This is what the Catholic Encyclopedia says about Arminius:
"
A leader was sure to rise from the Calvinistic ranks who should
point out the baneful corollaries of the Genevan creed, and be
listened to. Such a leader was Jacobus Arminius (Jakob Hermanzoon),professor at the University of Leyden."
Arminius also spent some time in Rome studying under the Roman Catholic
monk de Molinas.
According to Edward Hendrie's book
The Anti-Gospel, most Calvinists believe that it was this time that Arminius spent in Rome that the Jesuits
recruited him to their point of view but that point cannot be proven. However, Luis de Molinas theology of "Molinism" was simply semi-pelagianism or just another form of pelaianism.
The Catholic Encyclopedia says of Molinism: "Molinism is an influential
system within Catholic theology for reconciling human free choice with God's grace, providence, foreknowledge, and predestination. Originating
within the Society of Jesus in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth
centuries, it encountered stiff opposition from Bezian Thomists and from
the self-styled Augustinian disciples of Michael Baius and Cornelius Jansen." -Alfred J. Freddoso, Catholic professor at Notre Dame.
Lastly, Hendries reveals in his book that the Jesuits admitted to "using"
Arminius to promote their doctrine of semi-pelagianism(aka: arminianism).
William Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was working secretly with the Jesuits to infect the Church of England(Anglican Church) with
Roman Catholic doctrine,
including Arminianism. In 1645, Laud was executed
for treason against England. After his death, one of the papers found on his desk, as told by Augustus Toplady, said,
"March, 1628. A Jesuit's letter, sent to the Rector at Bruxels , about the ensuing Parliament.
Father Rector, let not the damp of astonishment seize upon your ardent
and zealous soul, in apprehending the sodaine and unexpected calling of a
Parliament.
We have now many strings to our bow.
We have planted that
soveraigne drugge Arminianisme, which we hope will purge the Protestants
from their heresie; and it flourisheth and beares fruit in due season. For
the better prevention of the Puritanes, the Arminians have already locked up the Duke's(of Buckingham) eares; and we have those of our owne religion, which stand continually at the Duke's chamber, to see who goes in and out: we cannot be too circumspect and careful in this regard. I am,
at this time, transported with joy, to see how happily all instrument and
means, as well great as lesser, co-operate unto our purposes. But, to return unto the maine fabricke:-OUR FOUNDATION IS ARMINIANISME.
The Arminians and projectors, as it appeares in the premises, affect
mutation. This we second and enforce by probable arguments."
That letter was written by a high Jesuit agent reporting to his superior at Brussels.
Based alone on this information, I would say it is highly misleading for
a Roman Catholic to affirm he is not Arminian when history and doctrine prove otherwise.
You can read all this information that I gleaned from the book,
The Anti-Gospel here:
The Anti-Gospel: The Perversion of Christ's Grace Gospel: Edward Hendrie: Amazon.com: Kindle Store
I would never call a Roman Catholic an "Arminian", in fact, I don't think anyone here would say that either. While the RC and the Arminian doctrines of "Prevenient Grace" are similar, that's about where your soteriolgical similarities end. So whoever is referring to RC's as Arminian simply does not fully understand what one or both of you believe.
