The Catholic Church

The Catholic Church

Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB

            The word ‘Catholic’ means ‘universal’ and this gives us an idea of what the Church is meant to be. Today, Christianity has been broadly divided into Catholic and Protestant but yet within the Protestant denomination, there are several other sects. In the Gospels, when Our Lord instituted the Church He said, “You are Peter, the Rock and on this Rock I will build my Church.” (Matthew 16:18) Notice that He mentions ‘Church’ and not ‘Churches’. From this, it is obviously clear enough that Our Lord wanted to have one Catholic and Apostolic Church. However, in its history, there have been many who have chosen not to stay with Holy Mother Church starting with Martin Luther. Our brethren of other denominational sects would want to say they are the ‘true’ Church and they would quote left and right from Scripture to prove that the Catholic Church is false. But interestingly, each sect is different from the other and we have so many different interpretations to scripture. This is not the same for the Catholic Church. The teaching of the Catholic Church is the same throughout the world whether you are in Tanzania, India, Bangladesh, Brazil, New York, England or any other part of the world. Besides, scripture is itself a fruit of tradition. God did not come and say, “Here, take the Bible!” The Holy Bible has evolved with time and that is why we believe that it is written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
            Some people may want to find fault with the Church by trying to emphasize the darker side of the Church. For instance, consider the number of scandals that have taken place in recent years especially with regard to the abuse from the clergy or the attitude of the Church towards science or non – Christians and so on. But does that tarnish the image of the Church? Not at all! The cockle that grows amidst the wheat does not destroy the beauty of the ripened harvest. The sanctity of Jesus was not sullied by the presence of Judas in the Apostolic College. Neither can the moral corruption of a few disciples tarnish the holiness of the Church. Besides, Our Lord Himself asserted that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Mathew 16:18). When we look at the history of the Church, there is no doubt that it was marked by a series of highs and lows. Yet, God in His providence sends men and women to bring the Church back on its track as we see in the lives of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Benedict and so on. In fact looking at Luther, Calvin, Zuingluis and Knox, we see that in some way, they too had found some error in the Church and if they had to proceed in the right direction, we could add them to the list of the number of saints in the Church. However, that did not happen for on reading the private lives of these pseudo – reformers, we see that it was stained by cruelty, rapine and licentiousness; and as the result of their propagandism, history records civil wars and bloodshed and bitter religious strife and the dismemberment of Christianity into a thousand sects.
            Instead of co – operating with the lawful authorities in extinguishing the flaws which the passions of men had enkindled in the city of God, these faithless citizens fly from the citadel which they had vowed to defend. Then joining the enemy, they hasten back to face the conflagration and to increase the commotion. And they overturned the very altars before which they previously sacrificed as consecrated priests [Luther, Zuingluis and Knox had been ordained priests. Calvin had studied for the priesthood but did not receive Orders]. They sanctioned by undermining the principle of authority.
            This was indeed a noble opportunity lost for gaining immortal honours from people and God for instead of raising the standard of revolt they had waged war upon their own passions and fought with the Catholic reformers against impiety, they would be hailed as true soldiers of the Cross. They would have been welcomed by the Pope, the Bishops, the clergy and by all good people. They would have been honoured today on our altars and last but not the least, instead of a divided army of Christians, we would have had a united Christendom, spreading itself irresistibly from nation to nation and bringing all kingdoms to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

            On the whole, just as the sun gives the same light throughout the world, so does the light of our Catholic faith shine everywhere the same and enlighten all people who wish to come to the knowledge of the truth.      

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