112 articles from the existing collection.
The Catholic Church’s stance on divorce is grounded in its understanding of marriage as a sacred, indissoluble covenant. Marriage, in Catholic theology, is not merely a human contract but a divine institution established by God. This understanding is articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1601–1605), which desc…
The Catholic Church firmly holds that the early Christian community was a unified body, not divided into separate Jewish and Gentile sections with distinct heads. Christ established one Church, as evidenced by his prayer for unity in John 17:20-21 . The apostles, under Peter’s leadership, worked together to spread the Gospel to …
The notion that the Pope objects to the Christian religion in Italy is a misunderstanding that requires careful clarification. The Pope, as the leader of the Catholic Church, is the chief shepherd of over one billion Catholics worldwide, including those in Italy, where Catholicism is the dominant religion. The Catholic Church te…
The accusation that Pope Pius IX was a Freemason emerged in the 19th century, a period marked by tension between the Catholic Church and various secular movements, including Freemasonry. Freemasonry, with its secretive rituals and Enlightenment-inspired ideals, was perceived by the Church as a threat to Christian doctrine and au…
The foundation of the papacy lies in Christ’s words to Peter in Matthew 16:18-19 , where Jesus declares Peter the rock upon which He will build His Church. This promise is not merely symbolic but establishes Peter’s unique role among the apostles. Jesus grants Peter the keys of the kingdom, a sign of authority drawn from Isaiah …
St. Peter, originally named Simon, was chosen by Jesus Christ to be the foundation of the Church ( Matthew 16:18-19 ). The Catholic Church teaches that Peter was given the keys to the kingdom, symbolizing his authority over the Church. This authority included the power to bind and loose, indicating his role in governing and teac…
Jesus’ words in Luke 9:58 —that the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head—highlight the radical poverty He embraced during His earthly ministry. This statement responded to a would-be disciple, underscoring the cost of following Him. Jesus traveled without a fixed home, relying on the hospitality of others, as seen in His stays…
The question of press freedom has been addressed by the Catholic Church, particularly in the 19th century when the press became a powerful tool for shaping public opinion. During this period, the rise of liberal ideologies prompted popes to articulate the Church’s stance on media and its responsibilities. Pope Gregory XVI, in hi…
The narrative of Moses striking the rock appears in two key passages of the Old Testament: Exodus 17:1–7 and Numbers 20:1–13 . In both accounts, the Israelites, wandering in the desert, faced a dire shortage of water. Their complaints against Moses and God reflected their desperation and lack of trust. God instructed Moses to st…
The fourteenth century was a turbulent period for the Catholic Church, marked by political and ecclesiastical challenges that culminated in the Western Schism (1378–1417). This crisis arose after the death of Pope Gregory XI, who had returned the papacy to Rome from Avignon, where it had resided for nearly seventy years. The ele…
No. Hadrian IV. was an Englishman; Martin IV. a Frenchman; Zachary a Greek; Gregory III. a Syrian; Hadrian VI. a Dutchman. The present Pope happens to be an Italian, but the Cardinals could quite easily elect an Englishman next time, should they think fit.
Some misguided writers have spoken of a female Pope named Joan, who was supposed to have reigned from 855 to 857 A.D. But never was a greater hoax put over a credulous public. Voltaire laughed at the gullibility of fools who believed this tale. The Encyclopaedia Brittanica says that she is a pure myth. Chambers Encyclopaedia cal…
Catholic tradition is not a mere matter of rumor and report. It is down in black and white in documents as historical as any other documents, beginning from the year 97 with the declaration of the fact by Clement. It would not matter if Scripture did not give any evidence on this point. However it does. St. Peter ends his first …
The passage you quote tells us that “When Peter was come in, Cornelius came to meet him, and falling at his feet, adored.” Peter saw that Cornelius was giving him a worship more than could be permitted, and said, “Arise. I myself am also a man.” If the Pope detected the same dispositions in those who came to honor him he would u…
They were disputing as to who should be the greater in Heaven, not concerning their office on earth. The fact that Christ replied by teaching a lesson of interior humility shows that He knew them to be referring to their personal standing in God’s eiteem.
To British Catholics the Church is not controlled by a foreigner. She is controlled by the Vicar of Christ. It would be just the same if St. Peter were still there to-day, and he was a Palestinian Jew. If a Frenchman or an Englishman were elected, no Italian Catholic would regard the Pope as Pope in the light of any foreign nati…
Yes, and in a certain sense it is true. Baptism implies a certain consecration to God, and the obligation to offer the sacrifice of praise by a sincere life of prayer and of good works. He points out that, as the Jews were a chosen race, so the baptized are the chosen race to day. But the Jews had in addition specially chosen me…
You have said it. Henry was not going to be told even by the Pope to keep God’s law, so he rebelled, and his rebellion was the genesis of Anglicanism. It began in disobedience, even as all the world’s troubles began in the cry of Satan, “I will not serve.” When men refused to obey God, they found everything else refusing to obey…
For the administration of a huge society like the Catholic Church, consisting of over 400 million members, offices and temporalities are necessary. But these properties are not the possession of any individual Catholic, not even of the Pope. Even the Pope can will none of it away when he dies, as if it were his own private prope…
True, the word “Pope” doesn’t appear in the Bible – but then neither do the words “Trinity,” “Incarnation,” “Ascension” and “Bible” appear in the Bible. However, they are referred to by other names. The Bible, for example, is referred to as “Scripture.” The Pope, which means head bishop of the Church, is referred to as the “rock…
As a rule, slightly more than half the College of Cardinals are non-Italian.
Certainly not. He would be a very peculiar representative of the Beast, so given to the love of God and man, and to prayer. I have met the present Pope (Pius XI.) several times, and he is one of the gentlest men I have ever met. He scarcely opens his lips save to bless and praise God in the Name of Jesus Christ.
The two prior marriages you mention were declared to have been null and void from the beginning. Therefore no true marriage had ever existed. Louis XII. proved conclusively that he had not been a free agent, having been compelled by his father, Louis XI, to submit to the ceremony. So too, the first marriage of Henry IV. was decl…
The Apostles, as having been sent by Christ to all nations, had universal jurisdiction. But this universality of jurisdiction was extraordinary, and did not pass to those successors whom they consecrated for particular localities. Also, whilst the Apostles each rejoiced in jurisdiction over all regions, St. Peter had all authori…
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