Why should I embrace the Catholic Church

[Masihi]

My interest in the Maronite Catholic Church has been growing but I’m still rather skeptical of the Catholic Church so can I have some classic misconceptions cleared up. Also is the Catholic Church in decline with numerous members leaving it for different faiths or sects such as Protestantism as I personally know a friend of mine from India who left the Roman Catholic Church for the Baptist Church I being close to the Eastern Orthodox regularly disagree with him and his pastor regarding the notion of icons and the Catholic and Orthodox Church. Also I’ve heard Pope Francis saying all types of things such as anyone can go to heaven or that hell doesn’t exist.

 

[Lea101]

Well you gotta ask us about the misconceptions then so we can address it.

Whatever Pope Francis says have always been distorted and exaggerated. He’s not a heretic.

 

[HeDa]

One of my hobbies is to find all the errors in the news articles and reports that are contrary to the Catholic faith. Overall I can say that journalists have very, very limited knowledge (to be polite) of the Catholic faith and I don’t trust anything that doesn’t come from Vatican sources.

 

[Masihi]

You know I’ve really been hearing lots of various things going on about the Catholic Church first of all the history of the Catholic Church isn’t too bright. Also where is the word Pope in the Bible or the concept of a Pope all the apostles were equals, Jesus appointed each of the apostles as equals he did not promote Apostle Peter and say hey Peter your the new Pappas (the original Greek word for Pope). Also the Latin Church which later reffered to itself as the Catholic Church didn’t appear into the fray until much later after Christ and for a time was under the rule and communion of the Eastern Church, you can Google the Byzantine Papacy even. The Catholic Church developed throughout history from the electing of Charlemagne to the Great Schism.

 

[TheOldColonel]

Maronites Catholics and Roman Catholics are not separate churches. They are separate Rites within the same Church.

 

[Francis]

@Masihi

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-zeros-in-on-fake-news-for-next-communications-day-94809

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/...st-false-wisdom-that-distracts-from-god-24500

Jesus Founded the the Catholic Church in Mat 16:16,17.IT was a plan of God even before the foundations of the world.and the gates of hell ,will never prevail against it.God shows no partiality to anyone .our God is a God of order, each person differ from another person, his likes dislikes, Faith Hope and Charity likewise, virtues, innumerable other things, But God certainly choose certain persons to do His will, and filled them with much Graces, like Mother Mary, saints etc.in this case ST Peter for his special calling and election, she also had to suffer much for that, till the end.

Romans 9:11-18 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call, 12 she was told, “The elder will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So it depends not upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God’s mercy. 18 So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills.

1 Corinthians 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

Sirach 16:27 He arranged his works in an eternal order, and their dominion for all generations; they neither hunger nor grow weary, and they do not cease from their labors.

Acts 10:34 [ Gentiles Hear the Good News ] And Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, Romans 2:11 For God shows no partiality.

Sorry you friend was not faithful to Jesus and the Catholic Church 2 Timothy 2:11-13 11 The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (dont look at sinners as examples but Jesus)For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

[Entwhistler]

Also, Pappas is Latin. Jesus didn’t speak Latin. He spoke Aramaic or maybe Greek. Pappas is just the nickname for the bishop of Rome and the head of the Church that started a few years in.

So no wonder it’s not in the Bible.

 

[Masihi]

This is probably the only reason I hesitate to become Maronite.

 

[Masihi]

Actually papa is the Latin word Pappas is the Greek word.

 

[Masihi]

Jesus did not proclaim Peter to have primacy or leadership over the apostles each was equal in the sight of Jesus Christ as the Eastern Orthodox Church functions. Also about bad popes the pope is the prime minister of God on Earth if he is bad then why elect him? As you call Peter the so called first Pope if he was bad then I’m sure Jesus would not have appointed him. Also it seems the Latino Church has undergone various changes and reforms throughout history one could even call it evolution.

 

[MonteRCMS]

ALSO keep in mind that for some clerics, English is not their first language, so that in addition to everything else, all of the issues dealing with translation need to be kept in mind.

 

[goout]

My interest in the Maronite Catholic Church has been growing but I’m still rather skeptical of the Catholic Church so can I have some classic misconceptions cleared up. Also is the Catholic Church in decline with numerous members leaving it for different faiths or sects such as Protestantism as I personally know a friend of mine from India who left the Roman Catholic Church for the Baptist Church I being close to the Eastern Orthodox regularly disagree with him and his pastor regarding the notion of icons and the Catholic and Orthodox Church. Also I’ve heard Pope Francis saying all types of things such as anyone can go to heaven or that hell doesn’t exist.

Just like if you were interested in learning something mundane like chemistry…
You owe it to yourself to read authoritative materials. You wouldn’t take someone’s hearsay opinions about organic chemistry, would you? Then don’t take hearsay about Pope Francis.

Read from the real documents of the Church at vatican.va
Read the catechism. This is probably the best place to start. The catechism expresses the “sure norm” of the Catholic faith.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Feast on meat, not stale donuts.

 

[Usagi]

It might be good to address some of these questions to knowledgeable Maronites you know. IIRC the Maronite Church lacks an Orthodox counterpart because it has always stayed in communion with Rome. It seems they would be likely to have a unique perspective on the Papacy that is solidly Eastern and solidly Catholic.

 

[Entwhistler]

My mistake. You are right. But from what I understand, the world Pope comes from the Latin not the Greek and was more of a term of endearment for the bishop of Rome.

 

[Entwhistler]

Why did Christ choose Judas as an apostle? Possibly because he had a part to play in salvation history. Every single human being makes mistakes except our Lady and Christ himself. Christ even told the Jews to follow what the Pharisees said but not what they did. Kind like Catholics and the Pope. The Pope can be a horrible person but still hold legitimate moral power. We just don’t follow his example the.

 

[Francis]

Here Jesus is selecting ST Peter to lead the Catholic Church .it’s not for you and i to judge,it was the Father will ,your talking in a sense of equality,we all are children of God and every one is equal before God that’s not the issue here ,If Jesus is selecting ST Peter who are you and me to question God ,read my above post about eternal order which God has ordained Mathew 16:18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

why will any one select a bad person ? that’s not true

Thought the Cardinals pray and ask the the Holy Spirit to guide them ,they choose the Pope ,ultimately it is God who does everything for True Church on earth and it is, He who selects them. if your see the history of the Church right from the Apostles out of 12 ,one betrayed Jesus , and that will be till the end of the world the same ,the Church will go through scandals,betrayals,persecutions only because it is His True Church,God is faithful even though we may be unfaithful Jeremiah 3:15 “‘And I will give you shepherds (Popes) after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

If you read the history of the Catholic Church you can see how Jesus has guided the Church and also punished it ,purifies it ,catechizes it ,to bring it to the fullness of Love as we pray at each Holy Mass, do not doubt it,or go after false media reports after all,It is the Bride of Christ.God Bless

 

[Gorgias]

where is the word Pope in the Bible

Where is it said in the Bible that “all Church offices or titles must be in the Bible”?

or the concept of a Pope all the apostles were equals, Jesus appointed each of the apostles as equals he did not promote Apostle Peter and say hey Peter your the new Pappas

Actually, Jesus did precisely that. Re-read Matthew 16, but this time, in the Greek:

κἀγὼ δέ σοι λέγω ὅτι σὺ εἶ Πέτρος…

I say to you (singular), you (singular) are Peter…

δώσω σοι τὰς κλεῖδας τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν δήσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται δεδεμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν λύσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται λελυμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.

I give to you (singular) the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you (singular) might bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you (singular) might loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Do you see it? Jesus is giving that authority to Peter alone.

Also the Latin Church which later reffered to itself as the Catholic Church didn’t appear into the fray until much later after Christ and for a time was under the rule and communion of the Eastern Church, you can Google the Byzantine Papacy even.

Actually, the ‘Byzantine papacy’ refers to a period in which the Empire (not the Eastern Church) required that they approve the election of the pope. Not his policies, mind you, or governance… just election.

The Catholic Church developed throughout history from the electing of Charlemagne to the Great Schism.

Not sure what you’re trying to say. The Eastern Church “developed through history”, too.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

I am also strongly considering converting to Catholicism. I am not Orthodox. I am Protestant. However, I had the same reservation about the Pope and Peter as you express. I’ve discovered something which rings true to me. Perhaps it will ring true for you?

The first is Matthew 16: 13-20. This is where Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah, and Jesus establishes the Church.

17Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah.
I added the emphasis for verses 18 and 19. I am quoting from here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16

There are lots of helpful footnotes if you click the link. The footnote for Matthew 16:18 points out that the “Aramaic word kēpā’ meaning rock and transliterated into Greek as Kēphas” was often used as the name for Peter in Paul’s letters. That being the case the passage could actually be read as "You are the Rock (Kēpā’) and upon this rock (kēpā’) I will build my church.”

There is another important scripture here: John 21:15-17.

15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.
http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/21

Taken together, it rings true that Peter was singled out by God. This singling out placed him in a leadership position amongst the apostles. The idea that he was 1 of 12, but set apart is not a stretch. Even the early bishops saw it this way. An example would be the Second Ecumenical Council in 381. Canon 3 says “The Bishop of Constantinople, however, shall have the prerogative of honor after the Bishop of Rome; because Constantinople is New Rome.” Rome is first.

There is a detailed discussion of evidence for papal primacy here: http://www.unamsanctamcatholicam.co...y/98-papal-primacy-in-the-first-councils.html .

Scripture shows that Christ set Peter apart. The Church governed itself this way until 400 year after the resurrection when the East began to assert itself. I don’t know if this helps you, but it certainly helped me.

 

[Masihi]

Peter was central in the early spread of the gospel (part of the meaning behind Matthew 16:18-19), the teaching of Scripture, taken in context, nowhere declares that he was in authority over the other apostles or over the church (see Acts 15:1-23; Galatians 2:1-14; 1 Peter 5:1-5). Nor is it ever taught that the bishop of Rome was to have primacy over the church. Scripture shows that Peter’s authority was shared by the other apostles (Ephesians 2:19-20) and that the “loosing and binding” authority attributed to him was likewise shared by the local churches, not just their Church leaders (see Matthew 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 13:10; Titus 2:15; 3:10-11). The apostle Paul, in fact, rebukes Peter when Peter was leading others astray (Galatians 2:11-14). Yes, the apostle Peter had a prominent role. Yes, perhaps the apostle Peter was the leader of the apostles (although the book of Acts records the apostle Paul and Jesus’ brother James as also having prominent leadership roles). Whatever the case, Peter was not the “commander” or supreme authority over the other apostles.

 

[catholic1seeks]

Let’s look at a chief Byzantine and celebrated saint in the Orthodox Church, Saint Maximus the Confessor and what he has to say:

The extremities of the earth, and everyone in every part of it who purely and rightly confess the Lord, look directly towards the Most Holy Roman Church and her confession and faith, as to a sun of unfailing light awaiting from her the brilliant radiance of the sacred dogmas of our Fathers, according to that which the inspired and holy Councils have stainlessly and piously decreed. For, from the descent of the Incarnate Word amongst us, all the churches in every part of the world have held the greatest Church alone to be their base and foundation, seeing that, according to the promise of Christ Our Savior, the gates of hell will never prevail against her, that she has the keys of the orthodox confession and right faith in Him, that she opens the true and exclusive religion to such men as approach with piety, and she shuts up and locks every heretical mouth which speaks against the Most High. (Maximus, Opuscula theologica et polemica, Migne, Patr. Graec. vol. 90)

How much more in the case of the clergy and Church of the Romans, which from old until now presides over all the churches which are under the sun? Having surely received this canonically, as well as from councils and the apostles, as from the princes of the latter (Peter and Paul), and being numbered in their company, she is subject to no writings or issues in synodical documents, on account of the eminence of her pontificate ……even as in all these things all are equally subject to her (the Church of Rome) according to sacerodotal law. And so when, without fear, but with all holy and becoming confidence, those ministers (the popes) are of the truly firm and immovable rock, that is of the most great and Apostolic Church of Rome.

(Maximus, in J.B. Mansi, ed. Amplissima Collectio Conciliorum, vol. 10)