For those who have left the Roman Catholic Church

Akita Suggagaki · Aug 4, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
And that is were we differ

I think we can live with our differences. Most are really minor. Christ risen and his teachings are enough to focus on. Alleluia!

Akita Suggagaki · Aug 4, 2025

LizaMarie said:
Nevertheless, I have been attracted to Orthodoxy/Roman Catholicism due to their reverence for the Eucharist which I believe is right(I think we are too dismissive even in the Lutheran Church) and Apostolic Succession, but I love the simple and strong Gospel and preaching of the Protestant churches, and I feel Christian children's education (which I was involved in in the WELS) is so strong in the confessional Lutheran churches.

So much we can learn from each other.

Valletta · Aug 5, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
There was no Pope - "papas" for 300 years - Not one of the church patriarchs ever referred to Peter as a Pope.

You are confusing the word with the position. Saint Irenaeus wrote Against Heresies between 175 A.D. and 190 A.D. brings up the early popes:

CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, III.3 (St. Irenaeus)

Featuring the Church Fathers, Catholic Encyclopedia, Summa Theologica and more.

www.newadvent.org

Xeno.of.athens · Aug 5, 2025

Valletta said:
You are confusing the word with the position. Saint Irenaeus wrote Against Heresies between 175 A.D. and 190 A.D. brings up the early popes:

CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, III.3 (St. Irenaeus)

Featuring the Church Fathers, Catholic Encyclopedia, Summa Theologica and more.

www.newadvent.org

I affirm that the distinction between the word and the position is essential. Saint Irenaeus, writing Against Heresies between 175 and 190 A.D., explicitly references the succession of bishops in Rome to defend apostolic tradition. He names Linus, Anacletus, Clement, and others as successors of Peter, establishing the continuity of episcopal authority in the See of Rome. This is not merely a linguistic reference to “pope” but a theological affirmation of Petrine succession. As Irenaeus states:

“It is within the power of all, therefore, in every Church, who may wish to know the truth, to contemplate the tradition of the apostles which has been made known throughout the whole world. And we are in a position to enumerate those who were instituted bishops by the apostles, and their successors down to our own times” (Against Heresies 3.3.1).

Always in His Presence · Aug 5, 2025

Valletta said:
You are confusing the word with the position. Saint Irenaeus wrote Against Heresies between 175 A.D. and 190 A.D. brings up the early popes:

CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, III.3 (St. Irenaeus)

Featuring the Church Fathers, Catholic Encyclopedia, Summa Theologica and more.

www.newadvent.org

No, I am not, but that is for another thread.

Always in His Presence · Aug 5, 2025

Xeno.of.athens said:
I affirm that the distinction between the word and the position is essential. Saint Irenaeus, writing Against Heresies between 175 and 190 A.D., explicitly references the succession of bishops in Rome to defend apostolic tradition. He names Linus, Anacletus, Clement, and others as successors of Peter, establishing the continuity of episcopal authority in the See of Rome. This is not merely a linguistic reference to “pope” but a theological affirmation of Petrine succession. As Irenaeus states:

“It is within the power of all, therefore, in every Church, who may wish to know the truth, to contemplate the tradition of the apostles which has been made known throughout the whole world. And we are in a position to enumerate those who were instituted bishops by the apostles, and their successors down to our own times” (Against Heresies 3.3.1).

What does that have to do with the topic of the thread

Always in His Presence · Aug 5, 2025

DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ***** The following comments are not in relationship to the Roman Catholic Church universally, nor any poster here on CF. It is an observation based on ONE individuals experience, which is in line with the topic of the thread - reaching out to those who left the Roman Catholic Church.

Observation:

The numerous obfuscations in this thread remind me (personally as one individual, not imputing, nor referring to anyone or any entity on this thread) of the first several years after I left the Roman Catholic Church. It was like a gang fight. There was little or no thanks to God for delivering me from alcohol and tobacco - never mind that I went from an agnostic to committed to Christ - it's like the earth ended because I dared leave the Roman Catholic Church.

Leaving the church was so abhorrent to them (not anyone or any entity on this thread), that they couldn't see a changed life right in front of them. I fell in Love with Jesus Christ and serve Him daily and they (not anyone or any entity on this thread), could not see anything else but the sin (their words, not mine or anyone else on this thread) of leaving an institution.

It taught me to love them, and I so very much look forwards to seeing them on the Streets of Glory in Heaven.

END OBSERVATION:

Valletta · Aug 5, 2025

Xeno.of.athens said:
I affirm that the distinction between the word and the position is essential. Saint Irenaeus, writing Against Heresies between 175 and 190 A.D., explicitly references the succession of bishops in Rome to defend apostolic tradition. He names Linus, Anacletus, Clement, and others as successors of Peter, establishing the continuity of episcopal authority in the See of Rome. This is not merely a linguistic reference to “pope” but a theological affirmation of Petrine succession. As Irenaeus states:

“It is within the power of all, therefore, in every Church, who may wish to know the truth, to contemplate the tradition of the apostles which has been made known throughout the whole world. And we are in a position to enumerate those who were instituted bishops by the apostles, and

Thank you.

Xeno.of.athens · Aug 5, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
What does that have to do with the topic of the thread

It seems to be covered by the Original post's last question, namely, "Thoughts?"

Always in His Presence · Aug 5, 2025

Xeno.of.athens said:
It seems to be covered by the Original post's last question, namely, "Thoughts?"

Thoughts on leaving the church.

Got any?

Xeno.of.athens · Aug 5, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
Thoughts on leaving the church.

Got any?

Yes, Do no do it

Always in His Presence · Aug 5, 2025

I do remember this from my Roman Catholic Days

mourningdove~ · Aug 5, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
Thoughts on leaving the church.

Got any?

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

When a person leaves a Protestant church, they are generally allowed to walk away ... to move on to the next stop on their journey with Christ.

When a person leaves the RCC, there are members who respond as if you have left a cult. In leaving, they treat you unkindly, like a traitor. And they will work to silence you, so you do not speak of your experiences while in the RCC, because they know that you know too much.

It is all very cultish, the way some Catholics behave when you have left their church.
I've just never seen Protestants react that way, though I suppose there may be exceptions.

caffeinated.hermit · Aug 5, 2025

I was baptized Catholic, but raised Lutheran. Never really got to fully underhand what I never had. I wandered all over, and came back to Christ about 17 years ago. In a Baptist setting. Since then, I've walked away from Sola Fide, have come to see that Sola Scriptura, while a good idea on paper, does not seem to lead to any kind of doctrinal or practical cohesion. Like, at all.

I'm not Catholic, I guess. I can also see, clearly, that for many Catholic Christians, Christianity is something of a culture or a label. Still, the Catholics who seem to really "get" discipleship turn out to be these massive spiritual giants who are difficult for Protestants to compete with. I also see there is a real benefit to the Protestant focus on personal faith, conversion, and growth that seems to be replaced by a focus on the Sacraments and staying put in Catholic (and maybe EO) circles.

Both sides could learn a lot from the other. There's an emphasis on works of mercy, stillness, and humility in the Catholic world that is valuable. The Protestants do a good job with evangelism and the focus on personal discipleship.

linux.poet · Aug 5, 2025

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Do not personally attack (insult, belittle, mock, ridicule) other members or groups of members on CF, or use nicknames to do so. A list of unacceptable names can be found here.. Address only the content of the post and not the poster.

Groups of members include Catholics. We may need to each reflect on how these posts look to our Catholic members. Starting a whole thread to bash a denomination is not allowed.

Also, folks, this is General Theology. Support group threads belong elsewhere, but frankly a better approach to this whole issue is to talk about doctrines and theology of the Catholics that are disagreed with by those who left, in the vein about avoiding remarks about feelings (goading) and people (flaming). There was not a clear theological dispute against Catholicism presented here, and that is why the thread is closed.

For those who have left the Roman Catholic Church

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I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.

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I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.

Jesus is the only Way

I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.

Jesus is the only Way

Romans 10:17

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out of love attunement

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