Throughout its long history, the Catholic Church has been rocked by scandals ranging from the dissolution of the Knights Templar to Galileo’s trial to Mother Theresa’s questionable donors.Over the course of the 20th century, many more scandals have come to light—no matter how much the Church would like to keep them secret. I must start off by acknowledging that the personal opinions of Catholic apologists are not binding in conscience on any Catholic, and conscientious apologists will do their best to distinguish for inquirers between what the Church teaches and what is their personal opinion. “If you love me, you would let me live my life my way!” Heard that before? (The pope emeritus acknowledged in, That said, it is also incumbent on those Catholics who are seeking to grow in their own faith to also be open to admitting when they are in error, to being willing to accept and consider carefully constructive criticism, and to continue to learn and grow in their own knowledge of the Faith. (They just can’t explain where.) It is illegal to kill a 2 year old. Catholicism is a religion that places value on learning from people, not just from documents. Of all the bishops and archbishops in the world he is the leader. Even if I were to maintain a “personal relationship” with God (I know, that’s a Protestant term that is sometimes ridiculed by Catholics), I would be concerned that my children would view the Church as a mountain of rules and eventually fade into apostasy. 3. (http://lifeteen.com/epic-pope-francis-quotes-world-youth-day-rio-2013/) Deacon Mike would agree. (i.e. My faith left, returned, left, returned and left for good. Actually, this regulation merely reflects an ancient tradition in our Church, which is even rooted in Judaism. We divide time between BC and AD, but I could easily divide it between pre and post 1972. At the beginning, God gives Adam and Eve dominion over all the earth; the plants, animals, all living things. Our secular culture enjoys portraying Catholics as those radical ‘kill-joys’, who lie in wait, as you express your means to happiness and the pleasures of this world, so they can rebuke you with, “NO! Prostitution is usually illegal because it draws other socially unacceptable elements such as drugs and other vices. One of the common complaints about the Catholic Church, which can be heard from Catholics and non-Catholics alike, is that the Church is chockablock with rules, rules, rules. The “rules and regulations” of Catholicism no more stifle an individual’s personal relationship with God than the “rules and regulations” of a car’s owner’s manual stifle a driver’s personal freedom to drive his car. So. And since man is called to be in relationship with God and neighbor, one important way man learns the shape and application of rules is through personal relationship with teachers. A lot, actually. We didn’t start the fire. Kennedy was assassinated. What does this have to do with rules? While he himself is the bishop of the diocese of Rome, he is the leader of the entire Christian flock as commissioned by Jesus (John 21:15-19). I was born at a very interestng time in history. The present day process for selecting a pope is through election. He provides for their safety and their needs. Does the Catholic Church have "too many rules"? Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Secondly, if a pregnant woman is murdered, the murderer is charged with a double homicide. Take, for instance, the Precepts of the Church, which cover a number of things that many people regard as man-made rules: the Sunday Duty; yearly Confession; the Easter Duty; fasting and abstinence; and supporting the Church materially (through gifts of money and/or time). Woodstock. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Cremation has been permitted in the Catholic Church since 1963, but many Catholics don't know there are also many rules surrounding the choice. In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, conspicuous, worthily decorated, and suitable for prayer. We find countless examples where God gives us freedom before He institutes rules. Jesus says the one without sin may throw the first stone, and as He begins to write on the ground, each man leaves the area. Bill, I was born about the same time as you were, 1946. We live in a society that promotes indulgence, and everyone feels entitled to their way. This caricature has long been the model of everything contrary to popular culture; and the Catholic Church seems to be its poster child. The Church will always be attacked by those, determined to undermine (and question) her authority. Roman Catholics believe that, under certain circumstances, the pope is infallible (that is, he can not make a mistake). Why is prostitution illegal in 49 states if a woman has a right to choose what is done with her body? Copyright © A.D. 2018 Catholic Stand | Powered by Astra. 1981 The Law of Moses contains many truths naturally accessible to reason. Most people donate because Catholic Online is useful. BillS-You are one of God’s tools in bringing me back to Him. Accept and believe all that the Catholic Church definitively and authoritatively teaches. Deacon Mike Talbot (www.abitadeacon.com) said it best in an article written in response to a piece that appeared in the Washington Post about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s retirement: Our call to live counter-culturally is as old as the church itself. WWII had just ended and the nuclear age had begun. He remains close to them as Pharaoh pursues. If the mother is not incapacitated, she is the only one who should be able to make the decision. 1. The Church has always recognized the necessity for rules (and always will). 1. Yes, the Catholic Church is radical, but in a good way. But the New Testament idea of faith is not simple; indeed, it possesses a breadth of meaning that has led to varying understandings, even within a single Christian communion. He has served in Catholic education, youth ministry, the Chastity/Pro-Life movement, and other areas of the Church. 2. in Theology from Catholic Distance University (Thank you, St. Joseph of Cupertino). 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