the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32).
the rest of the story...
And now once more Jesus spoke to them, I am the light of the world, he said. He who follows me can never walk in darkness; he will possess the light which is life. 13 Whereupon the Pharisees told him, Thou art testifying on thy own behalf, thy testimony is worth nothing. 14 Jesus answered them, My testimony is trustworthy, even when I testify on my own behalf; I know whence I have come, and where I am going; you do not know whence I have come, you do not know where I am going. 15 You set yourselves up to judge, after your earthly fashion; I do not set myself up to judge anybody. 16 And what if I should judge? My judgement is judgement indeed; it is not I alone, my Father who sent me is with me.
So if Jesus does not judge them (at this time) why should you judge the Catholic rules?
The rules are the guidelines that help Catholics follow our Lord for over 2000 years. Jesus followed HIS FATHER obediently and we need to do the same.
The Catholic Church is full of saints and sinners and we see the sinners, especially the clergy. While I don’t have any statistics, I believe (hope) that as a percentage more Catholics have reached Heaven than any other group. This is the Sunday of DIVINE MERCY, and I hope GOD has a high percentage of people that LOVED HIM despite their sins.
PEACE BE WITH YOU.
Judging what people do including their rules, is not judging and condemning the people themselves.
The rules are the guidelines that help Catholics follow our Lord for over 2000 years. Jesus followed HIS FATHER obediently and we need to do the same.
That's what Scripture is for.
Jesus condemned all the added rules and regulations that the Pharisees added to Scripture. It interfered with men's relationship with God.
If Catholic rules are different from Scripture, they are wrong.
If they are supported by Scripture, they are redundant and not needed.