I’m sure there was some purpose for this posting but it escapes me. So somebody else burned martyrs too. What does that prove exactly? Does that excuse it? Yes I read “Matthew 7:5 - for the benefit of those who enjoy pointing fingers of blame”. I don’t enjoy pointing fingers of blame but I don’t shirk from it either. The Catholic Church did many terrible things in the name of God. Jesus did not authorize it. They (the manmade institutions) did it on their own.
The Church is Christ's bride (Ephesians 5:29) and has "no spot, wrinkle or blemish" (Ephesians 5:27). Christ also stated that the gates of Hell will not prevail against His Church (Matthew 16:18). Individual clergy may commit sins, even popes commit sins because in the Church there are both "weeds and wheat" (Matthew 13:30).