WORDS TO THE WHYS
The truth will make you odd. Flannery O’Connor
A concise comparison between the Catholic Church and Protestantism.
- Catholics have the Holy Eucharist. Protestants have something resembling the Eucharist but not actually the Eucharist established by Jesus and conserved by the apostles. The first "protestants" were those who rejected Jesus' teaching about the Eucharist (St John 6:52-65).
- Catholics celebrate the season of Christmas lasting from Christmas (December 25th; 24th among Eastern Catholics) to the Baptism of the Lord or in some precincts until Candlemas. Though some Protestant denominations celebrate a season of Christmas, most Protestant groups only celebrate one day, Christmas Day.
- The Bible is a Catholic book. Catholics have 73 books in the Bible affirmed by the Council of Rome (AD 382), the Synod of Hippo (AD 393), two of the Councils of Carthage (AD 397 and 419), the Council of Florence (AD 1431–1449) and finally, as an article of faith, by the Council of Trent (AD 1545–1563). The writings that found their way into the canon of Holy Scripture were those books (and letters of the Apostles) that were read - everywhere and always - in the sacred Liturgy. After Luther attempted to remove books from the Canon of Scripture, Protestants retained 66 books, later standardized among many English-speaking Protestants following a 1825 decision by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
- Catholics have the Bible and Sacred Tradition (St Matthew 16:18-19; 2 Thess. 2:15). Protestants are typically sola scriptura (the Bible alone).
- There is one Catholic Church, true to the promise Jesus made to Peter. Some estimate that between 30,000 and 40,000 different protestant groups exist with many conflicting teachings.
- Catholics honour Mary for her role in the salvation of man by requesting her intercession with God, through devotions such as the Rosary, and through specific liturgical events such as celebrating her birth and her bodily assumption into heaven. Mary has always been remembered in the ancient Roman Canon (of the Mass). Protestants vary greatly in their understanding and appreciation of Mary. Most do not seek her intercession.
- Catholics have continuously held to the Apostolic teaching that contraception is wrong (Pope Saint Paul VI Humanae Vitae). Anglicans passed a resolution in favor of artificial birth control at the 1930 Lambeth (Church of England) Conference after which time other Protestant denominations also relaxed their prohibitions against artificial contraception.
- Catholics celebrate the season of Easter lasting from Easter Day to Ascension Thursday. Protestants celebrate Easter Day and some denominations, to varying degrees, a season of Easter. Most Protestants only acknowledge one day of Easter.
- The early Christians and Church Fathers were Catholic in thought and practice. Founders of Protestantism departed from the Apostolic teaching in many respects, e.g., the Protestant denial of the Apostolic teaching on the Eucharist. Protestants deny the Petrine Ministry (St Matthew 16:18) established by Jesus Christ.
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POPE LEO XIV Magnifica Humanitas
Even in the darkest nights, the Lord raises up men and women who refuse to give up, who persevere in doing good, who protect the vulnerable and open pathways to reconciliation. The memory of the saints, righteous people and the oft-forgotten peacemakers, show us that grace does not magically eliminate conflict, but instead it inspires active resistance to evil and an astonishing creativity in doing good” (paragraph 211).
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
I doubt not then but innocence shall make false accusation blush, and tyranny tremble at patience.
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