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Blogs > asheraphils27 > My Blog


asheraphils27 44F
27 posts
11/26/2007 6:27 am
Roman Catholicism

The Roman Catholic Church claims a membership of about 650 million worldwide. It has been an important force in world affairs. In the middle ages, the Vatican was a great political power in Western Europe. Its universities and monasteries became centers of learning. It certainly influenced art; Michaelangelo and Raphael are among the many famous artists brought forth by the Church.
For the Catholics, it is not even just Scripture and tradition taken together, but the decrees of certain councils or popes. In practical terms, the rule of faith for a Roman Catholic is not the Bible, or even the Bible and tradition, but rather the Roman Catholic Church itself. It, with its decrees and dogmas, has become the final authority for Roman Catholics.
The Roman Catholic Church claims that the Pope, known as the Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ, the Head of the Church, is God's representative on earth.
We often see the pictures of Mary depicted as the Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven. Catholic people pray their Rosaries to Mary and offer prayers in the Mass to Mary. The Church goes on to teach the perpetual virginity of Mary, that Mary remained a virgin her entire life. In November 1950, Pope Pius the Twelfth declared what is called "The Assumption of Mary". It is the teaching that Mary was raised, both body and soul into heaven where she is exalted as Queen of Heaven.
In most Catholic countries, Jesus is portrayed either as a dead man hanging on a crucifix or else as a helpless infant lying the in arms of Mary.
As taught by the Catholic Church, purgatory is the place of temporary punishment for those who have committed venial sins. When those sins are removed by masses said for them, prayers said for them, and penance done in all forms of work, the person is then released from purgatory and permitted to go to heaven. It was not until the Second Council of Lyon, in 1274 A.D., that the Church even gave an opinion about this subject. The teaching of purgatory became the best business investment the Catholic Church ever made, for the great influx of money it produced helped build the great Cathedral of Saint Peter in Rome.



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