roman catholic church

During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church was the most powerful religion. The majority of Europe during this time was Catholic. Most Catholics refer to this time as the "Age of Faith". I preferably call it the "Age of Ignorance". Why was the Roman Catholic Church so powerful during these times? What caused it to become this way all throughout Europe?

The Middle Ages are commonly dated from the fall of the Western Roman Empire (or by some scholars, before that) in the 5th century to the beginning of the Early Modern Period in the 16th century. In central Europe is was the only major Christian Church in existence that still exists today. This period was before the reformation so the only other major Christian Church was the Orthodox Church. Both of these Churches go back to the beginning. The Protestant reformation and the new theologies had not been invented yet.

2008-08-27 08:15:56 by Michael G

The purpose of this video is to help Protestant Christians and others develop a better understanding of the Roman Catholic Church, its history and ...

The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to active homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia and contraception. All of these are methods of ending or stopping the creation of a Roman Catholic life.
Morality? Or a way of keeping numbers up in a dwindling Church?

Mostly I suspect the last point, for almost all religion controls people through fear, and when a child is indoctrinated with that habit of attending Catholic mass and being fearful of God, as the church erroneously teaches, the possibility of them leaving even after they reach the age of reasoning for themselves is highly unlikely..

Thus the church*s membership and coffers continue to expand even though increasing numbers are ignoring some of the teachings about sexuality..

When people believe wholly the teachings of the Catholic church, their joy in life and sexuality is largely removed and replaced by fear and a pride that, in many, expresses itself as an attitude of quiet superiority..

2009-06-04 08:31:40 by Lapsed Catholic

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…because they were thought to be spreading un-Christian knowledge? And isn’t this the same Roman Catholic Church that exists today and still exerts societal influence?

No, in fact many cartographers were monks or clerics.

Martin Waldseemuller, who named the North and South American contents, studied theology and then in 1514 he applied as a cleric of the Diocese of Constance for a canonry at St-Dié, and got it.

It was after this that he became famous as a cartographer.

2008-08-14 17:31:09 by Seridee

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I have absolutely NOTHING against the Roman Catholic church, it's just what I've been seeing recently.

Who knew that South America wasn't part of "the West"....

Still, I think it's true that in the most modernized societies a placidity regarding religion has become the trend. In very modernized societies like the U.S., religion is becoming less and less important to people (who concern themselves more and more with the material world, regardless of their religion). This is probably why the "Jesus for Money" preachers are doing so well in the U.S. - those who promise wealth as the result of being a faithful Christian are gaining huge followings.

Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/selector_rc .html

2009-04-13 14:06:36 by .

St. Peter head of the Roman Catholic Church had a mother in law, what is going on?

The celibate clergy did not come into full bloom until about 1000 C.E. But there were many married priests, bishops, and popes before this time.

Priests, religious brothers and religious sisters (nuns) as part of their vocation choose not to marry following:
+ The practice recommended in the Bible
+ The example of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and the Apostle Paul.

+++ Scripture +++

+ In Matthew 19:12, Jesus says, "Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

Jesus says celibacy is a gift from God and whoever can bear it should bear it. Jesus praises and recommends celibacy for full time ministers in the Church. Because celibacy is a gift from God, those who criticize the Church's practice of celibacy are criticizing God and this wonderful gift He bestows on His chosen ones.

+ In Matthew 19:29, Jesus says, "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."

Whoever gives up children for the sake of His name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. Jesus praises celibacy when it is done for the sake of His kingdom.

+ Matthew 22:30 - Jesus explains, "At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven."

In heaven there are no marriages. To bring about Jesus' kingdom on earth, priests live the heavenly consecration to God by not taking a wife in marriage. This way, priests are able to focus exclusively on the spiritual family, and not have any additional pressures of the biological family (which is for the vocation of marriage). This also makes it easier for priests to be transferred to different parishes where they are most needed without having to worry about the impact of their transfer on wife and children.

+ In 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul writes, "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman."

This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.

+ Then in 1 Corinthians 7:7, Paul says, "Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am."

Paul acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.

+ In 1 Corinthians 7:27, Paul writes, "Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife."

Paul teaches men that they should not seek marriage. In Paul’s opinion, marriage introduces worldly temptations that can interfere with one’s relationship with God, specifically regarding those who will become full time ministers in the Church.

+ In 1 Corinthians 7:32-33, Paul teaches, "I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife." And in verse 38, "So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better."

Paul recommends celibacy for full time ministers in the Church so that they are able to focus entirely upon God and building up His kingdom. He “who refrains from marriage will do better.”

See also
1 Timothy 5:9-12
2 Timothy 2:3-4
Revevation 14:4
Isaiah 56:3-7
Jeremiah 16:1-4

+++ Scriptural Examples +++

Biblical role models of a celibate clergy came from John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul.

John the Baptist and Jesus are both believed to have been celibate for their entire lives. Some scholars believe that the example of the Essenes influenced either or both Jesus and John the Baptist in their celibacy.

WWJD? What would Jesus do? Jesus did not marry.

The Apostle Paul is explicit about his celibacy (see 1 Cor. 7). There is also evidence in the gospel of Matthew for the practice of celibacy among at least some early Christians, in the famous passage about becoming “eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12).

The concept took many twists and turns over the years and will probably take a few more before Christ returns in glory.

+ Married Priests Today +

In the last twenty-five years at least seventy-seven married men have been ordained as Catholic priests in the United States.

All were ordained ministers in other Christian denominations.

Sixty-six of these married priests are former Episcopalians, seven are former Lutherans, three are former Methodists, and one is a former Presbyterian.

Like married deacons, if these men are widowed then they cannot remarry.

Here are a couple of interesting articles: http://www.corpus.org/Page.cfm?Web_ID=57 7
http://www.the-tidings.com/2007/030207/m arried.htm

With love in Christ.

2009-08-16 09:57:01 by MariaAntonietta©™®