Another Side of Catholicism

Mary Ann Collins, A Former Catholic Nun

“Another Side of Catholicism” is based on a lot of research. It deals with subjects that are often presented in a complex or academic fashion. I have tried to be simple and straightforward in my presentation, in order to be easily understood by people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

I have thoroughly documented the information in “Another Side of Catholicism.” You can study these issues yourself and come to your own conclusions. Much of my information comes from Catholic books and websites. I have also drawn from my personal experience with Catholicism.

This book confronts some touchy issues. I have tried to do so with compassion and objectivity, but sometimes I have had to be blunt in order to make my point clear. Jesus told us to speak the truth in love. I have tried to do that.

I want to make it clear that my problem is with the Catholic system--not the people. I love the people. There are many Catholics who really love the Lord. I used to be one of them.

Communication

People think differently. Our minds work differently. We interpret what we read based on our knowledge and personal experience. If we aren’t careful, we may make assumptions, or jump to conclusions.

Please don’t read things into this book that I haven’t said. For example, when I say that a person did something, all I am doing is describing actions that can be objectively verified. I am not attributing motives to people. I can’t do that, because I don’t know the people.

In “Another Side of Catholicism” I will sometimes tell about people who did destructive things. I am not judging those people. Only God knows their hearts. I am just giving you some historical facts.

For example, I discuss the Inquisition. What the Inquisitors did was bad. However, only God is qualified to judge the men who did it. There is a difference between people and their actions. Sometimes people who do bad things are looking for God, but we would never recognize it because of their behavior. The Apostle Paul is an example. Before his conversion, he persecuted Christians to the death.

Some Practical Issues

You have my permission to quote from “Another Side of Catholicism” as long as you do it accurately and fairly. You may also copy portions of it to share with your friends, or to use in Bible studies or other classes.

I wanted to give you some good quotations from some papal encyclicals. However, I don’t have permission to quote the material. So I paraphrased the information. You can read the encyclicals for yourself, because they are online, and I will tell you how to find them.

I created a website for “Another Side of Catholicism.”You can read the entire book online. You can also contact me through the website. I encourage you to tell your friends about it.

http://www.AnotherSideOfCatholicism.com

In quoting from “The Catholic Encyclopedia,” I have used the classic 1914 edition. This edition has two advantages. First, it is online, so you can read the articles for yourself. Second, it was written before the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).

Following the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church placed a strong emphasis on ecumenism. It made many changes in its outward appearance, in order to be more palatable to Protestants. The 1914 edition of “The Catholic Encyclopedia” speaks openly and frankly about some things that more modern editions would probably avoid or water down.

My biography mentions that I left the convent when I was a novice. I never made vows. Some people have asked me why I refer to myself as a “former nun” when I never made vows. According to the 1914 edition of “The Catholic Encyclopedia,” if a novice has been accepted into a religious order (I was), and has been given a habit (I wore it), then he or she is a monk or a nun in the broad sense of the term.

You can buy “Another Side of Catholicism” online at Amazon.com and iUniverse.com. If you have a bookstore, you can get a discount at iUniverse. If your bookstore is online, tell them that you have a “dot-com” store so that you can get a better discount. In order to get the discount, you have to order the book by phone (877-823-9235).

“Another Side of Catholicism” gives Internet addresses for many online articles. In addition, there are some things that you can easily find for yourself. Please read the information at the beginning of the Notes. It tells you how to find papal encyclicals, articles from “The Catholic Encyclopedia,” and other helpful things. It also tells you how to locate information in the online edition of “The Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

A Challenge

If you are disturbed by some of the things that I have written, I understand how you feel. I was a devout Catholic for many years, and strongly loyal to the Catholic Church. It grieves me to learn about some of these things.

If you disagree with what I have said, you are welcome to your opinion. We all have to do the best that we can to discern whether or not things are true. However, I do want to challenge you to do one thing. Please ask God what He thinks about it.

We all need to pray, as David did: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

May the Lord bless you and speak to your heart as you read this book.