So, if you're a Roman Catholic and you think the "Assumption of Mary" dogma was stretching things a bit, or if you think a little artificial contraception never hurt anyone, then the Pope wants you to leave Roman Catholicism, rather than to stay, and wink and nod at such things.
Pope Benedict XVI delivered an address from the Vatican on Sunday in which he suggested that those who disagree with Catholic teachings or do not believe in Jesus Christ should leave the church rather than become betrayers like Judas.
"Judas," Pope Benedict said, "could have left, as many of the disciples did; indeed, he would have left if he were honest. Instead he remained with Jesus. He did not remain because of faith, or because of love, but with the secret intention of taking vengeance on the Master."
The leader of the Worldwide Roman Catholic Church added that Judas' most serious crime was falsehood, which the pope described as "the mark of the devil." He added that Catholics needed to always be sincere like St. Peter and believe in Jesus.
LifeSiteNews reported that Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro, the Human Life International Rome Director, confirmed that the pope's comments are very much related to the Catholic Church's formal teachings in support of traditional marriage and pro-life views.
"For those Catholics who cannot bring themselves to believe the formal teachings of the Church on life and family matters it would be more honest to leave the Church rather than betraying Her," Barreiro said.
"We regret very much that the person is so inclined and we wish they would have a conversion to truly believe," he added....
Monsignor Barreiro noted that differences in opinion were not prohibited in the Catholic Church, but in some circumstances it was better to just obey the important teachings and "sacrifice your will."
"Judas could have left, as many of the disciples did; indeed, he would have left if he were honest. Instead he remained with Jesus. He did not remain because of faith, or because of love, but with the secret intention of taking vengeance on the Master."
ReplyDeleteSure Judas could have left and his final destination would be different how? He would have died without Christ in either event. Let's say that Judas did leave, God merely would find another agent through which to betray Jesus. Also, what would a verse like John 6:64 look like? Jesus thought someone would betray Him? Catholics like to employ these types of theoretical maneuvers; Judas could have left, Mary could have said "no", Pilate could have freed Jesus, etc... How about dealing with what God's Word actually says? I guess this is what happens when you get used to putting tradition on the same level of Scripture, after a while you can't tell the difference.
I have also heard & read Catholics accuse those who leave the RCC as Judas's as well. So you're a Judas if you stay and you're a Judas if you leave. A case of damned if you do, damned if don't if ever there was one.
A case of damned if you do, damned if don't if ever there was one.
DeleteIt's a very bad place to be.