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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Charles Chiniquy: Fifty Years In the Church of Rome

Candy had Hints on Child Training by H. Clay Trumbull scheduled between Did the Catholic Church Give Us the Bible?, and this one, but it seems to have been deleted from her list. I guess that means it's time for my post on Chiniquy.

Charles Chiniquy was a Canadian priest. He was excommunicated, following charges of immoral conduct and missing funds. He says that these charges were made up by the Church, to cover his escape. In fact, in his "truthful" account, he says that he was defended by Abraham Lincoln himself. Lincoln, according to Chiniquy, was assassinated by the Vatican because of this. For the remainder of this life, Chiniquy made his living from his anti-Catholic writings, and speaking against the Catholic Church.

Fifty Years in the Church of Rome was first published in 1886 and is still in print today. I believe the current version is actually abridged. It is available to read online. It was a typical genre of the time, following the pattern of the Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk. Christian escapes from Catholic Church, and is persecuted. At a time when Catholics were viewed with suspicion, these sorts of writings were popular, believed, and fanned the flames of anti-Catholic sentiment which led to church burnings, and fatal riots.

For more information on Chiniquy, try these websites:

Chiniquy: Facts vs. Falsehood
Pastor Chiniquy the Seducer
An Examination of Fifty Years In the Church of Rome (1908)
From a site affiliated with Christianity Today, Charles Chiniquy on the Christian Timeline of History

10 comments:

KitKat said...

You guys are awesome! Thanks to you and Elena for getting these posts up so quickly. I left Candy a comment about this book because I have actually heard of this guy before. It's rather exciting for me that she is using someone that I have actually heard of because I usually have to do some research to see where she dug her stuff up from. Anyway, here is my comment because I am sure that it won't get published over at KTH:

I have heard of Charles Chiniquy before, although in the Lutheran Church MS that I was brought up in they did not sing his praises. I wish that I had time to find something other than a Wikipedia link, but please take a moment to read this article that presents a different side of Mr. Chiniquy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Chiniquy

Although I am a Catholic, I have not always been one. I understand your desire to dialog about your beliefs but I think that it would increase your credibility if you did not use such controversial material when you attempt to make a point. Many of the references you use in your arguments are dubious not just to Catholics but to other denominations as well.

Have a blessed day.

KitKat said...

Sorry that was such a long comment, btw. I just posted my comment to KTH here just in case we get anymore of "those nasty Catholic ladies" posts from her again. I really tried to be nice in my comment. This is my proof.

Anonymous said...

You're quick on the uptake and great on bringing to light just what I want to check into.

The conspiracy theories alone turn me off, but the rest of it, wow. Just, wow.

Kelly said...

Not a problem Kitkat.

I like it when people post their comments here, because it is interesting to see how many don't get posted. Last I checked, she still just had two comments on her post.

I'm sure you're the only other person who has tried to comment. ;)

Kelly said...

This was my mundane attempt:

The Council of Trent doesn't prohibit the reading of the Bible, vernacular translations, French translations, or anything of that sort.

On the contrary, it says in the fourth session that the Council "receives and venerates with an equal affection of piety, and reverence, all the books both of the Old and of the New Testament."

Clare@ BattlementsOfRubies said...

I hope it's ok with Faye if I post this here. But I hope this is an encouragement to you guys to keep putting the truth out there.
It's from this blog:

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3406572297836364151&postID=6569893322624106888&page=1



"Blogger anymommy said...

In honor of Butterfly Girl, I offer the following letter to Candy. I know she won't post it so I'm putting it here as I know she'll read it anyway.

Dear Candy,

I just wanted to tell you how much you’ve helped me. I have been reading your blog for 3 years or so, and I have picked up a lot of terrific home-making advice. It’s your Christian witness that has helped me the most, though.

You see, I have been in evangelical, charismatic and IFB churches for 20 years. I am a bona fide, Spirit-filled Jesus freak. However, after reading your nonsensical, arrogant, ignorant rantings and ramblings, I was moved to begin some serious study, starting with an investigation into Jack Chick and his minions. Do you know what? I am seriously considering returning to the Catholic Church, which I had converted to in college (a real, brick and mortar college where people learn to think for themselves). I am in “e-mail contact” with a prominent recent Catholic convert and have been studying my Bible very closely. I am discovering day by day that the teachings of the Church are in line with Scripture (even a KJV!!).

So you just keep on doing what you’re doing, because if your intention is to win souls, you are—winning them for Rome and the one true, holy, universal Church of Jesus Christ.

Love,
Faye

August 19, 2008 3:53 PM"

anymommy said...

Dear VTC,

It is perfectly alright with me that Clare posted my letter to Candy here. I didn't send it to her directly because she would most likely label it "vile" and delete it.
I'm hoping some of her readers see it, too.
Anyway, since it's here now, I will add that, even though I was completely infuriated at you guys when this blog opened (I was still in the church of Candy), you also figured greatly in my quest and decision--especially when your focus changed to proving her Catholic claims wrong with Scripture and history.
So you guys keep doing what you're doing, too. It is working.
Regards,
Faye

NancyP said...

Faye,

I am not one of the writers of this blog, but I was really moved by your comment and wanted to tell you so. I will pray for you as you discern your future path.

I agree with you - I appreciate the focus on history, Scripture and documentable truth here. I am very thankful for the hard work Elena and Kelly do here, because I've found that in my own life apologetics is playing an ever-larger role.

I wish you all the best as you pray and discern...and I thank you for sharing your story here.

KitKat said...

Well Kelly, we didn't make the cut even though I tried to keep my comment within her guidelines.

Kelly said...

I guess we both fell into the category of possibly leading people astray. We wouldn't want to confuse anyone with the truth!