Here are some Bible verses that may be a help to our dear Catholic friends. Although they may be sincere in their beliefs, God will not honor any belief that is contrary to his Holy Word.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV)

We should not pray to Mary or to the “saints.” Prayer is worship, and only God should be worshipped. The Bible teaches that Mary is not an acceptable mediator (intercessor) between God and man, because only Jesus can occupy that role.

And Mary said, . . . my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  (Luke 1:46-47 KJV)

Mary needed to be saved from her sins, just like all of mankind, and she testified to that fact by calling God her Savior. Jesus was the only person ever born without a sinful nature.

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.  (Matthew 1:25 KJV)

Mary and Joseph had a normal marriage after Jesus was born. The idea that Mary retained her virginity for her whole life is false according to the Bible.

Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?  (Matthew 13:55-56 KJV)

After the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph had children together. These were the half-brothers and sisters of Jesus.

I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.  (Psalms 69:8-9 KJV)

And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.  (John 2:17 KJV)

Some people say that the brothers of Jesus were only his cousins, but the prophesy in Psalms makes it clear that they were indeed the children of Mary.

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.  (Mark 3:31-35 KJV)

Mary’s role was similar to that of all Christians who serve Christ. She was a servant. Jesus puts all of his faithful servants on an equal footing with Mary.

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.  (John 7:1-5 KJV)

Jesus’ half-brothers rejected his ministry during his life. It was his disciples who helped him carry the load of ministry during his earthly years, while family ties were not helpful.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  (Matthew 6:7 KJV)

Repetitious praying, such as using the rosary, is denounced by Jesus as a heathen practice.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. . . . And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  (Mark 7:7,9 KJV)

Tradition should never overrule the Bible, as it does in the Catholic religion.

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.  (Titus 1:14 KJV)

When the commandments of men are contrary to the Bible, they turn people from the truth. The Catholic church has its own set of commandments, which are mostly contrary to biblical teaching. The so called “sacrament of penance” is but one example of a rule that is entirely in conflict with biblical principles.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.  (Acts 5:29 KJV)

Peter did not create edicts contrary to the Bible. Also, there is no mention of any papal system in the Bible.

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  (Romans 10:1-3 KJV)

A sincere religious zeal is of no value if it is not based on Bible truths.

Neither is there salvation in any other [except Jesus]: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  (Acts 4:12 KJV)

Only Jesus can save a sinner from hell. Sinners are saved through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, not through faith in their church.

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  (2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV)

There is no such place as purgatory, since at death, Christians go directly into the presence of Jesus in heaven.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.  (Psalms 116:15 KJV)

Could a believer’s death be precious if he wound up burning in purgatory? Of course not! All Christians are called saints in the Bible.

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.  (2 Corinthians 11:28 KJV)

Paul had the care of the Gentile churches, while Peter looked after the Jewish believers. Neither was a pope.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV)

Catholic priests are forbidden to marry. Abstinence from meat on Friday was required in the past. The Bible makes it clear where these teachings came from.

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  (Hebrews 9:24-26 KJV)

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.  (Hebrews 10:14 KJV)

The continual sacrifice of the mass is contrary to the Biblical teaching of the “once for all time” sufficiency of the sacrifice of the cross.

But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.  (Mark 1:30 KJV)

Peter (Simon) was married. Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. The Catholic laws against marriage were never taught in the Bible.

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.  (Revelation 18:4 KJV)

We need to separate ourselves from false religions that do not believe or obey the Word of God.

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  (Matthew 23:9 KJV)

There is only one Holy Father, and that is God. We are instructed never to refer to men as our spiritual father. Calling the priest or pope “father” is unbiblical and wrong.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV)

Redemption cannot be bought through the purchase of indulgences, by giving money for masses, by paying religious people to pray for the deceased, etc.