Q. 1. Why does the Catholic Church have images of the Saints? Is this not idolatry?

A. 1. The Catholic Church permits images that represents the different biblical events during the life of Jesus, the different titles of Mary, the lives of the Saints, the Angels, the Liturgy, the Popes, etc... Some of these images serve the purpose of calling to mind the relationship that Catholics have with the communion of saints of the past. Others bring to mind the events during the life of Jesus. Images of the Popes are no different that the images of the past Presidents of the United States.

All of these images achieve spiritual growth. They bring to the mind of the faithful what is holy so they may strive to achieve a higher level of holiness in accordance with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.