Looking for answers QUESTION from David J. Thomason March 30, 2001 First let me state that I am a Christian. I want to thank you for your service to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I do not know alot about the Catholic Church but it seems as though there are a Lot of Catholics and Protestants who are very obligatory in the way they view the others. When I have tried in the past to ask questions about the catholic church I seem to get a very cold shoulder, why is that?
AS far as the Catholic church is concerned am I considered saved by grace or am I sinning because I am not a Catholic Believer? All I have ever wanted to be is the Lords servant. ONe last note ,IS there a creed of the Catholic Church? THank you for your time and may God Bless You and the Catholic Church.
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, OLSM on June 4, 2001 Dear Mr. Thomason:
I am sorry that you have been treated badly by Catholics. The problem is that the Catholic Church is CONSTANTLY under attack by non-catholics. Many non-Catholics are so ill willed and hateful toward Catholics that Catholics end up on guard at a moment's notice. We get sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired of the abuse from non-Catholics and the hatred and the accustations that sometimes we might shoot first and ask questions later.
One hint: When asking a question from a Catholic do not make the question an accusation? For example: Why do you Catholics worship Mary? That is not a question that is an accusation of idolatry.
A proper question might be: I hear a lot of noise from my Protestant friends that Catholics worship Mary. I am sure that is not true, but I want to ask a Catholic about what your beliefs are about Mary?
As to your salvation the Catholic Church has ALWAYS taught that Salvation comes by grace.
The Catholic Church also teaches what Jesus teaches and that is one is saved, NOT BY, but through, Jesus' Church. The Church that Jesus founded is what we today call the Catholic Church.
But, those who do not know and are not convinced of the Catholic position, are excused by what is called invincible ignorance. that means that since you were not brought up Catholic you can't be expected to believe this doctrine. All you know is what you have been taught. Thus God takes this under consideration and judges you according to what you do believe.
So MUST you be a card carrying Catholic? No. Would Jesus like you to become a card carrying Catholic? Yes.
By the way, if you are validly baptized you ARE a member of the Catholic Church (though not a card carrying member) whether you know it or not, or like it or not, but a member who is separated from us in communion.
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