What is the best approach when someone mentions "bad things" done by the Catholic Church?

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Tis_Bearself said:
the Church is made up of humans, some of them have made mistakes or even grievously sinned
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And I would add that mistakes are by no means a historical occurrence in the Catholic Church alone. Remind them that Protestants for instance, were the ones who condemned/burned most of the people accused of witchcraft.
 
Oh, I absolutely agree. But if I’m having an argument with someone about the Inquisition (or any touchy subject), and we aren’t able to come to an understanding about what the Inquisition actually was and what actually happened, then we’re not going to get too far.

I think what you’re saying points to a bigger problem in society- people aren’t able to have calm, rational arguments anymore. Everything is highly emotional, and it’s very difficult have a reasonable argument with someone who is approaching things with that mindset.
 
CTBcin said:
I think what you’re saying points to a bigger problem in society- people aren’t able to have calm, rational arguments anymore. Everything is highly emotional, and it’s very difficult have a reasonable argument with someone who is approaching things with that mindset.
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I agree, and I also think that most people who point to “bad things” done historically by the Catholic Church, unless they are very young and reading history for the first time, are coming at it from an emotional perspective. Rational people who read history realize that in many past eras, the social context for everyone was considerably different than it is today, and that pretty much every group out there was doing things that would be considered appalling by today’s standards. That doesn’t excuse the Church personnel who did bad acts or condoned the bad acts of governments, but it places it within the social context of the reality of the time.

A better question to me might be, not why did the Church do thus and so, but why did society in general commit appalling acts whereby Protestants and Catholics were killing and torturing each other (and some groups of Protestants killed other groups of Protestants as well), somebody else was burning witches, etc. And how did we all become enlightened enough that virtually everyone, Catholic and Protestant, now rejects such behavior. Also, why have some groups like the Catholics and various sects of Protestants continued to be active, while other groups like the Puritans who were both persecuted and themselves did a large amount of persecuting others, simply withered and disappeared.
 
What is the most effective way to address alleged or actual evil acts done by the Catholic Church?

First, presumption of innocence, and we know the Church has an Institution cannot commit evil.(CC157,161,162). People do.
Second, since this is a Holy Institution, who besides the Tribunal of Law has the right to review her acts or charge.? The faithful by the grace of the Church have their self assurance as to the Church’s disposition at all times, and should not by these queries put it to the test of consideration.
Three, even a point that is not made can bring aspersions on the Church. We are to ensure it’s Truth and light shines pure to those enquiring, or those that will.
Four. we need to review our knowledge of what is sacred.
Five. if it will help, in the least, if the effect can be attributed to a cause, then don’t stop at the convenient stop point of our own choosing, go to that cause. The practice says something that is wanting on the one considering.
 
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