Posted on 10/14/2011 7:01:15 PM PDT by Lazamataz
The One true Church, and how to recognize it.
Use this guideline as a measure...
*It was founded by Jesus Christ Himself in Mt 16:18.
*It would be built on Simon Peter, Mt 16:18.
*It would be defended by GOD Himself, Mt 16:18-19.
*It would have authority given by Jesus Christ, Mt 16:19,18:17-18.
*It would be guided by the Holy Spirit who will dwell within it, Jn 14:15-17, Act 15:28,16:6.
*It would be one and undivided, Mk 3:24-25.
*It would have one fold and one shepherd, Jn 10:16.
*It would have Priests, Bishops, and Deacons, 1Tim 3:1-13.
*It must have the Holy Eucharist celebration, Jn 6:42-70, Act 2:42.
*It must be found in all nations, Mt 28:19.
*It must be found in all centuries, Mt 28:20.
*Jesus Christ said He would be with His Church every day, in every year, until the end of the world, Mt 28:20. (This means no gaps in time.)
“Would a school principal or teacher or teacher’s aide be held to the same standard?”
You have a point there. Had this happened in the schools systems the Unions would cover this in a New York Minute.
I belong to the Catholic Church, the same Church Saint Augustine belonged to.
Sibelius is from the diocese of Kansas City, KS. This is Kansas City, MO -- totally different diocese.
And Sibelius has been ordered by her bishop not to receive communion, so, while she's a Catholic, she's not a Catholic in good standing with the Church.
http://www.kctv5.com/story/15253531/parents-claim-diocese-coverup-led-to-priest-abusing-their-daughteri
The computer repairman alerted a diocese deacon to the images. Church officials then asked a diocese computer technician to review the laptop, according to police investigators. Copies of the image were made but the laptop was turned over to Ratigan's family, who then destroyed the laptop, according to investigators. A church official in December described a single picture over the phone to a police officer, investigators have said. The diocese didn't give the images to police until May. In the ensuing months, Ratigan remained with the diocese. Diocese officials have said they contacted police in May after Ratigan ignored warnings to stay away from children, including on St. Patrick's Day and Easter Sunday.
You bring many good points, and I don’t claim to have an inner knowledge of Catholicism, just some relatives who are perturbed deeply by the scandals. More so the cover-ups by some in the hierarchy than by the individual failures...
Celibacy has a scriptural basis ( the nazarite sect), and Paul eschewed it’s virtues as well. Is it a requirement? I think not, but won’t condemn those who advocate it.
Therer are plenty of fallen married pastors in the Protestant world; adulterers, homsexuals, pedophiles, etc.
What you don’t see is a systemic cover-up, perhaps because the systems aren’t nearly as big as the RCC. Also, I do believe the RCC may be on the downhill side of this, as you suggest. That is what is confounding about this case- what was Finn thinking?
Thanks for you thoughtful post.
The sect of the Nazarites was an OT foreshadowing of Paul’s endorsement of celibacy. Samson is a notable example.
I don’t always, but sometimes (like friday night with no one else home and some beer) I feel like going a few rounds!
It’s not always about winning, but about advocating for a point of view. Mine has been changed plenty over the years by people willing to spar. There are some sharp ones here at FR!
” Paul’s word’s not good enough for you?”
Sure it is, but Christianity would have died out 2000 years ago. There is a calling for celibacy in Church leadership, but not a requirement. Is Paul holier than David, Moses,etc?
Mine granted me the keys to the Universe, but God granted me Free Will.
I don’t belong to a sect, but doctrinally I am an evangelical, literalist, non-dispensational lay member of the Body of Christ. There is one Church; it doesn’t have any walls and it, like Christ, is not divided.
Indeed, and had our fathers been we would not be here.
Celibacy may be an ideal for devotion to God, but it is not a requirement for tending the flock.
I belong to the Church, the Bride of Christ; the same that the Bridegroom died for.
Any other subdivision is parochial.
Absolutely, all I am arguing is that celibacy is a gift not a burden.
And pushing it too far can lead to other troubles. I don’t know if Samson’s mother ever took a vow to keep him single as well as a nondrinker and nonshaver, the bible does not spell that out, but his affair with Delilah was his undoing.
It is clear that Samson defiled his vow; yet God chose to use him in a remarkable way.
Such is God’s purpose and power.
I find Samson an interesting character, “you can run but you cannot hide...”
Even the greatest of sinners and human failures can be used by God in a mighty way, and in that last breath they are redeemed and evidence his forgiveness through their (our) last gasp of faith.
I am a sinner as well.
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