Conversation: Where are the Pope and Bishops is in Scripture?

Q. Where is the acknowledgment of the apostolic church as presented in these writings of the position claimed for Peter?
A. In the early Church there were all three ordained offices of the Catholic Church that we have today (Deacons, Priests, Bishops). They were called by different names but the offices were in existence and are [...]

This Rock: Peter or His Confession?

Q. Where does scripture anywhere else (Besides Mt. 16) ascribe to Peter this exalted position? This would make sense if it were supported by other scripture, but I know of no other scripture that does. One should not rely on a doctrine, especially one as critical as this, based on one verse in the [...]

Conversation: Peter or His Confession?

Q. So what is the support for the contention that the Catholic Church is the prescribed “organization of believers” despite their unchristian behavior over many centuries.
A. Well, we have 1500 more years of history as an organization than the Lutherans and Presbyterians. And there are more Catholics worldwide than all of the Protestant denominations [...]

Rock-Conversation Continued

Q. It would seem that of first importance in this discussion is the proof of the primacy that the Catholic Church claims. Was Peter really made the rock on which the church would stand and did this establish an Apostolic legacy that the Catholic Church claims as its authoritative support. What about Peter [...]

Catholic Beliefs Oppose Scripture

Q. But Catholics believe things that are un-Scriptural. We can’t believe things that oppose scripture.

A. I agree. Nothing the Catholic Church teaches opposes anything in Scripture.
Our beliefs only oppose the Protestant INTERPRETATION of Scripture. That is different than opposing Scripture itself.
But then, this is exactly why there has to be some way to determine [...]

Doctrinal Changes and Infallibility

Q. Christ established the catholic church (small “c”), not the Catholic church. Does the “Church” since the time of the Council of Carthage on look like the church of Christ? No.
A. There was no ecumenical Council of Carthage. There were local bishop’s councils in Carthage, Africa. The first of these was held nearly a [...]

Protestant “churches” not Churches, Pope says.

Q. Why did the pope say that all the Protestant Churches are not really Churches in the recent Vatican document? June 29, 2007
A. Because the definition that the Catholic Church has for “church” is very specific. This was not published as a put-down of the Protestant’s. It was a point of clarification about the definition [...]

Why is there a Pope?

Q. Where in Scripture does the Catholic Church get the idea of a Pope?
A. In several places.
OLD TESTAMENT
In the Old Testament, after God brought Israel out of Egypt, He provided for a living, continuing authority in the Levitical priesthood.
2 Chronicles 19:11 “Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the [...]

Catholic Church Founded by Jesus

Q. In Matthew 16, is Jesus going to build His Church on Peter’s confession or on Peter?
A. Both, in one way, because certainly the Church is built on “Christ the Son of the living God”. However, the plain sense of Mt. 16 has to be speaking about Peter. Peter is the Rock on which [...]

The Latin Mass

If you would like to read an interesting perspective on the recent Motu Proprio which gives any priest the freedom to say mass according to the 1962 Tridentine liturgy click HERE.
Some are cheering. Some are complaining. But according to this commentary it is the youth and young families that currently seek out the Latin Mass.