Since Catholicism is the BASIS of all other Christian denominations and was the only Christian faith around for 1541 years, I would wonder why he would say that.
Exception: Mormonism. They are out in left field, imho.
Laz is the life of the party here at FR & usually goes for the yuks. Sometimes, though...
I’m Catholic, I have studied Evangelicalism & understand its critiques of Rome. Pope Francis is a confirmed nutcake, but who elected him? The College of Cardinals who should know a thing or two.
But...”Whore of Babylon”? The prophesied identity of that figure in Revelation has been debated for centuries & I don’t think a broad theological consensus as yet exists.
I for one don’t see the Vatican as the Antichrist’s capitol like some. Too easy, like Godfather III. Is there intrigue & conspiracy within its walls? The Vatican was a political capital until 150 years ago, so obviously, yes.
BTW, the Mormons’ holy books call the Catholic Church “the great & abominable church” in addition to WOB. That’s what got me studying the cult of Joseph Smith. The LDS church could give lessons to Rome in amassing fortunes & mind control.
Pope Francis doesn’t tell anyone what to think though he has made some pretty wacky suggestions. Catholic teachings & beliefs aren’t governed by one individual at the top.
Catholics keep saying that, but it's not true and they know it's not true. That they would engage in such dishonesty in order to make all chrstianity a choice between "authentic" Catholicism and "newbie" Protestantism doesn't say a lot for them.
First there were all the historical "heresies"--each one of which probably thought they were the "orthodox." The fact that they disappeared may discredit their claims of orthodoxy, but they were all forms of chrstianity, and there were hundreds of them.
Even not counting the long-gone heresies of history, there are still four separate ancient liturgical traditions, each of which claims to be the "one true original" church: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, the non-Chalcaedonian monophysites or miaphysites, and the non-Ephesians or Nestorians. Each one of these traditions has existed since the shattering (at various times) of the apostolic line, each one has "apostolic succession," and each one sees itself as the "true" church from which all the others broke off.
Let's please knock off the "there were only Catholics until Protestantism" rhetoric, okay? Honestly, I don't understand why Eastern Orthodox FReepers put up with it.