Criticism of the Catholic Church

Criticism of the Catholic Church includes observations and examinations of the current or historic Catholic Church. Hostility towards Catholics or political opposition to the Catholic Church is outside the scope of this article and is instead covered in the "Anti-Catholicism" article.

Since the Catholic Church is the largest Christian church representing over half of all Christians and one sixth of the world's population, there is some degree of variation between Catholics simply due to wide ethnic and socioeconomic differences. Compounding this are historical periods of forced conversions and subsequent persistence of "cypto-" forms of illegal belief from people passing for Catholic, but still exerting some of their influence over the generations. As a result of the variation within the Catholic Church, certain criticisms may not apply to the entire Catholic Church. For example, traditionalist Catholics do not criticize the whole Catholic Church for being crypto-Protestant, but only certain elements such as Charismatic Catholics.

Criticisms from the Catholic church may come from people who self-identify as Catholics, from non-Catholics who distinguish their Christian faith from Catholicism, and from non-Christians who also criticize Christianity as a whole along with the Catholic Church.

Some criticisms originate from self-identified Catholics who would like to influence the future direction of Catholicism. For example, several popes criticized the Catholic Church for granting too many annulments, while some clergy in Europe and North America have been vocal about the need to ordain women. Likewise, commentary about worship practices mostly comes from people who self-identify as Catholic and thus have a vested interest in the impact of liturgical and architectural decisions.

Criticisms of corruption may be similar in character no matter whether the source of the criticism self-identifies as Catholic or not, while criticism of beliefs are most likely to originate from members of other Christian churches. When members of Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestant Churches make criticism of Catholicism, they are not merely picking apart another belief system, but instead are rebutting specific Catholic criticisms of their own churches. In turn all sides contribute to the larger theological and ecclesiological discussion.

Historical related criticisms often come from members of parties who identify with the wronged party in history. For example, criticisms involving the Crusades or the Ustaše are likely to be highlighted by from Eastern Orthodox Christians, while Protestants are more likely to cite the Wars of the Counter Reformation. Some historical actions are today criticized by Catholic leaders, not only in general sentiment, but also during the specific apologies directed towards the previously persecuted party. These historical criticisms are not necessarily strictly historical in character, as the area of conflict may still exist today. Although the Protestant Reformation in 16th-century Europe came about due to corruptions and abuses of church practices by clergy in addition to theological disputes, Protestants in the 21st century may continue to hold similar criticisms.

Lifestyle related criticisms are often part of a larger culture war, and as a result criticisms which appear to be directed against the Catholic Church may actually be an example of scapegoating. For example, critics of Catholicism on procreation related questions may single out Catholicism for criticism, but also have similar, unstated views against other parties with similar practices.

Criticism of corruption

Sexual abuse

Main articles: Catholic Church sexual abuse cases and Leadership Conference of Women Religious § Sexual abuse of nuns by clerics

See also: Catholic Church sex abuse cases by country and Debate on the causes of clerical child abuse

Sexual abuse has existed in the Catholic Church since at least as far back as the 11th century, when Peter Damian wrote a scathing treatise, Liber Gomorrhianus, against such abuses and others. In the late 15th century, Katharina von Zimmern and her sister were removed from their abbey to live in their family's house for a while partly because the young girls were molested by priests. In 1531, Martin Luther claimed that Pope Leo X had vetoed a measure that cardinals should restrict the number of boys they kept for their pleasure, "otherwise it would have been spread throughout the world how openly and shamelessly the pope and the cardinals in Rome practice sodomy."

The Papal states were the last European nation to prohibit the castration of boys for the purpose of producing castrato singers. It was not outlawed until 1870.

2011 graffiti in Portugal depicting a priest chasing two children.

The accusations began to receive isolated, sporadic publicity from the late 1980s. By the 1990s, the cases began to receive significant media and public attention in some countries, especially in Canada, the United States, Australia and, through a series of television documentaries. In January 2002, allegations of priests sexually abusing children were widely reported in the news media. It became clear that the officials of various Catholic dioceses were aware of some of the abusive priests, and shuffled them from parish to parish (sometimes after psychotherapy), in some cases without removing them from contact with children. A survey of the 10 largest U.S. dioceses found 234 priests from a total 25,616 in those dioceses, have had allegations of sexual abuse made against them in the last 50 years. The report does not state how many of these have been proven in court.

Some of these reassignments were egregious, the worst leading to the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law from the Boston archdiocese. Victims of such abuse filed lawsuits against a number of dioceses, resulting in multi-million dollar settlements in some cases. Similar allegations of abuse in Ireland led to the publication of the Ferns report in 2005, which stated that appropriate action was not taken in response to the allegations.

In response, in June 2002, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops initiated strict new guidelines ("zero tolerance") for the protection of children and youth in Catholic institutions across the country. The Vatican revisited what it regarded as the issue of homosexuality and a gay subculture within the clergy, because the vast majority of the cases consisted of males preying on male adolescents (over 90% of the sexual abuse victims were teenage boys rather than girls or prepubescents).

In 2014, the United Nations focused some attention on this topic. The Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the UN, Silvano Maria Tomasi, appeared before the Committee against Torture and reported that during the previous ten years, 3420 cases of abuse against minors had been investigated and 884 priests had been removed from their positions and reduced to lay status.

Financial corruption

Abbot practising simony (France, 12th century). Instances of simony have been documented going back to the 9th century.

In the 14th century, Dante Alighieri depicted the punishment of many "clergymen, and popes and cardinals" in hell for being avaricious or miserly.

He also criticised certain popes and other simoniacs:

"Rapacious ones, who take the things of God, / that ought to be the brides of Righteousness, / and make them fornicate for gold and silver! / The time has come to let the trumpet sound / for you; ...".

In the 18th century, Niccolò Coscia ruined the papal treasury through financial misconduct.

In 1969, Dorothy Day wrote, "Fortunately, the Papal States were wrested from the Church in the last century, but there is still the problem of investment of papal funds. It is always a cheering thought to me that if we have good will and are still unable to find remedies for the economic abuses of our time, in our family, our parish, and the mighty church as a whole, God will take matters in hand and do the job for us."

The Legion of Christ's multi-million dollar offshore holdings were revealed in the so-called Paradise Papers leak in November 2017. The 2012 Vatican leaks scandal described alleged bribes paid to secure an audience with the pope.

In the 1980s there was a major scandal involving money laundering for the mafia and other financial controversies going back to the 1960s.

Rent-seeking behaviour and politics

For several historical forms of political corruption in the Catholic Church, see Benefice § Pluralism and Cardinal-nephew

For bribery influencing the selection of popes, see Papal selection before 1059 § Ostrogothic rule (493–537)

For the ongoing issue over members of the hierarchy thought by some to live too extravagantly, see Prelate § Controversies involving prelatures

The Vatican City became a financial powerhouse following the 1929 Lateran Treaty.

In 1962, a letter writing campaign attempted to prevent the construction of the Watergate complex on the grounds that zoning waivers would not have been given had the Vatican not been a major investor.

When Ronald Reagan attempted to tax fraternal insurance companies such as the Knights of Columbus, then–Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant used White House connections to scuttle the effort. In addition, local Knights of Columbus councils set up phone banks and letter writing campaigns to oppose the measure.

In 2003, John L. Allen Jr. placed the annual operating budget of the Vatican at about $260 million, with the Patrimony of the Apostolic See holding an endowment of about $770 million.

In May 2013, Chicago alderman Patrick J. O'Connor argued that the Catholic Church and other religious institutions and not for profit organizations should pay property taxes and be billed for water, and criticized them for objecting.

In 2015, the Bishop of Oslo was charged with fraud for inflating membership rolls for the Catholic Church in Norway and the diocese had to repay some of its subsidy.

Usury

Earlier concerns include 19th century Rothschild loans to the Holy See and 16th century concerns over abuse of the zinskauf clause. This was particularly problematic because the charging of interest (all interest, not just excessive interest) was a violation of doctrine at the time, such as that reflected in the 1745 encyclical Vix pervenit. As a result, work-arounds were employed. For example, in the 15th century, the Medici Bank lent money to the Vatican, which was lax about repayment. Rather than charging interest, "the Medici overcharged the pope on the silks and brocades, the jewels and other commodities they supplied." However, the 1917 Code of Canon Law switched position and allowed church monies to be used to accrue interest.

Fees for spiritual things

In his 1520 To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, Martin Luther wrote:

Every prince, nobleman and city should boldly forbid their subjects to pay the annates to Rome and should abolish them entirely; for the pope has broken the compact, and made the annates a robbery, to the injury and shame of the whole German nation. He gives them to his friends, sells them for large amounts of money, and uses them to endow offices. He has thus lost his right to them, and deserves punishment.

In his 1537 Smalcald Articles, Martin Luther noted that "innumerable and unspeakable abuses have arisen in the whole world from the buying and selling of masses," and was recorded as once saying, "The mass has devoured infinite sums of money."

Italian priest Pino Puglisi refused money from Mafia members when offered it for the traditional feast day celebrations, and also resisted the Mafia in other ways, for which he was martyred in 1993.

In 2014, Pope Francis criticized the practice of charging altarage fees or honorariums for things like baptisms, blessings, and Mass intentions (such as Masses for the dead).

In 2018, Pope Francis criticized the selling of masses for the dead, stating, "the Mass is not paid for, redemption is free, if I want to make an offering, well and good, but Mass is free." In response, Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim and two bishops put out a press release reminding Catholics that according to canon law, "any priest celebrating or concelebrating is permitted to receive an offering to apply the Mass for a specific intention."

In 2019 a parish in the Philippines withdrew a planned fee hike for weddings after an outbreak of outrage on social media. The fee had been about $6,000 per wedding, but they were going to raise it to $9,800.

Although the granting of indulgences for money went back to the 6th century, in 1567 Pope Pius V banned the sale of indulgences for money.

Episcopal vs. congregational ownership of parish facilities

Main articles: Trusteeism § United States, and Administrator (of ecclesiastical property) § Lay administration

In the U.S beginning in approximately 1780 there was a struggle between lay trustees and bishops over the ownership of church property, with the trustees losing control following the 1852 Plenary Councils of Baltimore.

In 2005, an interdict was issued to board members of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church (St. Louis, Missouri) in an attempt to get them to turn over the church property to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis.

In 2006, a priest was accused of stealing $1.4 million from his parish, prompting a debate over Connecticut Raised Bill 1098 as a means of forcing the Catholic church to manage money differently.

In some cases, parishes have been liquidated and the assets taken by the diocese instead of being distributed to nearby parishes, which in violation of church financial rules.

Allegedly egotistical art patronage

Main article: Art patronage of Julius II § Motivation behind Julius II's Patronage

Annulments

Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II criticized the Catholic Church on the issue of the overuse of annulments to marriage, but Francis made changes to canon law to make it easier to get annulments. He also asked dioceses to charge no fees for annulments "insofar as possible."

Historically, Catholic leaders have opposed the legalization of divorce.

Clericalism

Main articles: Catholic laity § Clericalism, Ad gentes § 3. Particular Churches (19-22), and Catholic Scholars' Declaration on Authority in the Church

In his 1520 Treatise on the New Testament, Martin Luther argued that clericalism was a result of canon law:

Yea, the priests and the monks are deadly enemies, wrangling about their self-conceived ways and methods like fools and madmen, not only to the hindrance, but to the very destruction of Christian love and unity. Each one clings to his sect and despises the others; and they regard the lay-men as though they were no Christians. This lamentable condition is only a result of the laws.

Demoniac clergy

For criticism that some Catholic clergy are demonically possessed, see Emmanuel Milingo § Criticism of the church

For criticism that specific Catholic priests made pacts with the devil, see Aix-en-Provence possessions and Loudun possessions

For criticism that Pope Sylvester II made a pact with a feminine demon, see Deal with the Devil § Alleged diabolical pacts in history

Clerical narcissism

A Catholic deacon and a scholar at a Catholic university have criticized the Catholic priesthood for having some narcissistic priests. In 2007, Mary Gail Frawley-O'Dea wrote,

For the priest who is vulnerable to clericalist narcissism, and to the bishop embedded in it, the interpretation of ontological change that posits an actual merger with the being of Jesus Christ at the moment of ordination can support a belief that clergy are called by God to be inherently superior to other human beings.

Detraction

Some have thought Catholics need to guard better against the sin of detraction than they are currently. In 2011, Seán Patrick O'Malley was accused of risking possible detraction when he published a list of names of accused abusers among the clergy before their canonical cases were completed. Pope Francis accused other Catholics of detraction when they criticized his appointment of Juan Barros Madrid.

On the other side of this issue, the counting of detraction as a sin has been criticized as "a kind of spiritual blackmail" when used to silence victims of abuse. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lincoln specifically cited detraction among other reasons why it would not participate in the study leading to the John Jay Report. Concern about the sin of detraction was singled out as a contributing problem in the Murphy Report, which concluded:

Many oaths, such as those in the US military, state the oathmaker swears "without mental reservation."

Many of the failures to report appalling behaviour by clergy may well be attributable to a wish to avoid committing the sin of detraction.

Deception

Main article: Mental reservation § Mentalis restrictio in moral theology

Moral laxity

Main articles: Casuistry § Early modern times, Lettres provinciales § Casuistry, Liber Gomorrhianus, Benedetta Carlini, and Raymond Leo Burke § Antinomianism

When Pelagius moved to Rome around 380, he became concerned about the moral laxity of society. He blamed this laxity on the theology of divine grace preached by Augustine, among others.

In his 1537 Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Philipp Melanchthon argued against the concept of imperfect contrition on the basis that it leaves the penitent person uncertain:

When, however, will a terrified conscience, especially in those serious, true, and great terrors which are described in the psalms and the prophets, and which those certainly taste who are truly converted, be able to decide whether it fears God for His own sake, or is fleeing from eternal punishments?

In his 1537 Smalcald Articles, Martin Luther attacked the Catholic doctrine of imperfect contrition, arguing that "such contrition was certainly mere hypocrisy, and did not mortify the lust for sins; for they had to grieve, while they would rather have continued to sin, if it had been free to them." Instead he argued that "repentance is not piecemeal," and "In like manner confession, too, cannot be false, uncertain, or piecemeal."

In 2010, Craig Monson wrote Nuns Behaving Badly, which dealt with the social and sexual lives of religious women in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Italy.

In in his 2016 Amoris laetitia, Pope Francis stated, "Because of forms of conditioning and mitigating factors, it is possible that in an objective situation of sin – which may not be subjectively culpable, or fully such – a person can be living in God’s grace, can love and can also grow in the life of grace and charity, while receiving the Church’s help to this end." He was criticized for this and other statements by Catholic scholars in the 2017 petition Correctio filialis de haeresibus propagatis.

Atheism

Main article: Christian atheism § Catholicism

The novelist Miguel de Unamuno depicted an atheist priest who did not believe but was only trying to offer the opiate of the masses. However, a 2010 study failed to locate any atheist Catholic priests.

Paganized Christianity

See also: Christianity and Paganism, Synchretism, Thomas Merton § Spirituality beyond Catholicism, Our Lady of Guadalupe § Trans-religious significance, Lord of Miracles of Buga § Colombian Culture, Rosary § History, Stigmata § Non-Christian stigmata, Folk Catholicism § Description, and Catholic Church in Kongo § Religious syncretism

Gregory XIII's medal celebrating the 1572 St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. The use of holy medals and scapulars by Catholics today are examples of the use of amulets, which were also used in the pre-Christian era and are still used today as a pagan religious practice. Of course, amulets such as cross necklaces are also used by some non-Catholics.

As one example, some Protestants criticize the Catholic Church because they believe that the latter allowed Roman traditions to be brought back into the church. They have stated that to conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, the Catholic Church took measures to combine the Christian and Pagan festivals so pagans would join the church; for example, Easter (a celebration of the Germanic goddess Ēostre) as a 'substitute' for Passover, though no record of Christian celebrations have been found which indicates that the celebration of Easter was observed with much importance before the second century.

In general Catholics have approved of incorporating elements from Neoplatonism and other Hellenistic philosophy into Christianity, despite their pagan roots. Pope Benedict XVI argued that the Protestant Reformation served to de-Hellenize Christianity. Nonetheless another element from paganism, Pandeism, plays a role in Catholic theology today, although its legitimacy is controversial, as reflected in the 2011 controversy between the theologian Elizabeth Johnson and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Although there are some New Age Catholics, the New Age movement was officially rejected in the 2003 book A Christian Reflection on the New Age. Following his excommunication and reduction to lay status, Tomislav Vlašić founded Central Nucleus, a New Age movement that combines private revelation and Catholic theology with pseudoscience and astrology. This one example of how some prefer a greater role for paganism while accepting some Catholic influences in a syncretistic manner. As such, some people may self-identify as Catholic while not belonging to the Roman Catholic Church.

Criticism of beliefs

Concupiscence

Main articles: Concupiscence § Catholic and Protestant differences, Theology of Martin Luther § Simul justus et peccator, and Original sin § Criticism

Criticism of soteriology

Further information: Supererogation, Molinism, Grace in Christianity § Jansenists versus Jesuits, Formulary controversy, Jansenism, and East–West Schism § Theological issues

Tetzel's money chest Luther referred to this chest in thesis 27 of his Ninety-five theses: "They preach only human doctrines who say that as soon as the money clinks into the money chest, the soul flies out of purgatory."

On the basis of sola fide (faith alone) justification Protestants have questioned and criticized the Catholic Church's teaching regarding salvation through faith and good works. There has been disagreement between Catholics and Lutherans on these two matters. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the grace of God, "the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call", that justifies a person, a grace that is a prerequisite for a free response of "collaboration in justification through faith, and in sanctification through charity", "With regard to God, there is no strict right to any merit on the part of man", so that "we can have merit in God's sight only because of God's free plan to associate man with the work of his grace. Merit is to be ascribed in the first place to the grace of God, and secondly to man's collaboration. Man's merit is due to God." Catholic writers have cited against the Lutheran teaching the Epistle of James 2:24–26, the only passage of the Bible that speaks of "faith only", and other scriptural references.

Confessional Lutheran apologists reject this interpretation of James on faith-works relations, teaching that the whole context of the Epistle and the Bible rather show that good works are a result of justification, not a cause:

[We] strongly teaches good works, but not as a cause of our forgiveness. We do works not to be forgiven, but because we have been forgiven. St. Paul strongly teaches the importance of good works, but he also clearly says that salvation is by faith, not by works. The Catholic church elaborates on this and teaches that salvation is by faith alone, which is strengthened by works .

Lutherans interpret the verses in the Epistle of James: "we are justified/declared righteous by people when they see the good works we do as a result of our faith and they conclude that our faith is sincere." They conclude:

Paul is writing to people who said that faith in Jesus alone does not save a person, but one has to also obey God's law in order to be justified (Gal 3:3, 5:4). To counter the false idea that what we do in keeping the law must be added to faith in what Christ did for us. Paul often emphasizes in his letters (esp. Galatians, Romans, Colossians) that we are saved by grace through faith alone. James is writing to people who felt that believing in Jesus saved a person, but that having faith did not mean that a person necessarily would keep God's commandments out of love for God (James 2:14, 17). To show that faith is not really faith unless it leads a person to thank God for salvation in a life of glad and willing obedience to God's holy will. James emphasized that a faith which did not show that it was living faith was really not faith at all.

A Lutheran exegesis further points out that James is simply reaffirming what Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:1–29 regarding works as a fruit of salvation, instead of a cause, and that James 2:10 too denies works as a means to obtain forgiveness:

James here (verse 10) also shoots down the false doctrine of work-righteousness. The only way to be free of sin is to keep the law perfectly and in its entirety. If we offend it in the slightest, tiniest little way, we are guilty of all. Thank God that He sent Jesus to fulfill the Law in its entirety for us

Criticism of Catholic synergism as semipelagian

Main articles: Semipelagianism § Development of the term and subsequent use, Synergism § Catholic theology, and Monergism § Statement of the doctrine

Criticism of dual-covenant theology

Main article: Dual-covenant theology § Catholic

Criticism of purgatory

Martin Luther was once recorded as saying:

As for purgatory, no place in Scripture makes mention thereof, neither must we any way allow it; for it darkens and undervalues the grace, benefits, and merits of our blessed, sweet Saviour Christ Jesus. The bounds of purgatory extend not beyond this world; for here in this life the upright, good, and godly Christians are well and soundly scoured and purged.

In his 1537 Smalcald Articles, Luther stated:

Therefore purgatory, and every solemnity, rite, and commerce connected with it, is to be regarded as nothing but a specter of the devil. For it conflicts with the chief article [which teaches] that only Christ, and not the works of men, are to help [set free] souls. Not to mention the fact that nothing has been [divinely] commanded or enjoined upon us concerning the dead.

Criticism of condign merit

Further information: Merit (Christianity) § Lutheranism and Calvinism

In his 1532 Commentary on the Sermon of the Mount, Martin Luther criticized Catholic doctrine concerning condign merit. He noted that while the reward one gains from condign merit is much greater than that of congruent merit, the sort of good works said to attain each type of merit is similar. Luther thought it did not make sense that the two types of merit could be gained by similar actions when the benefit of condign merit is so much greater than the benefit of congruent merit.

Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification

The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification signed by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Catholic Church on 31 October 1999 (and later by World Methodist Council meeting in Seoul, South Korea, on 18 July 2006) stated that "a consensus in basic truths of the doctrine of justification exists between Lutherans and Catholics", making acceptable "differences of language, theological elaboration, and emphasis in the understanding of justification". It was agreed that, "when Catholics affirm the 'meritorious' character of good works, they wish to say that, according to the biblical witness, a reward in heaven is promised to these works. Their intention is to emphasize the responsibility of persons for their actions, not to contest the character of those works as gifts, or far less to deny that justification always remains the unmerited gift of grace." Regarding the belief of Lutherans, it was agreed that, "when they view the good works of Christians as the fruits and signs of justification and not as one's own 'merits', they nevertheless also understand eternal life in accord with the New Testament as unmerited 'reward' in the sense of the fulfillment of God's promise to the believer."

Some Lutherans, namely the second and the third largest Lutheran church bodies, namely International Lutheran Council (ILC) and the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC), reject and criticize the Catholic-LWF joint declaration stating that the document is not a real agreement and "should be repudiated by all Lutherans":

To put it mildly, confusion and not clarity reigns. The biblical Lutheran teaching of "forensic" justification maintains that the only effective cause of our forgiveness is a verdict of God that takes place outside of ourselves. We are declared "not guilty" entirely on the basis of what Christ has done for us. Catholic teaching on justification makes a change within man part of the cause of our forgiveness. The Joint Declaration does not represent a change in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It does nothing to repudiate Rome's historic position on the doctrine. The Joint Declaration is nothing more than an ambiguous statement, carefully worded to make it possible for the Pope's representatives to sign it without changing, retracting, or correcting anything that has been taught by the Roman Catholic Church since the time of the Council of Trent in the sixteenth century.

These particular Lutheran theologians comment that the Joint Declaration does nothing but simply "link" the Lutheran teaching of "Being declared righteous by God" with the Catholic teaching of "Becoming righteous by living a sanctified life", and is therefore not a real agreement but only "an agreement to disagree" on the teaching by which, as Lutheran reformers said, "the church stands or falls":

The Joint Declaration is a compromise. It masquerades as a significant change which brings Roman Catholicism in line with confessional Lutheranism on the teaching of justification. In fact, it is a deception that presents the appearance of agreement without any real substance that would make agreement possible. It is a thinly veiled attempt on the part of ecumenicism to embrace Catholicism. In the final analysis it appears that Rome has moved closer to reattaching what was lost in the sixteenth century without any substantive change in its doctrinal position.

Criticism of Tradition as authority

Main articles: Magisterium § Early disagreements, Council of Chalcedon § The status of Constantinople, and Infallibility of the Church § Protestant Denominations

Protestants have questioned the Catholic Church's reliance on what it calls "Sacred Tradition", handed down from the apostles, whether orally or in writing (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 – "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught by us, whether by word, or our epistle"), and which the Church distinguishes from human traditions or customs, and sees not as a distinct revelation parallel to Sacred Scripture but rather as the context within which Sacred Scripture is understood.

Therefore, it holds that Sacred Scripture must be read and interpreted in accordance with the Spirit who inspired it, in a manner "especially attentive to the content and unity of the whole Scripture", "within the living Tradition of the whole Church", and "attentive to the analogy of faith". The Catholic Church distinguishes Sacred Tradition from traditions, including theological ones, that the Church can retain, modify or even abandon. Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition (not these changeable traditions) must be accepted and honoured with equal devotion and reverence, since they are both modes of transmission of the revelation that comes from a single divine source and make up "a single sacred deposit of the Word of God".

Regarding 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and the term "tradition", Evangelical Lutherans interpret the verse as Paul strengthening the Thessalonians by encouraging them to hold on tight to the gospel that he "had once handed down by preaching and teaching". The Lutheran apologists conclude that within the context "tradition" was referred to the divine gospel handed down (v. 14), not human traditions. Lutherans believe that ordaining others to teach does not mean giving them the right to claim inspiration from the Holy Spirit which Jesus said he would give to his chosen apostles, all church leaders since the apostles are bound to Scripture like Timothy and Titus were, and that the canon was not established by church councils but by the apostles whom Jesus chose. Lutheran churches teach that 2 Peter 3:2 limits the Word of God to that which comes from the Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles chosen by Christ. Moreoever, in their teachings in Revelation 2:2 John, the last of the apostles, commends the Christian church for rejecting anything that did not come from the Apostles of Jesus Christ. Lutherans believe that these passages show that the apostles established the canon before God took them to heaven and that not everything Roman Catholicism teaches agrees with the Scripture. They conclude that the Roman Catholic teachings show that the so-called oral traditions do not come from God who inspired the Scripture.

Papal supremacy and infallibility

Further information: Eastern Orthodox opposition to papal supremacy

The supremacy of the Pope, the usage of the term 'Holy Father' to refer to the Pope, and belief that he can make infallible pronouncements have been subject to criticism by other Christian denominations. For example, in his 1537 Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, Philipp Melanchthon criticized the claim of the 1302 papal bull Unam sanctam that obedience to the Pope is necessary for salvation. He rejected that claim because it contradicted the doctrine of justification by faith.

In 1997, Benedict XVI (prior to his papacy) was asked on Bavarian television whether the Holy Spirit selects people to fill the office of pope. He responded, "There are too many contrary instances of popes the Holy Spirit obviously would not have picked."

In Catholic theology, papal infallibility is the dogma that the Pope is preserved from error when he solemnly promulgated, or declared, to the Church solely on faith or morals. This doctrine has a long history, but was not defined dogmatically until the First Vatican Council of 1870. In Catholic theology, papal infallibility is one of the channels of the Infallibility of the Church.

Adherents of the Church believe that only the Church can interpret the scriptures in the Bible; the pope may be the final arbiter if there are differences. But according to the church's interpretation of 2 Peter, anyone can interpret the word of God (by His guidance).

The Old Catholic Churches, organized in the Union of Ultrajectine Independent Catholic Churches, resisted Papal infallibility along with the First Vatican Council's dogma of Papal primacy of universal jurisdiction.

Decline of the papacy

Related to criticism about papal infallibility are criticisms about an alleged decline in papal power, as this is thought to be inconsistent with the promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, and as such Catholic claims about this passage as referring only to their Church are argued to be incorrect. Martin Luther wrote in his 1535–1545 Commentary on Genesis:

So was the Roman empire destroyed after all the other world-powers perished; but God's Word and Church remain forever. Likewise, Christ weakens the Pope's power, little by little;

In 1995, the Catholic feminist writer Margaret Hebblethwaite remarked:

If in 1995 no one pays much attention when Rome bangs its fist and says "This is infallible", then what can we conclude? We can conclude that we are witnessing what may be the biggest decline of papal authority in real terms ever seen in history.

Ecclesiology

For criticism of Catholic ecclesiology in Eastern Orthodox theology, see East–West Schism § Ecclesiological disputes

For criticism of Catholic ecclesiology in Anglican theology, see Branch theory

For criticism of Catholic ecclesiology in Protestant theology, see Protestant ecclesiology, Sacerdotalism § Protestant belief, and Universal priesthood

For historical criticism of Catholic ecclesiology by Protestants, see the Augsburg Confession, Article XXVIII: Of Ecclesiastical Power, the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, Chapter 26: Of the Church, and Theology of John Calvin § Ecclesiology and sacraments

Section 8 of the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen gentium stated that "the one Church of Christ which in the Nicene Creed is professed as one, holy, catholic and apostolic ... subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the sole successors of Peter the Apostle and by the Bishops in communion with him". This phrase has been criticised by some traditionalists. The Catholic Church also teaches that the "true Church of Jesus Christ ... is the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church", and that "the Mystical Body of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church are one and the same thing".

Stained glass window in a Catholic church depicting St. Peter's Basilica in Rome sitting "Upon this rock," a reference to Matthew 16:18. Most present-day Catholics interpret Jesus as saying he was building his church on the rock of the Apostle Peter and the succession of popes which claim Apostolic succession from him.

A 17th century illustration of Article VII: Of the Church from the Augsburg Confession, which states "...one holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered." Here the rock from Matthew 16:18 refers to the preaching and ministry of Jesus as the Christ, a view discussed at length in the 1537 Treatise.

It is also Catholic teaching that the one Church of Christ is present and operative also in those Churches that are not in full communion with the Catholic Church but that have preserved apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist and are therefore true particular Churches; and that the members of the ecclesial communities that in the opinion of Rome lack apostolic succession also lack a valid Eucharist and are thus not Churches in the proper sense, although they "are in a certain communion, albeit imperfect, with the Church".

Other Christian denominations, notably Protestant ones, who hold rather that the Church of Christ is the universal gathering of all believers, disagree with these teachings. Protestants said they were saddened by the reiteration in 2007 of the teaching that, for lack of an apostolic succession recognized by Rome, the Christian communities born out of the 16th-century Protestant Reformation cannot be called churches. Pope Benedict XVI issued the papal document Dominus Iesus which stated that Protestant denominations are not churches "in the proper sense."

It is the Catholic Church's belief that it will last until the end of time and is indestructible, because Christ promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18) and that he would be with it always (Matthew 28:20). This is criticized by Lutheran churches because the verses are ambiguous at best and say nothing of the traditions of the papacy.

In 2010, Tony Flannery wrote:

It is more likely that some time after Jesus, a select and privileged group within the community who had abrogated power and authority to themselves, interpreted the occasion of the Last Supper in a manner that suited their own agenda.

In response to this and other statements, Flannery was suspended from the priesthood.

Protestant apologists comment:

It is not correct to say that the Roman Catholic church was the original Christian church. The apostles came to Rome rather late in the NT. There was a genuine congregation in Rome, served by Paul and maybe by Peter, but the Roman Catholic church is an aberration from the apostolic church. The chief errors of the Catholic church were already there during the apostolic era in the opponents of the apostles, for example, in the Judaizers who opposed Paul in regard to the doctrine of justification by faith alone and in Diotrophes who opposed the apostle John by setting himself up as a little pope. Both of these trends are well established by the second century...We can say that the bishop of Rome was trying to be a pope by the second century and was well established as pope by the 5th and 7th centuries. Errors continued to be more brazenly promoted with the passage of time, but they were almost all there in seed from the earliest centuries. The Catholic church is not in succession from the apostles but from the Judaizing party in the Christian church which opposed the apostles. Its' doctrine of salvation is the doctrine of the Judaizers, not the doctrine of Paul or Peter.

Use of labels

Main articles: Ecclesial community, Catholic (term) § Orthodoxy, Roman Catholic (term) § Branch theory, and Catholicity § Denominational interpretations

There are long standing controversies over whether Protestant religious denominations should be called "Church" or not and whether the Roman Catholic Church's sense of the word "Catholic" is the only correct one. Catholic epistemology has been criticized by Eastern Orthodox Christians and Protestants. For example, in 2001, several leaders from the Church of Denmark released a public statement, saying in part,

However, it has a destructive effect on ecumenical relations if one church deprives another church of the right to be called a church. It is just as destructive as if one Christian denies another Christian the right to be called a Christian.

Historically, Catholics would label members of certain Christian churches (also certain non-Christian religions) by the names of their founders, either actual or purported. Such supposed founders were referred to as heresiarchs. This was done even when the party thus labeled viewed itself as belonging to the one true church. This allowed the Catholic party to claim that the other church was founded by the founder, while the Catholic church was founded by Christ. This was done intentionally in order to "produce the appearance of the fragmentation within Christianity"–a problem which the Catholic side would then attempt to remedy on its own terms.

Although Catholics reject Branch theory, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II used the "two lungs" concept to relate Catholicism with Eastern Orthodoxy.

Another semantic issue is when Catholics refer to people who do not identify with their birth sex or gender using pronouns not consistent with their current self-identity. The ability of Catholics to do this is also criticized.

Anonymous Christian concept

Main articles: Anonymous Christian § Criticism, and Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus § Protestant interpretation of the dogma

Filioque

Main article: Eastern Orthodox teaching regarding the Filioque

Canon

Main articles: Apocrypha § Disputes over canonicity, and Orthodox Tewahedo biblical canon

Nature of theology

Main articles: Theological differences between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church § Neo-Palamism: theoria and hesychasm, Catholic probabilism § Arguments against probabilism, and Development of doctrine § Eastern Orthodoxy

Faith and reason

For criticism relating to the relationship between faith and reason, compare Faith and rationality § Views of the Roman Catholic Church to the Protestant views below in the article

Luther's Theology of the Cross was a critique of the use of reason in theology as used by the Catholic Church

Thomism

Further information: Five Ways (Aquinas) § Controversy

In 1914, Pius X cautioned that Catholic doctrine cannot be understood without the basic philosophical underpinnings of Thomas Aquinas' major theses. In 1967, Thomism was criticized by Bertrand Russell. Besides this, neo-scholasticism in general, including Thomism, is criticized by some Catholics.

In his Against Henry, King of the English, Luther criticized the use of the proof by assertion and a reliance on style over substance in the Thomist form of disputation, which he alleged as being, "It seems so to me. I think so. I believe so." Luther also argued that the Thomist method led to shallow among theological debates in England at the time.

Modern concerns

Further information: John Navone § Quotations in The Times

In 2009, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie remarked, "those people there, in the US, they don’t value anything any more. And how do you want priests to come from a place like that?"

Separation of church and state

Throughout much of the history of Western Civilization, the Catholic Church has exercised many functions in Catholic countries that are more usually associated with government today. Many functions like education, healthcare, and a judicial system covering religious and some social areas were begun and undertaken by the Church. Certain bishops acted as secular rulers in small states in Italy and the Holy Roman Empire, notably the Papal States, although these were always unusual. The full separation of church and state in Catholic Europe and Latin America was a gradual process that took place over time. The church openly opposed the abuses of Spanish and Portuguese authorities over their colonies during the Age of Reason and took steps to operate outside of these authorities in spite of protests from the various monarchs.

The Catholic Church has tried to influence governments to preserve Sunday as a day of worship, to restrict or, as in Ireland, Italy, the Philippines, and Latin America, forbid divorce, abortion and euthanasia. It has also pressured governments to restrict or not to promote the use of contraceptives.

Catholic Social Teaching advocates a living wage, proper work hours and fair treatment of workers. Freedom to practice one's religion is one of the basic human rights the Church has been noted in defending especially in Communist countries around the world.

In 2018, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan criticized the government of Japan for not separating church and state in the past, and urged them to do better.

Liberation theology

Main article: Liberation theology § Joseph Ratzinger

Prior to his papacy, Joseph Ratzinger criticized some bishops for holding to liberation theology.

The priest Camilo Torres (a leader of the Colombian guerrilla group ELN) celebrated the Eucharist only among those engaged in armed struggle against the army of the Colombian state. He also fought for the ELN.

Partial commitment

In general, see Lapsed Catholic

With respect to economic issues and social justice, see Mater si, magistra no

With respect to Catholics who dissent partway in preference of more liberal beliefs, see Cafeteria Catholicism § Surveys on dissenting Catholic laity

With respect to Catholics who dissent partway in preference of more conservative beliefs, see Sedeprivationism

Historically, charges of lukewarmness were directed towards Catholics who were converted by force, such as on the Iberian peninsula. For example, in response to recent Spanish military action, Martin Luther commented, "most of the Spaniards are half Moors, half Jews, fellows who believe nothing at all."

Today this criticism is especially intended to undercut the legitimacy of Catholic leaders to speak for what Catholics want in the public sphere. For example, if a Catholic archbishop speaks in favor of legislation or a particular court decision, critics may point out survey results of self-identified Catholics which appear to contradict them.

Another modern aspect relating to this is the general finding that mixed marriages tend to result in families having a lower level of both religious observance and next-generation Catholicism.

Marriage, abstinence, and procreation

See also: Catholic Church and abortion, Catholic Church and abortion politics, Excommunication of Margaret McBride, Catholic Church and gay marriage, Homosexuality and Catholicism, and Christianity and transgender people § Christianity and transgender godparents

Priest reading the blessing at a Catholic wedding, 2018

The Church teaches the practice of chastity. It interprets this to mean that believers should eschew fornication, and that no persons inside or outside of marriage may practice masturbation, sodomy and homosexual practices (The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches "They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided" and that "Homosexual persons are called to chastity"), artificial contraception, coitus interruptus, sterilization, and the procurement of or assisting in an abortion.

The official Catholic teaching regards sexuality as "naturally ordered to the good of spouses" as well as the generation of children.

The Church teaches fidelity, sexual abstinence and opposes the use of condoms, seeing them as counterproductive The Catholic Church has been criticized for its pro-life efforts in all phases of society. The Church's denial of the use of condoms has provoked criticism especially in countries where AIDS and HIV infections are at epidemic proportions. The Church maintains that countries like Kenya where behavioral changes like abstinence are endorsed instead of condom use, are experiencing greater progress towards controlling the disease than those countries just promoting condoms.

In 2013 Pope Francis criticized the Vatican for having a "gay lobby" in remarks during a meeting held in private with some of the Catholic religious from Latin America, and he was said to have promised to see what could be done to address the issue. In July 2013, he responded directly to journalists' questions. He notably drew a distinction between the problem of lobbying and the sexual orientation of people: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?" "The problem", he said, "is not having this orientation. We must be brothers. The problem is lobbying by this orientation, or lobbies of greedy people, political lobbies, Masonic lobbies, so many lobbies. This is the worse problem."

In 2019, two cardinals, Walter Brandmüller and Raymond Leo Burke, stated:

The plague of the homosexual agenda has been spread within the Church, promoted by organized networks and protected by a climate of complicity and a conspiracy of silence. The roots of this phenomenon are clearly found in that atmosphere of materialism, of relativism and of hedonism, in which the existence of an absolute moral law, that is without exceptions, is openly called into question.

Opposition to contraception

See also: Sex and gender roles in the Catholic Church

A Catholic family from Virginia, 1959

The Catholic Church maintains its opposition towards artificial means of birth control. Some Catholic Church members and non-members criticize this belief as contributing to overpopulation and poverty.

Pope Paul VI reaffirmed the Church's position in his 1968 encyclical Humanae vitae (Human Life). In this encyclical, the Pope acknowledges the realities of modern life as well as the questions and challenges these raise. Furthermore, he explains that the purpose of intercourse is both "unitive and procreative", that is to say it strengthens the relationship of the husband and wife as well as offering the chance of creating new life. As such, it is a natural and full expression of our humanity. He writes that contraception "contradicts the will of the Author of life [God]. Hence to use this divine gift [sexual intercourse] while depriving it, even if only partially, of its meaning and purpose, is equally repugnant to the nature of man and of woman, and is consequently in opposition to the plan of God and His holy will."

Supporters of birth control argue that economic growth which allows for a high population density without poverty is a direct function of the availability of birth control, as it leads to smaller families (as is the case in all nations which allow birth control), which in turn have more purchasing power to support themselves and provide their children with education, which is universally recognized as necessary for sustainable growth.

The Church counters this argument with its claim that "Though it is true that sometimes it is lawful to tolerate a lesser moral evil in order to avoid a greater evil or in order to promote a greater good, it is never lawful, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil that good may come of it —in other words, to intend directly something which of its very nature contradicts the moral order, and which must therefore be judged unworthy of man, even though the intention is to protect or promote the welfare of an individual, of a family or of society in general. Consequently, it is a serious error to think that a whole married life of otherwise normal relations can justify sexual intercourse which is deliberately contraceptive and so intrinsically wrong."

The Church stands by its doctrines on sexual intercourse as defined by the Natural law: intercourse must at once be both the renewal of the consummation of marriage and open to procreation. If each of these postulates are not met, the act of intercourse is, according to Natural Law, an objective mortal sin. Therefore, since artificial contraception expressly prevents the creation of a new life (and, the Church would argue, removes the sovereignty of God over all of Creation), contraception is unacceptable. The Church sees abstinence as the only objective moral strategy for preventing the transmission of HIV.

Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers, has stated that Pope Benedict XVI asked his department to study the question of condom use as part of a broad look at several questions of bioethics. However, the president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Cardinal Alfonso López Trujillo, in an interview reported by the Catholic News Agency on May 4, 2006, said that the Church "maintains unmodified the teaching on condoms", and added that the Pope had "not ordered any studies about modifying the prohibition on condom use."

The Church has been criticized for its opposition to promoting the use of condoms as a strategy to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, and STDs. Church officials deny that their teaching against condom use is followed by those same people who flout Church teaching on illicit sexual activity, such as its absolute condemnation of anal intercourse between men.

The Catholic Church emphasizes "education towards sexual responsibility", focusing on partner fidelity rather than the use of condoms as the primary means of preventing the transmission of AIDS. This stance has been criticized as unrealistic, ineffective, irresponsible and immoral by some public health officials and AIDS activists. Some evidence suggests that abstinence-only sex education does not work, and comprehensive sex education should be used instead.

Ordination of women

Main article: Catholic Church doctrine on the ordination of women

The Catholic Church has always ordained men in the clergy. Most scholars today believe the Medieval accounts regarding Pope Joan to be fictional, and Episcopa Theodora could have received her title by being the wife or mother of a bishop, although some allege that she was in fact a bishop. Internal dissenters and dissidents, such as Call to Disobedience, have criticised the church's opposition to female ordination. The Church teaches that it does not have the authority to ordain 'woman priests'.

As a result of feminism and other social and political movements that have removed barriers to the entry of women into professions that were traditionally male strongholds, since the fourth quarter of the 20th century, some women in a handful of countries have sought ordination into the Catholic priesthood: There is at least one organization that calls itself "Roman Catholic" that ordains women at the present time, Roman Catholic Womenpriests. The Catholic hierarchy considers those groups to be excommunicated, a status that the groups in question reject.

Official Catholic theology refers to the gender of Jesus as a reason for the purported discrimination against women. According to Roman Catholic thinking, the Priest is acting 'in persona Christi' (that is, in the Person of Christ), and Christ took the body of a man, and therefore the priest must be a man: "Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination." Paragraph 1577 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ's return. The Church recognises herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible

Roman Catholic Womenpriests criticises the Church's teaching that women, by virtue of their sex, cannot image Christ, saying:

...it is the call of every female and male Christian to image Christ; and it is the call of every female and male Christian to see Christ in every person.

In February 2011, 143 German-speaking academic theologians submitted a document styled as Church 2011 calling for, among a long list of actions, "women in (the) ordained ministry".

Women's rights

Main articles: Letter to Women, Marianismo, Women in Vatican City § Value of women, and Juana Inés de la Cruz § As a nun

Climate change

Main article: Laudato si' § Criticism

In July 2015, Cardinal George Pell criticised Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato si' for associating the church with the need to address climate, stating:

It’s got many, many interesting elements. There are parts of it which are beautiful. But the church has no particular expertise in science ... the church has got no mandate from the Lord to pronounce on scientific matters. We believe in the autonomy of science.

The aim of Laudato si' was opposed by Vatican conservatives, Catholic conservatives, and some US evangelicals.

Cannabis

Further information: Cannabis and religion § Catholicism, and Vatican Pharmacy § Stock

Dan Linn, executive director of the Illinois chapter of the pro-cannabis group NORML criticized the Catholic church for taking an anti-cannabis stance:

God put it on this planet for a reason. I don’t know why the bishops are concerned about undermining God’s credibility.

Khat

After a priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Embu took a stand in 2016 against the growing and consumption of khat, he was criticized by a nearby African Independent Pentecostal pastor who said other churches allow their members to chew it during worship. A nearby khat farmer claimed the priest was misdirected, as khat held ceremonial importance during bride price arrangements for the Meru people.

Although the priest also repeated the claim that Khat chewing causes impotence, this sort of claim was disputed by a local politician from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Meru, which although it home to an anti-khat program run by Caritas Internationalis, still experiences khat use. The politician remarked:

Had the scientists been present at the Mutuate Catholic Church during a service graced by Deputy President William Ruto, they would have appreciated the big number of children who overwhelmed adults, proving the virility of our men.

In 2012 in the United Kingdom, a priest commented in The Catholic Herald:

Is it wrong to take khat? Yes it is. It can hardly be squared with the virtue of prudence, as taking any mood altering substance might well damage your health and make you temporarily less responsible. I would not take khat, except possibly just once to gauge its effects. But the real question is this – given that khat (or cocaine, or heroin) is bad for you, is the resolution not to take it better made at a personal level, or should it be made at the level of government?

Traditionalist Catholics

Main article: Traditionalist Catholicism § Traditionalists' claims of discontinuity and rupture

For traditionalist criticism of Vatican II, see Second Vatican Council § Objections to the council

For traditionalist criticism of ecumenism, see Unitatis redintegratio § Criticism

For traditionalist criticism of doctrine related to interfaith relations, see Nostra aetate § Contradiction with previous Church documents

For another major concern traditionalists have, see Modernism in the Catholic Church

For criticism over lending vestments, see Met Gala § Controversy

Cardinal Donald Wuerl welcoming the 14th Dalai Lama. The symbolic meaning behind pleasantries at inter-religious events are a common target for criticism among traditionalist Catholics, including some who have been banned from speaking engagements or are currently excommunicated.

Traditionalist Catholics see the Church's recent efforts at reformed teaching and (liturgical) practice (known as "aggiornamento"), in particular the Second Vatican Council, as not benefitting the advancement of the Church. Some groups, such as the Society of St. Pius X, saying the Church has betrayed the core values of Catholicism, have rejected some of the decisions of the Holy See that they see harmful to the faith. They have in common the firm adherence to the Tridentine Latin Mass that was used, with some changes, for 400 years prior to 1970.

Traditionalists also criticize charismatic Catholics as being crypto-Protestant. This movement is inter-denominational and includes those belonging to Catholic Charismatic Renewal and members of the Chemin Neuf and Emmanuel communities.

The World Day of Prayer for Peace, with a meeting in Assisi, Italy, in 1986, in which Pope John Paul II prayed only with the Christians, was heavily criticised as giving the impression that syncretism and indifferentism were openly embraced by the Papal Magisterium. When a second ‘Day of Prayer for Peace in the World’ was held, in 2002, it was condemned as confusing the laity and compromising to "false religions". Likewise criticised was Pope John Paul II's kissing of the Qur'an in Damascus, Syria, on one of his travels on 6 May 2001.

In 2017, the Holy See released a postage stamp honoring Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. This was criticized by some traditionalist Catholics on the grounds that the two reformers should be regarded as enemies.

Sedevacantists

For criticism of the current papacy by sedevacantists, see Sedevacantism § Counter-arguments

For the sedevacantist criticism of the Catholic Church's current position on the topic of cremation, see Cremation in the Christian World § The Roman Catholic Church

A numerically minor group, the sedevacantists, have characterized the current Pontiffs of the Catholic Church as heretics. This group says that the current Pope (as well, perhaps, as some of his immediate predecessors) were not legitimate. Sedeprivationists say that the post-conciliar Popes were or are defective Popes in that, due to their supposed espousal of the "modernist heresy", their consent to become Pope was faulty or defective, so that they became potentially Pope, but did not attain to the papacy.

A smaller group of Vatican II opponents, known as conclavists, have appointed papal replacements: see list of conclavist antipopes. These groups were estimated to comprise not more than a few hundred followers worldwide.

Associated psychology

A discipline with seven cords lying on top of the Raccolta, a text that contains several acts of reparation and other devotions.

Further information: Mortification in Roman Catholic teaching § The need for prudence, Stigmata § Scientific research, and Eugen Drewermann

For criticism of the psychological health of nuns, see Louviers possessions § Modern viewpoints

One study concluded that priests "tend to be more perfectionistic, worrisome, introversive, socially inept and in more extreme cases, perhaps more isolated and withdrawn."

Describing Catholic guilt and scrupulosity as a possible outcome of Catholic belief and practice, Martin Luther stated:

Many good-hearted people have hitherto experienced this under the Papacy, who earnestly strove to become pious, did everything as they were directed and taught, and yet gained from it only terrified and timid consciences, and on account of the fear and horror of death and of the judgment day, would gladly have ended their lives.

Psychology of saints

Main articles: Prelest § Prelest and saints of the Roman Catholic Church, and Criticism of Mother Teresa § Posthumous criticisms

Saint and feast day hagiography

Main articles: Legendary material in Christian hagiography § Early modern Protestant reception, Sergius and Bacchus § Historicity, Miracle of the Sun § Criticism, Odour of sanctity § Cause, Juan Diego § Historicity debate, and Serratia marcescens § Possible role in medieval miracles

Criticism of practices

Sacrifice of the Mass

Further information: Transubstantiation § Protestantism

In articles 8 and 24 of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Philipp Melanchthon criticizes the ex opere operato mechanism of how sacraments work as being mechanicalistic and deriving from pagan determinism. Instead, he argues that sacraments are sacrifices pleasing to God through faith.

The German Reformer Martin Luther also criticized what was to become the official Catholic position during the Council of Trent as follows: "They [Catholics] made the sacrament which they should accept from God, namely, the body and blood of Christ, into a sacrifice and have offered it to the selfsame God...Furthermore, they do not regard Christ's body and blood as a sacrifice of thanksgiving, but as a sacrifice of works...This is the true and chief abomination and the basis of all blasphemy in the papacy." The Church of England, in the Book of Common Prayer, Article of Religion #31, uses similarly strong language: "Wherefore the sacrifice of Masses, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain and guilt, were blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits."

Post-Trent, official Catholic doctrine on the Mass is as follows: "The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass," also called the Eucharist and the greatest of the seven sacraments of the Church. It is "a sacrifice," because it "re-presents" (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross, because it is its "memorial" and because it "applies its fruit," and "the sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are "one single sacrifice: 'The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different;'" "when the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ's Passover, and it is made present; the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present;"

In 2007, Evangelical theologian Mark Noll reflected on Ecclesia de Eucharistia and concluded that "It is obvious that John Paul II teaches a Eucharist doctrine closer to what the Protestant reformers [Luther, Melancthon] themselves advocated than to what they condemned in the sixteenth century," including even his discussion of transubstantiation.

Nathan Söderblom is ordained as archbishop of the Church of Sweden, 1914. Although the Swedish Lutherans can boast of an unbroken line of episcopal ordinations going back prior to the Reformation, today Rome does not recognize such ordinations as a valid due to the fact they occurred without authorization from the Roman See. The entire Porvoo Communion can trace its succession through the Swedish lineage.

Criticism for claiming that Protestant sacraments are invalid

Main articles: Apostolic succession § Lutheran claims to apostolic succession and the Porvoo Communion, Apostolicae curae, and Historic episcopate (Anglican views)

Eastern Orthodox non-recognition of Catholic sacraments

Main article: Ecclesiastical differences between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church § Apostolic succession and sacraments

Earlier disputes on this topic

The following parties have in the past claimed that Catholic sacraments are invalid in cases of clerical immorality:

Novatians

Main article: Novatianism

Donatists

Main article: Donatism

Mariavites

Main article: Tribus circiter § Kowalski and Próchniewski

Baptism

For the criticism which is based on the belief that people should be baptized when they are adults rather than when they are infants, see Believer's baptism § Arguments for credobaptism

For the criticism which is based on the belief that the Catholic doctrine of baptism fails to recognize the fact that baptism continues to forgive sins and work faith throughout a Christian's life (rather than just at the time when one is baptized), see Baptismal regeneration § Lutheranism, Baptism in Luther's Small Catechism, and Baptismal regeneration § Reformed tradition

For the opposite criticism which is based on the belief that the Catholic doctrine of baptism fails to recognize the fact that baptism cannot forgive sins at all, see Theology of Huldrych Zwingli § Baptism

Monastic vows

For Protestant criticism of monastic vows as practiced in the Catholic Church, see Augsburg Confession § Article XXVII: Of Monastic Vows and Letter to Several Nuns

For historical criticism of members of religious orders who did not take vows, see Beguines and Beghards § Criticism

In particular, the vow of stability has been criticized by some activists for enhancing the interpersonal power of the individual running a particular monastery and for being too restrictive to personal freedom.

Excommunication, the interdict, and other penalties

Further information: Excommunication § Eastern Orthodox churches, and Church discipline § Protestant Church discipline

Criticism for co-mingling secular and civil penalties

In his 1537 Smalcald Articles, Martin Luther wrote:

The greater excommunication, as the Pope calls it, we regard only as a civil penalty, and it does not concern us ministers of the Church. But the lesser, that is, the true Christian excommunication, consists in this, that manifest and obstinate sinners are not admitted to the Sacrament and other communion of the Church until they amend their lives and avoid sin. And ministers ought not to mingle secular punishments with this ecclesiastical punishment, or excommunication.

Luther was critical because he thought the existing practice commingled secular and ecclesiastical punishments. To Luther, civil penalties were outside the domain of the church and were instead the responsibility of civil authorities. The practice of issuing out interdicts (a form of greater excommunication in the terminology of Luther's day) against entire locations was abolished in the 1983 Code of Canon Law due to "concern that penalties not be imposed indiscriminately on the guilty and innocent alike." However, personal interdicts may still be given out, even in matters of money and politics, such as with St. Stanislaus Kostka Church (St. Louis, Missouri) in 2005. Non-spiritual expiatory penalties may be applied in some other cases, especially for clergy. These have been criticized for being overly punitive and inadequately pastoral. For example, a member of the clergy might be ordered to live in a particular monastery for a period of time, or even the rest of his life, a punishment comparable to house arrest. Access to electronic devices may also be restricted for persons sentenced to a life of prayer and penance.

In some cases, excommunication would be announced with a ceremony involving a bell, book, and candle.

The Excommunication of Robert the Pious (1875) by Jean-Paul Laurens. Note the extinguished candle and candlestick holder. Robert was able to get his excommunication reversed following the election of the next pope.

Criticism for automatic excommunications

In canon law for Eastern Catholic Churches, there are no automatic excommunications, but there are still automatic excommunications for the Latin Church (sometimes termed Roman Catholics). Automatic, or latae sententiae excommunications have been criticized for lacking due process and conflating judicial and spiritual processes. They have also been blamed for disturbing the consciences of Catholics (see scrupulosity) who wonder whether if they might somehow be excommunicated and not know it.

In the case of canon 915, the automatic nature of the excommunication enables church authorities to avoid conflict that could increase clarity and release tension should offenders be confronted for their sins. Clerical inaction against pro-choice politicians has been a source of controversy, as some think canon law mandates the excommunication of Catholic politicians who support abortion. For clarification, in Catholicism excommunication does not make a person non-Catholic, such as with some other denominations or religions. Only apostasy would make a baptized Catholic a non-Catholic.

In in his 2016 Amoris laetitia, Pope Francis criticized the practice of suspending communion to some people who have incurred automatic excommunication due to divorce and remarriage.

Reforms in 1983

One reform in the 1983 code was that non-Catholic Christians are not assumed to be culpable for not being Roman Catholic, and are not discussed or treated as excommunicated Catholics guilty of heresy or schism. Another reform in 1983 was a list of extenuating circumstances in Canon 1324 which could prevent excommunication or lessen other punishments.

Other criticisms of excommunication and other penalties

Historically, the excommunication of actors by the Catholic Church was a subject of criticism, as was the excessive number of excommunications and the posthumous excommunication exacted by the Cadaver Synod.

The sadistic attitude that delights in the damnation of others was satirized by 19th century poet Robert Browning in his Soliloquy in a Spanish Cloister.

Against post-Vatican II worship architecture

Main articles: Wreckovation, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Los Angeles) § Criticism, and Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (Milwaukee) § Renovation and controversy

Against liturgy changes

Main articles: Mass of Paul VI § Criticism of the revision, Contemporary Catholic liturgical music § Differing views surrounding this music, Raymond Leo Burke § Comments on the Mass, Liturgiam authenticam § Opposition in South Africa, and Liturgical Latinisation

For the opposing view that liturgical changes have not gone far enough yet, see Rembert Weakland § Liturgical agenda

The use of the hymn Amazing Grace in Catholic worship has been criticized due to the use of the term "wretch."

History of Latin vs. vernacular worship

Before the reforms from Vatican II in the late 1960s the Catholic Church was best-known outside the church for the Tridentine Mass, said mostly in ecclesiastical Latin with a few sentences in Ancient Greek and Hebrew.

Since 1970, the Mass has been celebrated in the local language of where it is celebrated and the Mass in Latin has largely fallen into disuse. The vernacular Mass is also known as the Mass of Pope Paul VI, as he was the Pope who promulgated the vernacular missal. A minority of Roman Catholics however prefer the Mass to be celebrated in Latin, generally arguing that the Latin text is more authentic as regards, and truer to scripture and doctrine than the so-called "New Order" Mass. It should be noted that since 1970 the use of the Latin Mass has been severely restricted, and even declared illegal in some dioceses. However, in 2007, Pope Benedict XVI loosened some restrictions on its use with the aim of healing the rift that had come about between advocates of the New Order Mass and those of the Tridentine Mass.

However, during the time of the Reformation, some Protestants almost totally rejected the use of Latin as "hocus pocus", although some Lutherans continued worshipping in Latin with the frequency of Latin worship gradually tapering off over the next three hundred years until the period of Rationalism. The 1662 edition of the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer has a specific article (no. 24 of the Articles of Religion) devoted to the topic. It reads concisely and directly, "It is a thing repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the Primitive Church, to have publick [sic] Prayer in the Church, or to minister the Sacraments in a tongue not understanded [sic] of the people." This is backed by a statement in the section Concerning the Service of the Church which states: "Whereas Saint Paul would have such language spoken to people in the Church, as they might understand, and have profit by hearing the same; the service in this Church of England these many years hath [sic] been read in Latin to the people, which they understand not; so that they have heard with their ears only, and their heart, spirit, and mind, have not been edified thereby."

The French Catholic Church in the 18th century adapted vernacular missals in some dioceses. In 1794 the Synod of Pistoia, firmly influenced by Jansenism, rejected the use of Latin and demanded the use of the vernacular. In the 19th century the "Old Catholic" anti-primacy movements adopted the vernacular liturgy along with other reforms. In 1962 the encyclical Veterum sapientia of Pope John XXIII instructed priests and seminaries to hold to the all-Latin Mass and to promote studying the Latin language. While the Second Vatican Council allowed the use of the vernacular in the liturgy of the Mass, it also demanded conservation of the use of Latin and stimulated Latin Gregorian chant. Even before promulgation of 1970 edition of the Roman Missal, use of the vernacular in the Eucharist was authorized on a worldwide scale and no longer in a few areas such as Dalmatia.

Criticism of the beatification of Pope John Paul II

Main article: Beatification of Pope John Paul II § Criticism of beatification

Prayers and veneration to saints

Main articles: Intercession of saints § Protestant views, Veneration § Protestant, and Communion of saints § Western Christianity

Catholics have venerated Mary and other saints for supplication, or requested help of some sort. Prayers to the saints have their origin in the earliest centuries of the Catholic Church. Some Protestant Christians argued that, in order for Mary and the saints to actually hear all the prayers directed to them, they would by necessity be required to possess the attributes of omniscience and omnipresence, thus allowing them to know all the requests made by either ultimate knowledge or by actually being present with each supplicant simultaneously. Many Protestant churches have not traditionally called on the saints or apostles as intermediaries as do Catholics, citing 1 Tim. 2:5 to support this view.

Catholics answer that when they have prayed to a saint they have asked the saint to pray to God for them, not to have the saint do something for them personally. For Catholics, belief in the "Communion of Saints" means that death does not separate believers and requesting prayers of a saint is the same as asking any friend. They also say that Christians have historically believed that only material beings occupy time and space. Spirits, saints and angels do not occupy space nor are they subject to linear time. This, they argue, would suggest that angels and saints do not need to be omnipresent or omnipotent to answer prayers. Apart from all time and space, they participate in the life of God in Heaven, through Theosis.

The intercession of saints was criticized in the Augsburg Confession, Article XXI: Of the Worship of the Saints. This criticism was refuted by the Catholic side in the Confutation, which in turn was refuted by the Lutheran side in the Apology to the Augsburg Confession.

Mariology

Main articles: Immaculate Conception § Other churches, Immaculate Conception § Claim of origin in Islamic doctrine, Assumption of Mary § Protestant views, and Anglican Marian theology § Joint Anglican-Roman Catholic document

R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, asserted "The issue of Mary remains one of the hottest debates on the Protestant/Catholic divide, and new proposals for Marian doctrines are likely to ignite a theological conflagration. It has been suggested by some Protestant writers that the Catholics worship Mary as a goddess." These suggestions continue to be made in recent times.

However, the Catholic Church teaches that Mary is a created being, not a goddess, and has always taught that adoration (latria) is due to God alone and not to any created being. Whereas only God is entitled to receive latria, the saints are offered veneration (dulia), and Mary is offered a special veneration, hyperdulia - the highest possible veneration short of worship. Mary is also honoured, as she is the Mother of God— not in the sense that she is the mother of pre-existent Divine Nature, but in the sense that she gave birth to Christ, who is God.

Lutherans respond that what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says of Mary amounts to worship:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is precisely what we are rejecting...Calling something by a different name does not change its nature. What is observed in the cult of Mary is worship...It is precisely the specious distinction between latreia, adoration, worship and hyperdulia, dulia, and veneration which we reject. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says Mary joined herself with Christ's sacrifice (964), that Mary was free from original sin (966), she was taken bodily to heaven (966), that she has a saving office (969). The church's devotion to Mary is intrinsic to the church's worship (970). The teaching that Mary collaborated with the work of her Son has no basis in Scripture. What is observed in the prayers to Mary and the Marian festivals is worship by whatever name the church chooses to call it. It is this practice that we reject. Mary cannot be treated as a co-mediatrix and co-redemptrix. Simply associating Mary's saving work with the saving work of her Son does not justify the false role Rome gives her.

A Lutheran scholar has quoted paragraph 494 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as, in his view, diminishing the glory of Christ by attributing a share in the work of salvation to Mary:

At the announcement that she would give birth to "the Son of the Most High" without knowing man, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary responded with the obedience of faith, certain that "with God nothing will be impossible": "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to your word."139 Thus, giving her consent to God's word, Mary becomes the mother of Jesus. Espousing the divine will for salvation wholeheartedly, without a single sin to restrain her, she gave herself entirely to the person and work of her Son; she did so in order to serve the mystery of redemption with him and dependent on him, by God's grace. As St. Irenaeus says, "Being obedient she became the cause of salvation for herself and the whole human race." Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert. . .: "The knot of Eve's disobedience was untied by Mary's obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith." Comparing her with Eve, they call Mary "the Mother of the living" and frequently claim: "Death through Eve, life through Mary."

Requiring children to be raised as Catholics

Main articles: Ne Temere § Matrimonia Mixta (1970), and Fethard-on-Sea boycott

Longstanding requirements that both the Catholic and non-Catholic spouse must pledge to raise their children as Catholics during the wedding have been criticized as "legislating for Protestants." In 1932, the consequences of failing to uphold this pledge could include the annulment of the marriage. In 1970, this requirement was sort of relaxed by only requiring the Catholic spouse to take a pledge. As a result the current prerequisite for granting permission to marry a non-Catholic is that the Catholic party pledges to undertake to remove dangers of defecting from the faith and to do all in his or her power so that all the children are baptized and brought up in the Catholic Church; the other party is to be made aware of this undertaking and obligation of the Catholic party. If the prospective bride and groom attempt to circumvent this by having a civil ceremony instead or a religious wedding according to the non-Catholic spouse's faith, the new marriage is automatically considered an invalid mixed marriage by the Catholic church because it lacks a dispensation from the bishop to remedy the disparity of cult. Dispensations permitting a mixed marriage are only granted if the Catholic spouse pledges to raise their children Catholic.

Clerical celibacy requirements

Main article: Clerical celibacy (Catholic Church) § Debate on celibacy of priests

For a comparison with the practice of married priests in Eastern Orthodoxy, see Ecclesiastical differences between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church § Celibacy of the priestly order

For the article about children of priests, see Children of the Ordained

For the article about priests with same-sex attractions, see Homosexual clergy in the Catholic Church

For criticism of mandatory clerical celibacy from 16th century Lutherans, see the Augsburg Confession, Article XXIII: Of the Marriage of Priests

For criticism of mandatory clerical celibacy as a cause of a shortage of priests, see Priest shortage in the Catholic Church

For the ongoing discussion on clerical marriage in the Amazon, see Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region

This statue from Konstanz, Germany shows a fictionalized version of the courtesan Imperia Cognati holding a naked Pope Martin V and Emperor Sigismund. The statue is ahistorical, not only because Martin V is not known to be one of the sexually active popes, but also because the historical Imperia did not have any popes among her known lovers. The statue is based on the short story, La Belle Impéria.

Mandatory priestly celibacy first appeared for the Spanish clergy at the Synod of Elvira in 306-306. This was reinforced by the pope in the Directa Decretal in 385, which stated that it was derived from the Apostles. Mandatory celibacy was written into law for the entire clergy as a result of the Second Lateran Council in 1139. The Catholic Church's requirement of a vow of celibacy from Latin Church priests (while allowing very limited individual exceptions) is criticized for differing from Protestant changes issuing from the Protestant Reformation, which apply no limitations, and even from the practice of the ancient Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches. While requiring celibacy for bishops and priestmonks and excluding marriage by priests after ordination, the latter churches allow married men to be ordained to the priesthood and diaconate. The Latin Church also permits married men to be ordained as deacons. The Latin Church has also been accepting married priests from specific religions into the priesthood in the 20th and 21st centuries.

In July 2006, Bishop Emmanuel Milingo created the organization Married Priests Now!. Responding to Milingo's November 2006 consecration of bishops, the Vatican stated "The value of the choice of priestly celibacy... has been reaffirmed."

In the wake of the clergy sexual abuse scandals, some critics have charged that priestly celibacy was a contributing factor. (see above)

In 1990, Richard Sipe explained the results of his 25 year study that was limited in its accuracy by the fact it was non-randomized. Sipe found that although only 2 percent of priests have fully achieved celibacy, 6 to 8 percent currently adhere to celibacy despite past reversals. About 40 percent of priests engage in some non-celibate exploration, but have the possibility to become fully celibate. At any given time, 20 percent of priests are involved in a heterosexual experiment with non-celibacy and 6 percent are involved sexually with minors.

Protestant apologists further argue that clerical celibacy violates the Biblical teaching in the First Epistle to Timothy:

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving."

A married former Anglican priest is being re-ordained as a Catholic priest. The Holy See has at times granted dispensations from the celibacy requirement for former Anglican priests and former Lutheran ministers.

However, the Church's tradition of celibacy traces its beginnings to both Jesus, who encouraged his apostles to be celibate if they were able to do so, and to St. Paul, who wrote of the advantages celibacy allowed a man in serving the Lord. Thus, from the Church's beginnings, clerical celibacy was "held in high esteem" and is considered a kind of spiritual marriage with Christ, a concept further popularized by the early Christian theologian Origen. About 300, the Synod of Elvira called for clerical celibacy . Clerical celibacy began to be enforced in papal decretals beginning with Pope Siricius (d. 399). In 1074, mandatory celibacy of the clergy became canon law as part of Pope Gregory VII's effort to eliminate several forms of medieval church corruption.

Martin Luther responded in his works "On Monastic Vows":

"If you obey the gospel, you ought to regard celibacy as a matter of free choice...They [Jesus and Paul] glory in faith alone. They praise celibacy not because the chaste are more perfect than others because they are chaste, and not because they do not lust contrary to the command, but because they are free from the cares and tribulation of the flesh which Paul attributes to marriage [1 Corinthians 7:32], and may freely and without hindrance dedicate themselves day and night to the word and faith."

Confessional Lutherans, claiming the Bible as the only norming norm in all matters of Christian doctrine, criticize the tradition of forced celibacy:

"In 1 Corinthians 7 the apostle Paul discusses the matter of the celibate life versus marriage. 'Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion' (verses 8-9)...The Bible says forbidding marriage and commanding people to abstain from certain foods are doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1-4)."

Generally, Protestantism holds that celibacy is not a scriptural requirement for the ministry.

Exorcism

Main article: Anneliese Michel

Private Revelation

Main article: Private revelation § Controversy

The Catholic Church does not demand belief in any private revelation, but does teach that its bishops have the right and duty to study them in order "to preserve the integrity of the truths of faith and morals."

Civil disobedience

Main article: Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience § Criticism

Gambling

Main articles: Gambling § Christianity, and Gambling on papal elections

Catholic foster and adoption agencies

Main article: Catholic Charities USA § Controversies

Catholic foster adoption agencies have been criticized for not placing children with adults perceived to be living an immoral lifestyle in Catholic theology.

Catholic orphanages

Main articles: St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage § Sexual and physical abuse, Abuse scandal in the Sisters of Mercy § Other abuse allegations, Mount Cashel Orphanage, Clontarf Aboriginal College § Allegations of abuse, Mary Norris, St. John's Orphanage, Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington § History, Kenneth Angell § Sexual abuse scandals, Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul § Allegations of child abuse in Scotland, and Sisters of Nazareth § Child abuse

Catholic schools

Main articles: Catholic school § Economic inequality, 20th-century history of the Catholic Church in the United States § Threats to parochial schools, Catholic schools in the United Kingdom, History of the Catholic Church in Spain § Church opposition to liberalization, Cristero War § The Mexican Constitution of 1917, Industrial Schools in Ireland § The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in Ireland, Congregation of Christian Brothers § Sexual abuse of children, Atheist Ireland § Secular education, and Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia § Margie Winters

In 2019, a Catholic school in Kansas City, Kansas was criticised for deciding not to enroll a child of a homosexual couple on the grounds of "helping our students understand the meaning and purpose of their sexuality."

In 2017, a Catholic school in San Anselmo, California was criticized for removing or relocating most of its Catholic statues and artwork in an attempt to better accommodate non-Catholic students.

Catholic hospitals

Main articles: Catholic Church and health care § Contemporary issues, and Conscience clause (medicine) § Catholic doctrine

In 2019, a Catholic hospital in Eureka, California was criticized for not performing a hysterectomy as part of a sex-change operation.

Gregorian calendar

Main articles: Reform of the date of Easter, Adoption of the Gregorian calendar § Adoption in Protestant countries, Revised Julian calendar § Criticism, and French Republican calendar

Criticisms pertaining to specific churches, religions, or organizations

Recent criticisms by other religions or churches

Anglicans: criticism over the personal ordinariate

Main article: Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham § Anglican responses

Eastern Orthodoxy: criticism over breaking "no proselytization" commitment

Main articles: History of the Eastern Orthodox Church § Conflict between Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, and Priestly Society of Saint Josaphat § Ecumenism

After the end of communism in Russia, both the Russian Orthodox Church and Catholics in Russia experienced a resurgence. An agreement in 1993 stated that Catholics would not proselytize Eastern Orthodox believers. In 2007 then Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow demanded that the Vatican curb proselytism by Catholic clerics in Russia and eastern Europe. Catholic officials have replied that their efforts in Russia were not aimed at Orthodox believers, but were reaching out to the vast majority of Russians who are not churchgoers. The Church maintains that it "has a duty to evangelize; it is also its inalienable right".

The Catholic Church holds that, "if a non-Catholic Christian, for reasons of conscience and having been convinced of Catholic truth, asks to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church, this is to be respected as the work of the Holy Spirit and as an expression of freedom of conscience and of religion. In such a case, it would not be a question of proselytism in the negative sense that has been attributed to this term. ... This perspective naturally requires the avoidance of any undue pressure: 'in spreading religious faith and introducing religious practices, everyone should refrain at all times from any kind of action which might seem to suggest coercion or dishonest or improper persuasion, especially when dealing with poor or uneducated people'." The Church does not see that as proselytism but rather as evangelism.

Judaism: use of Tridentine liturgy

Main articles: Pope Benedict XVI and Judaism and Holy See–Israel relations § Religious attitudes as a factor in Holy See-Israel relations

"Oremus et pro perfidis Judæis..." in Nouveau Paroissien Romain, 1924. Although the Latin word "perfidis" is a cognate of the English "perfidious" it does not mean the same thing. "Perfidis" means faithless or unbelieving, while "perfidious" means treacherous.

There was also controversy over Pope Benedict allowing a wider use of the Tridentine Mass in the 2007 motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. Concern was focused on the Good Friday liturgy in the Tridentine missal, which contained a prayer "For the conversion of the Jews" referring to Jewish "blindness" and prays for them to be "delivered from their darkness." The American Jewish Committee (AJC) stated in a press release:

We acknowledge that the Church's liturgy is an internal Catholic matter and this motu proprio from Pope Benedict XVI is based on the permission given by John Paul II in 1988 and thus, on principle, is nothing new. However we are naturally concerned about how wider use of this Tridentine liturgy may impact upon how Jews are perceived and treated. We appreciate that the motu proprio actually limits the use of the Latin Mass in the days prior to Easter, which addresses the reference in the Good Friday liturgy concerning the Jews," Rosen added. "However, it is still not clear that this qualification applies to all situations and we have called on the Vatican to contradict the negative implications that some in the Jewish community and beyond have drawn concerning the motu proprio."

In response to such complaints, Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 replaced the prayer in the 1962 Missal with a newly composed prayer that makes no mention of blindness or darkness. However, Jewish leaders were still disappointed by the revision.

Islam: various controversies

For the controversy surrounding Muslim prayer in Spain, see Muslim campaign at Córdoba Cathedral

For criticism of interfaith dialogue with Muslims, see Pierre Claverie § Episcopate and ecumenism

For the controversy over whether Islam is a religion or a political system, see Raymond Leo Burke § Islam and immigration

For the controversy over advice not to marry a Muslim and move to an Islamic country, see José Policarpo § Marriages with Muslim men

For the controversy over whether Catholics may call God "Allah" if they want to, see Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur v Menteri Dalam Negeri

For more information on the following sub-section, see Regensburg lecture and Pope Benedict XVI and Islam

In 2006 Muslims objected to Pope Benedict XVI quoting the 14th-century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II who wrote "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

Although in his speech the Pope seemed to distantiate himself from the quote, which he said was made "with a startling brusqueness" by the emperor, its inclusion provoked a considerable response. Islamic political and religious leaders expressed their concerns, and there were protests in much of the Islamic world, including Turkey, the West Bank of the Jordan, Indonesia, and Iran. Turkey's ruling party AKP likened the pope to Hitler and Mussolini and accused him of reviving the mentality of the Crusades, while Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that "The Pope must not take lightly the spread of outrage that has been created".

The Pope subsequently responded to those criticisms by stating that the quotation did not express his personal position, and that the indignation in the Muslim world was understandable. He explained the use of the quote by stating : "In quoting the text of the Emperor Manuel II, I intended solely to draw out the essential relationship between faith and reason. On this point I am in agreement with Manuel II, but without endorsing his polemic." His response was included by the Vatican as a footnote in the text. In addition, the English translation of the speech (made in German) was amended to make the Pope's distanciation from the quote clearer to English speakers. Thus, in the amended English text the quote is characterized as having been made by the emperor with "a brusqueness that we find unacceptable" instead of "with a startling brusqueness" (translated from "in erstaunlich schroffer, uns überraschend schroffer Form ganz einfach").

Buddhism: reactions to Pope John Paul II's statements on Buddhism

Main article: Crossing the Threshold of Hope

Crossing the Threshold of Hope by John Paul II, 1994

In 1994, Pope John Paul II wrote Crossing the Threshold of Hope, in which he discussed various non-Christian religions, including Buddhism. The book prompted widespread criticism from the Buddhist community, and the pope's statements were characterized as misunderstanding and offending Buddhism. Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist lama, wrote a book to address the "serious, gratuitous misrepresentations of Buddhist doctrine which seemed to be based on misunderstandings" contained within Crossing the Threshold of Hope. Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, a Theravada Buddhism scholar, published an essay "intended as a short corrective to the Pope's demeaning characterization of Buddhism" entitled Toward a Threshold of Understanding. Sri Lanka Buddhists were cited by the New York Times as calling the pope's language offensive, notably its reference to nirvana as a state of "indifference with regard to the world" and its assertion that the Buddhist doctrine of salvation through nirvana is "almost exclusively negative."

Criticisms by or of Catholic operations, organizations, or communities

Further information: Catholic Church abuse cases by members of orders

Catholic League

In 1997, David Carlin of Commonweal criticized Bill Donohue and the Catholic League for being overly sensitive in the identification of anti-Catholicism. In 1999, Jesuit priest James Martin, the associate editor of the Catholic magazine America wrote "Often their criticism is right on target, but frequently they speak without seeing or experiencing what they are critiquing, and that undercuts their credibility. Unfortunately, that type of response gives people the idea that the Catholic Church is unreflective."

Opus Dei

Main articles: Controversies about Opus Dei § History of opposition, Criticism of Pope John Paul II § Opus Dei and Legion of Christ controversies, and Sign of contradiction § Prelature of Opus Dei and the Holy Cross

Catholic Relief Services

Main article: Catholic Relief Services § Controversies

Catholic Relief Services has been criticized for both actions and official positions pertaining to contraception at odds with traditional Catholic moral theology.

Jesuits

Main articles: Society of Jesus § Controversies, and Sexual abuse scandal in the Society of Jesus

There has existed a sometimes tense relationship between Jesuits and the Holy See due to questioning of official church teaching and papal directives, such as those on abortion, birth control, women deacons, homosexuality, and liberation theology. Usually, this theological free thinking is academically oriented, being prevalent at the university level. From this standpoint, the function of this debate is less to challenge the magisterium than to publicize the results of historical research or to illustrate the church's ability to compromise in a pluralist society based on shared values that do not always align with religious teachings. This has not prevented Popes from appointing Jesuits to powerful positions in the church. John Paul II and Benedict XVI together appointed ten Jesuit cardinals to notable jobs. Under Benedict, Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer was Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Federico Lombardi was Vatican Press Secretary. The current Pope, Francis, is himself a Jesuit.

Adorers of the Blood of Christ

The Adorers of the Blood of Christ have been criticized for opposing a natural gas pipeline from being built under their property. A Williams Companies spokesman stated:

Like millions of homes and business across the U.S., the nuns’ retirement community enjoys the benefits of affordable, reliable natural gas service. Therefore, we find it ironic that the Adorers would challenge the value of natural gas infrastructure in the lawsuit, while at the same time promoting the availability and use of natural gas at their St. Anne’s Retirement Community.

Paulists

The founder of the Paulist Fathers, Isaac Hecker, was accused by the French cleric Charles Maignen (article in French) of subjectivism and crypto-Protestantism. Additionally some who sympathized with Hecker were accused of Americanism.

Catholic Secular Forum

Main articles: Sanal Edamaruku § 2012 blasphemy case, and Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bombay § Controversy

A Catholic Scouts of Europe participant receiving the Sacrament of Penance.

Catholic Scouts of Europe

Main article: Catholic Scouts of Europe § External Observers

Criticism of Catholic Scouts has concerned the proselytization of youth.

Cardinal Newman Society

Main article: Cardinal Newman Society § Criticism

Vatican Radio

Main article: Vatican Radio lawsuit

The Vatican Radio lawsuit was concerned with radiation and public health in Rome.

Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Main article: Leadership Conference of Women Religious § CDF doctrinal assessment of the LCWR

The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious was founded as a conservative opposition group of nuns to the more liberal Leadership Conference of Women Religious.

Communion and Liberation

Main article: Communion and Liberation § La Cascina and the Mafia Capitale Investigation

Opus Sanctorum Angelorum

Main article: Opus Sanctorum Angelorum § Controversies

Neocatechumenal Way

Main article: Neocatechumenal Way § Criticisms

Sodalitium Christianae Vitae

Main article: Sodalitium Christianae Vitae

Catholic Answers

Main article: Catholic Answers § The Voter's Guides controversy

Bridgettines

Main article: Bridgettines § Controversy

Premonstratensians

Main article: Premonstratensians § Controversies

Missionaries of Charity

Main article: Missionaries of Charity § Criticism

Miles Jesu

Main article: Miles Jesu § History of Miles Jesu

Camillians

Main article: Camillians § Current status

De La Salle Brothers

Main article: De La Salle Brothers § Criticism

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Main article: Oblates of St. Francis de Sales § Child Abuse

Pallottines

Main article: Pallottines § Sex abuse in Australia

Nuns on the Bus

Main article: Nuns on the Bus § Doctrine

Carmelites

Historically, the Carmelites were criticized for holding to and teaching about the Sabbatine Privilege.

Cistercians

Historically, the Cistercians were criticized for worldliness.

Capuchins

Historically, the Capuchins were under suspicion of being heretical (Protestant).

Dominicans

Although some early Domicans became inquisitors, there is no evidence that St. Dominic was one, despite a famous painting showing him as an inquisitor and later Protestant allegations that he was.

Franciscans

Main articles: Pope John XXII § Franciscan poverty, and Franciscans § 14th century

In 1322, Pope John XXII declared it was ridiculous to pretend that every scrap of food given to the friars and eaten by them belonged to the pope.

Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice

Main article: Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice § Controversy

Not currently recognized as Roman Catholic

Society of Saint Pius X

Main article: Controversies surrounding the Society of Saint Pius X

Community of the Lady of All Nations

Further information: Order of Our Lady of Charity § Monastery of Our Lady of Charity and Refuge

A spokesman for the Army of Mary called the 2007 excommunication of the nuns and the other members of the sect an injustice. Father Eric Roy, superior general of the Sons of Mary, an affiliate of the "Army of Mary", said that Marie-Paule Giguère has not claimed to be the reincarnation of the Virgin Mary, and that the 102-year-old Quebec woman "receives graces" from the Virgin Mary and God. "The Virgin Mary took possession of her soul. I would rather say it that way," said Roy.

House of Prayer

In 1993, House of Prayer was founded in Ireland and then spread to the United States. In October 2014, a former member, Mick Power, asked publicly for the excommunication of Christina Gallagher, the founder of the House of Prayer movement. He accused Gallagher of scaremongering, simony, and heresy after she and Father Gerard McGinnity claimed that the state of Texas would be destroyed when the pilgrims did not fund a new House of Prayer there. In the event Texas was destroyed, people could be saved at the great chastisement by buying a € 250 picture.

Intercessors of the Lamb

Main article: Intercessors of the Lamb § Criticisms

Criticism of Catholic actions in history

Writings criticizing the Catholic Church

• Kriminalgeschichte des Christentums This section, organized chronologically, covers some of the historical actions for which the Western church and the Catholic Church have been criticised.
• The Apology of the Augsburg Confession was written to refute the Confutatio Augustana.
• The Examination of the Council of Trent was written to refute the Council of Trent.

Blanket apology

In May 1995, Pope John Paul II apologised for whatever offences had been committed by members of the Catholic Church. Again, as part of the Church's desire for reconciliation at the turn of the millennium, in 2000 he asked publicly for pardon "for the sins of Catholics throughout the ages".

Persecution of heretics

See also: Catholic response to heresy

This 1711 illustration for the Index Librorum Prohibitorum depicts the Holy Ghost supplying the book burning fire.

Before the 12th century, the Great Church gradually suppressed what it saw as heresy usually through a system of ecclesiastical proscription, excommunication, anathema, and imprisonment. During this time in history, an accusation of heresy could be construed as treason against lawful civil rule, and therefore punishable by death, though this penalty was not frequently imposed, as this form of punishment had many ecclesiastical opponents. Later those convicted of heresy were often handed to the state for execution under state laws.

Crusades

Main articles: Crusades and Fourth Crusade § Legacy

The Crusades were a series of military conflicts of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal threats. Crusades were fought against Muslims, pagan Slavs, Orthodox Christians, Mongols, Cathars, Hussites and political enemies of the popes. Crusaders took vows and were granted an indulgence.

Elements of the Crusades were criticized by some from the time of their inception in 1095. For example, Roger Bacon felt the Crusades were not effective because, "those who survive, together with their children, are more and more embittered against the Christian faith." In spite of some criticism, the movement was still widely supported in Europe long after the fall of Acre in 1291. From that time forward, the Crusades to recover Jerusalem and the Christian East were largely lost. Later, 18th century rationalists judged the Crusaders harshly. As recently as the 1950s, Sir Steven Runciman published a highly critical account of the Crusades which referred to Holy War as "a sin against the Holy Ghost".

During the Fourth Crusade Latin Crusaders murdered, raped and destroyed churches, and innocent Byzantine citizens. Medieval Europe consisted of hundreds of small states and principalities. Simultaneously, Europe faced encroachment of Muslim military forces from both the East via the Balkans and the West via Spain and North Africa. The Catholic Church, representing all of Western Christendom, encouraged crusades against Islamic controlled territories in Europe and in the Holy Land from 1095 through 1272 after Islam had conquered most of the Byzantine empire, including the Holy Land.

Subjugation of Ireland

Main article: Laudabiliter

Anti-semitism in medieval Europe

See also: Brussels massacre § Retraction, and Antisemitism in Europe (Middle Ages)

In the Middle Ages, religion played a major role in driving antisemitism. John Chrysostom published material that attacked Jewish Christians for participating in their old faith's rituals and traditions. Frequent uses of hyperbole and other rhetorical devices painted a harsh and negative picture of the Jews. This was largely ignored until the Jewish anti-Christian teachings began to surface in Muslim Andalusia in the 11th and 12th centuries.

The Church responded by reviving, among others, "Adversus Judaeos"—Against the Jewish People, ultimately justifying their ejection from conquered Spanish lands. Anthony Julius quotes the phrase, "Rejecter of Christ, their land has rejected them. Their dispersion is proof of their wickedness." Historically, Christians, including members of the clergy, have held the Jewish people collectively responsible for killing Jesus.

As stated in the Boston College Guide to Passion Plays, "Over the course of time, Christians began to accept... that the Jewish people as a whole were responsible for killing Jesus. According to this interpretation, both the Jews present at Jesus’ death and the Jewish people collectively and for all time, have committed the sin of deicide, or God-killing. For 1900 years of Christian-Jewish history, the charge of deicide has led to hatred, violence against and murder of Jews in Europe and America."

The Fourth Council of the Lateran, summoned by Pope Innocent III with his papal bull of 19 April 1213, approved ‘Canon 68’. It required Jews and Muslims to wear special dress or badges to enable them to be distinguished from Christians. They were also forbidden to hold any public offices.

Counter-Reformation

Main articles: Anti-Protestantism, Inquisition, List of people burned as heretics, European wars of religion, and Counter-Reformation § Politics

A 19th-century depiction of Galileo Galilei before the Holy Office, by Joseph-Nicolas Robert-Fleury
Arguably the most famous case tried by the Roman Inquisition involved Galileo in 1633.

The Protestant Reformation (16th century in Europe) came about in no small part due to abuses of church practices by corrupt clergy in addition to these same theological disputes. Before the Reformation, the Catholic Church had a uniquely powerful position in the political order of medieval western Europe; its clergymen occupied a privileged location in the social class structure; and theologically, it identified itself as the only legitimate Christian Church. Because Protestantism emerged from within the Catholic Church, and began as a protest against Catholic worldly practice and religious doctrine, the Papacy and Catholic rulers felt compelled to deal with Protestantism as a dangerous, destabilising influence in politics and society, as well as characterising Protestants as heretical and schismatic.

Within a few decades after the Reformation, governments in most of Europe sought to impose a particular religion, whether Catholicism or a variety of Protestantism, on all the population they ruled. Apart from outright war, members of the "wrong" church were often persecuted or driven into exile. In Catholic countries, the Spanish Inquisition and the Council of Troubles in the Habsburg Netherlands were among the bodies pursuing persecution by judicial means. In France, the French Wars of Religion included numerous massacres, most notoriously the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of 1572. After a long peace following the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Louis XIV reopened the issue in the late 17th century, and the persecution known as the Dragonnades was followed in 1685 by the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes and the expulsion of all French Protestants. Religious refugees from both sides were common in many parts of Europe. The Vatican long remained opposed to the limited religious toleration that gradually became accepted in many parts of Europe. With the consolidation of Protestantism, the extirpation of 'heretics' became a much broader and more complex enterprise, complicated by the politics of territorial Protestant powers, especially in northern Europe. Persecution of Protestant groups ended only as Europe's rulers tired of fighting each other, despite the objections of the Pope, especially at the end of the Thirty Years' War.

During the Inquisition, the governments of Spain (and Italy, and sometimes France) prosecuted Protestant Christians in an attempt to stop the spread of the Reformation. Although the Church originally condoned these proceedings, they were difficult to regulate, and abuses eventually caused the Pope to call for an end to them. The last execution for heresy was of Cayetano Ripoll by the Spanish Inquisition in 1826.

When John Paul II visited Prague in 1990s, he apologized for Hus's execution and requested experts in this matter "to define with greater clarity the position held by Jan Hus among the Church's reformers, and acknowledged that "independently of the theological convictions he defended, Hus cannot be denied integrity in his personal life and commitment to the nation's moral education."

In 2015, after visiting a Waldensian Temple in Turin, Pope Francis, in the name of the Catholic Church, asked Waldensian Christians for forgiveness for their persecution. The Pope apologized for the Church's "un-Christian and even inhumane positions and actions".

Violating the rights of ethnic peoples

Main articles: Pope Benedict XVI § Indigenous American beliefs, James Gibbons § Controversy, Valladolid debate, History of Christian thought on persecution and tolerance § Modern Roman Catholic policy, and Inter caetera § Protests by indigenous groups

For the opposite criticism that the Catholic Church did not eliminate something harmful from an ethnic culture, see Caste system among Indian Christians § Caste discrimination among Christians

Slavery in Latin America

Main articles: Slavery in Latin America § Slavery and the Catholic Church, and List of apologies made by Pope John Paul II

18th century China

Main article: Chinese Rites controversy § Imperial ban and papal suppression

Nationalist and "sovereignty" critique

Further information: Dual loyalty § Historical examples, Fourth vow § In the Society of Jesus, Sovereign immunity § Holy See, Edward James Slattery § Illegal immigrants, and Christian anarchism § Catholic Worker Movement

Pope Celestine III crowning Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor with his feet. He was only crowned after promising to cede Tusculum.

According to the nationalist critique, Catholicism poses a threat to sovereignty by virtue of its internationalist structure, headquartered in Rome.

In the history of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, when King Henry VIII established the Church of England, he chiefly objected to having to appeal to a foreign entity (the papacy) in order to annul his marriage, and thus sought to unite the secular and religious sources of authority within a single sovereign power (while not initially make substantial changes in doctrine). In the History of the Catholic Church in Japan, when Christian missionaries arrived in Japan in the 1540s they initially flourished, however, Emperor Ogimachi issued edicts to ban Catholicism in 1565 and 1568. In 1587, the imperial regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi's banned Jesuit missionaries, and Christianity was repressed as a threat to national unity. After the Tokugawa shogunate banned Christianity in 1620 it ceased to exist publicly. Only after the Meiji Restoration was Christianity re-established in Japan.

Women's asylums

Main articles: Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, Magdalene asylum, and Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd § The Netherlands

Removal of children from their parents

Main articles: Michael A. Hess, Vincent Nichols § Acknowledgement of adoption controversy, Controversies about Opus Dei § Alleged baby selling business, Tianjin Massacre, Mortara case, Postremo mense, and Salzburg Protestants § Defereggen Valley expulsion

Canadian Indian residential school system

Main article: Canadian Indian residential school system § Vatican's expression of sorrow

Spanish Civil War

Main articles: Foreign involvement in the Spanish Civil War § The Vatican, and Catholicism in the Second Spanish Republic

Relationship with Mussolini

Main article: History of the Catholic Church § Italy

Relationship with Nazi Germany

Main articles: Catholic Church and Nazi Germany, Nazi gold § Vatican, Catholic Church and Judaism § Significant outstanding issues, Auschwitz cross, Nazi persecution of the Catholic Church in Germany, and Ratlines (World War II aftermath)

See also: Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust and Charles Coughlin

German Catholics met the Nazi takeover with apprehension, as leading clergymen had been warning against Nazism for years. A threatening, though initially mainly sporadic persecution of the Catholic Church in Germany commenced. After initially making an effort to negotiate a modus vivendi with Nazi Germany, the church found such accommodation increasingly difficult in the face of ever more aggressive challenges by Nazi Germany.

Adolf Hitler became chancellor on January 30, 1933. On March 23, his government was given legislative powers through the Enabling Act of 1933, which was passed by all Reichstag except the Social Democrats and Communists (the latter had already been banned). These included the Centre Party, led by Father Ludwig Kaas. Before the Enabling Act was voted on, Hitler addressed the Reichstag, promising the Weimar Parliament that he would not interfere with the rights of the churches and stating that he attached the highest importance to cultivating and maintaining the friendliest relations with the Holy See. With power secured in Germany, Hitler quickly broke this promise.

The signing of the Reichskonkordat on July 20, 1933 in Rome.

Cardinal Bertram, on March 28, announced that the bishops had dropped their prohibitions against Nazi membership. The bishops' decision opened the way for a concordat between the Holy See and the nominally functioning Weimar Republic. Kershaw wrote that the Vatican was anxious to reach agreement with the new government, despite "continuing molestation of Catholic clergy, and other outrages committed by Nazi radicals against the Church and its organisations". In April, the non-Nazi Vice Chancellor, Franz von Papen, was chosen by the new government to begin negotiations with the Vatican for a concordat. On behalf of Cardinal Pacelli, Ludwig Kaas, the out-going chairman of the Centre Party, negotiated the draft of the terms with Papen. The concordat was finally signed, by Pacelli for the Vatican and von Papen for Germany, on July 20 and ratified on September 10. The Centre Party had been dissolved on July 6. The concordat gave the Catholic Church what it wanted in order to preserve the autonomy of ecclesiastical institutions and their religious activities, with full freedom of communication with Catholics in Germany for the Holy See and the bishops in all matters of their pastoral office (article 4), guarantees for the right to pastoral care in hospitals, prisons and similar institutions (article 20), and for the Catholic educational system (articles 19-25); it assured Hitler that the Church would end so-called political Catholicism. It required newly appointed bishops to take an oath of loyalty to the German Reich and to the Land (article 16), excluded clergy and religious from membership of political parties (article 32), and required priests and religious superiors whose headquarters were within Germany to be German citizens (articles 14-15). Article 31 acknowledged the Church would not support political causes. Nevertheless, Hitler routinely disregarded the concordat and permitted a persecution of the Catholic Church in Germany. Shortly before the July 20 signing of the Reichskonkordat, Germany signed similar agreements with the state Protestant churches in Germany, although the Confessing Church opposed the regime.

The German bishops issued a collective pastoral on 19 August 1936 to endorse Hitler's support for Franco. The Vatican felt it necessary to issue two encyclicals opposing the policies of Mussolini and Hitler: Non abbiamo bisogno in 1931 and Mit brennender Sorge in 1937, respectively. Mit brennender Sorge included criticisms of Nazism and racism.

Joachim Fest, a biographer of Adolf Hitler, wrote that; "At first the Church was quite hostile and its bishops energetically denounced the "false doctrines" of the Nazis. Its opposition weakened considerably in the following years [after the Concordat] [-] Cardinal Bertram developed an ineffectual protest system [-] Resistance..remained largely a matter of individual conscience. In general they [both churches] attempted merely to assert their own rights and only rarely issued pastoral letters or declarations indicating any fundamental objection to Nazi ideology."

The relationship between Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust has long been disputed, with some scholars arguing that he kept silent during the Holocaust, while others have argued that he saved thousands if not tens or hundreds of thousands of Jews.

In 1998, Pope John Paul II apologized for the failure of Catholics to help Jews during the Holocaust and acknowledged that Christian anti-semitism might have made Nazi persecution of the Jews easier, calling them "our elder brothers" in the faith.

Critics reply that Pope Benedict XVI was a member of Hitler Youth, a paramilitary organization of the German Nazi Party, although membership was required by law for all 14-year-old German boys after December 1939.

Nazi critique of Catholicism

Main article: Nazi views on Catholicism

The Nazi propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels wrote that there was "an insoluble opposition between the Christian and a heroic-German world view".

During the Nazi era in Germany, the Catholic Church faced persecution. The Nazi leadership disapproved of Catholicism. Nazi ideology could not accept an autonomous establishment, whose legitimacy did not spring from the government. It desired the subordination of the church to the state. The Nazis claimed jurisdiction over all collective and social activity, interfering with Catholic schooling, youth groups, workers' clubs and cultural societies. To many Nazis, Catholics were suspected of insufficient patriotism, or even of disloyalty to the Fatherland, and of serving the interests of "sinister alien forces". Nazi radicals also disdained the Semitic origins of Jesus Christ and the Christian religion.

Though the broader membership of the Nazi Party after 1933 came to include many Catholics, aggressive anti-Church radicals like Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels and Hitler's chosen "deputy" Martin Bormann saw the campaign against the Churches as a priority concern, and anti-church and anticlerical sentiments were strong among grassroots party activists. While the Nazi Führer Adolf Hitler's public relationship to religion in Nazi Germany may be defined as one of opportunism, his personal position on Catholicism and Christianity was one of hostility. Bormann recorded in Hitler's Table Talk that Nazism was secular, scientific and anti-religious in outlook.

The 1920 Nazi Party Platform had promised to support freedom of religions with the caveat: "insofar as they do not jeopardize the state's existence or conflict with the moral sentiments of the Germanic race", and expressed support for so-called "Positive Christianity", a movement which sought to detach Christianity from its Jewish roots, and key doctrines like the Apostle's Creed. William Shirer wrote that under the leadership of Rosenberg, Bormann and Himmler—backed by Hitler—the Nazi regime intended to destroy Christianity in Germany, if it could.

According to biographer Alan Bullock, Hitler, though raised a Catholic, retained some regard for the organisational power of Catholicism, but had utter contempt for its central teachings, which he said, if taken to their conclusion, "would mean the systematic cultivation of the human failure".:

In Hitler's eyes, Christianity was a religion fit only for slaves; he detested its ethics in particular. Its teaching, he declared, was a rebellion against the natural law of selection by struggle and the survival of the fittest.

— Extract from Hitler: A Study in Tyranny, by Alan Bullock

Though he was willing at times to restrain his anticlericalism out of political considerations, and approved the Reich concordat signed between Germany and the Holy See, Hitler's long term hope was for a de-Christianised Germany. In Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives, Bullock added that, though Hitler, like Napoleon before him, frequently employed the language of "divine providence" in defence of his own myth, he ultimately shared with the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, "the same materialist outlook, based on the nineteenth century rationalists' certainty that the progress of science would destroy all myths and had already proved Christian doctrine to be an absurdity". Hitler possessed radical instincts in relation to the conflict with the churches, and though he occasionally spoke of wanting to delay the Church struggle. Hitler's impatience with the churches, wrote Kershaw, "prompted frequent outbursts of hostility. In early 1937 he was declaring that 'Christianity was ripe for destruction', and that the Churches must yield to the "primacy of the state". According to the Goebbels Diaries, Hitler hated Christianity. In an 8 April 1941 entry, Goebbels wrote "He hates Christianity, because it has crippled all that is noble in humanity." In another entry, Goebbels wrote that Hitler was "deeply religious but entirely anti-Christian." Goebbels wrote on 29 December 1939:

The Führer... views Christianity as a symptom of decay. Rightly so. It is a branch of the Jewish race. This can be seen in the similarity of their religious rites. Both (Judaism and Christianity) have no point of contact to the animal element, and thus, in the end they will be destroyed.

— Goebbels Diaries, 29 December 1939

Goebbels was among the most aggressive anti-Church Nazi radicals. In 1928, soon after his election to the Reichstag, Goebbels wrote in his diary that National Socialism was a "religion" that needed a genius to uproot "outmoded religious practices" and put new ones in their place: "One day soon National Socialism will be the religion of all Germans." Goebbels led the Nazi persecution of the German Catholic clergy and, as the war progressed, on the "Church Question", he wrote "after the war it has to be generally solved... There is, namely, an insoluble opposition between the Christian and a heroic-German world view".

Hitler's chosen deputy and private secretary, Martin Bormann, was a rigid guardian of National Socialist orthodoxy and saw Christianity and Nazism as "incompatible" (mainly because of its Jewish origins), as did the official Nazi philosopher, Alfred Rosenberg. In his "Myth of the Twentieth Century" (1930), Rosenberg wrote that the main enemies of the Germans were the "Russian Tartars" and "Semites" - with "Semites" including Christians, especially the Catholic Church. In 1934, Hitler appointed Rosenberg as the cultural and educational leader of the Reich. Rosenberg was a neo-pagan and notoriously anti-Catholic. In 1934, the Sanctum Officium in Rome recommended that Rosenberg's book be put on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum (forbidden books list) for scorning and rejecting "all dogmas of the Catholic Church, indeed the very fundamentals of the Christian religion".

Relationship with the Ustaše

Main articles: Catholic clergy involvement with the Ustaše and Catholic Church in Croatia § Controversies

File:Prisilno pokrštavanje Srba u Slavoniji.jpg

Serb civilians forced to convert to Catholicism in Mikleuš.

Ante Pavelić, the leader of the Ustaše in Croatia during World War II, was granted a "devotional" audience with Pius XII in Rome. Author John Cornwell views this act as "de facto recognition by the Holy See" of the Independent State of Croatia, which committed genocide against its Serb, Jewish and Roma citizens. Soon afterwards, Abbot Ramiro Marcone was appointed apostolic legate to Zagreb. Cornwell is unsure whether the Vatican was aware of the exact atrocities committed by the Ustaše by this point, but he noted "it was known from the very beginning that Pavelic was a totalitarian dictator, a puppet of Hitler and Mussolini, that he had passed a series of viciously racist and anti-Semitic laws, and that he was bent on enforced conversions from Orthodox to Catholic Christianity".

Corrado Zoli and Evelyn Waugh have argued that many Catholic clergy members participated directly or indirectly in Ustaša campaigns of violence. The most notorious example is that of expelled Franciscan Miroslav Filipović, known as "the devil of Jasenovac" for running the Jasenovac concentration camp, where estimates of the number killed range between 49,600 and 600,000. Ivan Šarić is believed to have been the "worst" of the Catholic bishops who supported the Ustaša; his diocesan newspaper wrote: "there is no limit to love. The movement of liberation of the world from the Jews is a movement for the renewal of human dignity. Omniscient and omnipotent God stands behind this movement". Bishop Šarić also appropriated Jewish property for his own use.

According to Michael Phayer, Pope Pius XII protected Ante Pavelić after World War II, gave him "refuge in the Vatican properties in Rome", and assisted in his flight to South America; Pavelić and Pius XII shared the goal of a Catholic state in the Balkans and were unified in their opposition to the rising Communist state under Tito. Pius XII also believed that Pavelić and other war criminals could not get a fair trial in Yugoslavia. After arriving in Rome in 1946, Pavelić used the Vatican "ratline" to reach Argentina in 1948, along with other Ustaša, Russian, Yugoslav, Italian, and American spies and agents all tried to apprehend Pavelić in Rome but the Vatican refused all cooperation and vigorously defended its extraterritorial status. Pavelić was never captured or tried for his crimes.

According to Michael Phayer, "the Vatican's motivation for harboring Pavelić grew in lockstep with its apprehension about Tito's treatment of the church".

Slovakia (1939–1945)

On 14 March 1939, Slovakia seceded from Czechoslovakia and allied itself, as demanded by Germany, with Hitler's coalition. Four months later, the Slovak state was recognized by the Vatican, "which had little alternative but to recognise Father Tiso's avowedly Catholic regime, despite reservations about his political involvement", and thus gave recognition later than Poland and Hungary and sooner than Switzerland, Sweden and the Soviet Union.

On 1 October 1939, the priest Jozef Tiso, leader of the Slovak People's Party and until then prime minister of the new state, became its president. Tiso assumed the office in defiance of the Pope, and the Holy See immediately published a statement speaking of its grave misgivings.

On 7 November 1940, the Church newspaper Katolícke Noviny declared that the Slovak Catholic clergy had long supported the HSLS (Hlinka's Slovak People's Party), warmly welcomed the foundation of a separate Slovak state, and supported the HSLS government.

On 12 April 1942, the Slovak bishops had a pastoral letter read in all churches, protesting against the HSLS government's deportation of Jewish fellow-citizens to German-controlled Poland.

Children's asylums

Main article: Duplessis Orphans

Ayacucho region of Peru (1980–2000)

Main article: Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne § Human rights record

See also

• Criticism of Protestantism
• Anti-Catholicism
• Anti-Protestantism
• Anti-Christianity
• Anti-clericalism

Sources

• Rivelli, Marco Aurelio (1998). Le génocide occulté: État Indépendant de Croatie 1941–1945 [Hidden Genocide: The Independent State of Croatia 1941–1945] (in French). Lausanne: L'age d'Homme. ISBN 9782825111529. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Rivelli, Marco Aurelio (1999). L'arcivescovo del genocidio: Monsignor Stepinac, il Vaticano e la dittatura ustascia in Croazia, 1941-1945 [The Archbishop of Genocide: Monsignor Stepinac, the Vatican and the Ustaše dictatorship in Croatia, 1941-1945] (in Italian). Milano: Kaos. ISBN 9788879530798. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Rivelli, Marco Aurelio (2002). "Dio è con noi!": La Chiesa di Pio XII complice del nazifascismo ["God is with us!": The Church of Pius XII accomplice to Nazi Fascism] (in Italian). Milano: Kaos. ISBN 9788879531047. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Phayer, Michael (2000). The Catholic Church and the Holocaust, 1930–1965. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0253214713. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Phayer, Michael (2008). Pius XII, the Holocaust, and the Cold War. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253349309. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Derek Wilson (2007). Out of the Storm: The Life and Legacy of Martin Luther. London: Hutchinson. ISBN 978-0-09-180001-7.

External links

Skeptical

• Denominational Differences - Roman Catholicism, FAQs by Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, archived by Internet Archive
• WELS Topical Q&A: Religion - Roman Catholic
• Catholicism Today, Forward in Christ, Vol 84, No. 11, Nov 1997

Apologetic

• The Catholic Guide – A comprehensive source on the Roman Catholic Church.
• Catholic Wiki, archived by Internet Archive