Questions

[Heinrich]

I wanted to post this in interdenominational but the web-site didn't like me. sorry.

I have a few questions about catholicism(sp?)..
Could somebody in the RC church that are sure of the answers please help me out?

I heard somewhere that the Catholic church has changed quite a bit the last couple of years.(or maybe centuries?) Is this true? And in what way?

Do you allow women to preach?

What is this thing about Peter being the Pope? I thought the church was build with Jesus as leader/head. And the Holy Spirit guiding her.

I read a rosary or something(a prayer) on this forum somewhere with the wording "mother of God" Do you think Marry is the mother of God? I'm sure I must be wrong here!

What is a saint in catholic terms?
I don't quite get this bit about praying to saints? Do you pray to saints or do you ask them to pray?
If this is true.. which I'm not sure about.
On what basis do you claim that they can pray for you? Or that they even hear you?
And why not pray directly to the Father?

I think when Martin Luther broke from the catholic church the main issue was something about being saved by grace? What is the catholic stance on this? ie. saved by grace or saved by good deeds? (I now almost nothing about this)

Is the catholic bible different from my bible? And if so what is different?

I heard a catholic boy once said that we are commanded to go to church on sunday? is this true? why?

Thanks for your answers. Please don't give flame reply's I'm only building up knowledge and trying to find the truth. I do not intent harm or anything to anyone. Especially christian brothers!

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

...I heard somewhere that the Catholic church has changed quite a bit the last couple of years.(or maybe centuries?) Is this true? And in what way?

Changed a little. But no truths have changed

Do you allow women to preach?

We have three offices of Holy Orders: Bishop, Priest and Deacon. All these orders are for men.

What is this thing about Peter being the Pope? I thought the church was build with Jesus as leader/head. And the Holy Spirit guiding her.

Jesus made St. Peter our first Pope in Matthrew 16:18. Since Saint Peter we have had over 250 popes all in a direct line from Saint Peter and Jesus.

I read a rosary or something(a prayer) on this forum somewhere with the wording "mother of God" Do you think Marry is the mother of God? I'm sure I must be wrong here!

Yes, Mary is the Mother of God. We don't believe she is older then God or anything, when we say she is the Mother of God, it is just away to reinforce the divinity of our savior, Jesus. A long time ago, people would say that Jesus was only human, not divine.

The Church said, no, He is divine and human. And thus, if Mary is the Mother of Jesus and Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God.

What is a saint in catholic terms?

All Christains are saints. But when we call someone saint so and so, those are Christains in Heaven.

I don't quite get this bit about praying to saints? Do you pray to saints or do you ask them to pray?
If this is true.. which I'm not sure about.
On what basis do you claim that they can pray for you? Or that they even hear you?

As Scripture indicates, those in heaven are aware of the prayers of those on earth. This can be seen, for example, in Revelation 5:8, where John depicts the saints in heaven offering our prayers to God under the form of "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." But if the saints in heaven are offering our prayers to God, then they must be aware of our prayers. They are aware of our petitions and present them to God by interceding for us.

Some might try to argue that in this passage the prayers being offered were not addressed to the saints in heaven, but directly to God. Yet this argument would only strengthen the fact that those in heaven can hear our prayers, for then the saints would be aware of our prayers even when they are not directed to them!

In any event, it is clear from Revelation 5:8 that the saints in heaven do actively intercede for us. We are explicitly told by John that the incense they offer to God are the prayers of the saints. Prayers are not physical things and cannot be physically offered to God. Thus the saints in heaven are offering our prayers to God mentally. In other words, they are interceding.

And why not pray directly to the Father?

Because the Bible says to: "... pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful" - James 5:16

I think when Martin Luther broke from the catholic church the main issue was something about being saved by grace? What is the catholic stance on this? ie. saved by grace or saved by good deeds? (I now almost nothing about this)

The catholic church believes we are saved by grace alone. Martin Luther said it was "faith alone" - the church has always rejected that.

Is the catholic bible different from my bible? And if so what is different?

A Catholic version of the Bible has more books then a Protestant bible because during the Reformation, Martin Luther and gang, got rid of a few books he didn't like (Baruch, Tobit, 1st and 2nd Maccabees, Judith, Sirach, Wisdom).

I heard a catholic boy once said that we are commanded to go to church on sunday? is this true? why?

Yes, we are to go to mass every Sunday. Why? Because as Christians we should want to spend time with Christ at Mass.

Thanks for your answers. Please don't give flame reply's I'm only building up knowledge and trying to find the truth. I do not intent harm or anything to anyone. Especially christian brothers!

If you need anything else, please ask!

In Christ!
Jeff

 

[Skripper]

Jeff,

Nice post!

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Good job Jeff

 

[KennySe]

I wanted to post this in interdenominational but the web-site didn't like me. sorry.

I have a few questions about catholicism(sp?)..
Could somebody in the RC church that are sure of the answers please help me out?

Hi, Heinrich.

Kindly read the FAQ thread on this board, as a number of your questions are answered on it in some detail. We can go into MUCH further detail on these questions when we (you and us) take them one at a time. For example, there is a thread on the one subject of the Catholic Bible. One thread on the one subject of Mary.

With that said, here are my replies to your Opening Post questions. (Jeffrey Lloyd did a very good job of answering them, but let me see if my answers might add some info.)

I heard somewhere that the Catholic church has changed quite a bit the last couple of years.(or maybe centuries?) Is this true? And in what way?

The Catholic Church is like a seed. It was planted by Jesus Christ upon Peter (Matt:16:18) and the Apostles (I forget where, but I think in Galatians?). This seed, which is cared for by the Holy Spirit, has grown over time into a strong tree.

And there are some people who say that the Catholic "tree" is not the Catholic "seed", that it changed over time. Yes, it changed in a sense, but not in the negative way of "some people"'s view.
For an example, as civilzation changes over centuries, people's dress changes. But the people are still the people.

The changes of the Catholic Church are "practices" like having our Sunday Divine Liturgy (Mass) in our language, instead of Latin. Wearing pants, instead of togas or robes and sandals.

Do you allow women to preach?

To instruct, yes.

To be presbyters (priests) or episcopos (Bishops), no.
We follow the Apostles' teaching that these roles are for men.

What is this thing about Peter being the Pope? I thought the church was build with Jesus as leader/head. And the Holy Spirit guiding her.

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said He [Jesus] would build His [Jesus'] church upon Peter. And Jesus gave to peter, the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. "Keys" represents authority.
As Jesus would die and rise again and ascend into heaven, Jesus built his visible CHurch on Earth, and the visible head was Peter. Jesus is the Ultimate head; as He is our King. Peter is the "caretaker of the garden".

The first Bishop in Rome, while the city was the capital of the pagan Roman Empire, and the Christian community was secret, was the Apostle Peter. After he was killed...martyred upside down on a cross, there was a new Bishop, Linus, who had been appointed by Peter. And there has always been a Bishop in Rome. it is was line of succession. The Bishop of Rome now is John Paul II, and the Keys have been handed down through the centuries, so that he has them now.

I read a rosary or something(a prayer) on this forum somewhere with the wording "mother of God" Do you think Marry is the mother of God? I'm sure I must be wrong here!

You heard correctly.

Mary conceived in her womb, and her son Jesus is the Word Incarnate.
Not that she created Him, for he has existed always Being God.
But for the nine months in Mary's womb, He became a real human being, and as he exited her birth canal, He is her son. She is His mother.

When we say Mary is "Mother of God", this defends the truth that Jesus IS God, who was born of a woman. (Galatians 4: something, I think)

What is a saint in catholic terms?
I don't quite get this bit about praying to saints? Do you pray to saints or do you ask them to pray?
If this is true.. which I'm not sure about.
On what basis do you claim that they can pray for you? Or that they even hear you?
And why not pray directly to the Father?[/QUOTE]

We do pray directly to the Father, and directly to jesus and directly to the Holy Spirit, for theese three Divine Persons are the One God.

The Body of Believers pray for one another.
If I need prayers, i ask my parents and friends to pray for me.

Those Believers who are no longer walking on Earth, are STILL members of the One Body. How can a member stop being concerned for another member?
God is the God of the living, not of the dead, so the Mystical Body of God is alive, on Earth or in Heaven or in a state between which we call Purgatory, where some are in a state of purification

I think when Martin Luther broke from the catholic church the main issue was something about being saved by grace? What is the catholic stance on this? ie. saved by grace or saved by good deeds? (I now almost nothing about this)

Luther saw a real error in a church in Germany, which he wanted corrected.There is a right way and a wrong way to correct any wrongdoing.
Lutehr chose the wrong way, when he completely rejected the authority of the entire Church, and set up his own Church of Germany.

(if you saw a wrongdoing by a local government official, would you leave South Africa and set up your own government?)

Is the catholic bible different from my bible? And if so what is different?

I heard a catholic boy once said that we are commanded to go to church on sunday? is this true? why?

We go to church to worship God as the One Body of believers. Yes, we worship individually every day through silent prayer. Yet, we are to come together to pray as One.

Thanks for your answers. Please don't give flame reply's I'm only building up knowledge and trying to find the truth. I do not intent harm or anything to anyone. Especially christian brothers!

Thank you for asking us.

You might be surprised that many people will tell you what the Catholic Church is all about, and those people are giving incorrect information.

You have chosen to get your information about the Catholic Church from Catholics That's what this forum is for. Thank you.

 

[Heinrich]

Sorry for not reading the FAQ Kenny I will do that.

Thanks for your reply's Kenny and Jeff.
May the Lord draw you closer to Him each day!

 

[MorphRC]

I wanted to post this in interdenominational but the web-site didn't like me. sorry.

I have a few questions about catholicism(sp?)..
Could somebody in the RC church that are sure of the answers please help me out?

I heard somewhere that the Catholic church has changed quite a bit the last couple of years.(or maybe centuries?) Is this true? And in what way?

Do you allow women to preach?

What is this thing about Peter being the Pope? I thought the church was build with Jesus as leader/head. And the Holy Spirit guiding her.

I read a rosary or something(a prayer) on this forum somewhere with the wording "mother of God" Do you think Marry is the mother of God? I'm sure I must be wrong here!

What is a saint in catholic terms?
I don't quite get this bit about praying to saints? Do you pray to saints or do you ask them to pray?
If this is true.. which I'm not sure about.
On what basis do you claim that they can pray for you? Or that they even hear you?
And why not pray directly to the Father?

I think when Martin Luther broke from the catholic church the main issue was something about being saved by grace? What is the catholic stance on this? ie. saved by grace or saved by good deeds? (I now almost nothing about this)

Is the catholic bible different from my bible? And if so what is different?

I heard a catholic boy once said that we are commanded to go to church on sunday? is this true? why?

Thanks for your answers. Please don't give flame reply's I'm only building up knowledge and trying to find the truth. I do not intent harm or anything to anyone. Especially christian brothers!

I heard somewhere that the Catholic church has changed quite a bit the last couple of years.(or maybe centuries?) Is this true? And in what way?

On the surface i bit, but in doctrinally, dogmas etc no.

Do you allow women to preach?

If you're referring to women Priests. No. They may read the gospel from the Pulpit but thats it, its the same for layman.

What is this thing about Peter being the Pope? I thought the church was build with Jesus as leader/head. And the Holy Spirit guiding her.

Saint Peter was chosen By God to lead the Church, He was the chosen shephard on earth. This is called Papal Succession. Jesus I think is the Invisible head IE Heaven, The Pope is the visible head. Yes the HS guides the Papacy and the Church.

I read a rosary or something(a prayer) on this forum somewhere with the wording "mother of God" Do you think Marry is the mother of God? I'm sure I must be wrong here!

Yes Mary is the Mother of God. God the Son not the Father obviously. Another name and famous among Catholics and our Orthodox Bros is Theokotos or God Bearer[Jesus]. Its quite simple:

Jesus = God
+
Mary = Mother
=
Mother of God.

What is a saint in catholic terms?

I dont know for sure. Someone who has lived the ultimate Pious life or has been martyered for the faith.

I don't quite get this bit about praying to saints? Do you pray to saints or do you ask them to pray?

We pray to the Saints just like we ask people to pray for us on earth, but the saints are in heaven so they have more Pull Both.

On what basis do you claim that they can pray for you? Or that they even hear you?

http://www.catholic.com/library > Then go to Praying to the Saints.

They hear us.

And why not pray directly to the Father?

WE do.

I think when Martin Luther broke from the catholic church the main issue was something about being saved by grace? What is the catholic stance on this? ie. saved by grace or saved by good deeds? (I now almost nothing about this)

No. Because of the present Popes attitude and lifestyle. Your saved by Faith, ad Works as well as Grace. {might be wrong}

Is the catholic bible different from my bible? And if so what is different?

We have 77 books, Protestants have 66. Why? They deleted the 7 that supported praying to and for the dead.

I heard a catholic boy once said that we are commanded to go to church on sunday? is this true? why?

Yes it is a commandment of the Lord. You shall Keep the shabbat Holy. Exodus.

Np. Hope it helps. Now Im off home. Wont be ontonite, my puter at home as to be REFORMATTED!! $88! AUS! ..

 

[Preachers12]

I wanted to post this in interdenominational but the web-site didn't like me. sorry.

I have a few questions about catholicism(sp?)..
Could somebody in the RC church that are sure of the answers please help me out?

Heinrich, Peace be with you.

Thank you for coming here to learn truths and for asking about them in such a Christian manner. I hope that we see more questions from you!

May the Holy Spirit be your guide and enkindle in you the fire of His love. Through your questions, may He increase the faith of all who read and answer them, ever drawing all of us to Him. May His light fall upon the darkness which clouds the minds of so many concerning Catholicism. Amen.

God Bless,
P12

 

[Heinrich]

Hi again.

I guess you might be shocked if I tell you I'm charismatic/Pentecostal?

But I do not feel it is the will of the LORD to have churches fight against each other.
I am for church unity althought it would only be by the grace of God if I have any role to play in that. Because the problems is beyond human capacity.

I have a few more things to ask you which I do not quite understand what you mean.

What 7 books was deleted? And I know this is difficult but do somebody maybe no where I can find info on when and how this happened?

How does that thing work when a person go tell the priest(or somebody) what he did wrong? I only saw this in movies so I would like a reality check on how this works ect.
(Ignore if in the FAQ/ haven't got there yet.)

Thanks again. (I think I must read the FAQ next.)

 

[kimber1]

I am for church unity althought it would only be by the grace of God if I have any role to play in that.

Praise God and Amen!!!
the 7 books are:
Baruch
Judith
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees
Sirach
Tobit
Wisdom
and someone else can show you where to find why and when this happened. i'm a new convert.

 

[KC Catholic]

The books were removed by Martin Luther originally when he was compiling his German Translation of the Bible. He also tried to remove James (he called it an epistle of straw) and changed the line in Romans to reflect his belief of "Faith Alone".

Those books have been added back into many versions of the bible and are commonly called the apocrypha or as Catholics call it deuterocanonicals.

What is most interesting about this issue, which was one item that bothered me when I was converting...the New Testament refers to items in the deuterocanonicals and if they were removed or never taught from - then I was only getting part of the picture.

It added to the concern that I needed to find out what else was missing from my Protestant background and fueled my journey to the Catholic faith.

 

[KennySe]

What 7 books was deleted? And I know this is difficult but do somebody maybe no where I can find info on when and how this happened?

Kimber listed the 7 Books of the Old Testament, which were first rejected by Martin Luther, and when he printed the Bible into German [printing press being a new invention by Gutenberg (sp?)], he placed those 7 books and 4 books of the New Testament [Hebrews, James, Jude, Revelation] together as a third "section of the German Bible which Luther named erroneously "Apocrypha".

I say he named them erroneously, because those 11 books were NEVER called Apocrypha, yet there ARE books which ARE called Apocrypha which were not put into the Canon back in the late 300's/early 400's.

And so, the point is: when was your (anybody) Bible compiled as a single collection of Holy Scripture? Who determined which books to include and which NOT to include? This is worth investigation by all Christians.
Or do you simply accept what you purchase at a bookstore? And why not include "The Gospel according to Thomas" and "The Gospel according to Mary" etc. which are called "Lost Books of the Bible"?

We Catholics can answer those questions by looking at historical documents.

Here are but a few web sites with detailed information.

http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/deuteros.htm
The canon of Scripture, Old and New Testament, was finally settled at the Council of Rome in 382, under the authority of Pope Damasus I. It was soon reaffirmed on numerous occasions. The same canon was affirmed at the Council of Hippo in 393 and at the Council of Carthage in 397. In 405 Pope Innocent I reaffirmed the canon in a letter to Bishop Exuperius of Toulouse. Another council at Carthage, this one in the year 419, reaffirmed the canon of its predecessors and asked Pope Boniface to "confirm this canon, for these are the things which we have received from our fathers to be read in church." All of these canons were identical to the modern Catholic Bible, and all of them included the deuterocanonicals.

This exact same canon was implicitly affirmed at the seventh ecumenical council, II Nicaea (787), which approved the results of the 419 Council of Carthage, and explicitly reaffirmed at the ecumenical councils of Florence (1442), Trent (1546), Vatican I (1870), and Vatican II (1965).

If we wish to read portions of some of the above councils:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Old_Testament_Canon.asp

***

And as for the word dueterocanonical, which Catholics have used since the 16th century...


http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03267a.htm

The terms protocanonical and deuterocanonical, of frequent usage among Catholic theologians and exegetes, require a word of caution. They are not felicitous, and it would be wrong to infer from them that the Church successively possessed two distinct Biblical Canons. Only in a partial and restricted way may we speak of a first and second Canon. Protocanonical (protos, "first") is a conventional word denoting those sacred writings which have been always received by Christendom without dispute. The protocanonical books of the Old Testament correspond with those of the Bible of the Hebrews, and the Old Testament as received by Protestants. The deuterocanonical (deuteros, "second") are those whose Scriptural character was contested in some quarters, but which long ago gained a secure footing in the Bible of the Catholic Church, though those of the Old Testament are classed by Protestants as the "Apocrypha". These consist of seven books: Tobias, Judith, Baruch, Ecclesiasticus, Wisdom, First and Second Machabees; also certain additions to Esther and Daniel.
It should be noted that protocanonical and deuterocanonical are modern terms, not having been used before the sixteenth century/

**

And in regards to the New Testament books:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03274a.htm
The Catholic New Testament, as defined by the Council of Trent, does not differ, as regards the books contained, from that of all Christian bodies at present. Like the Old Testament, the New has its deuterocanonical books and portions of books, their canonicity having formerly been a subject of some controversy in the Church. These are for the entire books: the Epistle to the Hebrews, that of James, the Second of St. Peter, the Second and Third of John, Jude, and Apocalypse; giving seven in all as the number of the New Testament contested books. The formerly disputed passages are three: the closing section of St. Mark's Gospel, xvi, 9-20 about the apparitions of Christ after the Resurrection; the verses in Luke about the bloody sweat of Jesus, xxii, 43, 44; the Pericope Adulteræ, or narrative of the woman taken in adultery, St. John, vii, 53 to viii, 11. Since the Council of Trent it is not permitted for a Catholic to question the inspiration of these passages.

And if you (all readers) were to investigate "Septuagint", you would learn that it was the collection of scriptures for Jews who spoke the dominant "world" language of Greek. (Before the Roman Empire had overrun the "world" and made Latin the "world language".)

In that Jewish collection of Holy Scriptures (B.C.), are books which were removed by a group of Jewish scholars (in 90-100 A.D).

You (readers) might also check out the Latin Vulgate of A.D. 405 also.

Happy investigating.

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

But I do not feel it is the will of the LORD to have churches fight against each other. I am for church unity althought it would only be by the grace of God if I have any role to play in that. Because the problems is beyond human capacity.

Your right its not the will of the Lord to have mutiple churches fightings against each other. Thus why our Lord created one church, which paul declares the "the pillar and foundation of truth" (1 Tim. 3:15), and gave it the power to guide.
The bible also declares that the Gates of of hell will not provail against it.

 

[artnalex]

What 7 books was deleted? And I know this is difficult but do somebody maybe no where I can find info on when and how this happened?

Here is a sight where you can read them, if you want. Click here!

How does that thing work when a person go tell the priest(or somebody) what he did wrong? I only saw this in movies so I would like a reality check on how this works ect.

It's called confession. Confession is the act of confessing your sins to a priest. If you want t read more on this click here.

 

[Heinrich]

Your right its not the will of the Lord to have mutiple churches fightings against each other. Thus why our Lord created one church, which paul declares the "the pillar and foundation of truth" (1 Tim. 3:15), and gave it the power to guide.
The bible also declares that the Gates of of hell will not provail against it.

But when people start saying there church is this one true church my blood start boiling. I don't think anybody has the right to say that his denomination is the one true church of Jesus Christ... I think just saying that would would qualify you as a sect?
I believe this true church is the body of ALL who believes in Christ Jesus and are the children of God regardless of how wrong or right your local church might be.

Sorry If I stepped on toes I just had to say this

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Can any of those churches who claim to be the "one true church" trace their history back 2000 years like the Catholic Church can?

 

[Heinrich]

Don't start a fight over this you heard my point.

 

[Preachers12]

But when people start saying there church is this one true church my blood start boiling. I don't think anybody has the right to say that his denomination is the one true church of Jesus Christ... I think just saying that would would qualify you as a sect?
I believe this true church is the body of ALL who believes in Christ Jesus and are the children of God regardless of how wrong or right your local church might be.

Sorry If I stepped on toes I just had to say this

Heinrich, Peace be with you.

For one to simply say that the Catholic Church is the "one true church" can be misleading. Our creed says "one, Holy, Catholic and apostolic". Even that could be misleading to those not fully understanding the terms. Regardless, neither is intended to mean that one must be Catholic in order to attain eternal life. It only means that Catholicism is the most sure way to eternal life. Catholics leave the judgment to God. We go so far as to say that one who is utterly non-Christian is not necessarily hellbound as a result of it.

However, we Catholics can say that our religion is the one religion containing the fullness of truth. Again, that is not to say that every non-Catholic religion is practicing lies, only that they are not engaged in a religion which affords to them all gifts given by our Lord.

This seems a bit obvious as you research the history of the Catholic Church and the history of non-Catholic Christian religions. You see that the non-Catholic ones can in some way or another trace their origins, ultimately, back to the Catholic Church (of course, there may be some rare exceptions, but in general this applies to Christian religions). As you look closer at those Christian religions, you begin to see that their beginnings came as a result of a shedding (or disagreement) of something that the Catholic Church taught. So in that sense, we see the "fullness" of faith being shed.

In that same sense, since the ultimate origin of Christianity is the same (Jesus), we are all one Body. But those not participating in the fullness of faith are not in full communion with the Body. Because Catholicism maintains the fullness of faith, we are in communion with that Body.

Thanks again for your questions!

God Bless,
P12

 

[MorphRC]

Don't start a fight over this you heard my point.

Can they or Not?

 

[Heinrich]

Hello

This should possibly move to a debate forum? But I'm by no means capable of really debating over this.
So please keep in mind that I'm only human like you with limit knowledge and experience.

Heinrich, Peace be with you.

For one to simply say that the Catholic Church is the "one true church" can be misleading. Our creed says "one, Holy, Catholic and apostolic". Even that could be misleading to those not fully understanding the terms. Regardless, neither is intended to mean that one must be Catholic in order to attain eternal life. It only means that Catholicism is the most sure way to eternal life. Catholics leave the judgment to God. We go so far as to say that one who is utterly non-Christian is not necessarily hellbound as a result of it.

I think I understand what you mean by that. But may I point out that many people and myself do not believe that catholicism is the most sure way to eternal life. This does not mean your wrong. I'm mearly stating that I do not believe this.
My church also doesn't say that anybody is hellbound for anything. (No need to argue over that point)

However, we Catholics can say that our religion is the one religion containing the fullness of truth. Again, that is not to say that every non-Catholic religion is practicing lies, only that they are not engaged in a religion which affords to them all gifts given by our Lord.

Yes and Muslims also say that there religion have the fullness of truth.
And as a charismatic believer I certainly do not believe that the catholic way goes to all the gifts given by the Lord ect.

This seems a bit obvious as you research the history of the Catholic Church and the history of non-Catholic Christian religions. You see that the non-Catholic ones can in some way or another trace their origins, ultimately, back to the Catholic Church (of course, there may be some rare exceptions, but in general this applies to Christian religions). As you look closer at those Christian religions, you begin to see that their beginnings came as a result of a shedding (or disagreement) of something that the Catholic Church taught. So in that sense, we see the "fullness" of faith being shed.

Yes muslims also come from catholicism.. those guys did a great job of informing muhammed (or whatever his name was) about christianity.
(ok never mind this is not important)
The thing is those disagreement's are NEVER simple.
And most of the time it has todo with the way in which the bible is interpreted.. and interpretation has todo with human knowledge of the bible ect. most of the time. And for a long time only a few people was able to read the bible. and even today only a few people can really read the original text's.. And some places the people that translate bible also have some effect on what is standing in the bible.. and that may result in a reader getting the wrong conclusion... (I can give examples of this if you like?)
So yes Catholicism comes along way.. But if you look at a single disagreement.. then it has todo with the people at that stage and what they said. I'm sure if Jesus or maybe even just Apostle Paul was there then the shredding wouldn't have happened.
Regardless of who is right and who is wrong the mere fact that a shredding occurs speaks of the humanness of the church and the fact that it is not perfect on either side.
Do I make sense?

In that same sense, since the ultimate origin of Christianity is the same (Jesus), we are all one Body. But those not participating in the fullness of faith are not in full communion with the Body. Because Catholicism maintains the fullness of faith, we are in communion with that Body.

I do not believe this is fully true.
One can go up into any denomination and even become a preacher. (whatever the den. calls it)
And you can be a devoted christian in the will of God and having a relationship with God (which is most important) or you can do all this for other reasons and end up in hell.
I think we should first discuss my points made above before talking about this. But just for know I state that I believe that one can have "communion" with the Body of Jesus Christ regardless of the denomination you are in.

Thanks again for your questions!

God Bless,
P12

no problem.. As long as we don't start shouting at each other.
God bless you.