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How can the Catholic church really believe it is God's chosen church when it has such a long, cruel history of persecuting not only anyone who disagreed, but also its own members, such as nuns. Many documents and books exist to prove the shocking history. When the Popes ruled the world, it was called the "Dark Ages", and that's a fact. Where is God in all of this? Jesus even told his disciples not to call down fire from heaven when he was rejected by a town (I don't have the scripture reference). Why would the church set fire to heretics in His name?
Lisa.
Hi, Lisa:
Thanks for the question.
Actually the Catholic Church does not teach herself to be God's chosen church, but the Catholic Church is the one Church founded by Jesus Christ. (Meaning to pint out clearly here that there are not multiple churches from which God somehow 'chooses' one.)
I suppose that you point out the problem of sin on earth, that just never seems to completely go away, does it... Christ and the teachings of His Church certainly call all individuals to a life of ongoing conversion, but not all respond perfectly and completely to this invitation. What particular teaching exactly do you disagree with? Perhaps you, being free of all sin so it seems, could help set the record straight here for us all... Your words seem quite cruel and accusatory toward the Church, in my opinion, when there are also countless saints and holy examples of faithful Catholics, including Popes and Bishops, who have humbly live exemplary lives, and are counted among the Saints.
You may want to take some more time to look into this matter and study the Church in her actual doctrines and tecahings rather than "calling down fire from heaven" upon her.
I found that in my own journey into the Catholic Church, I was able to get a balanced perspective by looking at the fact that the Holy Nation, the People of God that God raised up in the Old Testament times before the visitation of Christ in the flesh, did not always in each and every individual live up to the perfect fulfillment of the Ten Commandments. They were still God's People, even though they were sinners. The fact that individuals sin, some to a lesser degree, others to greater, does not unmake God's work of raising up a people, a nation and kingdom of priests...
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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