If you Catholic critics have another moment....?

Question

here to educate and inform! I notice that a lot of criticism today against Catholicism was directed against praying to saints, to Mary, etc. I.e., not to Jesus. And people I guess interpreted this as meaning Catholics break one of God's commandments.

Anyway so that people know exactly what the Church says about this subject (and not what your minister, your atheist friend, or whatever says, below is the official Catholic Church policy on the veneration of saints, etc.

I think you might find it different to what some of your criticisms were. Mind you, I am only here to educate and inform!

See lines 2129 - 2132

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a1.htm#IV

Answer 1

Kudos to you for even trying here. I, too, am overly tired of arguing this point with non-Catholics... Really... If you follow God, love God, and also find comfort and solace in asking for the intercession of saints or Mary on your behalf, then that's wonderful! Let's focus on the positive rather than any unsubstantiated negative.

Answer 2

Does God approve the use of icons for the purpose of even so-called indirect veneration? Nowhere does the Bible authorize such a practice. The Israelites may have felt this way when they set up an image of a calf, allegedly for the purpose of venerating God. Yet what was God’s response – acceptance? Not at all. He expressed strong disapproval, saying that they had apostatized. Exodus 32:4-7. And it led to the death of many.

What about the copper snake – mentioned at the site to which you directed us? Well, the accounts that deal with it illustrate the danger of using tangible objects in worship. People are too easily tempted to worship the object rather than the God the object is supposed to represent. In other words, the icon becomes a focus for idolatry.

Moses made a copper snake which, originally, served as a means of healing. Those punished with a snakebite could look at the copper snake and receive God’s help. But after they settled in the promised land, they seem to have turned this representation into an idol, as if the copper snake itself had the power to heal. They burned incense to it - they even named it Nehushtan. Numbers 21:8, 9; 2 Kings 18:4.

What about the claim that icons are only aids to relative worship? Well, is it not true that certain icons of Mary or of saints may be considered worthy of greater devotion and to be more effective than other icons representing the same person? For example, a certain icon representing Mary at Tínos, Greece has its own devout following, as opposed to the equally faithful ones of an icon representing Mary in Soumela, northern Greece. Both groups believe that their own icon is superior, performing more impressive miracles than the other one, even though both represent the same person. Thus, in practice, people attribute real powers to certain icons and worship them.

God knows his human creation. He knows our inherent inclination to sin. This is one of the reasons we have the words of Christ at John 4:24. God is a spirit, and those worshiping him must worship in spirit and truth. It is also why we are commanded to walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6,7.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 3

Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches.

The Communion of Saints is the belief where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.

Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints, you, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mother Teresa.

As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends living here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother living in heaven to pray for you.

Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

By the looks of these answers, reason is not going to prevail.

Iknowtruthismine,
Please produce the official church documents that show where killing witches, Jews, Muslims, etc. was church pollicy. Here, let me save you some time... YOU CAN'T!!! BECAUSE THEY DON'T EXIST!!!

If you would read actual historical documents, instead of listening to your pastor, you would know that the Catholic Church has always taught that witches do not exist. Please, try to prove otherwise.

Answer 5

The fact that there is an "official church policy on the veneration of saints" only increases the reasons for criticism.

Answer 6

I do not "put down Catholocism". I have several Catholic friends and relatives. However, I do not believe that we should need to have any church make rules to live by. GOD did that when HE inspired the writers of the BIBLE. I am sorry.... Have a great week.
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Answer 7

That's all well and good for the Church to say, but as I indicated earlier, the rank-and-file of Catholicism do indeed pray to statues, crosses, candles, rocks, bagels, etc.

I was brought up Catholic in a very Catholic city. You wouldn't believe the superstitious things people would do.

Answer 8

You know better than to use reason when arguing a point with Catholic bashers.

Answer 9

Official Catholic policy once said that witches had to be killed, and Atheists, Jews, and heretics had to be converted and/or killed.

Answer 10

your link says nothing about praying to saints, or Mary, prayers should be directly to God.