[Revelation 911]

One of their websites states that they were formed in 1457. That's a pretty long time after Christ.

....and solidifying doctrine in 1854 regarding Marys perpetual virginity isn't?

By that token - anyone who held that position beforhand was a heretic

So - taking it to another extension - Calvin - Wesley and Luther were "heretics" then for affirming Marys perpetual virginity and "ok" now, as it suits the argument and Pope Pius IX says its "kosher" (he he)

(quotation marks used figuratively)

....can you honestly grasp how nonsensical it looks from the outside

[conservonator]

....can you honestly grasp how nonsensical it looks from the outside

Yes, everything looks different from the outside. Can you imagine how Christianity looks to an outsider? To understand, you must shed your prejudice and be as a child: trust completely, be curious and have faith. Come inside, again, it can be done. That’s what happened to me.

[RobbyS]

A faithful Catholic can believe in a heresy. St. Thomas did not believe in the Immaculation Conception. Some Catholics are so poorly catechized that if they and a Methodist are each asked if they agree with a list of Catholic doctrines, the Methodist may score higher than the Catholic. The real test is, however, which part is more willing to yield his opinion in favor of the Church.

[ChicagoGirl]

By that token - anyone who held that position beforhand was a heretic

I don't know where you get this idea. The church always believed in the perpetual virginity of Mary, and restated it in 1854, because heretics were refuting it. Not because it wasn't true before.

...can you honestly grasp how nonsensical it looks from the outside

To be honest, I think your bias against the Church has blinded you from the truth. Your argument is nonsensical. The Church has remained constant in its belief about Mary for more than 2000 years, and if you can't see that as proof of the truth, then I can't help you. God chose a human woman to bear His son and carry Him in her womb and give birth to Him and raise Him. The bible, 2000 years of faithful Christians and common sense all hold that Mary remained a virgin for life.

I believe that God wants us to honor and respect His Holy Mother.