| Methodism | Catholicism |
| Human Leader: Methodism doesn’t have one human leader similar to the Pope. Methodism doesn’t recognize the Catholic Pope. It affirms that Christ is the head of the church. | Human Leader: Catholicism teaches that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ and the head of the Christ’s Church on Earth; an office that finds its origin in the ministry of the Apostle Peter. |
| Saints: Like other Protestants, Methodists believe the New Testament uses the term “saints” to describe all believers, not a select few. Methodists honor believers no longer living on the Earth, but don’t venerate them or pray to them. | Sacraments: Catholic teaching refers to the Seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance or Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Priestly Ordination, and Marriage. These practices are channels of God’s grace. |
| Infant baptism: Methodists practice “paedobaptism” (“paedo,” meaning “child”) by means of sprinkling or pouring. Baptism, which isn’t required for salvation, signifies inclusion into the covenant community. | Infant baptism: Catholicism practices paedobaptism and believe that it is necessary for salvation. Children of Catholic parents are baptized to infuse the grace of original holiness that was forfeited by the sin of Adam. |
| The Lord’s Supper: Methodists believe Christ is present in the bread and the cup, but they don’t believe that the elements literally become the body and blood of Christ. | The Lord’s Supper: is a re-presentation of the Last Supper during the Mass, during which the elements of the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit (i.e. “transubstantiation”). |
| Saints: Like other Protestants, Methodists believe the New Testament uses the term “saints” to describe all believers, not a select few. Methodists honor believers no longer living on the Earth but don’t venerate or pray to them. | Saints: In Catholic teaching, believers who have lived with great virtue and honor may be considered for canonization after physical death. Believers still living on Earth honor the saints, in part by asking them for intercessory prayer. |
| Mary: Methodists honor Mary as the mother of Jesus, recognizing her faith and humility, but do not pray to her or attribute to her the same significance as in Catholicism. Methodists believe Mary was an ordinary woman with extraordinary faith and devotion to God. | Mary: Catholicism teaches that Mary, referred to as “the Mother of God,” was virgin born, was a perpetual virgin, lived a sinless life, was assumed to heaven upon her death, and is an advocate and “Co-Redemptrix” (This term does not denote equality with Christ. A more precise term would be “Cum-Redemptrix” – Latin: together with) |
| Religious orders: Methodists pastors are mostly referred to as pastors or ministers. They can marry. Women can be ordained as clergy, including bishops, in the Methodist tradition. | Religious orders: The term describes men (e.g., priests) and women (e.g., sister, nuns) who have fully devoted themselves to a certain form of religious life, which includes poverty, chastity, and obedience. |
The Journalist’s First Loyalty: Truth in the Service of the Human Person
August 14, 2026 No Comments
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