What's up with pope saying theyr'e the only true church?

Question

In order for you to go to heaven, you have to be a Catholic? So I have to drink up on holidays, baptisms, weddings and funerals. I also have to be molested by a preist? Pray to Mary and saints, when the Bible says that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. As a exCatholic, I have a more meaningful relationship with God as a Christian. If I had to go back, I would minimized my faith in the truth, and dwell in rituals and traditions.

Answer 1

Since the 'infallible' pope allows child molesters to serve as his priests, it certainly suggests that whatever supernatural source of information he tapping, it's NOT God.

Answer 2

I was raised a very strict Catholic, although I do not affiliate myself with any particular sect right now. The Pope is just reiterating what the Roman Catholic Church has always believed, although I never heard it mentioned you had to be Catholic to get to heaven. Praying to Mary and the Saints is more of a rite than it is worship. I never remember worshiping any other Deity other than God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We did pray all the time to Mary and the Saints but again it was more of a rite than worship. What the Pope has recently said has created much controversy, however, one needs to read the document prior to making judgment about the meaning. We rely on the media and other people sometimes to supply us with information that is not necessarily accurate. Like you, I have a more meaningful life as a "Christian", I don't feel I need a mediator between God and I but I still respect the Catholic Religion and those who practice it as well as any other religion.

Answer 3

Alignment with Scriptural teaching, not apostolic succession, is the determining factor of the trueness of a church. What is mentioned in Scripture is the idea that the Word of God was to be the guide that the church was to follow (Acts 20:32). It is Scripture that was to be the infallible measuring stick for teaching and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is the Scriptures that teachings are to be compared with (Acts 17:10-12). Apostolic authority was passed on through the writings of the apostles, not through apostolic succession.

Recommended Resource: The Gospel According to Rome: Comparing Catholic Tradition and The Word of God by James McCarthy.

Answer 4

They're not!
Yes, there are real Christians in the Roman Catholic Church. No, the RC was NOT the first church. The RC church started 300 years after the start of the real church; this church started by Emperor Constantine, was a mixture of Raman paganism and some Christian beliefs. Although all Christian religions claim to have the truth, not all claim to be the only ones with the truth.

With Catholicism, you can earn your salvation by following a formula and do not have to make a real commitment to Jesus.

We, non catholic Christians, should have fellowship with those in the R. Catholic church, still love them and pray for them.

BUT we KNOW that we are still a part of the REAL church, even though we are not R. Catholic.

Why R. Catholic? The church you refer to is the Roman Catholic Church, Catholic = universal and I am part of the universal church but not the RC Church.

Answer 5

The Pope did not say anything on the subject. He simply approved a new document that states nothing new: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html

Most Christian denominations believe that each of them is the fullest version of the Church of Christ.

While the Catholic Church also believes that she is "the highest exemplar" of the mystery that is the Church of Christ, she does not claim that non-Catholic Churches are not truly Christian. The Catholic Church teaches:

Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.

Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church.

All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 819: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#819

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

one person's stumbling block can be another person's stepping stone. I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the Catholic church, but glad you found fufilment elsewhere.

I personally feel much closer to God since I joined the Catholic church. I had a very bad experience at several protestant churches I went to, but felt very welcomed in the Catholic church. I can't imagine going back.

To each their own I guess.

God bless!

Answer 7

I don't mind the Pope or any Catholic having that position, in fact I applaud them for affirming their Catholicity. Just like I affirm my own faith. Nothing wrong with taking a stand. It's telling everyone else that they are all headed to hell that makes me suspicious.

Answer 8

Well, the pope is a Catholic, and that is what they believe.

You would not really expect him to say you should be a Methodist, an Anglican or a Hindoo.

I think it was what should be expected from the head of the largest religious organization in the world.

Answer 9

It's the same old s**t that the Pharisees were full of. This kind of high-mindedness doesn't go away. There is plenty to go round!

Blessed Be

believe like me or go to hell....lol how ignorant can some ppl be?

Answer 10

Well, I think this pope is far inferior to the previous one. John Paul was a man who could be respected, because he respected others. Haven't you noticed that religious folks pretty much believe that their religion is correct and the others are incorrect? Otherwise, they would believe in something else.

Answer 11

maximum Protestant sects at the instant are not genuine church homes by using fact they have not got apostolic succession. some, like the Anglicans and according to hazard the Episcopalians might desire to be renegade church homes (am uncertain).