Topic:  Is the Catholic Church the antichrist?  How does one break away from vice?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: June 10, 2003

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Phillip

Question:  Hello,What arguments could you give me against the protestant preaching that the Catholic Church is the antichrist? What prayers should I offer to break away from a vice? What saints should I pray to? Thank you and God Bless. Dominic

Answer: 

Dear Dominic,

Thanks for visiting the www.CatholicQandA.org website. Since you are 16 years old and live in Sri Lanka, I'm sure that your life as a Catholic Christian is rather different than the lives of the college and university students among whom we minister in the Diocese of Raleigh (NC, USA). Nevertheless, we're delighted to respond to your questions.

First, I don't believe in arguing -- especially in arguing religion. In the seminary one of my professors said something important that I hope I never forget: "People are not 'argued' into Truth; rather, they are 'loved' into Truth."

What that means to me is the following: We KNOW that the Catholic Church is NOT the antichrist. Our faith and our long tradition of faithful women and men combine to reveal to us that our Church is a wonderful community of faith. We believe that in the Catholic Church the fullness of what God wants for the Church subsists.

To be sure, the Church has done things that we shouldn't have done in the past and even -- sadly -- in the present. We also know that Popes are sinners; Bishops are sinners; priests are sinners; deacons are sinners; nuns and sisters are sinner, and lay people are sinners. So, we know that many sinful things have happened within the Catholic Church.

But still, we KNOW that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ and that the Catholic Church continues to be led and guided by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. And therefore, we KNOW that the Catholic Church is one, holy, universal, and apostolic.

Our sure and certain faith allows us, then, to love the Church. And when we are confronted by people who want to argue 'against' our Church, our responsibility is (1) to continue loving our Church, (2) to love those who would argue against our Church, and (3) to pray for them -- that God will be real and powerful and compassionate in their lives.

So, don't get into arguments with people. Avoid those kinds of situations. If they do arise, just say, "I value you as a person; I respect your right to believe whatever you think God has called you to believe; but I do believe in and will continue to be part of the Catholic Church; now I would like for us to change the subject; and if changing the subject is not possible, then I need to take my leave from you and wish you a good day; in either case, I will pray for you and ask that you pray for me as well!"

Second, you ask about prayers you might offer to break away from a vice. Prayers to our Blessed Mother are especially powerful and wonderful, and of course, the Our Father and any prayer directed to Jesus, our Savior, are always perfect. The Veni Sancti Spiritus is also magnificent because we all need the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts, transform our minds, and guide our actions.

But the most important kind of prayer that I would suggest to you is the type of prayer that allows you to put yourself into God's divine Presence. In God's Presence, open yourself as completely as you possibly can to the Lord. And in that loving, gentle, strong Presence, tell the Lord exactly, in precise words, what the "vice" is that you want to break away from. Put yourself in God's Presence daily, tell the Lord again and again about this "vice" and let God do the work, so to speak. Do not be ashamed; God already knows about the "vice" and God loves you in spite of it. Only God can give you the grace to live your life as fully and as completely as you want to live it!

Third, you ask what saints you should pray to. That's easy: YOU should pray to Saint Dominic! He's your name saint, a wise, good, and holy man. Again, prayers to the Mother of Jesus are also always great prayers.

God bless you, saint-in-the-making Dominic!
Father Phillip