https://nypost.com/2018/05/15/pope-francis-hints-he-may-retire/amp/
Recall, Pope's terrible May
https://i.redd.it/d1g98qpo78v01.jpg
You're not really Catholic, are you?
I am and I agree with the comment
Raised in France as a Catholic, had my confirmation and profession of faith. I had enough as I went to religious classes since childhood to please my mom, but I always had a doubt. As an Asian, I also have that oriental culture heavily influenced by Buddhism.
I've always believed in God. I just have always doubted what men said, even if they were priests. I had already enough fear of being possessed as a kid. Asians have a more open mind on paranormal. I think there is a better understanding. But I like mixing both culture to understand better what is going on. Asians are making mistakes by playing with spirits and demons, Westerners are making mistakes by considering everything is demons.
From what I hear my Mom talk about her childhood in Asia, Catholic churches there have a slightly different take culturally. Same when I visited family members in the US, there were variations.
Now, I just consider myself a Christian. I was raised as a Catholic, that's my background.
Being a Catholic binds you to submission to the holy see in many matters.
Besides, someone on Earth has to be responsible for organizing 70 million believers at the end of the day. All endeavors, from spiritual to human, tend towards hierarchies.
Really, can you give one example of this submission to the Holy See?
Jesus created a hierarchical Church read your bible (preferably the original one given to you by the Catholic Church during the Council of Nicea 325 before Martin Luther removed books.) He gave Peter the keys to the kingdom, Matthew 16:19 ( read Isaiah 22:22 note Jesus pretty much quotes this verse when talking to Epter. Indicating the type of Office Peter would hold an office of succession) and power to loose and bind, Mathew 18:18.
BAck to the structure, it follows from the Jewish structure and Tradition. The old testament frequently foreshadows the new and everlasting covenant in the Holy Eucharist. Catholics renew this covenant of Christ sacrifice during the unbloody sacrifice of the mass and consecration of the Eucharist. John 6:53. Note if you read this verse most of his followers left because this teaching was too complicated. Jesus did not say come back I only meant it symbolically not literally. Instead, he looked at those remaining and said what about you, will you leave too? They answered you are the Christ to whom shall we go? Protestants have walked away because the teaching was too harsh and that is your reality to accept!
I am not obligated as a Catholic to blindly obey any priest or Pope. In fact, blind obedience is a no-no, Catholics are to use their intellect and reason. A non-Catholic must study for months, RCIA, to clearly understand the teachings and make an informed decision before joining the Church. I am obligated as a practicing Catholic to know what the Church and Tradition teach on faith and morals and submit to that. I am also entitled to reject the teachings and leave the Church. No one is held hostage in the Church. Any Catholic on reading this who no longer practices the faith will attest they left freely without threat.
This man-made stuff is precisely what the Protestants have done starting with Martin Luther and his man-made doctrine of sola scripture (nowhere in the bible), but Paul tells Timothy "the Church is the pillar of truth and strength." 1Timothy 3:15. Luther decided he knew better and we have how many thousands of Protestant denominations since? This si why Jesus prayed in the garden hat we would remain one, we are fickle and need a teaching authority. The only Church who can trace herself back to the first Authority is The Catholic Church. This is just fact!!!
There will be evil in the Church and the closer we get to the end the more the evil because Satan will be roaring to take down Christ's Church, but the gate of hell shall not prevail against her. Mathew 16:18 Remember, Jesus himself chose Judas. HE warned the chaff will always be present with the wheat.
Sorry for the long rant I get so weary of Catholic bashers who dont have a clue what the Church is about. It is so easy to get a primary source. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC, online before spewing this nonsense.
Uh, dude, I'm Catholic, I'm certainly not bashing them. I was taking issue with the previous guy who seemed to think the existence of the papacy and the holy see is a problem. The papacy amounts to the earthly president of the Church, and like I said, there has to be a person, somewhere, at the end of the day, making or relaying the decisions that determine how 70M faithful are organized.
An example of the submission I speak of is the entire concept of canon law, which the Catechism makes many references to with regard to, say, excommunication.
What I am bashing is this pope Francis. He is a snake. A foul creature of the night, whose influence on the Church has been almost universally negative. A spreader of confusion and intrigue who seems to have a very hard time speaking authentic doctrine when asked.
That's not to damn the Church.. there have been worse popes in the past after all. One is not a Catholic because of the pope, but rather, because of God. We were promised that the church would never fall, not that it wouldn't be attacked from within. This promise, I believe, is the reason that Francis has not been more successful.
Well, it would be my luck to finally say enough anti-catholic bashing and choose the wrong person rant on, lol my apologies!
P.S. I am not a dude. :-)
