Whenever someone says that Catholics aren’t Christians it saddens me. If it were not for the Catholic church Christianity today wouldn’t exist. Catholics represent over a billion believers in Jesus Christ and did all the heavy lifting in the early church. They worship Jesus, not Mary as some would believe. Many protestants are ill-informed about what Catholics are all about due to what they have been taught by their clergy who seem to ignore Church history. Scripture is not the only guide in the lives of believers. The church existed long before The Bible and much of faith was transmitted by oral tradition and customs passed down from one believer to another.
Think about how many colleges, schools, orphanages and hospitals have been founded by those people of Catholic faith who follow the examples of grace, peace, piety and most importantly love. Mother Teresa and many of the saints of the church who have written creeds, prayers and more have been Catholics.
I am an Episcopalian and by faith I am closely related spiritually to my Catholic brothers and sisters who I can tell you are more Christian than some you see on TV. Catholic also means Universal which there is a church Universal which includes all of Christianity. I don’t even have a problem with the role of The Pope.
Yes Catholics have had some serious issues over the years which lead to the Protestant Reformation and the split of people of the United Kingdom from the church during the reign of King Henry the VIII. In modern times documented issues of abuse have damaged their reputation but there are probably just as many protestant churches who have skeletons in their closets.
For a protestant to say that Catholics are not Christians is coming from a place of willful ignornance and disrespect.
I don’t agree with their stand on women in the priesthood and they have a way to go in other gender and sexuality issues but good things take time to change. The Eucharist I believe can be open in their tradition while maintaining their spiritual views on the bread and wine. Many of my Catholic friends are progressively minded and they will be a part of the changes of the Church in the future.
At my baptism as an 11 year old Baptist kid I was immersed by the Rev. Monty Jordan. That was an experience I will never forget. For the last sixteen years as a United Methodist and in the last year as an Episcopalian I have seen this sacrament expressed as sprinkling, pouring and immersion. There is one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism from a Christian perspective. As far as I am concerned the amount of water needed isn’t what is important. Once you are baptized its a thing between you and God and it should stick with you and be honored in your faith journey. Something universal, something timeless, something that brings you into communion with Christ. Today I saw a baptism of a little one at church and it reminded me that being cleansed, is a spiritual act that takes you into eternity.
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