To the Journal editor:

In the year 382, Pope Damasus first declared, and the Magisterium later affirmed, 73 books to be the inspired word of God, the Bible.

Before 1456, the year of the printing press, all Bibles were hand copied by holy monks and clerics and their authenticity verified by the Church.

The Catholic Church has been preaching the word of God for nearly 2,000 years. I can assure you there is nothing in its teachings contrary to the teachings in the Bible, when it comes to faith and morals.

I know there are people that will question this. That is because they listen to someone’s personal interpretation and not that of the church, the pillar and foundation of truth. (1Tm 3:15)

There are many that question the wisdom of Catholic Church’s teachings on faith and morals. I can understand this from a Protestant, but criticism from other Catholics is disturbing.

“The time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctorine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and be diverted to myth.” (2Tm 4:3)

Today there are over 40,000 different church denominations. If you look hard enough you can find a church that condones abortion, gay marriage, adultery and God knows what else. The truth is you don’t have to look far.

“This people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine human precepts.” (Mt 15:8-9)

Now I know there are people that will say “what about this or that” when it comes to scandal in the Catholic Church. Jesus said there will be scandal, it is inevitable, but woe to the one who causes it. (Mt 18:7)

Out of the first 12 Apostles Jesus handpicked, one betrayed him. The Bible says, the devil entered Judas, and even after his betrayal, Jesus called him friend. Now today out of the thousand that minister to the Catholic Church, why would one think scandal couldn’t occur. All man sins and falls short of the glory of God.

Jesus gave us his word and the Church to guide us. We can believe in the truth or follow myth. We can honor him with our lips or with our hearts.

David Bowerman

Munising