Ever since the unfair dismissal of Bishop William Morris, of Toowoomba, many Roman Catholics have expressed their dismay and sorrow. They bemoan the fact that the Church does not allow some form of democratic participation. Some Catholics have said, after spending their whole life in the Church, they are now leaving it.
One would think they have finally grasped what all non-Catholics have always known.
Sitting at the top is a man (a human) who they call an infallible high priest – “The Vicar of Christ,” along with other pontifical titles. Authority then moves down the line to the community priest whose word should never be questioned by the laity. The splendour of massive cathedrals, the colourful ritual and dogma has nothing in common to the glorious, simple gospel taught by the Lord Jesus – the Christ.
Jesus taught that every true believer is a “Priest”, part of a “Royal Priesthood.” He taught that the “Church” is where “two or three” (and no doubt more) gather in His name in “spirit” and “truth”. He taught that salvation and eternal life is by Him to God the Father.
Churches and sects with their ritual and dogma are for the gullible.
Jay Nauss, Glen Aplin
