Contra Factum Non Valet Argumentum

The above Latin proverb (translated freely:you do not argue against facts or there are none more valid arguments than hard facts or the fact itself is stronger than any argument whatsoever.) asks us to give more weight to facts or reality rather than words or hearsay alone.  We know in our world, even considering past history, there is a clash of religions.  But naturally, in case the topic turns towards us in the Catholic religion, the query may be why we are Catholics or why is Catholicism among the more numerous groups of believers?  (Presently, 1 billion and 181 million Catholics worldwide, as reported by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals.)  The reason alleged might be the principle or title of this article.  Certainly, basically we have to admit there is that principle of freedom of religion.

It is passé, outmoded or a thing of the past to force people into this or that denomination or religion.  Let’s do away with the past times when acts of violence were perpetrated in the name of religion.  Being more educated and rational, let us respect peoples’ consciences and internal beliefs.  Jesus did not force people to follow Him but respected their conscience and freedom.  Check this out in chapter 6 of the Gospel of St. John when Jesus asked His disciples after many Jews left from listening to Him when He talked on the Eucharist.  He just asked His disciples: “Are you also going away and leaving me?”  That was when St. Peter, in the name of the other apostles answered: “Lord, to whom shall we go?  We have come to believe and we know that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn.6:67-69). 

The fact of the Resurrection was witnessed by hundreds, see 1 Cor. 15; there is also the known fact of Church history, ever since the beginning, for the Vatican to declare a person or persons as officially canonized saints there is that prerequisite to ask from God through the intercession of the concerned candidate for canonization (saint) or beatification (blessed) a first class sign or miracle (2 or 3 signs) to show God’s intervention and consent that such a particular person may be declared saint or blessed.  That’s even mentioned at the end of the Gospel of St. Mark (Mk.16:17-20) that God accompanies with miraculous signs the true believers of Jesus Christ.  Hence even our Catholic religion proves itself, not just by pure hearsay or words, but by the confirmation of miraculous deeds and facts possible only through the finger of God’s Almighty Spirit.