Ask a Catholic

[sweetycakes]

So - one must always understand the difference between the "Catholic Faith" and what a misinformed or heretical Catholic may be doing.

And yet, this mission church, under the RCC, actively promotes this in their church. Among the ways they sponsor this, is to encourage people to sell the milagros in their church sponsored gift shop to pin on the idol. So the Church is approving of this idol worship. I have yet to see any priest stop the idolatry there.

Here here

[Fiosh]

So - one must always understand the difference between the "Catholic Faith" and what a misinformed or heretical Catholic may be doing.

And yet, this mission church, under the RCC, actively promotes this in their church. Among the ways they sponsor this, is to encourage people to sell the milagros in their church sponsored gift shop to pin on the idol. So the Church is approving of this idol worship. I have yet to see any priest stop the idolatry there.

If these folks are simply honoring a saint and asking for intercession, that would be in line with Catholic teaching. If they are truly worshiping the statue or the saint, as bswist said, they are in heresy. Both they and the priest will have to answer for their actions. We have both wheat and tares in our Church also.

Peace,

Fiosh

[sweetycakes]

Fiosh,

what do you think about all those so-called BVM (blessed virgin mary) visions?

From what I've seen documented about the subject, it would seem that these visions, or a number of them, are misleading, and may infact be a spiritual deception based on the ancient worship of the 'queen of heaven'

I don't have all the information to supply you with all that I've heard and seen pertaining to this subject, you would have to do a search, but what do you think in general of these apparitions?

[Fiosh]

I'm not sure where you are getting the term "higher calling". But you are correct in assuming that the priesthood is considered at least a special calling. And that is mainly because the priest is the only one who can celebrate Mass and consecrate the Holy Eucharist. Every priest receives the anointing passed down from the Apostles. This anointing, which is administered by the bishop and fellow priests effects an actual filling of the Holy Spirit in a special way enabling the priest to administer the sacraments.

So how is that in some way not Gnostic, by elevating a spiritual task above a non-spiritual one?

You used the term "higher", not me.

That may very well be the first time in history that anyone even hinted that the RCC tends to Gnosticism.

We believe that the consecrated Host is the real and living Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. How is that Gnostic?

The Holy Eucharist is the foundation and summit of life in the RCC (and outside of it, though that is not acknowledged). Without the priest we have no Holy Eucharist.

If you read thru all the info, you will note that the RCC also recognizes that we all share in Christ's priesthood.

Peace,

Fiosh

Is the calling any more special than that of a janitor?

Hi ak,

I'm honestly not sure how to answer that question. Were the Apostles "more special" than the rest of the followers of Jesus?

They were called out from among all the disciples for a special purpose, yes. Did God love them more? Were they more important? Was their calling "higher" than the rest of us? What would you say?

Whatever the answer would be to those questions, it would be the same for priests.

I can tell you that the RCC does regard all labor, as it is directed to the service and glory of God, as "special".

(Edited by mod)

[sweetycakes]

Fiosh,

what do you think about all those so-called BVM (blessed virgin mary) visions?

From what I've seen documented about the subject, it would seem that these visions, or a number of them, are misleading, and may infact be a spiritual deception based on the ancient worship of the 'queen of heaven'

I don't have all the information to supply you with all that I've heard and seen pertaining to this subject, you would have to do a search, but what do you think in general of these apparitions?

[Fiosh]

How do you feel that many end-time prophecy thinkers have pegged the RCC as the ringleader for the Trib one world church?

It makes me sad that my brothers and sisters in Christ sometimes don't recognize that we are all children of God and true followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus prayed to the Father that we should all be one in Him---I am confident that one day that prayer will be answered.

Jesus is Lord!

Peace,

Fiosh

[Fiosh]

Fiosh,

what do you think about all those so-called BVM (blessed virgin mary) visions?

From what I've seen documented about the subject, it would seem that these visions, or a number of them, are misleading, and may infact be a spiritual deception based on the ancient worship of the 'queen of heaven'

I don't have all the information to supply you with all that I've heard and seen pertaining to this subject, you would have to do a search, but what do you think in general of these apparitions?

Hi stephen,

I believe that those apparitions that have been approved by the RCC have been thoroughly researched and substantiated. The Blessed Mother always directs that faithful to her Son, Jesus, and never seeks glory for herself.

I also believe that there are many fraudulent "visions". I trust the RCC to sort them out. If you have read of visions that are "a spiritual deception", they are not approved by the RCC.

Thanks for your question!

Peace,

Fiosh

[sweetycakes]

Fiosh,

what do you think about all those so-called BVM (blessed virgin mary) visions?

From what I've seen documented about the subject, it would seem that these visions, or a number of them, are misleading, and may infact be a spiritual deception based on the ancient worship of the 'queen of heaven'

I don't have all the information to supply you with all that I've heard and seen pertaining to this subject, you would have to do a search, but what do you think in general of these apparitions?

Hi stephen,

I believe that those apparitions that have been approved by the RCC have been thoroughly researched and substantiated. The Blessed Mother always directs that faithful to her Son, Jesus, and never seeks glory for herself.

I also believe that there are many fraudulent "visions". I trust the RCC to sort them out. If you have read of visions that are "a spiritual deception", they are not approved by the RCC.

Thanks for your question!

Peace,

Fiosh

Fiosh, here is a link to google video containing a few videos on this subject. I haven't watched any of them, as I've just performed the search, but I intend to watch one or two of them later

http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?q=marian+apparition

[Guest man]

Hi Ayin,

I've been quickly reading this board, but truly have little time to maintain any lengthy dialogs. I happen to be working two jobs and writing an approx. 30 page talk for a Catholic Cursillo weekend.

Ok - enough of the excuses for not being a "persistant" member - but let me answer your question and help with genearal guidance.

I do prison ministry also and there is always a misconception between what Catholic people do, seem to do, there intent, and the Catholic faith. Some of the Catholic failthful you see "praying to the statue" may really be "praying to the statue". Some may be using the statue in a Catholic way as FIOSH and others suggests. That is, using it as you would a picture of your loved one in your wallet or purse that you haven't seen for a long time and truly missed. Heck, you might even longingly look at the picture and give it a kiss. and we know that's not worship. Just love for the person it represents.

OK back to those Catholic idol worshipers. THEY MAY BE IDOL WORSHIPPERS.... BUT - That's not the Catholic faith as ever taught in history. They are Catholics in heresy and probably not even aware.

So - one must always understand the difference between the "Catholic Faith" and what a misinformed or heretical Catholic may be doing.

May God Bless You and Me!

bswist

This is very much correct. I read on here all the time, I saw a Catholic do this or I know a Priest that said this. This may very well of happened, but that isn't what the Catholic Church teaches. Fiosh is doing a great job of telling all of you what the Church truely teaches. If you don't agree, that's fine, but at least you will know what the Church truely teaches.

So if this is true...as you say it is....wouldn't the catholic church be guilty of promoting idol worship?

[Rebmilc]

Hi Fiosh.

Thanks for the thread. I would like to ask what is your personal opinion of the book "The Two Babylons" by Alexander Hislop

(If you have read it). I read this book years ago and it seemed pretty damning to the RCC to me.

Please note, this is not a trick question that will lead to argument, I genuinely wish to know what the catholics think of it as I have never seen a viable refutation of Hislops conclusions from the RCC.

If you have never read the book it can be found at biblebelievers .com