Why I Have Decided to Leave the Catholic Church

timstaples.com ^ | April 1, 2016 | Tim Staples

[Berlin_Freeper]

I am letting you be among the first to know. It is true. I am leaving the Catholic Church. I want you to know that this has not been a decision made in haste or without serious and intense research and consideration. But I can no longer remain in a church that I no longer believe in.

Let me explain.

I will be writing more about this soon, but for now let me just say there are five main reasons why I am leaving the Catholic Church:

1. I believe the sole rule of faith for Christians has to be Scripture. The Holy Bible is the only unchanging and definitive word of God that a Christian can build his or her life upon. Everything else, including the Catholic claims to authority, in the end, amount to ever-changing and ultimately sinking sand.

2. I believe works or any sense of salvific cooperation with God’s grace as constitutive to a Christian’s eternal life is unbiblical. “… not of works” (cf. Eph. 2:8-9) means not of works.

3. The idea of Mary and the saints being involved in the salvation of a Christian is tantamount to a denial of the sufficiency of Christ’s redeeming work on Calvary’s cross.

4. #3 can also be said of Purgatory, the “sacrifice” of the Mass, the Catholic view of salvation/justification, and more. These and more of the elements of Catholic teaching result in a denial of the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ. More to follow in a more detailed post.

5. What Catholics call the “veneration” of Mary and the saints is actually idolatry.

These are just for starters here. Many of you know that for the last 28 years I have defended the above teachings and more from the Catholic Church. I can no longer do so in clear conscience.

And by the way, just so you know…

April fools!

[terycarl]

Unfortunately that is not the biblical position. One does not need to be baptized to be saved.

Only under extraordinary conditions is that true.

[terycarl]

if people can't even figure out how to be saved, it isn't even worth discussing anything else that they might agree or disagree on.

Yeah, you have to leave the church which Christ founded and follow a wonderful group of navigators which sprang up sometime in the 1930's....I knew there was a direct route to Heaven....never suspected that it was this......sigh.

[MHGinTN]

Yeah, you have to leave the church which Christ founded You are confused. Mark has been born from above by the Grace of God in Christ, thus he was joined to the actual Body of believers who are known as Christians, the Body of Christ, The Bride of Christ. Catholiciism cannot accomplish that eventually, although too many seem to think their allegiance to that religion, catholiciism, can earn them the necessary creds to be worthy of salvation, eventually. It would appear that Mark 17 had to leave your religion in order to become a member of The Body of Christ, the One True Church.

[Syncro]

If it is the Protestant view, good they are right.

...in Catholicism, the Wafer IS Jesus.

Well, you must have a different Jesus as the Mormons do.

In pure Christianity, Jesuys is NOT a wafer.

You cut off my quote, here it is

Mary seems to be more prominent in Catholicism these days than Jesus.

And substituting a wafer for Jesus is a close second.

So I am correct, Mary seems to be more prominent than Jesus. As you did not comment and say Oh no she isn't!!!!!!!!!!

Jesus is not a wafer, He is GOD.

Catholicism can believe anything they want, but do NOT tell me that Jesus is a wafer.

It's an insult to God and an insult to Christians.

If Jesus was a wafer, then I and all other Christians--born again followers of Jesus-- are in the wafer too.

Jesus is in me, and I am in Him.

I have never been in a wafer.

So you can't put Jesus in a wafer without putting all of us Christians in there too.

And we refuse to be in it as we follow Jesus and He is not in it either. Nor is it HIM, how absurd.

[terycarl]

Wait a minute bro. If I recall correctly, you once said I didn't need to worry about any catholic doctrine except Mariology. Now you are telling me I don't need that either? Thanks bro. I appreciate that.

I have NEVER said that because I don't believe it myself!!

[papertyger]

I can't speak for Catholics as they many times do not answer questions.

There's a very good reason for that. If the "Tragedian's" own wife couldn't get through to him, what chance do the rest of us have?

[Mark17]

I knew there was a direct route to Heaven....never suspected that it was this......sigh.

Well, if you know that, why do you reject it? Seems kind of dangerous, to know the truth, and then reject it. I wouldn't know about that, however, because I already know the truth, which was something I did not get when I was in that other religion, which will remain unnamed.
So, how are you going to bluff your way into Heaven? Inquiring minds still want to know.
In your 372, you said there are good people, who have no access to the truth. I got news for you bro. There isn't one good person on earth, not even one. (Romans 3:10)
Oh yes, thanks again, for letting me know I don't need to pay any attention to all those things you have mentioned, like the sacraments, and all those other things. You are a life saver bro, NOT.

Greetings again folks, from the left coast, the Mecca of liberalism. I will soon be spreading wings again, and flying to that beach, somewhere over there.

:-)

[boatbums]

I haven’t had anyone deny they are “real” but I have had them misuse that verse in John to insist that not everything Jesus taught was written down and that is why “tradition” is equally authoritative. They miss that John was saying what Jesus “did” wasn’t all written down by him in his gospel. I doubt he would have left out any important teaching in it. Besides, the Holy Spirit inspired Scripture writers to write what they DID write and everything that was written was written for our benefit as laid out in the II Timothy 3:16 passage.

[Mark17]

It would appear that Mark 17 had to leave your religion in order to become a member of The Body of Christ, the One True Church

You are correct sir. I couldn't have said it better.

[ealgeone]

>>Unfortunately that is not the biblical position. One does not need to be baptized to be saved.<<

Only under extraordinary conditions is that true.

In Acts, when Peter was witnessing to Cornelius, when was Cornelius saved?

When was Paul saved?

The woman at the well?

[Elsie]

#2 then why did He establish the Catholic church (which He did)???

Keep saying this; for it's a FACT that some folks will believe it wholeheartedly.

[Elsie]

Absolutely not, there are good people who have no access to the truth....

So; Catholicism has taught you there are GOOD people?

Ok then...

[metmom]

It is a man mad denomination and thus it doesn't matter a whit whether or not you join it

That's why I left the Catholic church.

[metmom]

No, that's the protestant view...in Catholicism, the Wafer IS Jesus.

Then the Catholic Jesus is not the one in Scripture because the one in the Bible has a body and is seated at the right hand of the Father, waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool.

[metmom]

No, that's the protestant view...in Catholicism, the Wafer IS Jesus.

Idolatry in its purist form.

Then you have billions of little Jesus's all bound up in time and space, not able to do anything but sit there until some priest puts him in someone's mouth.

[metmom]

You have to be kidding....Luther, Storch, Henry VIII, Simons, Calvin, Knox, Holland, Smyth, Michaelis, Fox, Amman, Wesley, Lindey, Seabury, Otterbein, Campbell, Smith, Washington, Thomas, Booth, Russell, Eddy, etc. etc. etc

Never heard of most of them and I do not follow them.

Inasmuch as their teachings line up with Scripture, they are correct.

If they don't line up with Scripture, then they are wrong.

Easy.

[metmom]

Now, wait a minute. You’re using logic here.

You think it’s going to make a difference or something?

[metmom]

e1:Unfortunately that is not the biblical position. One does not need to be baptized to be saved.

tc:Only under extraordinary conditions is that true.

IOW, you just admitted that ealgeone is right.

One does NOT *NEED* to be baptized to be saved.

[Elsie]

Catholics have NO requirements having to do with Mary to obtain salvation...

I'm glad you've re-assured me...

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Ambrose: …constantly pray ‘Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since thou hast its KEYS. Anselm: It suffices, O Lady, that thou willest it, and our SALVATION is certain.

Antoninus: …souls protected by Mary, and on which she casts her eyes, are NECESSARILY JUSTIFIED AND SAVED. 

Athanasius: …And, thou, O Lady, wast filled with grace, that thou mightiest be the way of our SALVATION and the means of ascent to the heavenly Kingdom.

Bernadine: …all gifts, all virtues, and all graces are dispensed by the hands of Mary to whomsoever, when, and as she pleases. O Lady, since thou art the dispenser of all graces, and since the grace of salvation can ONLY come through thy hands, OUR SALVATION DEPENDS ON THEE.

(Leo XIII: Adiutricem populi, September 5, 1895) — [p. 19, no. 44]

Blosius: To the, O Lady, are committed the KEYS and the treasures of the kingdom of Heaven.

Bonaventure: …the gates of heaven will open to all who confide in the protection of Mary. Blessed are they who know thee, O Mother of God, for the knowledge of THEE is the high road to everlasting life, and the publication of thy virtues is the way of ETERNAL SALVATION . Give ear, O ye nations; and all you who desire heaven , serve, honor Mary, and certainly you will find ETERNAL LIFE.

She says, "He that shall find Me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.   "Qui me invenerit, inveniet vitam, et hauriet salutem a Domino."

Listen," exclaims St. Bonaventure on these words, "listen, all you who desire the kingdom of God: honor the most Blessed Virgin Mary, and you will find life and eternal salvation."  "Audite qui ingredi cupitis regnum Dei: Virginem Mariam honorate, et invenietis vitam et salutem perpetuam."-psalt. B.V.ps.48.

 

Ephem: …devotion to the divine Mother…is the unlocking of the heavenly Jerusalem.

Fulgetius: …by Mary God descended from Heaven into the world, that by HER man might ascend from earth to Heaven. Guerric: …he who serves Mary and for whom she intercedes, is as CERTAIN of heaven as if he were already there…and those who DO NOT serve Mary will NOT BE SAVED.

Richard of Laurence: Mary, in fine, is the mistress of heaven; for there she commands as she wills, and ADMITS whom she wills.

 

“The Catholic Church has always and with justice put all her hope and trust in the Mother of God.”

(Leo XIII: Encyclical, Supreme Apostolatus, September 1, 1883.) — [p. 32, no. 104]

“... Yet our manner of praying to the Blessed Virgin has something in common with our worship of God so that the Church even addressed to her the words with which we pray to God: ‘Have mercy on sinners.’”

(Leo XIII: Encyclical, Augustissimae, September 12, 1897.) [p. 68; no. 302]

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"Only She Can Help You"
by Father Nicholas Gruner, S.T.L., S.T.D. (Cand.)
In this letter introducing The Fatima Crusader Issue 38, Father Gruner discusses the growing lies and deception about Russia's errors and the consecration of that nation. He also reminds us that, while it is urgent that we be informed about and fight for Our Lady's cause, we must ask for Her help and intercession.

In the Fatima sanctuary, at the exact spot where Our Lady appeared, Father Gruner pays homage to Her while touching the original statue of Fatima. Father Gruner was recently graced with this rare opportunity since normally this sacred image is always protected by a glass covering which completely surrounds it all day long.

Mary Leads Her Servants to Heaven
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
In this article taken from The Glories of Mary, Saint Alphonsus explains that there are countless souls in Heaven who are there now only because Mary, by Her powerful intercession, led them there. If a soul persists in true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, She will certainly lead that soul to Heaven.

 

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The Rosary
by Father Stefano Manelli, S.T.D.
It is greatly important that Our Lady insisted on the Rosary. When at Fatima She spoke of the salvation of sinners, of the ruin of souls in hell, of wars and peace, and of the future of our age. Our Lady indicated and recommended the Rosary as the prayer that saves, that brings peace, that preserves the faith.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace
by Father Stefano Manelli, S.T.D.
It is truly a treasure to have a strong devotion to Our Lady, for it is She who unites us to Jesus and brings us to Heaven, as this article explains.

Mary, Our Life, Our Sweetness, Our Hope
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
St. Alphonsus de Liguori explains how Mary is our life, how She is our sweetness, and how She is our hope.

The historical record of the worship of Mary accumulated by St. Alphonsus de Liguori who wrote “The Glories of Mary” in the year 1745, which has been since translated into English and printed again and again and again with the full affirmation and imprimatur of the official Roman Catholic Church.  In this book there is the sum of all the glories of Mary which has been vouchsafe to the Roman Catholic Church and the Church itself calls upon all its constituents to give Mary that honor she is due.  She is identified as Mary, our Queen; Mary, our mother; Mary, our life; Mary, our sweetness; Mary, our hope; Mary, our help; Mary, our Mediatress; Mary, our advocate; Mary, our guardian; and Mary, our salvation.  It is said that Mary delivers us from hell, Mary delivers us from purgatory, and Mary leads us to heaven.  And it should be said that de Liguori, who collected all the Marion dogma and devotion, was himself one of the most celebrated and revered authorities in the Roman Catholic Church.  De Liguori was himself a cardinal in life, and a saint in death.

 

Jesus said "Without Me you can do nothing". In this crisis which looms ahead of us, Our Lady has told us that we need Her help, Her intercession. We must ask for Her help with the Rosary and the Scapular.

At Fatima, Our Lady told us very plainly that "Only I can help you". Today more than ever is this so true.

Pray the Rosary and sacrifice yourself for Our Lady.

I urge you to also make some sacrifices as Our Lady of Fatima asked us. For those who are able, do some fasting. If you can, abstain from meat by eating meat only during one meal a day. Try to do this for two days, even ten days or 30 days. Of course we should abstain totally from meat every Friday.

 

 Jesus and Mary — Our Hope

It is so urgent that we reach as many souls as possible before it is too late. Let us be of good cheer and remember the words of Jesus to each of us, "It's never too late to have recourse to Jesus and Mary." That is why it is so important to reach the many millions of souls who do not know this, and who do not know the grave dangers lying in wait for their souls.

No, we must never lose hope. Mary is our hope. She can obtain for us what we cannot by ourselves. Read what St. Alphonsus has to say regarding confidence in Our Lady's intercession in "Mary Leads Her Servants to Heaven". Father Manelli also reminds us of the importance of devotion to Our Lady. (See "Hail Mary, Full of Grace"). Our Blessed Mother tells us to turn to Her in confidence. She tells us repeatedly to ask Her intercession through the frequent fervent praying of the Rosary. (See "The Rosary"). She tells us we must pray the Rosary every day. She wants us to pray it many times a day.

 

http://fatima.org/crusader/cr38/cr38pg2.asp 

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"Blessed is he whose interior offers the Blessed Virgin Mary a place of repose." Devotion towards the Blessed Virgin remains in all who are the inheritance of Our Lord; that is to say, in all who will praise Him eternally in Heaven.

O, how many blessed souls are now in Heaven who would never have been there had not Mary, by Her powerful intercession, led them thither. I made that in the heavens there should rise light that never faileth. Cardinal Hugo, in his commentary on the above text of Ecclesiasticus, says in the name of Mary, "I have caused as many saints in Heaven through Her intercession, who would never have been there but through Her ."

...in the words of St. Ambrose, "Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since Thou hast its keys." "Aperi nobis, O Virgo coelum, cujus claves habes." Nay more, the Church says, that "Thou art its gate." 

St. Antoninus tells us "that this divine Mother has already, by Her assistance and prayers, obtained Heaven for us, provided we put no obstacle in the way."23 Hence, says Abbot Guerric, "he who serves Mary, and for whom She intercedes, is as certain of Heaven as if he was already there."24 St. John Damascene also says, "that to serve Mary and be Her courtier is the greatest honor we can possibly possess; for to serve the Queen of Heaven is already to reign there, and live under Her commands is more than to govern."25 On the other hand, he adds, "that those who do not serve Mary will not be saved; for those who are deprived of the help of this great Mother are also deprived of that of Her Son and of the whole court of heaven."26

 23.  "Coeleste nobis regnum, suo interventu auxiliis, et precibus, impetravit."—Paciucch. Sup. Salve Reg. exc. I.
 24. "Qui Virgini famulatur, ita securus est de paradiso, ac si esset in paradiso."
 25. "Summus honor, servire Mariæ, et de ejus esse familia; etenim ei servire, regnare est; et ejus agi frænis, summa libertas."
 26. "Gens quæ non servierit illi, peribit; gentes destitutæ tantæ Matris auxilio, destituuntur auxilio Filii et totius curi’‘ coelestis."— De Laud. B. M. I. 4.

Cardinal Hugo http://fatima.org/crusader/cr38/cr38pg3.asp 

[Elsie]

1/12th of the Apostles that Christ handpicked turned out not to be so great.....

If it were NOT for Judas, you'd have no church.

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John 17:12
While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction; so that Scripture would be fulfilled.