[Legatus]

What I DO have a problem with is the teaching that man can merit God's favor through his own works or the works of other fallen men.

From the text of the Mass... again...

"Into their [those already in Heaven] company we beseech Thee admit us, not considering our merits, but freely pardoning our offenses. Through Christ our Lord."

NOT considering our merits. How much more explicit can the Church be?!

[Ann Archy]

WHAT??? I go to Mass EVERY day, I have NEVER heard that!!

[CynicalBear]

Then what is purgatory for?

[Faith Presses On]

The Catholic Church does teach works salvation. I’ve heard it from Catholic leaders at different times. (One example would be a Protestant theologian to Catholic conversion story posted here a little while ago in which the man wrote he couldn’t get behind the idea of man’s total depravity. ) But Catholic leaders just say contradictory things at different times to “cover all the bases.”