The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-06-15
Told By Fr. Sutton Last
Evening
AT ST. MONICA'S CHURCH
Passionist Father Gave -Four Reasons
Why He is a Member Of the
Church.

s'Why am Catholic was the sub
ject discussed by Rev. Father Sutton at
St. Monicas church last evening to very
large and interested audience. He said in
part The question before us is, What
truth did Christ teach? What church did
he establish to teach this truth9' A sim
cere inquirer for this truth would be met
by great difliculty in his search for the
one true religion. We have many relig-
ious bodies claiming to teach the doctrines
OF Christ, each one teaching doctrines that
are denied or opposed by others. How
can the true religion be found among SO
many conflicting sects9 Christ founded
one religion only. The religion founded
by Christ must bear the character Of Christ
upon it, itmust show that IL has come
from Him. AS Christ was infinite truth,
what He taught must be true: no error
be in it, hence His religion must show q
unity in lis doctrines. as unity Is a mark
Of truth.
Second. The object Of religion is to make
us pleasing to God. Wefeel an opposition
In our nature to do what Is good. The
true religion must then give us the means
to become good. Christ came to make us
holy: His church must continue bis work.
Third. As God is the Father Of us all;
Il be made a revelation to man, it would
be for all mankind IL would meet the need
for every heart; it would embrace the
globe. Fourth. The true religion was
founded by Christ. 1t existed In His day
What church Of today can 60 back and
trace its origin from Christi Every honest
Investigator for the true religion must ac-
knowledge that these characters must be
found in the religion Of Christ. Need |
declare to you that the Catholic Church
has these She Is for all, the rich, poor,
refined, educated and Ignorant. She Is one
in her teaching Catholics wherever they
may be, in whatever country they live,
they are one in their belef-each and
every one, from the Pope, the head, to the
humblest child Of the church, all accept
the same truths. Here is unity
The Catholic church affords the means
to a holy life. She teaches the doctrine,
she has the seven sacraments which are
channels Of grace to the soul Catholics
who live according to her teaching become
good and virtuous. "The church with
its head in Rome the Pope, is the only
On universal church She Is
everywhere. hence this church must be
Gods religion. The church goes back for
It's origin 10 Christ Peter appointed by
Christ was the ilrst pope, after him come
others in succession, 26S in number until
we come to Pope Leo XIII, the present
pope Of the church, whereupon lmust
conclude tits the only true religion. and
The one founded by Jesus Christ. There
upon my reason compels me to give as
sent 70 her teaching and To follow her AZ
The guide, given to the world By Jesus
Christ to teach religious truth. Those
who refuse 10 acknowledge the authority
of the Catholic church admit she was the
first church, but say she fell into error;
she became corrupt. II this charge be
true, then Christ was not God. and all
is false. Christ gave his sol
smn promise that his church would not
TALL into error or become corrupt,