A common objection to Catholicism is that Catholics ignore the Bible in calling priests Father. After all, in Matthew 23:9, Jesus says, “call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” It seems, on the surface, that Catholics are just violating Scripture wantonly. And really, how hard… Continue reading Why Do Catholics Call Priests “Father”?
Tag: priesthood
Why Can’t the Catholic Church Ordain Women?
There’s been a lively discussion in the comments here amongst Anglican and Catholic readers. One of the Anglicans, TJH, offered eight reasons why his church ordains women: (1)Male and female are created in God’s image – both men and women can image God’s love and beauty; (2)The Blessed Virgin Mary conceived Jesus in her womb and the… Continue reading Why Can’t the Catholic Church Ordain Women?
Are Anglican Ordinations Valid?
This came up in the comments with Tess, an Anglo-Catholic with a love for the Catholic Church that I wish more Catholics shared. She mentioned that we Catholics reject the validity of female Anglican clergy. But the truth is: we Catholics reject the validity of all Anglican clergy. Let me explain why. Pope Leo XIII Back… Continue reading Are Anglican Ordinations Valid?
Can Catholics and Orthodox Pray Directly to the Father?
I stumbled upon a Presbyterian blog which reminded me once more of how much work needs to be done in making sure people have some idea what Catholics believe – and don’t. The blogger, Benjamin Glaser, remarking on 1 Timothy 2, said: Nothing separates us more from our Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox brothers and… Continue reading Can Catholics and Orthodox Pray Directly to the Father?
The Red Herring of Celibacy for the Kingdom
Like Joe, I grew up the the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The diocese is currently undergoing a painful time. Prayers for the people, clergy, and bishop are most necessary. As we celebrate the tremendous Feast of Pentecost, Christians of good will should ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church in… Continue reading The Red Herring of Celibacy for the Kingdom
From Red Herring to Honest Discussion
When faced with the clerical sexual abuse scandal, a common red herring that is brought up is to call into question the practice of clerical celibacy. I’m still amazed that people who try to capitalize on the tragedy of sexual abuse for their own theological agenda are not derided more. I think such actions are… Continue reading From Red Herring to Honest Discussion
Why the Jesuits Are Dying Out
The numbers for membership in the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) are bleak. The average age of a Jesuit in the US is nearly 70, and “Jesuit schools” (including Georgetown) find themselves increasingly devoid of any actual Jesuits. Most extreme are those schools like Washington Jesuit Academy, which no longer has any full-time Jesuit staff… Continue reading Why the Jesuits Are Dying Out
Why We Celebrate Holy Thursday
This is from a post I wrote in 2009: Happy Maundy Thursday, everyone! For those of you who don’t know, Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday. The word “Maundy” comes from the word “command,” referring to Christ’s command for His disciples to serve. Because Good Friday is the anniversary of our Lord’s death on… Continue reading Why We Celebrate Holy Thursday
Are Catholic Rituals, Teaching Authority, and Church Structure Biblical?
This post is in response to a comment I received from a man named Austin here. His criticisms are ones frequently heard by Evangelicals, so Catholics and Evangelicals might both do well to read on. Austin, First off, thanks for following up, and proving me too much a cynic. I think your second comment crystallizes… Continue reading Are Catholic Rituals, Teaching Authority, and Church Structure Biblical?
A Biblical Defense of Clerical Celibacy
An Evangelical pastor I’ve been talking to lately raised a number of questions about whether clerical celibacy was compatible with Scripture, since: Peter and some of the Apostles were married (Mark 1:30; 1 Corinthians 9:5). Paul, while single himself, called for bishops to be the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2). Paul called the doctrine of… Continue reading A Biblical Defense of Clerical Celibacy