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Encyclopedia > Criticism of the Catholic Church

Criticism of the Catholic Church subsumes critical observations made about the current or historical Roman Catholic Church, in its actions, teachings, omissions, structure, or nature; theological disagreements would be covered on a denominational basis. Criticisms may regard the concepts of papal primacy and supremacy, or aspects of church structure, governance, and particular practices. Catholic Church redirects here. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      A denomination... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Pope (from Latin... The primacy of the Roman pontiff is the apostolic authority of the Pope (Bishop of Rome), from the Holy See, over the several churches that comprise the Catholic Church in the Latin and Eastern Rites. ... Referring to the doctrine of Papal Supremacy the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes in paragraph 882, “the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he...


Criticism of the Catholic Church in previous centuries was more closely related to theological disputes. The Protestant Reformation (16th century in Europe) came about in no small part due to perceived deviation from Biblical teaching in certain of the Church's practices. These theological grievances were compounded by political disputes, and to this day the debate begun at the Reformation is reflected in the diversity of Christian denominations. Current criticisms of the Roman Catholic church tend to come from outside of Christianity, relating more to concepts in philosophy and culture e.g., Christianity vs. humanism. Theology finds its scholars pursuing the understanding of and providing reasoned discourse of religion, spirituality and God or the gods. ... Reformation redirects here. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      A denomination... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... See also the specific life stance known as Humanism For the Renaissance liberal arts movement, see Renaissance humanism Humanism is a broad category of ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities...


Some critics of the Catholic Church have gone as far as claiming that the Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon in the Book of Revelation. Others have claimed that one reason why unbiblical Catholic doctrine has not been completely removed is because modern Bible versions remove statements from the Bible that refute unsound Catholic doctrines or even add statements onto it to support them. The Whore of Babylon rides the seven-headed Beast. ... Visions of John of Patmos, as depicted in the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. ... The Bible has been translated into many languages from the biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      See technical...

Contents

Historical controversies

The present Church is accused by some of crimes committed throughout its history, such as during the Crusades and the Inquisition. This article is about the medieval crusades. ... This article is about the Inquisition by the Roman Catholic Church. ...


Aside from discussing specific cases, the Church's response (according to the Pope) is that Catholics are "fallen human beings" no less than non-Catholics, and that Church members, including the hierarchy, have been involved in and responsible for crimes, but that this individual guilt cannot be transferred to the body of the Church spanning centuries. In May 1995, Pope John Paul II apologized for certain historic excesses, and in 2000, he asked publicly for pardon "for the sins of Catholics throughout the ages". Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion Pope John Paul II (Latin: , Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan PaweÅ‚ II) born   []; 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) reigned as the 264th Pope of...


Catholics considered as not being Christian

Historically, many non-Catholics have openly declared Catholics to be "non Christian." Recently, however, this rhetorical device has lost favor, and it is rare that a non-Catholic will overtly mete out that judgment. Most major denominations that will venture to make public pronouncements on the subject will only go so far as to state that Catholics are "apostate Christians," meaning that Catholics are no longer Christians according to whatever standards (usually claimed to be Biblical) the accuser is using at the time. They argue that the Church is at variance with the Bible on any number of theological points, ranging from disagreement with veneration of the apostles and saints, to disagreement with the notion that baptism is necessary to salvation, to disagreement with apostolic succession and Church hierarchy, and Church teachings that faith alone will not justify the Christian (e.g. "The demons believe too"). Apostasy (Greek απο, apo, away, apart, στασις, stasis, standing) is the formal renunciation of ones religion. ... In Christianity, the doctrine of Apostolic Succession (or the belief that the Church is apostolic) maintains that the Christian Church today is the spiritual successor to the original body of believers in Christ, composed of the Apostles. ...


Dr. Ken Matto asserts "The Roman Catholic Church has been around for about 1700 years. With each passing year they continue to grow more apostate. They are not a Christian denomination but instead could easily be categorized as a cult."[1]


Cartoonist Jack Chick asserts in his pamphlets, which are riddled with his own interpretation of select Bible verses to support his statements, that the Catholic catechism is incompatible with Biblical teaching and that[2] Roman Catholics are not Christians. In fact, his pamphlets teach that Satan rules the Catholic Church,[3] as well as all religions other than Chick's own[citation needed]. Some other religious groups like Jehovah's Witnesses also share that belief. Jimmy Akins rendition of Jack Chick. ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ... This article is about the concept of Satan. ...


Catholic teaching considered as unbiblical

Some Protestants charge that Church teachings are unbiblical (for example, [4]). The contention is that such teachings were late inventions and not part of the original deposit of faith. The Catholic notion of traditio refers to what is passed down, and it is generally considered that the Church predates the Bible in written form. As a result, the institution, in the Catholic faith, of the Church on Earth is an organic growth responsible for the Bible, descended from Christ, and it changes as the world changes.


Protestants who attack the Catholic Church's reliance on tradition cite the doctrines of "sola scriptura" (Scripture only) and "sola fide" (faith only). These scholars hold that the position of the Reformers regarding justification was pronounced as anathema by the Roman Catholic Council of Trent in 1547.[4][5] Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      This article is about theological concept. ... Sola fide (Latin: by faith alone), also historically known as the justification of faith, is a doctrine that distinguishes most Protestant denominations from Catholicism, Eastern Christianity, and Restorationism in Christianity. ... The Council of Trent is the Nineteenth Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. ...


Some opponents of Sola Scriptura argue that, rather than being a return to fundamental Christianity, it is actually more of an innovation than traditional Roman Catholic beliefs. For example, the "salvation through faith alone vs. faith and works" controversy depends on how you read the Epistle of James. The Catholics hold the Epistle of James as important. In the earliest editions of his Bible, Luther wrote his now famous comment: "The St. James Epistle is really an epistle of straw compared to [St. Paul's letters], for it lacks this evangelical character." Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      This article is about theological concept. ...


In response to these charges, Dave Armstrong argues that, far from straying from the Bible, Catholicism is biblical. He asserts that Catholicism is the only Christian religion that is in full conformity with what the Bible clearly teaches. To demonstrate this, Armstrong (a former Protestant campus missionary) focuses on those issues about which Catholics and Protestants disagree the most: the role of the Bible as a rule of faith, whether we are justified by faith alone, whether doctrine develops, what the Eucharist really is, veneration of Mary and prayer to the saints, the existence of [purgatory], the role of penance in salvation, and the nature and infallibility of the papacy. (See "A Biblical Defense of Catholicism" by Dave Armstrong with foreword by John A. Hardon, S. J.)


Church tradition

Protestants critical of the Catholic Church often attack its reliance on what is referred to as "tradition" by the Church.


Others counter that the notion of "church tradition" does not mean custom. Traditio is that which is handed down — Catholics believe that the whole "deposit of faith" was given by Christ to the apostles. Tradition, the written part of the larger tradition, are the scriptures which, the Church says, must be interpreted in the context of the community founded by Christ.


Saints

It is common practice among Catholics to venerate Mary and other saints for supplication, or request help of some sort. Some Protestant Christians argue that in order for Mary and the saints to actually hear all the prayers directed to them, they would by necessity be required to possess the attributes of omniscience and omnipresence, thus allowing them to know all the requests made by either ultimate knowledge or by actually being present with each supplicant simultaneously. It is important to note that non-Catholic sects do not traditionally call on the saints or apostles with anything approaching the Catholic exuberance. However, when Catholics pray to saints they are simply asking for the saint to pray to God for them, not to have the saint do something for them. Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... This article is about the religous people known as Christians. ... Omniscience is the capacity to know everything infinitely, or at least everything that can be known about a character including thoughts, feelings, life and the universe, etc. ... Omnipresence is the ability to be present in every place at any, and/or every, time; unbounded or universal presence. ...


The argument is used against the presence of the guardian angel and in some radical Protestant sects against the presence of an aggressive Devil. [citation needed] Christians have historically believed that only material beings occupy time and space: as spirits, saints and angels do not occupy space.[citation needed] This would suggest that angels and saints do not need to be omnipresent or omnipotent to answer prayers. A guardian angel is a spirit who is believed to protect and to guide a particular person. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... This is an overview of the Devil. ...


Marianism

For the critics of the traditional role of women in Latin America, see: Marianismo.

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, asserted "The issue of Mary remains one of the hottest debates on the Protestant/Roman Catholic divide, and new proposals for Marian doctrines are likely to ignite a theological conflagration. At stake is not only the biblical understanding of Mary, but the integrity of the work of Christ."[citation needed] Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... Marianismo is the inverse or female equivalent of Machismo in Latin American folk culture, that is it is the embodiment of the feminine rather than the masculine. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...


Others counter by insisting that Mary is not worshipped. Further, the same arguments against devotion to Mary can equally be applied to devotion of any of the saints or apostles.[citation needed]


Papal infallibility

Main article: Papal infallibility

In Roman Catholic theology, Papal infallibility is the dogma that the Pope is preserved from error when he solemnly promulgates, or declares, to the Church a decision on faith or morals. In Catholic theology, papal infallibility is the dogma that, by action of the Holy Spirit, the Pope is preserved from even the possibility of error[1] when he solemnly declares or promulgates to the Church a dogmatic teaching on faith or morals as being contained in divine revelation, or at...


This doctrine has a long history, but was not defined dogmatically until the First Vatican Council of 1870. In Catholic theology, papal infallibility is one of the channels of the Infallibility of the Church. Papal infallibility does not signify that the Pope is divinely inspired or that he is specially exempt from liability to sin. The First Vatican Council was summoned by Pope Pius IX by the bull Aeterni Patris of June 29, 1868. ...


The Old Catholic Churches, organized in the Union of Ultrajectine independent Catholic Churches, resisted Papal infallibility along with the First Vatican Council's dogma of Papal primacy of universal jurisdiction. The Old Catholic Church is a community of Christian churches. ... The Union of Utrecht is a federation of Old Catholic Churches, not in communion with Rome, that seceded from the Roman Catholic Church over the issue of Papal infallibility. ... The First Vatican Council was summoned by Pope Pius IX by the bull Aeterni Patris of June 29, 1868. ...


Use of Latin

Before the late 1960s the most known part of the Roman Catholic Church, the Latin rite, used a liturgy exclusively said in Latin. The absolute use of the ancient language of Rome, along with some parts said in Ancient Greek and Hebrew, in the Western Church's traditional rite Mass has been severely criticized during recent times. The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969. ... Catholic Church redirects here. ... The Latin Rite is one of the 23 sui iuris particular Churches within the Catholic Church. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... Greek ( IPA: or simply IPA: — Hellenic) has a documented history of 3,500 years, the longest of any single language in the Indo-European language family. ... “Hebrew” redirects here. ... The Tridentine Mass (Pontifical High Mass) being celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Wyandotte, Michigan - 1949. ...


During the Reformation the Protestants almost totally rejected the use of Latin as "hocuspocus". The Protestant Reformation was a movement which began in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church, but ended in division and the establishment of new institutions, most importantly Lutheranism, Reformed churches, and Anabaptists. ... Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ... Hocus Pocus is a generic term used by magicians, usually the magic words spoken when bringing about some sort of change. ...


The French Catholic Church in the 18th century adapted vernacular missals in some dioceses. In 1794 the Synod of Pistoia, firmly influenced by Jansenism, rejected the use of Latin and demanded the use of the vernacular. In the 19th century the "Old Catholic" anti-primacy movements adopted the vernacular liturgy along with other reforms. In 1962 the encyclical Veterum sapientia of Pope John XXIII instructed priests and seminaries to hold to the all-Latin Mass and to promote studying the Latin language. While the Second Vatican Council for the first time allowed the use of the vernacular in the liturgy of the Mass, it also demanded conservation of the use of Latin and stimulated of Latin Gregorian chant. The new, 1970 edition of the reformed Roman Missal allowed for a world-wide use of the vernacular in the Eucharist for the first time. The term Gallican Church usually refers to the Roman Catholic Church in France from the time of the Declaration of the Clergy of France (1682) to that of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790) during the French Revolution. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Look up Vernacular in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Missal, in the Roman Catholic Church, is a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Masses throughout the year. ... 1794 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Synod of Pistoia was a diocesan synod held in 1786 under the presidency of Scipione de Ricci (1741-1810), bishop of Pistoia, and the patronage of Leopold, grand-duke of Tuscany, with a view to preparing the ground for a national council and a reform of the Tuscan Church. ... Jansenism was a branch of Catholic thought tracing itself back to Cornelius Otto Jansen (1585 – 1638), a Flemish theologian. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Old Catholic Church is a community of Christian churches. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... See also: 15th-century Antipope John XXIII. Pope John XXIII (Latin: ; Italian: ), born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli (November 25, 1881 – June 3, 1963), known as Blessed John XXIII since his beatification, was elected as the 261st Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City on October 28, 1958. ... For other uses, see Mass (disambiguation). ... The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. ... Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song of the Roman Catholic Church. ... The Mass of Pope Paul VI is the liturgy of the Catholic Mass of the Roman Rite as revised after the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). ...


While many Catholics and non-Catholics applauded the decision to drop Latin, its virtual disappearance caused distress and anger among some Catholic lay faithful and among conservative Roman clergymen.


Traditionalist and sedevacantist Roman Catholics

Traditionalist Catholics see the Church's recent efforts at reformed teaching and (liturgical) practice (known as "aggiornamento"), in particular the Second Vatican Council, as not benefitting the advancement of the Church. Some groups, claiming the Church has betrayed the core values of Catholicism, have rejected some of the decisions of the Holy See that they see harmful to the faith. They have in common the firm adherence to the pre-conciliar Traditional Latin Mass. A traditionalist Catholic is a Roman Catholic who believes that there should be a restoration of the liturgical forms, public and private devotions, and presentation of Catholic teachings that prevailed in the Catholic Church just before the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). ... The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. ... The Tridentine Mass (Pontifical High Mass) being celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Wyandotte, Michigan - 1949. ...


Others, a numerically minor group, go so far as to characterize the current Pontiffs of the Catholic Church as heretics. Several groups, known as sedevacantists, claim that the current Pope (as well, perhaps, as some of his immediate predecessors) is not legitimate. Sedeprivationists claim the post-conciliar Popes are still materially Popes, but formally non-Catholics due to formal personal and public heresy.[clarify] For other uses, see Heresy (disambiguation). ... Sede vacante coat of arms, used by the Holy See from a Popes death to the election of his successor Sedevacantism (/sedəvəkæntizm/) is a theological position embraced by a tiny minority of Traditionalist Catholics which holds that the Papal See has been vacant since the death... Sedeprivationism is an ideological school or party of the Traditionalist Catholic movement that follows the principles of the late French theologian Michel Louis Guérard des Lauriers, O.P., as Lauriers set it out in his thesis published in the Cahiers du Cassiciacum and therefore called the Cassiciacum thesis. According...


Another tiny, extreme group of Vatican II opponents, known as conclavists, have appointed papal replacements: see list of conclavist antipopes. These groups are estimated to compromise not more than a few hundred Catholics worldwide. Sedevacantism is the belief that the office of pope of the Roman Catholic Church is currently vacant (sede vacante). ... For the book by Robert Rankin, see The Antipope. ...


On the other hand, some non-Catholic[disputed] historians have been seeing a clear continuity of the teachings of the Church throughout the centuries, a "handing over" (traditio) of "living faith" which according to George Weigel "inspires innovative thinking." George Weigel (Baltimore, 1951 - ) is an American conservative author, Roman Catholic theologian and political and social activist. ...



hello how come i can change thisss?? "(


Ordination of women

For the critics of the traditional role of women in Latin America, see: Marianismo.

In recent times, the Roman Catholic Church's exclusion of women from the ordained clergy, and so from many of the most important decisions, is seen by some (including some Catholics) as unjust discrimination (at a time when feminist and other movements have advocated equal access for women to traditionally male professions). Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... Marianismo is the inverse or female equivalent of Machismo in Latin American folk culture, that is it is the embodiment of the feminine rather than the masculine. ... Feminists redirects here. ...


As a result of feminism and other social and political movements that have removed barriers to the entry of women into professions that were traditionally male strongholds, in the latter quarter of the twentieth century many women in a handful of countries sought ordination into the Roman Catholic priesthood. Feminists redirects here. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s The 20th century lasted from 1901 to 2000 in the Gregorian calendar (often from (1900 to 1999 in common usage). ...


The Church is convinced that it is not free to change this practice, which the Church traces back to Jesus himself, and has declared the matter closed for discussion. (This has not, however, actually ended the discussion: dissenting Catholics are continuing to talk about it.) Yet, at the same time the Church has also been praised by many historians as having raised the dignity of women relative to their treatment in the pagan societies (e.g. the Roman paterfamilias had absolute authority over them). Women were treated by medieval knights as ladies, a custom characterized by gentleness and reverence inspired by the Catholic Church's veneration for a woman, Mary, as the greatest of all saints. [citation needed] The pater familias was the eldest or ranking male in a Roman household. ...


The Roman Catholic position (as well as that of the Orthodox and, arguably, other ancient churches), is that this has been the clear teaching of the Church since the time of the Apostles. As the Priest is acting 'in persona Christi' (that is, in the Person of Christ) and Christ took the body of a man, the priest must be a man. [citation needed] In particular, in the sacrifice of the Eucharist, the priest acts in representation of Christ. Furthermore, Jesus chose only men to be the twelve apostles and because priests and bishops are successors to the Apostles, only men can become priests and bishops. [citation needed]


On May 22, 1994, Pope John Paul II issued an apostolic letter, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (Priestly Ordination) which reaffirmed the traditional position, and concluded: is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ...

Although the teaching that priestly ordination is to be reserved to men alone has been preserved by the constant and universal Tradition of the Church and firmly taught by the Magisterium in its more recent documents, at the present time in some places it is nonetheless considered still open to debate, or the Church's judgment that women are not to be admitted to ordination is considered to have a merely disciplinary force.
Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church's divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Luke 22:32) I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful.

Within Roman Catholicism itself, debate on the subject now largely focuses on whether this statement is meant to invoke extraordinary papal infallibility (see the concept of the extraordinary magisterium) and raise the rule that women cannot be Roman Catholic priests to the level of an irreformable dogma of the Roman Catholic Church. That disagreement as to the status reached to the heart of the Church. However, its infallibility was asserted by the CDF in its Responsum Ad Dubium on October 28, 1995, when they responded to a Bishop's inquiry with the following: The Gospel of Luke (literally, according to Luke; Greek, Κατά Λουκαν, Kata Loukan) is a synoptic Gospel, and the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels of the New Testament. ... In Catholic theology, papal infallibility is the dogma that, by action of the Holy Spirit, the Pope is preserved from even the possibility of error[1] when he solemnly declares or promulgates to the Church a dogmatic teaching on faith or morals as being contained in divine revelation, or at... Magistratus ordinarii (ordinary magistrates) and Magistrarus extraordinarii (extraordinary magistrates) were two categories of officials who held political, military, and, in some cases, religious power in the Roman Republic. ... For other senses of this word, see dogma (disambiguation). ... is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


"This teaching requires definitive assent, since, founded on the written Word of God, and from the beginning constantly preserved and applied in the Tradition of the Church, it has been set forth infallibly by the ordinary and universal Magisterium (cf. Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium 25, 2). Thus, in the present circumstances, the Roman Pontiff, exercising his proper office of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32), has handed on this same teaching by a formal declaration, explicitly stating what is to be held always, everywhere, and by all, as belonging to the deposit of the faith.


The Sovereign Pontiff John Paul II, at the Audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect, approved this Reply, adopted in the ordinary session of this Congregation, and ordered it to be published."


Critics accused some of those attached to Ratzinger's Congregation of trying to make the document sound infallible to try to kill off the debate, in effect spinning a fallible document as infallible. Such an accusation has been made in the past, notably Pope Paul's encyclical, Humanæ Vitæ about which one conservative curial cardinal stated "the Holy Father has spoken. The issue is forever closed." Humanae Vitae (Latin Of Human Life) is an encyclical written by Pope Paul VI and promulgated on July 25, 1968. ...


Those criticisms are based on what some Catholics consider to be a faulty understanding of the doctrine of infallibility. What is missed by those who make these criticisms is that "what has always been taught" is, according to Catholic clergy, as infallible as a solemn definition that springs from the Pope's Infallible Magisterium. That which has always been taught by the Church is a part of its Universal Magisterium, which is as infallible as such solemn definitions as that used to define the Assumption of Mary. A mere layperson is considered to be infallible when he would simply repeat what the church has always taught. [citation needed]


Clerical celibacy

Main article: Clerical celibacy

The Catholic Church's discipline of mandatory celibacy for Latin-Rite priests (while allowing very limited individual exceptions) is criticized for differing from Christian traditions issuing from the Protestant Reformation, which apply no limitations, and even from the practice of the ancient Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, which, while requiring celibacy for bishops and priestmonks and excluding marriage by priests after ordination, do allow married men to be ordained to the priesthood (Diaconate). Some also claim that mandatory priestly celibacy appeared only in the Middle Ages. Clerical celibacy is the practice of various religious traditions in which clergy, monastics and those in religious orders (female or male) adopt a celibate life, refraining from marriage and sexual relationships, including masturbation and impure thoughts (such as sexual visualisation and fantasies). ... Celibacy refers either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. ... Reformation redirects here. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Coptic Orthodox Pope · Roman Catholic Pope Archbishop of Canterbury · Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Faith... The Eastern Catholic Churches are autonomous particular Churches in full communion with the Pope of Rome. ... In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, a Hieromonk (Greek: Ηερομοναχος, Ieromonachos; Slavonic: Ieromonakh, Romanian: Ieromonah), or Priestmonk (a literal translation), is a monk who is also a priest. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ...


Some have argued that abolishing the rule of celibacy and opening the priesthood to women would update the Church's image as more relevant to modern society, and would help solve the problem of an insufficiency of candidates for priesthood in Western countries.


Many contend that maintaining the tradition in the modern age is unrealistic. In July 2006, Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo created the organization Married Priests Now!.[6] Responding to Milingo's November 2006 consecration of bishops, the Vatican stated "The value of the choice of priestly celibacy... has been reaffirmed."[7] Emmanuel Milingo (born June 13, 1930) was a Zambian Roman Catholic archbishop. ... Married Priests Now! (MPN) is an advocacy group headed by Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, a Zambian prelate. ...


In the wake of the clergy sexual abuse scandals, some critics have charged that priestly celibacy was a contributing factor. (see below) The Roman Catholic sex abuse cases are a series of accusations of child sexual abuse made against Roman Catholic priests and also concern accusations of related church cover-ups against said abuse. ...


Human sexual behavior and reproductive matters

Some criticize the Church's teaching on sexual and reproductive matters.[8] The Church requires members to eschew homosexual practices,[9] artificial contraception,[10] and sex out of wedlock, as well as non-procreative sexual practices, including masturbation. Procuring or assisting in an abortion can carry the penalty of excommunication, as a specific offence.[11] This article is about sexual practices (i. ... For other uses, see Reproduction (disambiguation) Reproduction is the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced. ... Homosexuality refers to sexual interaction and / or romantic attraction between individuals of the same sex. ... For other uses, see Birth control (disambiguation). ... François Elluin, Sodomites provoking the wrath of God, from Le pot pourri de Loth (1781). ... Woman masturbating, 1913 drawing by Gustav Klimt. ...


Although some charge that the Catholic Church rejects sex for purposes other than procreation, the official Catholic teaching regards sexuality as "naturally ordered to the good of spouses" as well as the generation of children.[12]


Some criticize the Church's teaching on fidelity, sexual abstinence and its opposition to promoting the use of condoms as a strategy to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS (or teen pregnancy or STD) as counterproductive. For the financial services company, see Fidelity Investments. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... This article is about the male contraceptive device. ... Species Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Human immunodeficiency virus 2 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections). ... For other uses, see AIDS (disambiguation). ... Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), are diseases that are commonly transmitted between partners through some form of sexual activity, most commonly vaginal intercourse, oral sex, or anal sex. ...


Opposition to birth control

Roman Catholic opposition to birth control has long been criticized as contributing to overpopulation, poverty and destitution. More recently, such criticism has charged that their refusal to allow missionaries to discuss condoms in Africa has exacerbated the AIDS epidemic there. For other uses, see Birth control (disambiguation). ... Map of countries by population density (See List of countries by population density. ... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows what he found. ... Destitution is an extreme state of poverty, in which a person is almost completely lacking in resources or means of support. ... A missionary is a propagator of religion, often an evangelist or other representative of a religious community who works among those outside of that community. ... A standard latex condom still rolled up This article is about the contraceptive device. ... AIDS education at a school in Uganda. ...


Supporters of birth control argue that economic growth which allows for a high population density without poverty is a direct function of the availability of birth control, as it leads to smaller families (as is the case in all nations which allow birth control), which in turn have more purchasing power to support themselves and provide their children with education, which is universally recognized as necessary for sustainable growth.


Supporters of birth control argue that the dependency on child labor is a vicious circle. A higher availability of children as labor forces pushes down wages; more children require more food, which in turn requires the employment of children to bring in the food.


Most scientists dispute the Church's position on condom security, and argue for a mixed approach of preventive measures instead. Some utterly reject sexual abstinence education as misleading (see sex education, sexual abstinence). An early 20th century post card documents the problem of unwanted pregnancy. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...


Nevertheless, the Church stands by its doctrines on sexual intercourse as defined by the Natural law: intercourse must at once be both the renewal of the consummation of marriage and for the purpose of procreation. If each of these postulates are not met, the act of intercourse is, according to Natural Law, an objective mortal sin. Therefore, since artificial contraception expressly prevents the creation of a new life (and, the Church would argue, removes the sovereignty of God over all of Creation), contraception is unacceptable. The Church sees abstinence as the only objective moral strategy for preventing the transmission of HIV. [5] [6] Natural law or the law of nature (Latin: lex naturalis) is an ethical theory that posits the existence of a law whose content is set by nature and that therefore has validity everywhere. ...


There is a movement within the church, reportedly involving several powerful cardinals (see [7]), to sanction the use of condoms in marriages where one partner has AIDS. It is debatable whether this move (if implemented) is an intended response to public and scientific criticism of the church's opposition to birth control or the result of a shift in theological thinking among church leaders. Whatever the reason, it represents a profound change in church doctrine among a clergy currently widely regarded as very conservative on many social issues. Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán, President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, has stated that Pope Benedict XVI asked his department to study the issue as part of a broad look at several questions of bioethics.[13] However, the president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Cardinal López Trujillo, in an interview reported by Catholic News Agency on May 4, 2006, said that the Church "maintains unmodified the teaching on condoms", and added that the Pope had "not ordered any studies about modifying the prohibition on condom use."[14] Ths article deals with conservatism as a political philosophy. ... The Pontifical Council for the Family is part of the Curia of the Roman Catholic Church. ... Alfonso Cardinal López Trujillo (born 8 November 1935) is a Cardinal Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church and president of the Pontifical Council for the Family. ... is the 124th day of the year (125th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Intolerance toward other religious and non religious social groups

Proselytism

The Catholic Church is also accused of massive proselytism. Almost all Catholic Church missionary activity is centered on the conversion of other faith groups. In the past, proselytism was mostly used against Protestants, Jews and Muslims. Today, it is mostly centered on Asian religions like Buddhism or Hinduism, especially in countries like India. Sometimes the targets are indigenous religions, sometimes even well-established churches like Russian Orthodox Church. Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow has many times repeated his demand that the Vatican must curb "proselytism" by Catholic clerics in Russia and eastern Europe[8]. Sisters of Mother Teresa were even imprisoned on proselytism charges in India[9]. The Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (Russian: ), also known as the Orthodox Christian Church of Russia, is a body of Christians who are united under the Patriarch of Moscow, who in turn is in communion with the other patriarchs and primates of the Eastern Orthodox Church. ...


Antisemitism

Throughout the 19th century and into the 20th, the Roman Catholic Church still incorporated strong antisemitic elements, despite increasing attempts to separate anti-Judaism, the opposition to the Jewish religion on religious grounds, and racial antisemitism. Pope Pius VII (1800-1823) had the walls of the Jewish Ghetto in Rome rebuilt after the Jews were released by Napoleon, and Jews were restricted to the Ghetto through the end of the Papal States in 1870. Pope Pius VII, OSB (August 14, 1740—August 20, 1823), born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, was Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Catholic Church from March 14, 1800 to August 20, 1823. ... A ghetto is an area where people from a specific racial or ethnic background live as a group in seclusion, voluntarily or involuntarily. ... napoleon tenia un culaso The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte proved an important event in the emancipation of the Jews of Europe from old laws restricting them to Jewish ghettos, as well as the many laws that limited Jews rights to property, worship, and careers. ...


Although cases involving antisemitism, are not so often any more, they are still happening. Some even claim that antisemitism is endorsed by Vatican[10]. Some say these critics are exaggerated, but critics reply that pope Benedict XVI even was a member of Hitler Youth a paramilitary organization of the German Nazi Party. There are also concerns about pope's Benedict Latin Mass move[11]. Concern by some groups is now focused on the Good Friday liturgy according to the Tridentine missal, which contains a prayer "For the conversion of the Jews". The prayer then refers to Jewish "blindness" and prays for them to be "delivered from their darkness." Manifestations Slavery Racial profiling Lynching Hate speech Hate crime Genocide (examples) Ethnocide Ethnic cleansing Pogrom Race war Religious persecution Gay bashing Blood libel Paternalism Police brutality Movements Policies Discriminatory Race / Religion / Sex segregation Apartheid Redlining Internment Anti-discriminatory Emancipation Civil rights Desegregation Integration Equal opportunity Counter-discriminatory Affirmative action Racial... Nazism in history Nazi ideology Nazism and race Outside Germany Related subjects Lists Politics Portal         For the SS division with the nickname Hitlerjugend see; 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend The Hitler Youth (German:   , abbreviated HJ) was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party. ... The National Socialist German Workers Party (German: , or NSDAP, commonly known as the Nazi Party), was a political party in Germany between 1919 and 1945. ...


Anti-Mormonism

Catholic church is often blamed for Anti-Mormonism. They often label them as being a sect[12]. Catholics also see the Mormon priesthood as a counterfeit of their own Apostolic Succession, an accusation which Latter Day Saints strongly reject. In Christianity, the doctrine of Apostolic Succession (or the belief that the Church is apostolic) maintains that the Christian Church today is the spiritual successor to the original body of believers in Christ, composed of the Apostles. ... The Latter Day Saint movement (a subset of Restorationism) is a group of religious denominations and adherents who follow at least some of the teachings and revelations of Joseph Smith, Jr. ...


Islamophobia

Catholic church had endorsed and many times underwent crusaides against various Islamic countries. Muslims were often persecuted, especially during Spanish Inquisition, then even converts from Islam called Moriscos, were also persecuted by the Holy Office. This article is about one of the historical Inquisitions. ... Morisco (Spanish Moor-like) or mourisco (Portuguese) is a term referring to a kind of New Christian in Spain and Portugal. ...


In 2006 pope Benedict XVI started huge outcry by many muslims becouse of remarks toward prophet Muhammed. During his visit to Germany he even stated that prophet Muhammad had brought the world only "evil and inhuman" things.


There was massive response on pope's comments[13]. Islamic political and religious leaders also expressed their concerns by his speech[14]. There were protests in almost whole Islamic world, especially Turkey, West Bank[15], Indonesia, Iran, and even from some terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda[16]. Al-Qaeda (Arabic: القاعدة, the foundation or the base) is the name given to a worldwide network of militant Islamist organizations under the leadership of Osama bin Laden. ...


Turkey's ruling party likened the pope to Hitler and Mussolini and accused him of reviving the mentality of the Crusades, while Malaysian PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that "The pope must not take lightly the spread of outrage that has been created" [17]. Hitler redirects here. ... Mussolini redirects here. ... Dato Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi[1] (born November 26, 1939 in Kepala Batas, Penang) is the 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia. ...


Anti-Protestantism

See also: List of people burned as heretics

Catholic church persecuted, imprisoned and even killed those Christians that disagreed with doctrines of Catholic church. Today's problem is using of term "sect" when speaking about other Christian denominations. Especially pentecostal and evangelical churches. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... This list contains persons burned by various religious groups, after being deemed heretics. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Pentecostal can... Look up Evangelical in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...


In 2001 John Paul II "renewed his appeal to the faithful Sunday to combat competition from evangelical sects", as reported by AP.


During his 2002 wisit he repeated his antiecumenical stance by saying that "Bishops must counter spread of sects", as reported by National Catholic Reporter. The National Catholic Reporter (NCR) is an independent weekly newspaper published since 1964 by laypeople, nuns and priests of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. ...


During pope's Benedict XVI visit to Brazil, sect rhetoric was used again, the Pope even "laid out a plan to halt sects"[18].


Anti-Freemasonry

Freemasonry is often alleged to hold back its members from fully committing to their nation[15]. Critics claim that compared to Operative Masonry's clear denunciations of treachery[16] Masonry after 1723 (Speculative masonry) was far more ambiguous[17]. It is alleged in the Catholic Encyclopedia that Masonic disapproval of treachery is not on moral grounds but on the grounds of inconvenience to other Masons.[18] The Catholic Encyclopedia argues[19] that the adage "Loyalty to freedom overrides all other considerations" [20] justifies treason. Pope Leon VII even accused them for being an enemy of God, Church and homeland".


American Freemasons are consistent advocates of the US Constitution in separation of church and state[21], which was seen especially by the Catholic church as a veiled attack on the Church's place in public life.[22] Constantines Conversion, depicting the conversion of Emperor Constantine the Great to Christianity, by Peter Paul Rubens. ...


Homophobia

The Roman Catholic Church requires homosexuals to practice chastity in the understanding that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered" and "contrary to the natural law." It insists that the only appropriate expression of sexuality is within the context of marriage, which by definition is permanent, procreative, heterosexual, and monogamous. The Church describes homosexual tendencies as "a trial" and stresses that people with such tendencies "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity."[23] In reference to the possible ordination of homosexuals to the priesthood, distinguishing between "deep-seated homosexual tendencies" and those that are "only the expression of a transitory problem", the Vatican requires that any homosexual tendencies "must be clearly overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate."[24] Catholic Church redirects here. ... Allegory of chastity by Hans Memling. ... Natural law or the law of nature (Latin: lex naturalis) is an ethical theory that posits the existence of a law whose content is set by nature and that therefore has validity everywhere. ...


However according to new rule Vatican plans to block new Gay priests from ordination[19].


Sexual abuse controversy

See also: List of Roman Catholic clergy charged with sex offenses
See also: Roman Catholic sex abuse cases by country

In 2002, allegations of priests sexually abusing children were widely reported in the news media. It became clear that the Church was aware of some of the abusive priests, and shuffled them from congregation to congregation (sometimes after psychotherapy), in some cases without removing them from contact with children. It is estimated that up to 3% of American priests were involved.[25]. Some were even sentenced for stalking[20]. The Roman Catholic sex abuse cases are a series of accusations of child sexual abuse made against Roman Catholic priests and also concern accusations of related church cover-ups against said abuse. ... List of Roman Catholic clergy charged with sex offenses is a compilation of events in which priests and others in leadership within the Roman Catholic Church have been formally accused by a government official of having committed a criminal sex offense. ... This page documents notable Roman Catholic sex abuse cases by country. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... In the late 20th century, and especially at the turn of the 21st, the Catholic Church in several countries was confronted with a series of allegations concerning sexual abuse of children under the legal age of consent ¹ by Catholic clergy and religious. ... Psychotherapy is an interpersonal, relational intervention used by trained psychotherapists to aid clients in problems of living. ... Stalking (from Middle English stalk: from Old English bestealcian; akin to Old English stelan to steal) is a legal term for repeated harassment or other forms of invasion of a persons privacy in a manner that causes fear to its target. ...


Some of these reassignments were egregrious. The worst of these led to the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law from the Boston archdiocese. Victims of such abuse filed lawsuits against a number of dioceses, resulting in multi-million dollar settlements in some cases. Similar allegations of abuse in Ireland led to the publication of the Ferns report in 2005, which stated that appropriate action was not taken in response to the allegations. Bernard Francis Cardinal Law (born November 4, 1931 in Torreón, Mexico) became archbishop of the Catholic Churchs Boston archdiocese in 1984. ... Nickname: City on the Hill, Beantown, The Hub (of the Universe)1, Athens of America, The Cradle of Revolution, Puritan City, Americas Walking City Location in Massachusetts, USA Counties Suffolk County Mayor Thomas M. Menino(D) Area    - City 232. ... Roman Catholicism in the United States has grown dramatically over the countrys history, from being a tiny minority faith during the time of the Thirteen Colonies to being the countrys largest profession of faith today. ... The Roman Catholic sex abuse cases are a series of accusations of child sexual abuse made against Roman Catholic priests and also concern accusations of related church cover-ups against said abuse. ... The Ferns Inquiry (2005) was an official Irish government inquiry into the allegations of clerical sexual abuse in the Irish Catholic Diocese of Ferns. ...


Some critics have charged that the Church's doctrine of mandatory celibacy for priests has been a major contributing factor to the problem; in response, the Vatican focused on the issue of homosexuality within the clergy. The Roman Catholic sex abuse cases are a series of accusations of child sexual abuse made against Roman Catholic priests and also concern accusations of related church cover-ups against said abuse. ... Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders is a document published in November 2005 by the Congregation for Catholic education, one of the top-level institutes of the Roman... Homosexuality refers to sexual interaction and / or romantic attraction between individuals of the same sex. ...


See also

Anti-Catholicism is discrimination, hostility or prejudice directed at Catholics or the Catholic Church. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... In the late 20th century, and especially at the turn of the 21st, the Catholic Church in several countries was confronted with a series of allegations concerning sexual abuse of children under the legal age of consent ¹ by Catholic clergy and religious. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      See technical... Anti-Protestantism is an institutional, ideological or emotional bias against Protestantism and its followers. ... Life-size figure of Joseph Smith Criticism of Mormonism is the criticism of the Latter Day Saint movement, especially of the largest and most prominent group, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (hereafter referred to as the LDS Church). ... Criticism of Islam has existed since Islams formative stages on philosophical, scientific, ethical, political and theological grounds. ... Criticism of Judaism has existed since Judaisms formative stages, as with many other religions, on philosophical, scientific, ethical, political and theological grounds. ... The criticism of religion includes criticism of the concept of religion, the validity of religion itself, the practice of religion, and the consequences of religion for humanity. ... Signs such as this one in Łagów are a common sight in rural Poland, indicating the local frequency of the station. ...

Notes and references

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ [2]
  3. ^ [3]
  4. ^ Godfrey, Robert W. "What Do We Mean by Sola Scriptura?". Retrieved May 27, 2006.
  5. ^ Gipp, Samuel C. (1987). The Enemy. In An Understandable History of the Bible. Chick Publications. Retrieved May 27, 2006.
  6. ^ "Archbishop launches married priests movement", World Peace Herald, July 14, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-16. 
  7. ^ "Vatican stands by celibacy ruling", BBC News, November 16, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-16. 
  8. ^ http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art6.htm
  9. ^ CCC 2357
  10. ^ CCC 2370
  11. ^ CCC 2272
  12. ^ CCC 2353
  13. ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12615605/site/newsweek/
  14. ^ http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=6641
  15. ^ "Another characteristic of Masonic law is that "treason" and "rebellion" against civil authority are declared only political crimes, which affect the good standing of a Brother no more than heresy, and furnish no ground for a Masonic trial." Masonry (Freemasonry) from the Catholic Encyclopedia, partially quoting Mackey, "Jurisprudence", 509.
  16. ^ "2nd -- You shall be true liegemen to the King of England without any treason or falsehood, and if you know of any that you amend it privily, if you may, or else warn the King and his Council of it by declaring it to his officers."
  17. ^ II. Of the CIVIL MAGISTRATES supreme and subordinate "A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he resides or works, and is never to be concern'd in Plots and Conspiracies against the Peace and Welfare of the Nation, nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior Magistrates; for as Masonry hath been always injured by War, Bloodshed, and Confusion, so ancient Kings and Princes have been much dispos'd to encourage the Craftsmen, because of their Peaceableness and Loyalty, whereby they practically answer'd the Cavils of their Adversaries, and promoted the Honour of the Fraternity, who ever flourish'd in Times of Peace. So that if a Brother should be a Rebel against the State he is not to be countenanc'd in his Rebellion, however he may be pitied as an unhappy Man; and, if convicted of no other Crime though the loyal Brotherhood must and ought to disown his Rebellion, and give no Umbrage or Ground of political Jealousy to the Government for the time being; they cannot expel him from the Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indefeasible."
  18. ^ "The brotherhood ought to disown the rebellion, but only in order to preserve the fraternity from annoyance by the civil authorities." from the article Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia
  19. ^ "Such language would equally suit every anarchistic movement." Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia
  20. ^ "If we were to assert that under no circumstances had a Mason been found willing to take arms against a bad government, we should only be declaring that, in trying moments, when duty, in the masonic sense, to state means antagonism to the Government, they had failed in the highest and most sacred duty of a citizen. Rebellion in some cases is a sacred duty, and none, but a bigot or a fool, will say, that our countrymen were in the wrong, when they took arms against King James II. Loyalty to freedom in a case of this kind overrides all other considerations, and when to rebel means to be free or to perish, it would be idle to urge that a man must remember obligations which were never intended to rob him of his status of a human being and a citizen. ", "Freemason's Chronicle" 1875, I, 81, quoted as footnote [89] in Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia
  21. ^ "Freemasonry Does Not Support any particular political position. It has long stood for separation of Church and State, and has been a champion of Free Public Education." From a speech given by Bill Jones Grand Master of Arkansas, 1996
  22. ^ Pope Leo XIII ETSI NOS (On Conditions in Italy)
  23. ^ "Catechism of the Catholic Church", see the "Chastity and homosexuality" section.
  24. ^ Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders, Congregation for Catholic Education, November 04, 2005
  25. ^ http://www.bishop-accountability.org/usccb/natureandscope/general/2004-02-10-Grossman-SurveyMore.htm retrieved July 21, 2007
  • This one appears lost: 3 Technically each diocese operates separately of its neighbours, while religious orders in each diocese are not answerable to or under the control of the local bishop. As a result suspicions about the behaviour of secular priests (priests belonging to the diocese) were not always reported to other dioceses or to religious order-run schools or hospitals, while abuse by religious priests (priests belonging to a religious order) was not always relayed by his order to the diocese and its schools. The most notorious example involved Fr. Brendan Smyth, a Norbertine Order priest in Ireland, whose activities (known about since 1945) were not reported to diocesian clergy let alone the police. In 1994, Brendan Smyth pleaded guilty to a sample set of 17 charges of sexual abuse of children in Belfast from a far longer list. A number of dioceses, the Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh and Smyth's own order publicly blamed each other and accepted no responsibility themselves for the failure to stop Smyth over 47 years.

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