Fr. Pfleger Shames the Catholic Church

I know I said a while ago that I wasn't going to get political on this blog but today I am fed up to be quite honest. I am fed up and disgusted with the behavior of one of our Catholic priests, Father Michael Louis Pfleger of Chicago a Senator Obama supporter, so this post will probably be more of a rant than anything else. I apologize if it offends anyone, but I feel the need to speak out on this. This priest has continually pushed the limits of what I personally believe a priest should and since this is my blog I am going to spout off about it. His latest escapade in mocking Senator Hillary Clinton and acting like a buffoon to get applause is just more than should be tolerated. It's sexist, degrading, insulting and beyond the limits for ANY self proclaiming Christian, let alone a priest who is supposed to be an example of Christ and Christ's love for people. For those who haven't seen the clips of Father Pfleger on television, please watch the following two Youtube clips of Father Pfleger in action to see what I am talking about.

And...

There's much to learn about this Catholic priest that I think many may not know, I certainly didn't and if I hadn't read it and seen the proof of it I probably wouldn't have believed it. I didn't want to believe it! Father Pfleger became a priest in 1975. Since then he has (in my opinion) crossed the line several times. Now this of course is my own personal opinion, so if you disagree that's fine. A year ago, in May of 2007 Father Pfleger was protesting outside a Chicago gun shop when he decided to threaten, yes threaten the gun shop owner. Here is a direct quote of what he had to say reported by the ChicagoSun in June of 2007: "We're going to find you and snuff you out. Like a rat you're going to hide. But like a rat, we're going to catch you and pull you out." He later apologized for this statement and was called out for it by Cardinal George the Archbishop of Chicago. Going back a few more years to 2000 Father Plfeger decided to raise money to buy time with prostitutes as a way to reach them. He raised several thousand dollars from donors and went about purchasing prostitutes time. Did Jesus or any of the disciples pay anyone to reach them? I don't think so. Can you see Saint Peter or Paul paying a prostitute to tell them about Christ? I can't see it, but this Catholic priest thought it was a dandy idea. Last year NBC reported about Father Plfeger who was protesting rappers lyrics for "demeaning" and disrespecting women. Read what he said and keep in mind his mocking, disrespecting and demeaning of Senator Hillary Clinton when you read the hypocrite...er... I mean Father Plfeger's statement: "When you disrespect women and you continue to demean a community or race by names and by language, that's unacceptable. . . . We can kill with our words." That's right Father Plfeger, go after the speck in your neighbors eye while ignoring the giant redwood tree sticking out of your own eye! This priest has much to learn in my opinion and until he does should shut his mouth and pray for wisdom, humbleness and most of all forgiveness for his words and actions. As he said "We can kill with our words"- at least he got something right.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

May 30 is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The history behind this comes from St. Mary Margaret Alacoque whom God chose to reveal the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to in 1675. She was born in France and consecrated her heart to Jesus while she was still a child. She joined the Visitation Order of nuns at the age of twenty-three. She suffered many trials for her great love of Jesus. St Mary Margaret Alacoque with Father de la Colombiere, were used by God to bring about the institution of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. In 1690 she died.

Lord Jesus, let my heart never rest until it finds You, who are its center, its love, and its happiness. By the wound in Your heart pardon the sins that I have committedwhether out of malice or out of evil desires. Place my weak heart in Your own divine Heart,continually under Your protection and guidance, so that I may persevere in doing good and in fleeing evil until my last breath.
Amen. --St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Visiting Cemeteries

This Memorial Day I found myself at Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Hamden, Connecticut (photo taken at Saint Mary's Cemetery). This is where a large part of my family is buried and most recently my grandfather who was a World War II Vet. Some people get uncomfortable at cemeteries and avoid them as much as they can, often preferring to attend a deceased persons wake rather than funeral so they won't have to go to the cemetery. I admit this can be hard, but I have always found comfort and a deep sense of peace in cemeteries. I am one of those people who actually likes to visit cemeteries at different times of the year and read grave stones contemplating the lives of those buried there. I can't help but feel sadness at the sight of a child's grave. Or wonder and thankfulness at the sight of a soldiers grave. When I see a grave marked "Mother" or "Father" I wonder about their families and the lives and memories they had together, the laughter and tears they shed as a family. For me, a cemetery is not just about the death of a person, but the wonder of the persons life and how they might have touched other lives. Have you ever walked in a cemetery and saw your family name and wondered how or if you were related to the person buried there? An unknown or never met relative? I visit cemeteries in other states during vacations or just weekend trips (with the price of gas these trips have unfortunately dwindled). I think the only cemetery I've visited that just overwhelmed me with sadness and shear awe was Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. I can't really give a better description for what I felt seeing that for the first time. It was overwhelming. My favorites, if you can say there is a favorite cemetery are the old ones. The really old ones scattered around New England. Probably one of the oldest I have visited is the Old Granary Burial Ground in Boston, Massachusetts. It's like stepping back in time walking thru there. Another cemetery I have enjoyed visiting is the Trinity Churchyard of the Trinity Church in NY located near Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. Here is where Alexander Hamilton is buried. We've got some nice old cemeteries here in Connecticut too. One that I have visited is the Old Durham Cemetery in Durham, CT. The oldest grave in this cemetery is dated 1712. Years ago we would do stone rubbings but most old cemeteries now forbid it as it could damage these old stones.
There's a Catholic tradition of crossing ourselves when we pass by a cemetery that my great grandmother taught me as a child. When I am thinking and notice a cemetery as I am driving I make sure to follow that Catholic tradition and I have taught my children to do it also. I'd love to hear from readers about cemeteries in their area's or cemeteries you've visited. Please share a comment or two about them or email me a story.

1 Sam. 2:6 "The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up."
Eze. 37:13 "Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them."

Anti-Catholic Hatred: Pure and Simply Sad

Unfortunately, anti-Catholicism is alive and well. If you are a Catholic and haven't come face to face with this sort of hatred be aware it's out there. I don't think most anti-Catholics will say this sort of thing to your face (though some very fundamental evangelists will and have to me), but they don't hold back on the Internet. Here is what someone thinks of Catholics and our Church:

Frey writes: God hates Roman Catholicism, her popes shall burn forever with sulphur in front of the Lamb and His born-again followers. Praise God for His Word: He foretells all RC's shall burn with their popes with sulphur in front of the Lamb and His true followers, forever:

Rev 20:10 "And the devil, who deceived them,was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,where the beast [the RCC cult] and the false prophet [her pope] had been thrown.They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

For encouraging the virtual worship of a dead woman instead of teaching God alone is worthy of prayer and worship. Catholics follow the pope only, who is but a man. Christians follow Christ and don't give a hoot what your pope says or claims. He's a fake and the sooner you realize that the sooner you can come out of her to follow the Lord and serve HIM in Spirit and in Truth.

My response: You have a very twisted view of what God hates and what scripture actually says by adding your own words "RCC cult" and "her pope" to scripture that isn't there. God does not "hate Roman Catholicism". Jesus Christ created the Catholic Church, it is a gift by the grace, love and mercy of God. It is not a "cult". Jesus promised the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church (Matt.16:18). He does not hate His own Church, He loves her and guides her by the Holy Spirit. You also claim that "her popes shall burn forever in sulphur", what a terrible thing to say. No one knows who will be condemned to Hell. That is for God to judge, not you or I. Certainly the Church has had some not so nice Popes in her history, but even so we should not judge the fate of anyone as it's not our place. The Church has had a great many wonderful Popes who have devoted and dedicated their lives to doing the Lord's will and serving others. It is appalling to me that you believe "all Roman Catholics with their popes shall burn with sulphur". What a horrid thing to say or believe about a group of Christians who belong to Christ's Holy Catholic Church. What makes you think simply being Roman Catholic is to be eternally condemned to hell? There is nothing even remotely in scripture which says anything like the things you claim. The scripture you quoted (Rev.20:10) does not name the Roman Catholic Church as "the beast" in any way, shape or form. You are changing scripture to fit your hatred (yes its obvious you have serious hate issues with Catholics) of the Catholic Church and Catholic people. Hate is not a Christian virtue and something you need to work on getting rid of. Christians are to love and forgive. We are to share our faith with others and live our lives as Christ taught. Christ didn't teach the hate you are speaking of. Catholics do not worship Mary (gosh if I had a dollar for every time I had to say that!). Catholics are Christians, the Pope is a Christian. He is doing the will of God and following God. Catholics follow God, we do not follow a man. The Pope is the physical head of the Catholic Church on earth, while Christ is the ultimate head of the Church in Heaven. Jesus created the position of the pope in the Gospels, it was His plan to have a pope on earth. In the Old Testament there was the Seat of Moses, in the New Testament it's the Chair of Peter. I don't know what you mean by "he's a fake". He is a real Christian leading a Christian life. Nothing fake there at all. I do not have to "come out" of Christ's Holy Catholic Church because He led me to His Church. I am a convert because our Lord led me out of Protestantism and it's confusion (30,000+ differing denominations and doctrines) and into His Holy Catholic Church. I am home and do worship God in spirit and truth. I hope one day you can too, but first you need to let go of all that hatred. God is about love, not the hatred you've shown for Catholics and Christ's Church.

1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."

Memorial Day Tribute

All gave some, some gave all...



Almighty God
We stand before you in supplication,
Asking Your Divine mercy and protection,
To envelop with Your invincible armor,
Our loved ones in all branches of the service.

Give them courage and strength
Against all enemies,
Both spiritual and physical,
And hasten their safe journey,
Back to their homes and families.

If it be Your Holy Will
That they be gathered to Your bosom,
With the eternal vanguard of the saints,
Let their journey to Your everlasting arms
Be swift and painless,
Where they may stand in honor and glory,
Praising You for all eternity.

Amen.

Senator Kennedy Prayer

I haven't always agreed with Senator Ted Kennedy's politics or political views, but there is no denying the large place he has in our American political history, nor that he has worked hard in many area's to help other people. The news of his seizure, then reports of his brain tumor have rippled a shock across our nation. I'd like to ask my readers to please take a moment to pray for Senator Kennedy and his family as they cope with this situation. Let's put aside our political views, and pray for a 76 year old man suffering a brain tumor that could be fatal. I offer this prayer:

Lord, look upon Senator Kennedy with eyes of mercy,
may Your healing hand rest upon him, may Your comfort rest upon his family,
may Your life-giving and healing Hand rest upon his body and heal him for Your glory,
we pray that You would restore Senator Kennedy to wholeness and strength by your loving mercy and grace.
Amen.

The Crown of Roses

Catholic Ordinary Time

Oh the green of Ordinary Time. For non-Catholics that may not make any sense, but Catholics know what I am referring to. I'd like to share some thoughts on Ordinary Time today. Personally, I love Ordinary Time. Many people can't wait for Advent and Lent etc., and I too love those times of year, but for me I worship best in church during Ordinary Time. There are not so many distractions during Ordinary Time- maybe I have a short attention span or something. During Advent it's often hard to set aside all the hype over the season and focus on why we even have an Advent season. That's not to say I don't get the warm fuzzies and excitement of Advent, I do. But I also know myself well enough to know that I am not as focused at mass during these times as I am during Ordinary Time. I belong to a small parish church with many members (that is to say our church is small but our membership is not). Most of these folks don't always attend a weekly Sunday mass during Ordinary Time, but come on the holidays. When this happens people are standing OUTSIDE listening to mass because there are just no seats for them. Clearly my parish needs to expand our church, but that is getting away from my thoughts on Ordinary Time. I have divided feelings over some of these Catholics who show up only for Christmas and Easter. On the one hand, I am pleased that they still attend mass and know how important Advent, Lent and Easter (etc) are. On the other hand... I can't help but wonder (yeah it's none of my business I know and I am not judging them as I don't know their lives, but I can't help but wonder...) why they don't feel the desire and need to attend mass all year? Or for whatever reason they have. Maybe it's because I am a convert and still often feel overwhelmed with the joy of finally being Catholic and able to participate in the Sacraments. And it's not just me, even my kids love the sacraments and will often argue on the way to Penance (Confession) who gets to confess first (thus giving them something else to confess)! We love our faith and our Church and all it's Sacraments. I just can't seem to understand some Catholics who only go to mass for "special" holy days and not during Ordinary Time. I know several parents in my parish who only attend mass during their children's time in Religious Education classes (AKA: 'Confraternity of Christian Doctrine or 'CCD' as it's better known). I think they are missing out on the specialness of mass during Ordinary Time. I love the holy days, don't get me wrong, but there is something special to me about Ordinary Time. I absolutely love late spring thru summer in my parish. There is a sense of completeness after Lent and Easter and the children's First Holy Communion. All the hustle and bustle is behind us for a while. This is when I can really deepen my prayer life and enjoy mass to the fullest without distractions. Just the parking alone during Advent or Easter is a distraction in my parish, not to mention the attempt to find a seat for yourself and your children! If you are parking half a mile down the street because your parish parking lot is over flowing and you have to hike to mass, then stand against a wall or outside in the cold because there are no seats left, how much are you able to put that aside and really focus on God and worship? For me, not very much. I know some people probably have no problems with that, but for me it's a distraction and mass is too important to me, to be distracted like that. So admittedly, I often get frustrated with myself for not putting these type of things aside and giving my all at mass as I should. Something I clearly have to work on. So Ordinary Time is a welcome time for me and my family as they seem to share a few of my views on this. So I hope those Catholics who don't attend weekly mass during Ordinary Time will come back to the Church and enjoy mass during a more peaceful, less stressful time of year. Come to mass during Ordinary Time and see what you've been missing!

From the "pits of Hell!"

Has anyone ever told you that your faith and religion come from the "pits of Hell!"? Unfortunately, my answer to that question is "yes", and more than once. There is such venom directed at the Catholic Church and many times it's members. Why? I believe it's because people don't really know what Catholics believe or why we believe as we do. They assume they know it all and go off half cocked spreading their assumptions about the Catholic Church and the Catholic laity. Take a look at what someone wrote, and I tell you in all honesty, I do not make this stuff up. It comes from real people who have a real hatred for the Catholic Church and sometimes Catholic people.

Lin writes: The Catholic religion is straight out of the pits of Hell! Those who want to fellowship with the Roman Catholic Church and accept it as a true "church" are ignoring its blasphemous teachings concerning Mary & statues & the pope, they are an abomination to the Lord.

Now Catholics and many non-Catholics know that the Catholic Church certainly does not come from "the pits of hell". As I have shared several times on this blog, the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:18. Jesus created her and promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against her. He did not say she came from "the pits of hell" but that the 'gates of hell would not prevail against her'. That is scripture. The Catholic Church is a "true church", as a matter of fact it is THE "true Church" because of what I just said. There are no blasphemous teachings taught concerning Mary, statues or the pope. Mary is the Mother of God incarnate and we call her such. She is our Mother too because Christ the King is our brother and God the Father is our Father. We are one family in God. Nothing blasphemous about that. We don't worship statues or the pope. Again, nothing blasphemous at all- only what some people THINK the Catholic faith is all about. They assume because we have religious icons and statues that we are worshipping them. We are not. I'd like to ask the people who feel this way if they set up nativity scenes during Advent with statues of the Holy Family and Wisemen? Or perhaps they wear a guardian angel pin on their coats. How about a cross on a wall in their home or hanging from their necks as jewelry? Why is it that these things are often overlooked by anti-Catholics while the point their fingers at a Catholic Church with a statue of Mary in front of it? Is that statue really any different than the ones they set up in their nativity scenes every Christmas? Catholics do not worship statues or Mary, we worship God. There is nothing in scripture that says anything the Catholic Church teaches is "an abomination to the Lord". That is a complete falsehood. What is "an abomination to Lord" in my opinion is hatred and spreading lies. These are the things some people should be more concerned about than what they perceive as "blasphemous" about a church or group of people. Reminds me of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:3-5.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

This Blogger says "Thanks"

I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you to all my readers. A special thank you to those who email me, whether we agree or disagree on theology or anything else, I really do enjoy the emails and opinions shared. Often times all we hear about the Internet is the bad stuff and the abuses that occur, but that isn't all there is to being online. Blogging for me has been nothing but positive. I enjoying reading other blogs and have a wonderful time writing for my own blog. It's an interesting way for people to cross each others paths in life and learn a bit about each other, even if it's just a snippet of a persons life and views. I want you to know that I seriously think about the views you share with me. And the questions and statements give me much to think about, not just in how to respond but also in reflecting about how people view life in general. What we have in common and the things we differ on. So please, keep the opinions and feedback (good or bad) coming. And let me know what you'd like to see more of or less of on this blog. May God bless you all.

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner

Celibacy and Clergy Abuse

Kathy writes: So why are your priests called to celibacy? And does the call to celibacy cause them to become weak and fall? We all have read the reports about male Priests that attack and molest male children, homosexual orientation or perversion? Both maybe.

My response: Clergy abuse, as all abuse is a despicable thing and should not be tolerated in any situation-ever. I can't begin to know the answer to why some people abuse other people and sometimes target the most innocent among us- children. What I do know, is that celibacy does not create molesters and sexual abuse happens in and out of all churches, schools, temples, synagogues, homes and businesses such as daycare centers. Its not just a Catholic problem, it's a world problem. Everything must be done to protect against these heinous crimes, and I believe the Catholic Church as many others, have worked hard in recent years towards keeping everyone safe and protected. There should be zero tolerance for abuse everywhere.
Now about celibacy, Jesus Christ himself led a celibate life and he tells us that some will be celibate for the priesthood. Matt.19:12 "For some are eunuchs because they are born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."
Even Paul says it's good to be celibate. 1 Corinthians 7:8 "Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am."
So clearly if celibacy were the cause of abuse, Jesus nor Paul would have said these things.

For more information on the Catholic Clergy abuse please visit: http://www.usccb.org/nrb/johnjaystudy/

"hordes of dead saints" Oh my!

Shar writes: Bowing to Mary is Idolatry!There is absolutely NOTHING in the Bible leading Christians to recognize Mary, adore Mary, or talk to Mary. Although most Catholics deny worshipping Mary, a picture is worth 1,000 words. The picture of Pope John Paul II adoring Our Lady of Fatima, and photos of Catholics bowing to Mary, are clear irrefutable evidences of idolatry. Look up the word "worship" in any dictionary and you'll find that Catholics do indeed WORSHIP Mary and other hordes of dead saints.

My response: "hordes of dead saints" and "worshipping Mary"! Oh my! LOL Sorry, but I admit to getting a chuckle out of your wording. Let me say very clearly that Catholics do NOT worship Mary or any other saint. We worship God and God alone. Here's another clear statement and I speak for myself as a Catholic here, I do adore Mary. Mary is precious to me and is my Mother whom I seek to honor. I do pray to Mary, as in petition her to pray for me and with me. I do not pray to her as to God. There is a difference as any good dictionary will show (see definition at the bottom of this post). Pope John Paul II did indeed adore Mary- you got that part correct. He never worshipped Mary, but he did adore her as do many Catholics. Mary is the Mother of God Incarnate how can anyone not love and adore her? She too suffered so that her Son our Lord could bring salvation to the world (Luke 2:35). Can you begin to imagine being a Mother and standing back to witness what her Son our Lord went thru? Would that not cause you to suffer also? Jesus brought salvation to the world and is our one and only Savior, no denying that. But Jesus did not suffer alone according to Sacred Scripture and common sense to anyone who even for a moment tries to imagine what Mary endured witnessing the torture and brutal assault on her Son and His death upon the cross. What a horrible event for anyone to endure and watch, let alone a Mother seeing it occur to her child. For Mary, to see her completely innocent and precious Son, God incarnate go thru that for love of the world... well, yes I do adore and love Mary. She suffered for my salvation because she was and is, the Mother of God Incarnate. And if bowing to Mary is idolatry in your opinion then are all the people who bow to kings and queens committing idolatry too? I many parts of the world people don't shake hands to greet each other, they bow to each other. Is this idolatry in your opinion? You see how silly that way of thinking is? If you bow in worship you are sinning, but for any other reason it is not and God knows the heart of all people. Mary is the Mother of God incarnate, she is the Queen of Heaven because her Son Jesus is the King of Kings, and as such bowing is not idolatry. It can only be idolatry when it is done in worship to someone or something other than God.
Now about the "hordes of saints" (still LOLing over that one), I guess you are technically correct in saying that the Catholic Church does have "hordes of saints" (see definition at bottom) but let me again be clear, Catholics ONLY worship God. We do not worship any saints. I believe I've mentioned this before on this blog, so my apologies if my readers are having deja vu. The Family of God is not separated by death. God is the God of the living, not the dead! (Luke 20:38 "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.") The believers on earth are part of the same Family of God that the saints in Heaven are. We are One in Christ. The saints in heaven can and do pray for us (Rev. 5:8). If a Catholic on earth asks a saint to pray for and with them they are not worshipping the saint. They are petitioning the saint, that is requesting that the saint pray for them and with them. This is not worship. Prayer has more than one meaning (as seen in the definition below- #3 & #4 & #8 are to saints). Worship is set aside for God only. Catholics do not worship saints, we worship God.

From Dictionary.com
horde
noun, verb, hord·ed, hord·ing.
–noun
1.
a large group, multitude, number, etc.; a mass or crowd: a horde of tourists.
---------------------------------
pray
–verb (used with object)
1.to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship).
2.to offer (a prayer).
3.to bring, put, etc., by praying: to pray a soul into heaven.
4.to make earnest petition to (a person).
5.to make petition or entreaty for; crave: She prayed his forgiveness.
6.to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to God or to an object of worship.
7.to enter into spiritual communion with God or an object of worship through prayer. –verb (used without object)
8.to make entreaty or supplication, as to a person or for a thing.

Catholic Church And God's Word

Nora writes: One of the great wonders of the world to me is how anyone could claim to be a Catholic and still believe the Bible is God's Word. Even the Catholic Douay version of the Bible condemns the Catholic faith repeatedly. The honest truth is that Catholics have been brainwashed to accept the traditional teachings of the Vatican as superior to whatever the Word of God actually says. Jesus plainly condemned placing the traditions of religion over the Word of God (Mark 7:6-13). Psalm 118:8 admonishes, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." The end!

My response: Well, I don't "claim" to be Catholic Nora, I am Catholic and very happy to be Catholic. I certainly haven't got all the answers but I will attempt to do my best and reply to you. I very much believe the Bible to be God's Word. I know of no bible that "condemns the Catholic faith" repeatedly or even once. I also don't know any brainwashed Catholics- do you or do you just think all Catholics are brainwashed because you don't understand our faith? I don't understand many faiths and religions of the world, but I don't believe everyone who has a faith different from my own is a brainwashed person, but I guess that is just me.
Your statement: "the traditional teachings of the Vatican as superior to whatever the Word of God actually says" is absurd to put it nicely. Where did you ever hear or see a statement from the Vatican saying they were "superior" to the Word of God? Please email me or comment on my blog with a reference for that statement. What I think you are confusing is the Catholic view that Sacred Tradition (oral teaching) and Sacred Scripture (written teaching) are equal, neither above the other. They go together. Protestants (to my knowledge) deny this.

The "tradition" (little "t") spoken of in Mark 7 is NOT Sacred Tradition, but a Jewish custom of washing hands. This is not at all the same thing as Sacred Tradition in the Catholic Church. There is a distinct difference when you use a capital "T" and when a lower case "t" is used. They are not the same and I think that is where many people (Catholics included) can and do get confused when hearing the word "tradition" used. The Vatican does not place "the traditions of religion over the word of God" as you stated above. The Catholic Church teaches what Christ entrusted her to teach. You didn't give an example, so I can't comment further on that.

Hope this cleared things up for you Nora.

The Holy Catholic Church

Michael L writes: The RCC has played on ignorance and used religious intimadation since its very unholy beginning. It was never the true church but a counterfiet. The command is not to come in but to come out of this church.


My response: Hello Michael, while I am always glad for people to share their views with me, I also have to respectfully disagree when it comes to views like yours to my Church. I do not believe the Catholic Church (you specify only the Latin Rite- but I assume you mean the whole Catholic Church) has "played on" anyone's ignorance. The Church has done what Christ commanded her to do in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."). This is what the Catholic Church has been doing for more than two thousand years. The Catholic Church had a very holy beginning as it was Christ to founded her. Jesus is speaking with Simon in Matt. 16:17-19, when He (Jesus) changes Simon's name to "Peter" (which means 'rock') and tells Simon Peter that on that rock (Peter) Jesus is going to build His Church. Matt. 16:17-19 "Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter [Rock], and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades [Hell] will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
This is the holy beginning of Christ's Holy Catholic Church. The Church "came alive", if you will, at Pentecost [Acts 2] (something we will all be celebrating on May 11th), but she was founded in Matt.16 as I've shown with the above scripture.
I will give you that in history there were men in the Church who probably did and have used the Church to attempt to intimidate. That was and is wrong. God doesn't need men to intimidate people into anything. We need to do God's will and let God deal with everything else. We are responsible for our actions and should try to live our lives as Christ wants us to and that does not include intimidation in my opinion, for whatever that is worth as I can't speak for anyone else. Now, there is something that you may or may not be implying here. I have come across more than one anti-Catholic who feels that the Churches use of excommunication is a 'tool for intimidation'. IF you are referring to this as an intimidation I have to disagree with you. Excommunication is not to intimidate, but to correct someone in severe error who is not only harming themselves but also more than likely harming others by their erroneous and or sinful actions. To see this in scripture please read 1 Corinthians 5 about expelling the immoral brother from the Church. Again, this is meant as a last action by the Church to correct someone, show them how dangerous and grave their actions are in the hopes of them repenting and coming back into the Church. This is completely biblical and if you think its intimidation than that is something you'd have to take up with God as it's His way of the Church dealing with these type of serious ongoing situations.
I really don't know what you mean about "counterfeit" church, the Holy Catholic Church is not a counterfeit as she is the ONLY church on earth created by Jesus Christ in scriptures. All the churches that came after her are better described as "counterfeit" than the Catholic Church. These later churches were begun my men- well meaning men most of them, but still by men not by Jesus Christ as the Catholic Church was in the bible.
You then mention a command that is not found anywhere in scripture. You say there is a command to not enter the Catholic Church, this is completely false as I've shown with the Great Commission given by Christ to His Church. It is our Lord's desire that we all are united in our faith and belong to the Church He founded and gave to the world. This is the only Church where all God's Seven Sacraments can be found. These are blessings and wonderous gifts from God to us and He wants everyone to have these and be united in His Church. Jesus didn't preach about thousands of differing denominations and opposing doctrines. He didn't want believers divided over doctrines and beliefs. Jesus never told anyone to leave His Holy Catholic Church.