Other reasons for being Catholic

[Jessup]

I have faith problems, I was almost protestant, and almost LDS at one time.
The only reason I’m Catholic is because the priests who speak the gospels and serve in the church are poor, and celibate. I went to one protestant church, where the head pastor is a retired pharmacist manager, How can someone with that good a life honestly tell teach me anything about God and still have credentials? At the time of my near LDS church conversion I had found out that the favorite leader of mine, Dieter Uchendorf, is a Ex fighter pilot,
Sorry I can’t possibly listen to someone as awesome as that tell me about how God’s plan helps you. with that being said, thus the only reason I’m catholic is because the priest give up everything to serve God.
Is there anyone else who’s reasoning is like this or am I alone?

 

[Stylites]

Certainly the fact that people can give up everything of what the world has to offer is one of the hallmarks of Christianity; all the wealth and power and pleasure and prestige and honors which the unhappy worldly chase so after. Just as today’s readings and homilies indicated, the world offers the soul no real satisfaction; only the Bread of Life can satisfy.

 

[rfournier103]

To me… I think that since the Catholic Church IS THE OLDEST CHRISTIAN CHURCH that makes it more legitimate. Also, St. Peter is buried in St. Peter’s tomb at the Vatican. An actual biblical figure resides at a Catholic Church!!! Who else can boast that? The man Jesus Himself ordered to “feed My sheep”!!! I can go on, but I’ll leave some for someone else.

Good hunting!

 

[cmforte]

I have faith problems, I was almost protestant, and almost LDS at one time.
The only reason I’m Catholic is because the priests who speak the gospels and serve in the church are poor, and celibate. I went to one protestant church, where the head pastor is a retired pharmacist manager, How can someone with that good a life honestly tell teach me anything about God and still have credentials? At the time of my near LDS church conversion I had found out that the favorite leader of mine, Dieter Uchendorf, is a Ex fighter pilot,
Sorry I can’t possibly listen to someone as awesome as that tell me about how God’s plan helps you. with that being said, thus the only reason I’m catholic is because the priest give up everything to serve God.
Is there anyone else who’s reasoning is like this or am I alone?

Not every priest is “poor.” Though little of the money and other resources they get is personally their own. Some Bishops have lived quite ostentatious lives: forbes.com/2002/12/06/cx_bs_1206home.html , google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4LENN_en___US445&q=cardinal+law’s+mansion .

And there are two ways to look at this. Many protestants (and maybe a few Catholics) believe in the “health and wealth Gospel” or in “name it and claim it,” that is: why would a loving God who adopts you as His child want you to be poor and suffer, instead of being healthy and successful (so that you can then use your success to help and bless others)? Did not Jesus say, Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God, and **all these things will be added to you.” **

Of course, historic christian theology, both Catholic and Orthodox, has been to endure suffering for Christ and to give up material wants, or atleast the desire for material things, to seek the kingdom of God and be in service to others. So it depends on how you look at it. As long as God and serving others come first, as long as we are not fixated on wealth and materialism, I see nothing wrong with such being a fruit of faith and an incidental result oif honest work.

I hope that is not the "only" reason you are Catholic, but I am happy you are Catholic. The priest of my former parish was the son and heir to the Karchers who started Carl’s Jr./Hardees and was making good money in real estate, yet gave it all up to be a priest. There are many testimonies like that, but, as I pointed out, not every priest or Bishop lives poor lives, but that shouldn’t be any reason to be or not to be Catholic.

-Chris

 

[cmforte]

To me… I think that since the Catholic Church IS THE OLDEST CHRISTIAN CHURCH that makes it more legitimate. Also, St. Peter is buried in St. Peter’s tomb at the Vatican. An actual biblical figure resides at a Catholic Church!!! Who else can boast that? The man Jesus Himself ordered to “feed My sheep”!!! I can go on, but I’ll leave some for someone else.

Good hunting!

This.

-Chris

 

[Nils]

That is not the reason why I am Catholic, but I agree with you that the poverty of the Priest is an important witness of how they are called to forget themselves.

Not every Priest is poor, nor celibate. However, if they love money or live unpure lifes they should not be ordained (1 Tim 3:3).

I wish you the best of luck in your search for truth and beauty!