Why Should Former Catholics Return to the Church

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CourtingTex

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I get a lot of stuff, etc from friends who are loyal to Catholicism telling me I should return. Mainly because they have issues with my church, which I ignore. The assaults from friends or folks on the forums/etc are not going to end so I do not concern myself.

What characteristics, real and can be verified that prove the church is the true church and other Christian churches or even my church is not? I am looking for true answers that will be verified, not the usual responses that are agenda driven of why folks should return to the church I see on the forums and otherwise.
 
Well, the most basic is that Christ Himself founded it.
The other denominations came centuries later. My personal opinion beyond the theology of it all, is that you don’t get so far-flung and with all kinds of opposing opinions and call yourselves “authentic”.
It doesn’t work like that with anything else.
The original is always…well, the original.
 
why do you need biased answers on an internet forum to convince you to return to the Catholic Church, all anyone here will and can do is site scripture, site the catechisim, canon law , dogma , natural law, and who knows what else. You would have to also elaborate on what you consider verifiable answers.

You either do or dont want to return to the Church, no one on an internet forum needs to do the leg work on convincing you. That is your responsiblity , to seek your verifiable answers and decide if you want to or not.
 
I see a lot of things said here and elsewhere and so I do not know what to believe. Imagine being me sincerely trying to gain answers and coming across a lot of information that states what the Catholic church “really” is, if you will. The primary reason Catholic Answers came to be was to bring what Catholics actually believe out to those who truly are seeking.

I do not know if you a cradle Catholic or not, regardless I hope I have made what I am seeking clearer.
 
Honestly, I think you’re gonna have to discuss this with an apologist and follow up with a priest. Perhaps your diocese could refer you to someone.

“And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, not even if one rise from among [the] dead will they be persuaded.”
 
Base on past posting history with @courtingtex it doesn’t appear he wants to be reverted to the Catholic Church. He has stated many times over he is happy to have escaped the Catholic Church for the LDS.
 
it doesn’t matter if I am a cradle catholic or not, but if you really want to put stock into what the Catholic Church really is and choose an internet forum to do so that is well intentioned but lacks any real authority to preach or teach that is fine. I am just saying you have to really define what you consider to be verifiable answers because that is a broad term, and if you want to really find out what the Catholic Church is, eventually you have to stop seeking answers online, and go to an actual Catholic Church, find an R.C.I.A program and get involved. You will be very limited on finding spiritual answers online, the internet does have a lot resources for information but limits real life interaction. At some point you have to decide wether or not you are going to make a move to find out.
 
So are you recommending that I give my query to a apologist here? With regards to a priest, do I make a appointment to meet with a priest - how should I approach a priest?
 
I have a lot of compassion for those seeking answers faith-wise, so I will try to give you the reasons why I am a Catholic and why I believe it to be the right Church.

As Clare said, it is the Church Christ founded. The earliest recorded evidence of the use of the term “Catholic Church” is the Letter to the Smyrnaeans that Ignatius of Antioch wrote in about 107 to Christians in Smyrna. We also have the closest traditions to the early Christians. The Catholic Church cannot be called a break away church, because it was the first. Any other church that came later has either been because a man (or woman) decided that they did not agree. This could happen any time. The Church was supernaturally instituted, Peter being the first Pope, so I cannot find a good explanation as to why a break away church would be the True Faith. These are just my thoughts.

It is said in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” Tradition is important. Yet, tradition is tricky. I believe that certain traditions in the Catholic Church have stuck because they were divinely meant to stick. They reaped good fruit.

We are led by an authority. All Catholics follow the Pope. We do not have to agree with him on matters where he is fallible, but we still have some sort of authority. It is much easier for a sheep to be led astray when it does not have a shepherd. We are a universal, (not cultural, or local, like some religions) united Church. There can be no reason for division if we all agree. Jesus prayed for unity before His death, so I see this as a sign that He wanted His Church to be united.

I suggest reading about the saints. They are beautiful models of holiness. St. Gemma, St. Faustina, St. Padre Pio, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatious.

edited to add: Yes, definitely talk to a priest. He will be able to help you.
 
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Thank you for the “heads up.” I hope it’s not a “baiting thread.”
 
Same way you would approach the Pastor of your Church; however don’t waste a priest’s time if you are not sincerely wanting to convert. Your posts seem to not be clear regarding your intent.
 
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CourtingTex said:
What characteristics, real and can be verified that prove the church is the true church and other Christian churches or even my church is not? I am looking for true answers that will be verified, not the usual responses that are agenda driven of why folks should return to the church I see on the forums and otherwise.
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Hello CT,
My response isn’t agenda driven because I really don’t care what church you join. If you believe in the historicity of the BOM then there are many churches that have a more legitimate claim to being the offshoot of the original Church of Christ.
 
Suggestion: go to a Catholic Mass (in the vernacular,not the traditional mass said in Latin) and listen to the creed that the entire congregation says after the homily or sermon. That is what Catholics believe, or maybe better, must believe to say we are Catholic. If you do not agree or find it problematic, you’re probably better off staying where you are. If some things are not clear, then you might want to talk to a priest to get a clearer picture.

If you are looking for perfect people in a perfect church, you are not going to find it in the RCC. The Catholic church is a place where sinners help other sinners find bread.
 
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Because Christ founded a Church. Only one Church can be traced in a direct line all the way back to Christ.

Because every 1st Century writing that we have describes Catholicism and the Mass.

Because God does not create division and confusion, every spin off cannot be right.
 
CourtingTex said:
I get a lot of stuff, etc from friends who are loyal to Catholicism telling me I should return. Mainly because they have issues with my church, which I ignore. The assaults from friends or folks on the forums/etc are not going to end so I do not concern myself.

What characteristics, real and can be verified that prove the church is the true church and other Christian churches or even my church is not? I am looking for true answers that will be verified, not the usual responses that are agenda driven of why folks should return to the church I see on the forums and otherwise.
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The answer requires 2 posts

The Church has been Catholic from the 1st century. The English word Catholic is a transliteration of the Greek katholikos which is a compound word from kata, which means according to, and holos, which means the whole or taken together, = throughout all, or universal. http://www.catholic.com/tracts/what-catholic-means

From the Greek NT
Acts 9:31 “the church throughout all ἐκκλησία,καθ’,ὅλης ,τῆς ,Judea and Galilee and Sama’ria…" = the Kataholos Church. One can ask, where does kata holos ekklesia appear in scripture?

Acts 9:31 the church throughout all ἐκκλησία καθ’ ὅλης τῆς
ἐκκλησία = Strong's Greek: 1577. ἐκκλησία (ekklésia) -- an assembly, a (religious) congregation ,
καθ’ = http://bibleapps.com/greek/2596.htm ,
ὅλης = http://bibleapps.com/greek/3650.htm ,
τῆς = http://bibleapps.com/greek/3588.htm , Judea and Galilee and Sama’ria…"
= the Kataholos Church = the Catholic Church.

Catholic Church is used by

Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch from ~69 a.d. to ~107 a.d. ordained by the apostles, a direct disciple of St John. It was in Antioch where the disciples were first called Christian Acts 11:26 Acts 11:26 RSVCE - and when he had found him, he brought - Bible Gateway Ignatius in his writings uses both “Christian” and “Catholic Church”

St Ignatius, uses Christian in (ch 2) and Catholic Church in (ch 8)
Epistle to the Smyrnæans http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0109.htm of which schismatics won’t be going to heaven _Epistle to the Philadelphians (ch 3)_ . http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0108.htm . Where would Ignatius learn to teach that warning and consequence for one’s soul, for committing and remaining in the sin of schism / division from the Catholic Church?

From St Paul

Romans 16:17-20 # SEARCH rom 16

Galatians 5:19-21 # SEARCH gal 5

to be continued
 
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CourtingTex said:
I get a lot of stuff, etc from friends who are loyal to Catholicism telling me I should return.
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continuation

and that ultimately came from Jesus who does NOT approve of division in His Church John 17:20-23 # SEARCH jn 17 , and since the HS only teaches what comes from Jesus John 16:12-15 Douay-Rheims Bible, John Chapter 16 no one can say the HS inspired THEM to divide, or inspired all the divisions we see today in Christianity. There is no expiration date to that warning and condemnation against division, and those who do it and keep it going. Once one knows the truth of their condition, their own division from the Catholic Church, and it’s condemnation, (seen in scripture and Tradition) and they don’t end their division, then they can’t be saved. That is from scripture and tradition.
846 Catechism of the Catholic Church - Paragraph # 846 .

Catholic Church is used by

St Polycarp, Bishop from Smyrna, disciple of St John called the Church the “Catholic Church”
The Martyrdom of Polycarp http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0102.htm

Muratorian canon Muratorian Canon (Roberts-Donaldson Translation) uses authority of “Catholic Church” in determining the canon

Irenaeus ~180 a.d. Saint, bishop, from Smyrna, became bishop of Lyon, wrote “Against Heresies” he called the Church the “Catholic Church” Adversus haereses [Bk 1 Chapter 10 v 3] http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103110.htm . Irenaeus was taught by Polycarp, and teaches all must agree with Rome [Bk 3, Chapter 3, v 2-3] http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103303.htm on account of its preeminent authority

Cyprian~250 a.d. calls the Church the Catholic Church Epistle 54 http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/050654.htm

The Nicene Creed, 325 a.d., teaches it’s an article of faith to believe in the “One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church”

Augustine ~395 . There are many other things that most justly keep me in her [i.e. the Catholic Church’s] bosom. . . . The succession of priests keeps me, beginning from the very seat of the Apostle Peter, to whom the Lord, after His resurrection, gave it in charge to feed His sheep, down to the present episcopate. And so, lastly, does the name itself of Catholic, which, not without reason, amid so many heresies, the Church has thus retained; so that, though all heretics wish to be called Catholics, yet when a stranger asks where the Catholic Church meets, no heretic will venture to point to his own chapel or house.Against the Epistle of Manichaeus Called Fundamental (ch 5 v6) http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1405.htm

etc

The same Church today, Pope Francis is over, 266th successor to St Peter.

Jesus started one Church. The Catholic Church. He gave all His promises to His Church. No one then can argue the HS inspired them to start their own church, and divide from the Catholic Church because that would contradict Jesus prayer. John 17:20-23 Douay-Rheims Bible, John Chapter 17
 
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As Christians, we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is indeed the Living Son of God. As God, Christ would never lie to us, but it is easy for many to take what He taught out of context or focus too much on one statement while ignoring many others Christ gave us and misunderstand Him. We are also tempted by the joy of this world enough to want to keep God in His place, at bay, while we live our own way.

So perhaps step one: Read carefully EVERY statement by Christ and ask whether a particular Christian denomination teaches the FULLNESS OF CHRIST. Many non Catholics do not accept that Jesus is indeed present Body and Soul in properly consecrated Holy Communion. But Christ said, “This IS My Body. This IS My Blood. DO THIS in remembrance of Me.” Read John 6: 51-57 Matthew 26: 26-28 Mark 14: 22-23 Luke 22: 19-20 and 1 Corinthians 11: 23-28. Christ gave this power to HIS Apostles, men HE chose, not others who came along 1,500 years later and chose to leave out the fullness of Christ.

The same is true for Sacrament of Reconciliation, a power Christ gave at His first meeting with His Apostles after HE rose from the dead in John 20: 21-23: “Receive the Holy Spirit, who’s sins you shall forgive are forgiven. Who’s sins you shall retain are retained.”

Note my quotes may not be 100% accurate but the question to ask, did Christ lie about Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation? What does the Church teach and what do those who protest the Church teach?

I also recommend reading John Chapter 14, 15, 16, 17. Here are Christ’s last instructions to His Apostles before His Passion and Crucifixion. He was talking to the 11 Apostles not the crowds to whom His Apostles would talk to. Christ GAVE His Apostles authority. TAKING authority some 1500 plus years later just is not the same thing, given John Chapters 14-17.

To close, I recommend 2 of many books: 1. “The Reformation” by Dairmaid MacCullough. 2. “Characters of the Reformation” by Belloc.
 
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joeybaggz said:
Suggestion: go to a Catholic Mass (in the vernacular,not the traditional mass said in Latin) and listen to the creed that the entire congregation says after the homily or sermon. That is what Catholics believe, or maybe better, must believe to say we are Catholic. If you do not agree or find it problematic, you’re probably better off staying where you are. If some things are not clear, then you might want to talk to a priest to get a clearer picture.

If you are looking for perfect people in a perfect church, you are not going to find it in the RCC. The Catholic church is a place where sinners help other sinners find bread.
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Love this post. Makes me feel warm, hugged and protected in the arms of the Church where I am fed.
 
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