The Catholic Church doesn't teach that we are SAVED by rites and rituals. BUT, this doesn't mean that rites and rituals aren't necessary to convey God's grace.
Take Baptism, for example. Baptism is a RITE that brings the forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – BY the ritual of immersion or pouring of water over one’s head. THIS is why we read in the 1st century document, The Didachae (Teachings of the Twelve Apostles):
Chapter 7. Concerning Baptism
And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have not living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot in cold, in warm. But if you have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit.
It didn’t matter if the water was cold or warm, living or stored. But water is necessary (Acts 2:37-38, Acts 8:26–40, Acts 10:47-48, 1 Pet. 3:21).
When Paul and the other Apostles LAID HANDS on people for them to receive the Holy Spirit - this was a RITUAL. God, who understands that we are physical people, sometimes uses physical means to convey His grace.
- Jesus put his fingers in the ears of the Deaf-Mute Man to heal him (Mark 7:33–34).
- Jesus smeared mud on the Blind Man’s eyes to heal him (John 9:1–7).
- The Jews sacrificed slaughtered sheep to atone for their sins.
And, whereas Catholics don't offer a "new" sacrifice - we re-present the once-for-all sacrifice at every Mass of the spotless Lamb of God was sacrificed for our sins.
Remember that not ALL of what Jesus did or taught the Apostles was recorded in Scripture (John 21:25). We trust in HIM, by trusting the teachings of His Apostles and their successors, whom He instructed to teach the world.
YOU talk about faith - yet you condemn the sacred Traditions handed down to us by the Apostles and their successors. How can YOU claim to have “Faith” if you refuse the commands of Jesus Himself:
Matt 16:16-19, 18:15-18
Amen, I say to you, WHATEVER YOU BIND on earth shall be bound in heaven, and WHATEVER YOU LOOSE on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
2 Thess 2:15
"Stand firm and hold fast to the Traditions you were taught, whether by an ORAL STATEMENT or by a LETTER from us."
Luke 10:16
Whoever listens to YOU listens to ME. Whoever rejects YOU rejects ME. And whoever rejects ME rejects the ONE who sent ME."
Jesus left us with a Church to learn from – NOT a Book.
Faith is NOT simply "believing" in Christ. Even the demons do that much (James 2:19).
No – Biblical faith teaches we must -
- Be baptized (Matt. 28:19-20, John 3:5, Rom. 2:29, Rom. 6:1-11, Col. 2:12-17, 1 Peter 3:21)
- Pick up our cross daily to follow him (Matt. 16:24, Luke 9:23)
- Perform works of mercy and charity (Matt. 19:21, 25:31–46, Luke 18:22)
- Obey His commandments (John 14:15, 15:10)
- DO the will of the Father (Matt. 7:21, James 1:22)
- We must suffer with Christ (Matt. 10:38, 16:24, Mark 8:34, John 12:24, Rom. 8:17, 2 Cor. 1:5-7, Eph. 3:13, Phil. 1:29, 2 Tim. 1:8, 1 Peter 2:19-21, 4:1-2)
WRONG.
The Catholic Church didn’t “replace” anything. It kept the Teachings and Traditions of the Apostles.
And the Reformation didn’t “restore” a thing. It brought endless confusion by inventing brand new doctrines that were NEVER a part of the Biblical or Historical Church. If someone disagrees with the denomination they belong to – they simply splinter-off and create their OWN sect.
THIS is why we have tens of thousands of perpetually-splintering Protestant sects based on the personal interpretations of their human founders – and who ALL believe they have the “Truth” . . .