According to Protestant doctine, ministers of religion have no special power or authority that is not available to everyone else. Catholics maintain that priests are the heirs of the Apostles, and were indirectly appointed and authorized to perform special functions. no... Priests/Ministers DO have power not available to anyone else... the can MARRY people and YOU not I can't, they can Baptize babies where we can only do it in an emergency etc... so there are things only they can do.
Protestants maintain that belief is the sole criteria for salvation. While good behavior is a logic consequence of belief, it is not of any value. Catholics have a different position on free will that enables them to say that good works and holy living are spitirually valuable.
Good works and Holy living ARE spiritually valuable... if only to the one who believes it...
i can't help but believe that the Trinity doesn't look on those who truly try to help their brothers and sisters more kindly than those who could care less what happens to them... that's where pergatory comes in... the better life you lead here the less time you'll spend there before going to Heaven!!!
but then again... that's just me 8^)