CATHOLIC HOLY YEAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27291, 18 January 1950, Page 6

CATHOLIC HOLY YEAR

Sir, —" Verity’s ” letter on the above subject is typical of the mind of the average Protestant on Catholic affairs. Written undoubtedly with the very best of intentions, and free from malice, it is, nevertheless, irrelevant to the point in question, and also inaccurate. " Verity ” is interested to know how the leaders of the Catholic Church line up to the qualifications as laid down, by Jesus Christ, but where is the relevance between the lives of men, on the one hand, and “ Ex-Protestant’s ’* claim that Catholic religion is the true religion on the other? The lives of the leaders neither make nor break " Ex-Protest-Snt’s ” claim.. Does “ Verity ” really think that Catholics worship the Pope? If a Catholic knelt down to worship the Pope, he, the Pope, would immediately take him by the hand as did Peter to Cornelius. Catholics do not worship the Pope, but as he is in succession to St. Peter, they do hold great respect for his stately office. —I am. etc., Ex-Protestant Also.

Sir —ln reply to " Doubtful,” I wish to say that St. Peter was the first Pope as the care of the Church on earth passed to him as soon as our Lord ascended up to Heaven, as he was the head of the 12 Apostles. The authority by which the Pope claims fo be the vicar of Christ on earth and the successor of St Peter is given in the following passages of Scripture taken from St. Matthew’s Gospel, chapter xvii, verses 18 and 19 (Duoay Version): “And I say to thee—that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church. And the gates of- Hell shall not prevail against it And I will give to thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven.” And John xxi v. 6: “He saith to him again. Simon son’ of John lovest thou Me? He saith to Him’ Yea. Lord. Thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed My lambs.” 21: "Him therefore when Peter had seen, he saith to Jesus, Lord and what shall this man do?”’ 22: "Jesus saith to him: 'So I will have him to remain to I come, what is it to thee. Follow thout Me.” 24: "That this disciple who giveth testimony of these things and have written these things, and we know that this testimonv is true.”—l am. etc. January 13. 1950