Expert: Sal - 10/11/2008

Question
ive never read anything in the bible pertaining to rosary beads, calling a priest father, saying hail Mary's, believing Mary is superior to other will doers of God, with all these seemingly man made traditions how can you possibly say catholics represent Christ. i being a atheist even see a clear difference in the bible and your irrelevant to Christ traditions.

Answer
Dear Connor:

I can say that the Catholic Church is the one established by Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world because of the biblical and historical evidence. The Bible tells us that Jesus established a Church in the first century with St. Peter as its leader. This Church would always exist to oppose Satan. History tells us that the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church are the only two churches with links to the first century Church. However, only the Catholic Church acknowledges the successor of St. Peter as its Chief Shepherd or as we call him the Pope. Further we can name the founders of all other Christian churches. In doing this one will find their beginnings are all well after the establishment of Christ’s Church in the first century. Therefore, they are all excluded by the historical fact of their beginnings. Even as an atheist you must admit the “if” Jesus established a church it would have to be the Catholic Church since only it meets all the criteria for the church established by Jesus as given in the Gospel of St. Matthew in chapter 16 and verses 18 & 19.
Best Wishes,
Sal