The Positive Results of Our Exchanges with Jorge Castro

Theotokos mosaic

Friends keep on asking me about the results of our Dialogue or Exchanges with Bro. Jorge Castro. They are concern about the matter because it is our latest exchange on Perpetual Virginity after the Anonymous anti-Catholic Born Again from Sorsogon, the Anonymous pretending as priest, and then the bloody with Rodimus of the Bereans Research Ministry ending in the guy's public apology.

Well, as a Catholic priest and apologist I do not expect instant conversion through this apostolate. Actually, Catholic apologists do not think that way. We are explaining the faith not to gain instant result [although that is a welcome development if ever it comes and indeed there were instances when it happend... immediate conversion] but to proclaim and teach the faith regardless of the outcome. A Catholic Missionary does not expect immediate results but continuesly working for the Kingdom even if he or she is a useless servant after all.

In case of Jorge, there are a lot of good things. First, we've got a Christian brother as a friend, then Jorge earned our respect for his intelligence, gentlemanly manners and open mindedness and on Jorge part he became more open to the doctrine of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, the Intercession of Saints and the Clerical Celibacy. Even Bro. Mars recognized these progress in his own dialogue with Jorge as he reported it:

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Below is the answer of Mr. Jorge Castro regarding my email. He still has difficulties although his concerns have been sufficiently addressed by Fr. Abe and myself. Let's pray for him that he finally sees the light of Truth.

Bro. Mars

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Bother Llasos:

Abe and me have actually exchanged various e-mails on these subjects. As a matter of fact, I said that I was willing to accept that Mary remained a virgin after Jesus birth to him. I said this based on accepting the views of several early church fathers on this matter. My point here was that taking what the bible says on this subject alone is not sufficient to say that she continued to be a virgin. Why? The word "until" is used in both ways in the NT (indefinite amount of time and fixed time period with a change afterwards). Similarly, some of the expressions about Jesus "brothers" do give the notion that it actually refers to real brothers but it can be argued that it is still not conclusive. So by admitting that Mary was a virgin; I am basically saying that there was a real tradition passed down from the apostles through the years all the way to St Augustine and afterwards that give them "insider" information not found elsewhere. Therefore, I am trusting that they are correct on this particular matter because they actually knew for a fact that Mary remmained a virgin as opposed to simply saying what they were saying because they felt that it was a necessary condition in order for Christ to be unique or to be the Son of God. So, as you can see this is an already solve issue betwen us; I have accepted the perpetual virginity of Mary.

As for the issue about directing prayers to people in heaven; I admit that I had read the verse in Rev 8:3-4 is quite insteresting as an illustration of intersession. I do admit that it can be seen as proff that it is OK to ask them for their intersession. So, thanks for that reference.

I am reasonable individual and if you offer me biblical evidence that I can look at I will give you an honest oppinion about it. By the way, I also believe that the thruth is the truth and that is not about what we think but about what God's Thruth is but nevertheless we are still individuals therefore when we talk, it is not God talking but us; unless we were to be used to give a prophetic message of something like that.

I have never personally looked up the definition of ecumenical but based on your definition given; I don't have anything against it. I personally do like many things about the Catholic Church so there is a lot of common ground. Then there are things that I if show real biblical evidence I can accept or reconsider (like the two issues mentioned above). Finally, there are some things that are very difficult for me to accept and the main obstacles to why I don't see myself ever becoming a Catholic. That doesn't mean that I think Catholics are not going to heaven. I think that like any other Christian denomination/ group; if you are follow the core of the Gospel you will go to heaven regardless of being Catholic, Evangelical, Pentecostal, etc. Like I said to Abe before, there will be many surprises in heaven, perhaps mostly on our side as I think Evangelicals tend to be the ones that more often send others to 'hell'.

God Bless you,

Jorge