When it comes to the Catholic Church I have two views that I think in combination both sides will find issue with yet must admit it is the ideal nature of the Church.

I believe two things can be true at the same time:

• The Vatican should not exist.

• There is a Universal Church instituted by Jesus through his authority and Apostolic succession.

So, how can both these be?

Jesus handed the keys of the kingdom to Peter, this is well understood. The Apostles, in addition, took this to mean there must be 12 to take on the leadership and proselytization effort and one among them to hold those keys, which is why they replaced Judas and saw Peter as their leader, respectively.

It is clear, Jesus' intent was to create an organized Church with rites of succession proceeding from His Authority. When Peter did wrong, he was not dogmatically immune. Paul chastised the hell out of him, and rightly so:

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? -- Galatians 2

So, what is the conclusion? Well, look at the actions of the Apostles. They didn't stay put. They went to the people who hadn't heard the Good News and they preached endlessly of the Merciful nature of God having sent His Son to die for all, Jew and Gentile alike. When Peter hid among his own, he was rightly chastised. Peter went to claim Rome, and was killed for it. The mission of the Leader is to lead, even if that means risking their own security and life to do it.

That is the only "Leader" a Church should have. All should be evangelizing sacrificial lambs emulating fully the life of Jesus. Giving their lives selflessly and flipping tables in the temple when need be.

What does that leave the Church, though? Simple. It must be fluid and move endlessly. Churches get built and established, given to those who will look after it, and then the Leaders of the Church must move on to evangelize. If such a Church begins to corrupt, the Leaders must return wielding the fury of God, flip the tables, and whip the money changers with reeds.

When body ceases to move, it rots. So too acts the body of the Church. Any who slow and take to the roots of the Earth for security will be taken by the Earth to their grave. The Holy Spirit is always moving, so too must the Body of the Church and its Leaders.

That's my vision of the One True Church established by Jesus.

When it comes to the Catholic Church I have two views that I think in combination both sides will find issue with yet must admit it is the ideal nature of the Church.

I believe two things can be true at the same time:

• The Vatican should not exist.

• There is a Universal Church instituted by Jesus through his authority and Apostolic succession.

So, how can both these be?

Jesus handed the keys of the kingdom to Peter, this is well understood. The Apostles, in addition, took this to mean there must be 12 to take on the leadership and proselytization effort and one among them to hold those keys, which is why they replaced Judas and saw Peter as their leader, respectively.

It is clear, Jesus' intent was to create an organized Church with rites of succession proceeding from His Authority. When Peter did wrong, he was not dogmatically immune. Paul chastised the hell out of him, and rightly so:

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? -- Galatians 2

So, what is the conclusion? Well, look at the actions of the Apostles. They didn't stay put. They went to the people who hadn't heard the Good News and they preached endlessly of the Merciful nature of God having sent His Son to die for all, Jew and Gentile alike. When he hid among his own, he was rightly chastised. Peter went to claim Rome, and was killed for it. The mission of the Leader is to lead, even if that means risking their own security and life to do it.

That is the only "Leader" a Church should have. All should be evangelizing sacrificial lambs emulating fully the life of Jesus. Giving their lives selflessly and flipping tables in the temple when need be.

What does that leave the Church, though? Simple. It must be fluid and move endlessly. Churches get built and established, given to those who will look after it, and then the Leaders of the Church must move on to evangelize. If such a Church begins to corrupt, the Leaders must return wielding the fury of God, flip the tables, and whip the money changers with reeds.

When body ceases to move, it rots. So too acts the body of the Church. Any who slow and take to the roots of the Earth for security will be taken by the Earth to their grave. The Holy Spirit is always moving, so too must the Body of the Church and its Leaders.

That's my vision of the One True Church established by Jesus.