Nevertheless, I do tend to the acerbic by nature and ask you to bear with me if I should ruffle your sensibilities.
I've always been taught that no one is holy except the Lord.
I understand. This is a fairly standard non-Catholic criticism of Catholics, and bear in mind i also understand you are not critizing per se, at this point.
This teaching comes from a legalistic reading of Luke 18:19 :
And Jesus said to him, Why call you me good? none is good, save one, that is, God
Now keep in mind, the same people who teach this as a criticism of Catholicism, and add Matthew 23:9 for good measure...(And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven) to criticize the Catholic tradition of giving priests the title "Father," don't seem to have any problem with Paul calling men holy in many places such as Titus 1:8 and 1Thes 5:27, nor do they grieve over NT writers repeatedly referring to Abraham as father all through the NT, not the least of which are the 4 or 5 examples just in Romans 4.
In summation, what I am telling you is those who have taught you, whether explicitly or implicitly, are looking for "problems to have" to justify their rejection of the Church that Jesus commissioned so long ago.
This is the import of my statement that had you wondering at the beginning of your post. Does a narrow reading of Scripture to bring accusation against the piety of another strike you as "grace" or "legalism?"
I've heard it on both sides to be fair. Sometimes I wonder if Christ is just shaking his head at all the bantering, thinking to himself, “Yep Dad, it was the right decision to go on down and save these poor saps. (My attempt at humor).
All mainline protestant denominations are losing folks just as the Catholic church. Satan loves to attack the church from within as we've witnessed so many times.
The muzzies, Mormons, Protestants, Catholics, Jews all believe they are the only way. Scripture tells me that Christ is the only way and that men are sinful,prone to messing it all up.
How true, evidenced throughout my personal walk with the Lord.
I happen to revere the Catholic church, just so you'll know.
My heart hurts to see so much turmoil within the church.
Mans sinful nature and poor decisions throughout the leadership perpetuated really awful situations. Not exclusive to the Catholic church to be sure.
Often wonder how one reconciles with themselves knowing they've stripped bare the very faith they purport.
Tough stuff.