VIDEO: "Join the Catholic Church and go to hell!"

Father John Hollowell is a Roman Catholic priest, serving in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. On YouTube he has 13,000 followers, and counting. He is not yet a "rad trad" (see yesterday's post "Vatican cover-up of homosexual crimes leaves no choice for Catholics -- leave the Church or join us 'rad trads'" -- includes great video by Michael Matt) but it sounds to me he knows and keeps to the faith of our fathers (living still in spite of dungeon, fire and Francis) so will have to give Michael Matt's exhortation some serious consideration.

In this video, Fr Hollowell deconstructs and refutes three mistaken beliefs that many Protestants and other non-Catholics have about the Catholic Faith. Those who hate, or at least disagree with Catholicism quote Holy Scripture to "prove" that Catholics are wrong in their beliefs and practices. They refer, in particular, to these three passages from the Gospels. (I am using the Protestant King James Version to avoid any quibbles about the exact words.)

Matthew 23:9 - And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
John 6:54 - Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Matthew 16:18 - And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Those are the words of Jesus, the Son of God, and those who opposed Catholicism argue that we are wrong in how we interpret them. Father Hollowell explains where the Catholic interpretation comes from and why the meaning believed by Catholics for nearly 2000 years is to be preferred.



Note: For those who were wondering... The "RCIA" to which Father refers at the beginning is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum), a process developed by the Church for prospective converts who are above the age of infant baptism. Two of Walt's agents have been teachers in this programme. Getting back to today's crisis in the Church, the problem nowadays seems to be finding someone who wants to be taught!