Criticism of the Catholic Church
Encyclopedia
Criticism of the Catholic Church includes critical observations made about the current or historical Catholic Church, in its actions, teachings, omissions, structure, or nature; theological disagreements would be covered on a denominational
basis. Criticisms may regard the concepts of papal
primacy
and supremacy
, or aspects of church structure, governance, and particular practices. Since the Catholic Church is the largest Christian church representing over half of all Christians and one sixth of the world's population, these criticisms may not necessarily represent the majority view of all Christian and secular believers.
Criticism of the Catholic Church in previous centuries was more closely related to theological
and ecclesiological disputes. The Protestant Reformation
(16th century in Europe) came about in no small part due to abuses of church practices by corrupt clergy in addition to these same theological disputes.
Political disputes compounded the theological grievances between Protestants and Catholics and to this day the debate begun at the Reformation has been reflected in the diversity of Christian denomination
s. Some contemporary criticisms of the Catholic Church relate to philosophy and culture e.g., Christianity
vs. humanism
. For this sort of criticism, see Criticism of Christianity
.
, notably Neoplatonism
, and Gnosticism
.
Protestant critize the Catholic Church because it allowed the traditional Roman mysteries and deities of solar monism such as Mithras and Sol Invictus and idol worship back into the church. They feel that to conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, the Catholic Church took measures to amalgamate the Christian and Pagan festivals so pagans would join the church; for example, bringing in the pagan festival of Easter as a substitute for the Pasch or Passover, although neither Jesus
nor his Apostles enjoined the keeping of this or any other festival. They feel that to conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, the Catholic Church took measures to amalgamate the Christian and Pagan festivals so pagans would join the church; for example, bringing in the pagan festival of Easter as a substitute for the Pasch or Passover, although neither Jesus
nor his Apostles enjoined the keeping of this or any other festival.
Others countered that the notion of "Sacred Tradition" did not mean custom, but that traditio is that which is handed down from God. Catholics believe that the whole "deposit of faith" (including Sacred Scripture) was given by Christ to the Apostles. Sacred Scripture as a subset of Sacred Tradition must be interpreted in the context of the community founded by Christ.
The Catholic notion of traditio refers to what is passed down and its understanding is based partly on the belief that the beginnings of the Christian Church pre-date the writing and subsequent canonization
of the New Testament.
(Scripture only) and sola fide
(faith only). These scholars have held that the position of the Reformers regarding justification was pronounced as anathema by the Catholic Council of Trent
in 1547. In fact, the Council of Trent
did anathematise numerous Protestant doctrines, and these are considered definitive and irrevocable Catholic teachings.
Some opponents of sola scriptura
argued that, rather than being a return to essential Christianity, it was actually an heretical innovation. For example, the "salvation through faith alone vs. faith and works" controversy depends on how one reads the Epistle of James. Catholics hold the Epistle of James as important. Armstrong has argued that, far from straying from the Bible, Catholicism is biblical and he asserted that Catholic Church is the only Church that is in full conformity with what the Bible clearly teaches.
Protestants have responded that the Bible, including the whole context of the Epistle of James, clearly teaches that: "good works are a result of justification, not a cause". Protestant apologists further state that:
Apologists elaborate that according to the verses in the Epistle of James, "we are justified/declared righteous by people when they see the good works we do as a result of our faith and they conclude that our faith is sincere." They conclude:
's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium
stated that "the one Church of Christ which in the Nicene Creed
is professed as one, holy, catholic and apostolic" subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him (the term successor of Peter refers to the Bishop of Rome, the Pope
; see Petrine theory). Likewise, Mystici Corporis explicitly states "the Catholic Church... is the Church of Christ".
Protestants have rejected the Catholic doctrine that Christ established "only one Church" and that that one Church is the Catholic Church.
They also rejected the remark by Pope Benedict XVI
that only the Catholic Church could be properly be called "the Church". Pope Benedict issued the papal document Dominus Iesus
which stated that Protestant denominations are not churches "in the proper sense." Protestants argued that the Pope is wrong, and that they are churches as well.
Although the Catholic Church establishes, believes and teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, it also believes that the Holy Spirit can work through and make use of other Christian communities and that they contain some "elements of sanctification and truth".
In Lumen Gentium
, the Church acknowledges that the Holy Spirit is active in the Christian churches and communities separated from itself and is called by the Holy Spirit to work for unity amongst all Christians. However, Confessional Lutheranism believes that the Catholic Church regards dialogue with other churches and religions as part of its evangelizing mission to lead them to acceptance of Papal authority. Catholics would agree, as ecumenism from a Catholic point of view should naturally lead to the unity found in the Catholic Church.
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
basis. Criticisms may regard the concepts of papal
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
primacy
Primacy of the Roman Pontiff
The primacy of the Bishop of Rome is an ecclesiastical doctrine held by some branches of Christianity, most notably the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion. The doctrine concerns the respect and authority that is due to the Bishop of Rome from bishops and their...
and supremacy
Papal supremacy
Papal supremacy refers to the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church that the pope, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ and as pastor of the entire Christian Church, has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered: that, in brief,...
, or aspects of church structure, governance, and particular practices. Since the Catholic Church is the largest Christian church representing over half of all Christians and one sixth of the world's population, these criticisms may not necessarily represent the majority view of all Christian and secular believers.
Criticism of the Catholic Church in previous centuries was more closely related to theological
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and ecclesiological disputes. The Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
(16th century in Europe) came about in no small part due to abuses of church practices by corrupt clergy in addition to these same theological disputes.
Political disputes compounded the theological grievances between Protestants and Catholics and to this day the debate begun at the Reformation has been reflected in the diversity of Christian denomination
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
s. Some contemporary criticisms of the Catholic Church relate to philosophy and culture e.g., Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
vs. humanism
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
. For this sort of criticism, see Criticism of Christianity
Criticism of Christianity
Throughout the history of Christianity, many have criticized Christianity, the church, and Christians themselves. Some criticism specifically addresses Christian beliefs, teachings and interpretation of scripture...
.
Paganized Chritianity
History shows that the early church especially in Rome, was influenced by pagan rituals and beliefs from the Roman imperial cult, Hellenistic philosophyHellenistic philosophy
Hellenistic philosophy is the period of Western philosophy that was developed in the Hellenistic civilization following Aristotle and ending with the beginning of Neoplatonism.-Pythagoreanism:...
, notably Neoplatonism
Neoplatonism
Neoplatonism , is the modern term for a school of religious and mystical philosophy that took shape in the 3rd century AD, based on the teachings of Plato and earlier Platonists, with its earliest contributor believed to be Plotinus, and his teacher Ammonius Saccas...
, and Gnosticism
Gnosticism
Gnosticism is a scholarly term for a set of religious beliefs and spiritual practices common to early Christianity, Hellenistic Judaism, Greco-Roman mystery religions, Zoroastrianism , and Neoplatonism.A common characteristic of some of these groups was the teaching that the realisation of Gnosis...
.
Protestant critize the Catholic Church because it allowed the traditional Roman mysteries and deities of solar monism such as Mithras and Sol Invictus and idol worship back into the church. They feel that to conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, the Catholic Church took measures to amalgamate the Christian and Pagan festivals so pagans would join the church; for example, bringing in the pagan festival of Easter as a substitute for the Pasch or Passover, although neither Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
nor his Apostles enjoined the keeping of this or any other festival. They feel that to conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, the Catholic Church took measures to amalgamate the Christian and Pagan festivals so pagans would join the church; for example, bringing in the pagan festival of Easter as a substitute for the Pasch or Passover, although neither Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
nor his Apostles enjoined the keeping of this or any other festival.
Scripture and tradition
Protestants critical of the Catholic Church have questioned its reliance on what is referred to as "Sacred Tradition" (of which Sacred Scripture is a subset) by the Church.Others countered that the notion of "Sacred Tradition" did not mean custom, but that traditio is that which is handed down from God. Catholics believe that the whole "deposit of faith" (including Sacred Scripture) was given by Christ to the Apostles. Sacred Scripture as a subset of Sacred Tradition must be interpreted in the context of the community founded by Christ.
The Catholic notion of traditio refers to what is passed down and its understanding is based partly on the belief that the beginnings of the Christian Church pre-date the writing and subsequent canonization
Biblical canon
A biblical canon, or canon of scripture, is a list of books considered to be authoritative as scripture by a particular religious community. The term itself was first coined by Christians, but the idea is found in Jewish sources. The internal wording of the text can also be specified, for example...
of the New Testament.
Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide
Protestants who have questioned the Catholic Church's reliance on tradition cite the doctrines of sola scripturaSola scriptura
Sola scriptura is the doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness. Consequently, sola scriptura demands that only those doctrines are to be admitted or confessed that are found directly within or indirectly by using valid logical deduction or valid...
(Scripture only) and sola fide
Sola fide
Sola fide , also historically known as the doctrine of justification by faith alone, is a Christian theological doctrine that distinguishes most Protestant denominations from Catholicism, Eastern Christianity, and some in the Restoration Movement.The doctrine of sola fide or "by faith alone"...
(faith only). These scholars have held that the position of the Reformers regarding justification was pronounced as anathema by the Catholic Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
in 1547. In fact, the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
did anathematise numerous Protestant doctrines, and these are considered definitive and irrevocable Catholic teachings.
Some opponents of sola scriptura
Sola scriptura
Sola scriptura is the doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness. Consequently, sola scriptura demands that only those doctrines are to be admitted or confessed that are found directly within or indirectly by using valid logical deduction or valid...
argued that, rather than being a return to essential Christianity, it was actually an heretical innovation. For example, the "salvation through faith alone vs. faith and works" controversy depends on how one reads the Epistle of James. Catholics hold the Epistle of James as important. Armstrong has argued that, far from straying from the Bible, Catholicism is biblical and he asserted that Catholic Church is the only Church that is in full conformity with what the Bible clearly teaches.
Protestants have responded that the Bible, including the whole context of the Epistle of James, clearly teaches that: "good works are a result of justification, not a cause". Protestant apologists further state that:
Apologists elaborate that according to the verses in the Epistle of James, "we are justified/declared righteous by people when they see the good works we do as a result of our faith and they conclude that our faith is sincere." They conclude:
Religious exclusiveness - Catholic Church as the one true church
Section 8 of the Second Vatican CouncilSecond Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium
Lumen Gentium
Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5...
stated that "the one Church of Christ which in the Nicene Creed
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
is professed as one, holy, catholic and apostolic" subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him (the term successor of Peter refers to the Bishop of Rome, the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
; see Petrine theory). Likewise, Mystici Corporis explicitly states "the Catholic Church... is the Church of Christ".
Protestants have rejected the Catholic doctrine that Christ established "only one Church" and that that one Church is the Catholic Church.
They also rejected the remark by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
that only the Catholic Church could be properly be called "the Church". Pope Benedict issued the papal document Dominus Iesus
Dominus Iesus
Dominus Iesus is a declaration by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It was approved in a Plenary meeting of the Congregation, and bears the signature of its then Prefect, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, and of its then Secretary, Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, now...
which stated that Protestant denominations are not churches "in the proper sense." Protestants argued that the Pope is wrong, and that they are churches as well.
Although the Catholic Church establishes, believes and teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, it also believes that the Holy Spirit can work through and make use of other Christian communities and that they contain some "elements of sanctification and truth".
In Lumen Gentium
Lumen Gentium
Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5...
, the Church acknowledges that the Holy Spirit is active in the Christian churches and communities separated from itself and is called by the Holy Spirit to work for unity amongst all Christians. However, Confessional Lutheranism believes that the Catholic Church regards dialogue with other churches and religions as part of its evangelizing mission to lead them to acceptance of Papal authority. Catholics would agree, as ecumenism from a Catholic point of view should naturally lead to the unity found in the Catholic Church.