Catholics and other Denominations

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Hello I am methodist, and some of the posts i have read have scared me. some of them portray to me the message that catholics are the only "true" christians. the bible says that all who believe that jesus is the son of god shall have eternal life. but now i am shaken. what should i do to confront or understand this

-- Bill Gryta (whyme@austin.rr.com), July 15, 2003

Answers

Dear Bill,

That depends on how you define "true". On the one hand, various Protestant sects truly follow Jesus Christ to the best of their ability, given the reduced portion of Christian truth they have available to them. As such, they are "true", though incomplete Christians. The Catholic church recognizes such people as true Christians, though separated from the Church Jesus Christ founded for all men, and from a portion of its truth. Many Church documents refer to our "separated brethren". Brethren, yet separated. Separated, yet still brethren.

On the other hand, Jesus founded ONE Church for all mankind, and clearly stated His intention that all men belong to that ONE true Church. From that point of view, any other churches which were subsequently founded by men, in direct opposition to His stated will, are "false" churches. There can be only one True Church, and history plainly reveals that the Catholic Church is the only Church which can trace its history directly back to the Apostles, and hence to Jesus Christ Himself.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), July 15, 2003.


Bill, Some who post here are more versed in the different denominations than others.

To understand the true teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, one must only read the Catechism.

Here is a link: http://www.kofc.org/faith/catechism/catechism.cfm

God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), July 15, 2003.


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