Defending Church History

[Matthewmatt]

How can i defend the infallibility of the Church in examples such as St. Joan of Arc, the Inquisition, and the people that were put to death by members of the Catholic Church. I understand that some Clergy may have acted of their own accord but what would be a good way to defend the Church here. Also now the Church is pretty much against the death penalty now but it used to sorta of use it right? So how can i explain that this is not a change of Doctine.

God Bless

 

[BigFellaMick]

The Church is the living body of Christ and changes (to some degree) to match the times. That said, the foundation of the Church is built on rock and is as unchanging as God Himself (and why wouldn’t it when God Himself made our Church?)

I would respond to those charges by pointing out that the infallibility of the Catholic Church, the Pope in general, is often misunderstood. The Pope himself is not infallible. He is not above sin either. He is a normal male human being the same as anyone else and is capable of sinning in any way the rest of us can. The infallibility only comes when the Pope speaks through the Magisterium. And much of the inquisition is blown out of proportion, at least in terms of faulting the Church. Most countries laws ordered the execution of heretics. All the Church did was identify heretics who were turned over to the local authorities where they were then ultimately punished and/or executed. Not the best time in human history but that was the way things were back then. It wasn’t right but they believed it was. Look at today. Gay marriage and abortion are as commplace as the flu every winter. Are those things right? Absolutely not! Yet the majority of people, and obviously the majority of activists and pro choicers think its right. But because they think/feel it is right, does it make it right? No.

 

[Philotheatoo]

The facts of The Inquisition will differ depending upon who tells the story however; one thing remains constant ~ it was wrong and we have to be humble enough to admit our ancestors were wrong. Thank God (literally) that we have become MUCH more civilized than we were back then. Unfortunately, I believe some of us, if not all of us, could trace our family trees back to when death penalties were a source of family entertainment!**

 

[healonzo]

How can i defend the infallibility of the Church in examples such as St. Joan of Arc, the Inquisition, and the people that were put to death by members of the Catholic Church. I understand that some Clergy may have acted of their own accord but what would be a good way to defend the Church here. Also now the Church is pretty much against the death penalty now but it used to sorta of use it right? So how can i explain that this is not a change of Doctine.

God Bless

Check this out.

catholic.com/quickquestions/how-can-i-defend-the-church-against-the-inquisition

About the Death Penalty.

What the CCC teaches about the Death Penalty is pretty clear and goes pretty far back. Look to the CCC about the teachings of the Church. It doesn’t mean teaching has changed; times have changed.

catholic.com/magazine/articles/did-the-church-change-its-teaching-on-the-death-penalty

 

[Big_Dummy]

I don’t see an infallibile Church in the New Testament. Paul corrected Peter when he went astray. The letters to the churches were to correct doctrinical errors or poor behavior. Why would one expect a post New Testament Church to be any different then the Church in the New Testament period? Jesus said there would be wheat and tares in the Church. In short, why the double standard?

 

[pablope]

I don’t see an infallibile Church in the New Testament. Paul corrected Peter when he went astray. The letters to the churches were to correct doctrinical errors or poor behavior. Why would one expect a post New Testament Church to be any different then the Church in the New Testament period? Jesus said there would be wheat and tares in the Church. In short, why the double standard?

Maybe you meant…“impeccable”…not infallible…just a thought.