Why Catholicism?

It has a billion registered members, which amounts to one-sixth of the world’s entire population.

Catholicism is found in every country of the world. It teaches just one set of doctrines everywhere. These are the same doctrines that were taught by the apostles, and the doctrine of the Catholic Church has never changed.

The Catholic Church has been in existence for over 2,000 years. Despite all of the forces that have prevailed against it, it is still going strong in the year 2015. In the year 107, St. Ignatius of Antioch used the name, “the Catholic Church” for the church that was founded by Jesus. Historians believe that the name, “the Catholic The Universal Church

Church” was old at that time (in 107), which has led historians to conclude that it was the name that was used by the apostles, Matthew, John, James, James, Phillip, Bartholomew, Peter, Andrew, Thomas, Thaddeus, Simon, and Judas.

A Church With Flawed Men

Although some of the Catholic Church’s members and leaders have expressed their humanity in negative ways, it doesn’t make the entire Catholic Church wrong. It makes those men wrong.

What About the Crusades?

One misconception is that the Crusades were nothing more than wanton aggression against a peaceful Muslim society. However, even though revisionist historians have promulgated this view, it is not true.

By the beginning of the 12th Century, Islamic aggression had succeeded in pillaging and capturing two-thirds of the world belonging to Christianity. This included the Middle East, Asia Minor, North Africa and almost all of Spain. This aggression continued into Europe.

It was up to the remaining Christian world to defend itself or be overtaken by the Muslims.

The Priest Scandal?

This is probably news to everyone, but the number of predator preachers is close in number to the number of predator priests. However, anti-Catholic media bias continues to bash the priests and not the pastors.

According to the results of a study done by Pennsylvania State professor, Philip Jenkins, 2% to 3% of Protestant ministers are pedophiles, and 1.7% of Catholic priests are pedophiles. This is particularly alarming because Catholics keep track of “credible accusations,” while Southern Baptists and many other Protestant denominations don’t even bother to determine or document them. It makes me wonder what the true figures are.

Power is a corrupting force in business, politics and the church. In the church, however, there is an aura of sanctity illuminating the men at the pulpit and in the confessional. These men are regarded as being above the law. This gives priests and pastors a predatory advantage over their flock.

This is in no way intended to condone the grievous sins committed by aberrant priests and pastors against the youngest, most vulnerable members of society. The more predators prosecuted, the safer the church will become for its parishioners.

My Hope

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, God made us to “know him, to love him, and to serve him in this world and to be happy with him forever in next.”

This is the challenge that God has been giving humanity for over 2,000 years.

As a six-year convert to the Universal Church, it is my hope and prayer that more people will find a home in the Catholic Church.