The Church Fathers--Again

I was dragged into the Church mostly through the writings of the Church Fathers (the theologians and clergy of the first two centuries of the Church). I truly thank God for their testimony to the faith. I re-read them all right after I converted in 2012. I was looking something up recently and went back and read just a few of the significant passages that helped with my conversion [insert sound of atomic explosion here]. I wish I had the time to re-read everything, but just these few passages reminded me of just how distinctly and clearly Catholic the Church Fathers are.

I do not know how any honest person can (with a good conscience) read these clear references to Catholic teaching and think the Church Fathers were anything but solid Catholics who were helping to lay the foundation for the future growth of the Catholic faith throughout the world. For anyone who really thinks that the later Church took things in a direction different from what the Apostles taught to the first generation of Christians, then you need to read the Church Fathers (and it is a helpful encouragement to the faith of any Catholic).