897: Pope Stephen VII, Cadaver Synod convener

In August 897 or so, the deposed Pope Stephen VII (or VI*) was executed (or just murdered) in prison by strangulation.

Details, you see, are thin on the ground here in the so-called Dark Ages. Rome has come down a bit in the world....

While the popes of the 10th century would really set that prostituted standard with the period known as the “pornocracy”, Stephen VI(I) makes everybody’s bad popes lists with one of the papacy’s all-time embarrassing events: the Cadaver Synod.

The pontiff at this point is no global media celebrity but an ensemble character captive to the the disreputable politics of a shrunken, malarial borough. Stephen’s predecessor Formosus had been one of the city’s “Carolingian” faction backing the withering remains of Charlemagne’s once-great line.

At loggerheads with the Italian Spoleto family claiming the Holy Roman Emperor title for the anti-Carolingians, Formosus had invited an illegitimate Frankish scion to roll down the Italian peninsula and take it from them — which is exactly what happened.

Two months after Formosus crowned this Carolingian, Arnulf by name, as “Augustus” in Rome, Formosus died while Arnulf was on his way back to Bavaria … putting the Spoletos back in charge. After a brief interregnum papacy, the Spoleto-backed anti-Carolingian prelate Stephen ascended St. Peter‘s throne.....

Blah blah blah “sustains” you temporarily, not sufficiently.

Here are the operant nouns in your last declaration:
The apostles creed
Catholicism.
Church.
Faith.
Truth.

No mention of any Person. (clue — note the capitalization)

Thank God! I was freed from the bondage of that “religion“!

I have a relationship with the Father through his Son – Jesus Christ. The one Person you did not mention. At the judgment seat, you will only have one chance to declare His Name.

Perhaps you are not familiar with the Creed:

Apostles’ Creed | Christian Reformed Church
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

-——————————————————————————————Do you want to rethink your criticism???

Yes, I memorized it and said it “religiously“ for about 18 years.

Your comment reminds me of an anecdote. I also memorized the “Act of Contrition“ prayer. I said it “religiously“ ever since my “first holy communion“.

Until I was about 14 or 15 years old, I earnestly thought the words were “oh my God, I am hardly sorry for having offended thee“.

God knew my heart, but I didn’t know the words. Repeating words you are taught does not mean you have a heartfelt belief in what they mean. Yes, you know the words perfectly but God requires a change of heart, not repetitious prayers. Only He knows your heart.

I am not saying that you repeat the words of the creed, without understanding, or even heartfelt beliefs. I’m just telling you that, as a former Catholic, I did not have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. That change took place only after I broke the bonds of your works-based “religion“.

Many Catholics are under a delusion. They believe that if they follow all the rules, they will be saved. That is not what God requires.

Note that I said “many“ not all. Yours is a works-based system that deceives people into thinking they are saved. Some have broken through that deception and have found Jesus Christ anyway. Some of those even stay in the “church“.

I’m done now.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, Ken, including the humorous comments, I like that.

Normally, I do not like to discuss religion...too personal, and you know Catholics do not proselytize.

People have to find a fit that works for them and their hearts and souls. God Bless those who find it.

God Bless You

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