the catholic church then and now?

Question

what was the church like many years ago and what are the differences to the church today?

Answer 1

The Catholic church had power over most governments in Europe. Now for the most part it has lost much of it's power, and has been stripped of it's torturing and burning priviledges.

Answer 2

The only difference is that the Roman Catholic Church is no longer a world power. As well, their clergy have become more benevolent...along with their missions, hospitals and other programs...however, the doctrine is still just as false. Its unfortunate because Catholic people are really such wonderful people...I just wish they could see the pagan practices that have melded with their gospel and leave one but not the other...that's the problem with Catholics....when they see the truth they often loose faith altogether rather than realize that they are a part of Biblical prophecy...REV 11. Love in Christ, ~J~

Answer 3

It depends how far you want to go back.

These are the years various things became official:
(While you might find a much earlier cult, sect, or even one or two very early Bishops supporting these ideas, early Bishops have been wrong about many things, some to the point of being declared heretics, and the opinion of one or two people does not equal the majority view of all Christians of the time - so "Church Traditions" rest on a very shallow foundation)

Prayers for the dead were introduced in 310
The lighting of candles in 320
The worship of saints about 375
The mass was adopted in 394
The worship of Mary began to develop about 432
Priests began to assume distinctive robes in 500
The doctrine of purgatory was introduced in 593
Worship in Latin (since repealed) was mandated in 600
Claims to Papal Supremacy took firm foot in 606
Feasts in honor of the Virgin Mary began in 650
The custom of kissing the Pope's foot was introduced in 709
The worship of images and relics was authorized in 788
The invention of holy water was about 850
The canonization of saints was formalized in 993
Feasts for the dead were introduced in 1003
The celibacy of the priesthood was declared in 1074
The dogma of Papal infallibility was announced in 1076
Prayer beads were introduced in 1090
The doctrine that there are seven sacraments was introduced in 1140
The sale of indulgences began in 1190
The wafer was substituted for the loaf in 1200
The dogma of transubstantiation was adopted in 1215
Confession was instituted in 1215
The adoration of the Wafer began in 1220
The Ave Maria was introduced in 1316
The cup was taken from the laity in 1415
Purgatory was officially decreed in 1439
Roman tradition was placed on the same level as Scripture in 1546
The Apocrypha was received into the Canon in 1546
The immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary was announced in 1854
The doctrine of the papal infallibility was proclaimed in 1864
The personal corporeal presence of the Virgin in heaven in 1950

Answer 4

The Catholic Church then, as now, centered its worship on the breaking of the bread, the Eucharist, which the Lord commanded be done in rememberance of Him.

All else is of no consequence without the Eucharist.

Answer 5

The Catholic church remains one, holy, universal, and apostolic, just as it has always been.

It also remains the only church that was personally established, authorized, empowered, and eternally guaranteed by Jesus Christ, who remains at the head of his church today.

In light of this, any perceived "differences" hardly matter at all.

Answer 6

just wanted to advise the girl a few up that catholics do shake hands and do use wine. just like the orthodox church.

Answer 7

good thing im none of them. It was the apostolic church (orthodox). the orthodox people still practice it how it was many yrs ago. but catholics dont shake hands just in case they might get sick and instead of wine they have cranberry juice.

Answer 8

Apostate then and now.Modus Operandi is a little different,but the doctrines are the same.

Answer 9

messed up

was messed up then

and baby well it is still messed up