If any of this comes up for discussion with the Catholic Church, and they asked for my :twocents:, I would explain why I believed in following the Catholic Church.
I used to consider myself “Catholic” and thought I could dissent on its teachings…with the Pope and all kinds of things. I think I lacked formation and knew little of apologetics and was easy prey for some to take me off the path.
I think it helped me to understand WHY the Church taught like it did.
For example, when I read the passage in the Bible which talked about how Peter was called by Christ, and him alone, to be the “rock” on which Christ would build his Church, it helped me. I read how he was given the “keys” (authority). Christ said he was given all authority in heaven and earth, and Christ proceeded to give Peter, and him alone, exclusive authority that he didn’t give to any of the other apostles.
Christ gave Peter power to bind on earth to the point whatever he bound on earth would be bound in heaven, whatever he loosed on earth would be loosed in heaven. Christ transferred authority to Peter as earthly head of the Church, representing Christ, that is to say.
In the absence of Christ, Peter was their clear leader. He spoke for the apostles. He settled the arguments. He took over leadership of the Church so that the Church always had leadership particularly to guide us through periods where there were questions and needed answers.
When Judas committed suicide, he was replaced by Matthew. This is what we would now what we would refer to as an “office”. When Peter was killed, he was replaced by another who would have authority to lead.
Christ promised he would oversee his Church, and we have faith in that. Christ said he would establish his Church, not churches. I believe he established the Catholic Churches.
Many have split off, but I stay with the original, because I believe it has held closest to the beliefs Christ taught, with the representatives and their descendents.
Some have tried to split off, make their own policies, but I don’t believe they had the same divine authority to do this that Peter had. We now have …checked online, and one site said there were 33,000…a bit more…of different brands now of Christianity, since it had been split again and again.
Henry VIII couldn’t get an annulment, ran out and started his own church. People often wanted to have churches that would be easier, not what Christ actually taught, not based on either the Bible or magesterium. However, I don’t believe this, or the others, were divinely inspired.
The Church is actually what we would call an “institution”. In fact, it’s the longest running formal institution in the world. Its longevity in and of itself, is a testament to what we believe is divine intervention. No other formal institution has ever lasted as long as the Catholic Church.
It has withstood persecution and all manner of things, trends, heresies, etc.
Peter was asked 3 times, and him alone, to shepherd the Church. Christ told Peter that they would be scattered, but after that, to go back and strengthen the others.
It’s my understanding that authority has been transferred to Peter’s descendents and representatives. When we reject their authority, refuse to obey them, it is like refusing to obey Christ, the apostles and descendents of their representatives, it’s serious.
We can’t just pick and choose, be “cafeteria Catholics”. It’s a package deal, really.
Now, many other faiths have caved in, in modern times, not stayed with what Christ actually taught or Christ’s representatives, preferring their own. If anyone were to read the Bible, both in the Old and New Testament, it speaks specifically against gay unions. There are numerous references that are clear and unmistakable. There is no place where it is condoned. It is condemned in very strong terms.
Christ said that from the beginning, we were made male and female and talked against divorce, specifically. The two were to become one, that Moses allowed divorce due to the hardness of our hearts but said that was never the intention.
Also, there are references to fornication and fornicators, that they would not be allowed to go to heaven.
As to receiving communion unworthily, there is reference in the Bible to it, as well. It’s easiest to reference these from online or get an apologetics book.
One could do a Google search armed with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Bible quotes on one issue at a time.
amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=catechism%20of%20the%20catholic%20church&sprefix=catechism+of+the+catholic+chur%2Caps
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
Also, have a Catholic Bible available, hard copy or online.
I once had someone who believed in the Santa Muerte. He said he was Catholic. I looked up the appropriate sections, got a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and said if he was “Catholic”, that was what he was supposed to adhere to.
With some people, that can help.
You familiarize yourself with the Catechism and go with that. If they want to continue believing what they want, it will be a clear rejection of knowing what the position is and WHY.
Is it better to be a good Protestant or bad Catholic? Not sure. One is a rejection of Christ’s representatives, …heresy? The other is… Only God could make that determination based on all the variables.
