Now, don't jump up and say "Not all priest are pedophiles!"  I'm well aware of this.  But the fact that even one pedophile made it into the priesthood leads me to say that it is PROOF that the priesthood is not perfect, or ordained by god.\nSeriously, is this not what Catholics believe?  That a priest is a direct link to god, and therefore can absolve sins?  If you can't be sure that your priest is not a phony, how can you believe that the entire organization is not flawed?\n\nIf it is flawed, is this not proof that it is not ordained by god?\n\nJust curious.  I'm not sure exactly what Catholics believe, but that was my understanding.
125160
This error you are making is called donatism - the idea that priests have to be perfect.\n\nAnd St. Augustine answered this challenge of yours 1600 years ago.\n\nhttp://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1408.htm
170456
As a Cradle Catholic and current CCD teacher, I can assure you the Catholic Church is a true Christian church.  I believe they are attacked so much because they are the strongest, and largest Christian denomination.  Those in power are always reviled.  It's sad, too, because there is so much beautiful, rich tradition in the church that others will turn from simply from a lack of understanding.\n\nSomeone once said the Catholics are the "Marines" of religion.  I think people expect a higher standard from them.   I think because of the history, the scandals seem even more atrocious.  I'm not about to condone the way the church handled the most recent sex abuse scandals.  Our own priest blasted the church for not calling these priests down as the criminals they are;  but I do know from my theological studies that no matter the scandals in the heirarchy of the church, it has always been THE FAITH OF THE PEOPLE that is the true strength of the church, and where Jesus lives best.\n\nAs to theological divides, I believe that most of those stem from misunderstanding.  An example is that many people believe Catholics worship Mary.  We don't.  We worship God.  But Mary, as the mother of Jesus and first Christian, is important.  Jesus honored her;  so must we.  \n\nThis was a good question.  You phrased it with an open mind.  Good for you!
263363
Unless God has shared something with him that He hasn't with the rest of us, the guy is wrong.\n\nBelieve it or not, Catholics can make mistakes just like other people.\n\nWith love in Christ.
132157
Catholics don't deny that you can receive absolution by praying directly to YHVH or Christ.  However, in the Catholic view, Priests are Christ's representatives on earth and so its also acceptable to go through them.  Many (pehaps most) Catholics choose to confess their sins to a Priest, because being forgiven and performing penance has psycho-social benefits.
377626
I agree. This whole Catholic Church priest thing has gotten ridiculous. As if the Catholic Church is the only religion who has this problem. I think it has to do with people not understanding the need for Priests to be celibate and assuming that's leads to pedophillia, which it doesn't.
657519
There have only been a few pedophile priests and they have all been gay.  I have never heard of them molesting girls, only boys.\n\nThe Catholic church and most protestant churches do not endorse the gay sexual orientation, but there are Christian churches that do.
151566
Alright people. Enough with the jokes on the priests and little boys. It's extremely immature. People make mistakes and yes it was wrong. The pope and clergy are trying to fix this problem. GIVE IT A REST!\n\nA Catholic priest is the person who conducts the Mass and the sacraments. They are the "shepherds" of the church and are to help the "sheep" find their way in their faith.\n\nOn the subject of presbyteral ministry I have never heard that before and I am a Catholic so I can't help you there.
600113
i went to a catholic school from the time i was in kindergarten until i graduated from high school.  the catholic religion believes that everyone who is not christian will go to hell regardless of what type of character they possess (i.e. if they are a good person or a deadbeat).  i'm a lutheran, which is very similar to a catholic, and as far as my understanding goes, the lutheran religion believes the same thing.  i do not.  i believe that no matter what religion you are participating in, if you live a just and moral life, you will be rewarded.  because, if u think about it, how can any really say what God is or if he exists?  i believe the bible to be an accurate historical document, but i believe that some of the events within the bible and some of the stories are fiction and were manufactured to provide guidance to people searching for the right way to live.  i hope this helps!  good luck in your search for faith...mine is still somewhat weak and non-existant so i hope you can relate to what i've said......
70509
The article is interesting, but it seems to have some flaws. It was too long and involved to read carefully, but I skimmed the points it was trying to make. One that jumped out at me was worshipping on Sunday. The article says we do that because the Pope said to. The fact is that the earliest church worshipped on Sunday. Paul says the day doesn't matter, as long as we worship.\n\nAnother problem is that the Bible tells us that once the antichrist comes to power, we only have 7 years left before the end. The catholic church has been around for far longer than 7 years!\n\nThere are more, but I'm a very slow typer, so I'll let it go at two.\n\nI have a big problem with some of the catholic beliefs, but I really don't think this article should be taken seriusly. When I have more time, I am going to look at it more closely, though.
523576
You're right. The original church of Christ fell into apostacy and disappeared from the earth, to be restored in the last days. The Catholic belief is that Peter (head of the church after Christ died) gave his Priesthood to a bishop, who became the first Pope. However, that can't be proven and some evidence shows that Peter died a few years before the bishop claimed he was given the Priesthood. Also, Peter was an apostle and would not have given apostolic power to bishop. The man who claimed the power became the first Pope and every Pope after that was voted upon by men - never chosen by God. Some Popes were extremely evil, some forced or bribed their way into the position, and none of them ever held the Priesthood power. Many are good men, true, but they are not God's chosen, and their church and teachings are very different from Christ's church as set forth in the Bible. (Baptism by immersion, not infant sprinkling; leaders will be a prophet and 12 apostles, not a Pope; no mention of nuns or priests or celibacy, no mention of granting sainthood to men; no mention of Mary being divine or accepting prayers; no mention of a trinity, they don't believe in revelation, and where are tithing and temples?)\n\nYou're right. Faith is based on truth. Seek and ye shall find.
364214
I've read his post 3 times and can't see any mention of his religion. \nDo you think he doesn't know the laws in his country? Why do people feel compelled to point it out?\nIf he was Irish, would you all be saying "Catholics don't allow homosexuality"?\nLeave you preaching where it belongs, and that's not here!!!!
669585
Well if you're looking to become a priest it might get really complicated. Plus if you were to go to a convent it would get even more confusing. \n\nCatholic priests are not supposed to have a wife and children (no Christian is supposed to divorce, if the priest knows a person has been divorced he can not give them Communion). As for just a part of the basic clergy like an usher or a minister I'm not so sure on the rules but if you're looking to be a priest or have some position like it in the church it's probably not going to happen if you're Catholic.\n\nAs for what you should actually do, I'd say continue on with your basic life with your wife and kids. You can volenteer for lots of stuff at your church since there should be a lot of things going on (this is just from thoughts of my own church) and volenteers are always welcome. So basically I think you can fulfill this "calling" simply by keeping your basic life and just volenteering. I know you're sitting there saying "Wait, this looks too simple." Well in theory it's enough since service to God is a service that He will never forget no matter how much that service is.
600492
You are very correct and I agree with you.  The splintering away is a result of people who did not accept the teachings of the Catholic church.  Some did not believe Jesus was truly the Son of God, only a prophet because He didn't meet their hopes and ideas for the promised Messiah.  Some do not accept that the Blessed Trinity is God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and actually came to understand that the Catholic church was worshipping a false God in their understanding of the Triune God.  Many had problems with Catholics "worshipping Mary" and putting her above Jesus Christ which is not true but there are many things that factor into this splitting off from the Catholic church, and then due to some really bad abuses by the Church during the time of the reformation, Martin Luther tried to correct and change things and so splintered off.  There have been many wonderful Saints who fought against heresy and schism and Thank God, the Church pulled through these trying times.  I wouldn't worry about this because it is God who is in charge and He fills His Church with the Holy Spirit and God can and does make so many good things happen through even the worst of situations and people and times.  I even might mention that there are many "so called" Catholics today who are not truly Catholic because they pick and choose just what they will believe and what they will not, not accepting of all the teachings of the Magesterium.  Some do not accept the teachings of the "Real Presence" in the Most Holy Eucharist, some do not follow the teachings of the Church in regard to many of the modern day social issues, are pro abortion, pro gay rights, etc so there is still today much needing to be done within the Church to bring it (and everyone) back to the one true Church.  What I believe is not good is for people to give up and go elsewhere due to all these things, rather than stay within the Church and pray and do all they can to change things from within.  God has His Holy Spirit guiding our Holy Mother Church and all will be well.  God Bless You in the name of The Father, Son and The Holy Spirit and may our Blessed Mother keep you always in her prayers that you may be brought ever closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen
324250
I have.  And it looks good to me.  No religion is perfect I must confess, but there are certain beliefs that are needed.  I found my faith that is the best beliefs.  I had analyzed many others, but all weren't biblical.  I don't need a priest, I just need me and God.  And the beliefs that God gave us.  Like eating healthy, following His law for our own benefit out of obedience, the Sabbath, etc.  If we all looked at our beliefs and religion, we would be a perfect religion.  But again, there are different beliefs and people would still disagree.
291443
After reading the Bible several times thoughtfully, I always THOUGHT whoever wrote it had it "in for us".\n\nMaybe priest molestation IS a pure form of "truth in advertizing" fot this assumption?  and then there is women doomed to childbirth in pain, so on, so on.
81890
Sweety- we live in a society that says that priests who molest children should simply be moved quietly to a new church far, far away- to repeat their actions with other unsuspecting young people who are supposed to be able to trust them. \nIf you are seeking religion, please do not look to simple mortals for what's acceptable or not. Some really sick people hide behind religion for the purpose of making people trust them so that they can then take advantage of those same people. God warned about this in the Bible- that before the return of Jesus Christ (which has not happened yet), the church would become tainted by all the evil in the world, and it would be up to us individually to seek and find the truth.\nWhen you study, do so with some people that have your interests in common, PRAY BEFORE YOU BEGIN each time that you find what you need to find, and then read/discuss with an open heart and mind.  Seek the truth and you shall find it.
27731
One thing that a Catholic is not is a bible worshipper.  Catholics believe in tradition and theology practiced within the church as well.  Catholics do not get hung up in literal interpretation and therefore can often find greater meaning and application of the bible’s writings.  Also Catholics tend to observe for who, what, when, where the scripture was written and try not to mix apples and oranges to make a point (or get a donation).  \n\nMany would say... well there ya go!  Catholics DON'T believe the bible.  I would say to them... do you believe God (infinite and eternal) can be contained in a book?  Open your eyes.  The word is alive but your ears have died to the truth.  You are the temple of the Lord.  That doesn’t mean to get fit… it means the Lord is in you.  God has given you everything you need.  He has sent Jesus to awaken you but still you cannot see past the marked and worn pages of your demigod.  Catholics read and adhere to their understanding of the bible based on theology and tradition, as well as, historical fact.  But Catholics worship God and every chance they get they let Jesus into there souls through communion.  \n\nI am sorry if my rant is so negative... we just here these things over and over.  It is ignorance and fear that they preach against us.  The world has enough of that...  God bless each of you.\n\nAside:\nThe Mary stuff is the same as the saints… we ask them to pray for us.  Like you would ask a friend to pray for your Mom in the hospital.  Mary is a very special Saint and one we can all find strength in character in; she is a role model.  ‘Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death.’