to avoid evil, to meet a need, or to obtain legitimate advantages.

2481 Boasting or bragging is an offense against truth. So is irony aimed at disparaging someone by maliciously caricaturing some aspect of his behavior.

2482 "A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving."281 The Lord denounces lying as the work of the devil: "You are of your father the devil, . . . there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

2483 Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man's relation to truth and to his neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord.

2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.

2485 By its very nature, lying is to be condemned. It is a profanation of speech, whereas the purpose of speech is to communicate known truth to others. The deliberate intention of leading a neighbor into error by saying things contrary to the truth constitutes a failure in justice and charity. The culpability is greater when the intention of deceiving entails the risk of deadly consequences for those who are led astray.

2486 Since it violates the virtue of truthfulness, a lie does real violence to another. It affects his ability to know, which is a condition of every judgment and decision. It contains the seed of discord and all consequent evils. Lying is destructive of society; it undermines trust among men and tears apart the fabric of social relationships.

2487 Every offense committed against justice and truth entails the duty of reparation, even if its author has been forgiven. When it is impossible publicly to make reparation for a wrong, it must be made secretly. If someone who has suffered harm cannot be directly compensated, he must be given moral satisfaction in the name of charity. This duty of reparation also concerns offenses against another's reputation. This reparation, moral and sometimes material, must be evaluated in terms of the extent of the damage inflicted. It obliges in conscience.

Saint Francis de Sales

Given that, in many cases, blogs have become a new form of journalism, or of political and ecclesiastical commentary, I further propose that Saint Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalism, be proclaimed the patron saint of internet communications as well. Blogs and discussion groups of Catholic interest need the teaching, protection, and intercession of the gentleman Doctor of the Church. Listen to Saint Francis de Sales:

The world looks at us with an evil eye and we can never please it. It exaggerates our imperfections and claims they are sins, turns our venial sins into mortal sins and changes our sins of weakness into sins of malice.

"Charity is kind," says Saint Paul, but the world on the contrary is evil. "Charity thinks no evil," but the world always thinks evil and when it can't condemn our acts it will condemn our intentions. Whether the sheep have horns or not and whether they are white or black, the wolf doesn't hesitate to eat them if he can.

Whatever we do, the world will wage war on us. If we stay a long time in the confessional, it will wonder how we can have so much to say; if we stay only a short time, it will say we haven't told everything. It will watch all our actions and at a single little angry word it will protest that we can't get along with anyone. To take care of our own interests will look like avarice, while meekness will look like folly. (Introduction to the Devout Life)

Catholics simply ask Mary to pray to God for them, much like many people on Free Republic ask others here to pray for them also.

I used to think there was a grain of truth to that.

NO LONGER.

Please show us anywhere on FR that Proddys (or RC's for that matter) have asked anyone else on FR to pray for us after the fashion so vividly demonstrated in the excerpts below:

Here's the title:

http://www.amazon.com/Ten-Meditations-Mysteries-Rosary-Ferraro/dp/0819801577/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272938246&sr=1-2 .

And it carries the official sanctions of: .

ni•hil ob•stat
n.
1. Roman Catholic Church An attestation by a church censor that a book contains nothing damaging to faith or morals.

2. Official approval, especially of an artistic work.
.

WITH RICHARD CARDINAL CUSHING’S IMPRIMATUR

.
Let me track down the brief portion of quotes upthread . . . .

Here they are:

.
However, as we've seen through a variety of sources--a pile of them in Ferraro's manual about the Rosary--the Roman Catholic et al/Vatican Edifice disagrees with a lot of the claims of RC's hereon to the contrary. I guess some RC's feel quite comfortable being their own Pope and Magicsterical rolled into one. LOL. .

p.32
.
[Quixicated emphases below]
.
Mary is crowned Queen of heaven and earth, dispenser of all graces . . . .

p32
.
4 - She became Queen of Purgatory, where she exercises her power as mediatrix in behalf of these suffering souls. .

.
5 - She became Queen of us sinners, to assist us through the dangers of this life and to help us in difficulties. .

.
6 - She became the ruler of hell, that trembles at her slightest gaze and is defeated by her power. .

.
"Just as a rock extracted from earth will precipitate into the abyss, so will man, left without Mary's help, quickly slide toward hell." --Richard of St Victor .

p37
.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come; Thy kingdom come through Mary! --Partial Indulgence .

p41
.
"Mary is the tree of life to those who grasp her, and he is happy who hold her fast." --Prov. 3:18 .

p43
.
1 - "Hail Mary, beloved daughter of the Father, Mother of the Divine Son, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, complement of the most august Trinity!" .
AS THOUGH CREATED MAN COULD ADD ANYTHING TO THE TRINITY! What unmitigated Ashteroth-Mary-Goddess-Cult-Worship UNBiblical blasphemous lunacy!
.

p45
.
6 - To her was granted grace greater than that conferred upon all others, 'that she might vanquish sin in every respect.'
.
[Qx: I guess Christ's vanquishing sin was unnecessary--or ineffectual without Mary's assistance?] .

p46
.
7 - "Mary is the dawn of God because, just as the dawn marks the end of darkness and the beginning of day, so Mary indicates the end of vices and the beginning of virtue."
.
[Qx: I guess Christ's conquering on The Cross and HIS conquering trip to hell were unncessary? Perhaps Ashteroth-Mary could help Him get His money back on the ticket to hell. /sar] .

.
9 - God loved Mary so much that He gave her the keys to His heart. 'No one can go to God without Mary drawing him.'
.
.
[Qx: I guess Holy Spirit has been relegated to a 'Walter Mitty' role as spouse of Mary? That's SOME POWER to cancel & take over HOLY SPIRIT'S role to draw men to God!] .

p47
.
4 - "Mary, trusting in the word of the angel, destroyed the sin Eve committed by trusting in the serpent.'
.
[Qx: Evidently, she beat Christ to the job of vanquishing sin! Or maybe she ordered Him to retire early in the interest of her Ashteroth-Mary !CONTROL! compulsions? /sar] .

.
5 - "She desired the safety of everyone, went in search of it, and obtained it; it was also through her that this salvation was wrought."
.
.
[QX: What an unnecessary waste of precious Blood and suffering on THE CROSS!!!/sar] .

p47
10 - "As Noah's Ark saved all the animals that entered it, so Mary saves all the souls that entrust themselves to her care."
.
[Qx: Sounds like Ashteroth-Mary just bumped Jesus to the end of the God-head line-up--in terms of function & usefulness. /sar]

p50
8 - "If she were not so holy as she is, how could God appoint her to be the ladder of Paradise, the advocate of the world, meatrix between HIm and us?" .
[Qx: Ladder, Super-lap; Super-orbed nurturance of Heavenly milk and goodies; Queen of Heaven; Queen of hell; Ark; Does Ashteroth-Mary also do windows? /sar] .

p50
4 - "By becoming Mother of God, Mary belongs to the order of hypostatic union; hence she participates IN the infinite sanctity of God."

.

You won't find it. The whole notion is absurd on the face of it. Which is another example of how absurd y'all's rationalizations are for the blasphemous idolatry re the Ashteroth-Mary-Goddess caricature usurping Mary's name.

Don’t you know better than to argue with people who say your favorite color is really green when you tell them it’s blue?

That's a rather brazenly false distortion of what Proddys observe hereon virtually 24/7.

Essentially, what's SAID is--"Oh, my favorite color is blue."

While what Proddys relentlessly OBSERVE IS

Green rosary beads;
green robes;
green paint on the walls;
green clothed statues;
green toes to kiss;
green prayer books;
green lights;
green doors;
green pews;
green pew cushions;
green stained glass in the windows;
green 'holy' water founts;
green altar tables;
green ceilings;
green floors;
green incense burners;
green candles;
green altar boy robes that barely match their green complexions;
green shoes;
green rings;
green eye glasses;
green kneeling cushions;
green kneeling rails;
. . .

All chronically, persistently, stridently, indignantly accompanied by vociferous protestations that NOT A SINGLE RC likes Green but adores, venerates and worships BLUE!

And Proddys walk away shaking our heads wondering what century was it . . . or what day after 300AD . . . did truth leave the Vatican buliding never to return . . .

For God so Loved the world
That He sent the Living Word
Who repeatedly declared
AS a Point of Authority:
IT IS WRITTEN...!
IT IS WRITTEN...!
IT IS WRITTEN...!

And droves of RC's have been practicing stopping their ears to His exhortations on such scores for the whole 16 centuries of the existence of the Vatican Goddess cult.

You can qualify to your heart's content: that statement is simply false.
You can deny the Old Testament all you want . It is scripture and it's purpose was to testify of him .

Check your Bible . These words are in RED because it was Jesus himself who said them .
John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. :38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. :39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Are you going to accuse Jesus himself of making a false statement too?

But that's why I'm no longer an evangelical. They make many "biblical" promises that God doesn't seem to feel any obligation to keep.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . . Been wondering what some of those missing keys were.

However, evidently it's not a struggle at all to excuse up one side and down the other the

Vatican Ashteroth-Mary-Goddess cult's failing to keep the obligation to care for and protect its altar boys?

And it's evidently not a struggle at all to excuse, defend and glorify the hideous blasphemous idolatrous quotes in such books as Ferraro's?

Yeah, lots of Proddy leaders say all kinds of outlandish things--kind of like a lot of RC's and the RC magicsterical itself.

And THANKFULLY, God walks on by such nonsense . . . though on occasion a lightening bolt or two will display His sentiments on such craziness.

Nevertheless, He holds us to WHAT WE DO WITH HIS WORD rather than what we do with pronouncements of silly rabbits claiming to speak in His name as His Vicar or Jr Christ or whatever else such haughty institutions and personages do.

IIRC,

Christ was making a DISTINCTION

BETWEEN John on earth and the saints and other Heavenly personages

IN HEAVEN.

Mary was NOT

IN HEAVEN at that point.

Therefore, your point is moot and absurd.