To the editor:
As a former Missouri Synod Lutheran I had hoped to read that in the previous discussions between Lutherans and Catholics the truths of the Catholic faith may have been approached. That the misconceptions that have continued for the past 500 years may have been put to rest. If we ever hope to realize the Lord’s wish that we all may be one, that just discussing what we have in common and not going any deeper that that won’t accomplish it.
If commonality is all we’re aiming for than why did I feel compelled to read the Catechism, the early church Fathers, books on the liturgy, the Mass, Christ truly present in the Eucharist, and finally write to Pope Benedict asking him to pray for me? The letter I received from the Vatican the very same week I attended my first Mass at Our Mother of Sorrows was my sign. The Holy Father had read my letter and included me in his prayers. I was on the right path.
Luther’s struggles with God led to revolt while at the same time St. Ignatius Loyola’s led to obedience, and in Mexico Our Lady was converting millions to the faith. There are about 30,000 Protestant denominations and counting. Only the Catholic church has the fullness of God’s revealed truth. That is what we should be trying to bring to our separated brethren.
Gail Bryant
Dellwood Circle
Rochester
EDITOR’S NOTE: This oft-reported number of Protestant denominations has been inflated by methods that count, for example, the Methodist Church in the United States as a separate denomination from the Methodist Church in each of 237 other world countries. According to the National Catholic Register, the actual number of Protestant denominations is closer to 200 (see www.ncregister.com/blog/sbeale/just-how -many-protestant-denominations-are-there) .
