Inter-Faith Series, Catholicism: Why do Catholics have statues and pictures in their parishes?

Answer 1

Images of Jesus and the saints have been used for decorational and devotional purposes since the beginning of Christianity. Today, only the most grossly uninformed person gives any credence to the old accusation that Catholics worship these statues or pictures.

Several hundred years ago, the Council of Trent explained the practice perfectly: “The images of Christ, the Virgin Mother of God, and of the other saints are kept and honored in churches not because it is believed that there is any divinity or power in these images, or that anything may be asked of them, or any faith put in them.

“The honor shown to them is really being given to the persons whom they represent. Through these images which we kiss, and before which we bow with bared heads, we worship Christ, and not the saints whose likenesses they display.”

Even many Catholics do not realize that, since such pictures and statues become intimately connected with what people believe about God and his revelation, the church is very careful about what images are allowed for public veneration. All such pictures or sculptures must be approved by the bishop or other proper authority.

The reasons most Protestant denominations do not allow images in their churches are varied. One is that, early in the Protestant Reformation there was much misunderstanding about the meaning of honoring images of Jesus and the saints nd “no statues” became one of the symbols of protest against the church of Rome.

Perhaps a more significant reason is that many early Protestant leaders, especially of the Calvinist and other Puritan traditions, were extremely austere and considered any sort of display, color, or emotion, such as might be encouraged by statues and pictures, totally out of place in religious worship.

Answer 2

Statues and pictures of people we love are not idols.

Statues and paintings of Jesus and the saints are just like pictures of the people we love and respect.

The King James Version of the Bible states in Exodus 20:4: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth"

Why were the Jews commanded not to make graven images? Graven images were the standard method of pagan worship. They were representations of false gods.

This is a very clear command.

However God commanded the Jews in Exodus 25:18 and 1 Chronicles 28:18–19, "And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them"

And in 1 Kings chapter 7 Solomon made bulls and other images out of precious metals.

It seems obvious that the Jews did not worship the cherubims and Solomon did not worship the bulls he had made. These images did not violate the command of God. Therefore, an image not made for worship is acceptable.

In Numbers 21:8-9, "And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover." Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered."

And in John 3:14-15, Jesus says in correlation, "And just as Moses lifted up the [image of a] serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

How can a statue of our Lord Jesus Christ dead on the cross be considered an idol to a false god? A crucifix is the message of the Gospel without words held up for all to see, a visual reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus, no different from a painting, a play, or a movie.

Catholics do not worship statues but the almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

To teach lessons, at least that was and should be the intent. It helps reinforce the readings and gives people visual stimuli which can aid them in understanding their faith better. These statues can also be used to aid in prayer by serving as a focal point to prevent distraction.

Other pictures in Catholic parishes are there to let people see church leaders; ie the Pope and/or the local bishop. Some are there to commorate events in the parishes history, or to honor past saints.

Answer 4

It reminds us of what they represent.

Bram stoker put it best in Dracula. The main character reluctantly accepted a cross, believing it was idolatry. but when in the castle feeling miserable he looks to the cross and feels better, he says its not the object that's comforting, but what it represents, like the memory of an old friend.



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Answer 5

The statues and pictures illustrate gospels from the Bible. They are nice ways to make people think about stories from the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ.

Answer 6

They are visual reminders of what they believe. These items are not idols to worship, they're only stone, wood, canvas & paint, etc. The objects themselves hold no power, it's what they incite in the people's hearts that counts.

Answer 7

Perhaps for similar reasons that we have pictures of our relatives in our homes and monuments to our heroes in our civic places?

Answer 8

I honestly think it is because if they have all of the adornment within the church they don't really have to have a connection with God. Instead they substitute honest worship for ornamental fixtures.

Answer 9

Why do you have pictures of your love ones in your wallet? Your answer to this is my answer to your question!!!

Answer 10

Because they are pretty and help us to remember these important people of our faith.