Why I Am Not Catholic Anymore - The Worship of Saints

 Earlier this month I was blessed to be accepted as a Staff Writer for Got Questions Ministry. This was a website that I used frequently to get questions answered when I first became a new believer over 17 years ago. The ministry and website was small, but it has grown into an amazing resource for Christians and unbelievers wanting to know more about Christianity, cults, and other religions. As a Staff Writer, I will be answering personal questions; some difficult, and others easy. A ministry I was hoping Honest Answers could have become, and I am ecstatic that I am a part. 

With that said, my latest question I received, Who Is Francis Xavier, even though is an easy question, but difficult on a personal level, and brought me again to the memories of being a Roman Catholic, and one of the many reasons why I left. I knew who he was right away, and am knowledgeable to an extent to carry on a conversation about who he was and what he did over 400 years ago. But it wasn't really his life that disturbed me, but those who "follow" him, and in many ways worship him. 

Watch this short video from CBC Canada Public Broadcast and ask yourself, "Would this be considered worship?" "Would God be pleased with this form of veneration?" 

Roman Catholic idolatry and the worship of saints was one of the main reasons why I left Catholicism. I knew from the moment I understood my sin, is that what I did showing any veneration towards other human beings, alive or deceased, was an abomination of God. 

Some may argue that this is just veneration towards a person's life or body. But according to the Merriam-Webster definition of venerate: to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference. To honor (an icon, a relic, etc.) with a ritual act of devotion -- how is this not idolatry? 

Even according to the Roman Catholic Catechism, idolatry is condemned in paragraph 2113 and 2114:

2113 Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God.

2114 Human life finds its unity in the adoration of the one God. the commandment to worship the Lord alone integrates man and saves him from an endless disintegration. Idolatry is a perversion of man's innate religious sense. An idolater is someone who "transfers his indestructible notion of God to anything other than God."

Paragraph 2112 concerns about venerating other gods and divinities, so it may not exclusively work in this context. 

This is also backed up with the textbook, United Stated Catechism for Adults. On page 347 it reads: 

"Based on our faith in the Incarnation of Christ, we venerate images of Christ, Mary, the angels, and the saints. We do not worship the images themselves, but in venerating the image, we venerate whoever is portrayed -- Jesus Christ, Mary, a saint, or an angel. This in turn can lead us to a deeper contemplation of God himself." 

So here is a dilemma for a Catholic. What if you venerate a body part, or the entire body of a saint himself? While Francis Xavier's arm is touring Canada, the rest of his body is in Goa, India being venerated by Catholics there. This isn't the image of the saint. This is the saint himself! Same for other saints that are incased in glass for the world to see: St. Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy; St. Robert Bellarmine in Campo Marzio, Rome; and St. Francesca Romana of Rome are just to name a few. These disturbing images of cadaver worship can be seen here.  

I implore you, before it is to late, to repent and run from Catholicism and turn to Christ. Worship Him. Pour your devotion on the only One who is worthy of honor and glory!!!