The Papacy, Christianity, and the Destiny of Nations

Although Vice-President J.D.Vance visited the Pope shortly before he passed away, and although the Internet has many photos of Franklin Graham flashing his smile for the cameras and shaking hands with Pope Francis a year ago, the Pope has not always been such a revered figure. In fact, the Westminster Confession of Faith of 1646, a founding document of the Presbyterian Church, states, “There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ: nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God.” (Chap. XXV, Sec.6) This section was repeated almost verbatim by the Particular Baptists in their Second London Confession of 1689. This reference, however, was removed by the American Presbyterian Church in 1789.

Regards the Pope.

My wife made a simple observation regards Tesla and how just two years ago it was loved by the left. Facebook immediately removed her post claiming it violated their policy - this could hurt people’s feelings!

How does this tie to the Pope?

While Facebook removed her post because of how upsetting this might be for some, they let the most vile posts regard the Pope stand.

Yes, calling the Pope names and comparing him to the most evil people to have ever walked this earth is perfectly fine, but mentioning that folks on the left liked Tesla 2 years ago is over the top.

Yes during the Middle Ages, and Renaissance especially, the papacy fell on evil times. Just one example: Alexander VI, the Borgia pope, was an ambitious power player who held aspirations of establishing papal control over all of Italy and making the papacy a family dynasty. He had a broad swath of the peninsula, in the Papal States, and had the wherewithal to hire mercenary armies to impose his will on uncooperative rivals. He supported his son, Cesare, in establishing a duchy in Romagna, which was to be a major addition to Vatican holdings. It all fell apart with Alexander’s death, although the Papal states endured into modern times.

The Church has sinners yes. Jesus came for the sinners.

All members of the Church, including her ministers, must acknowledge that they are sinners. In everyone, the weeds of sin will still be mixed with the good wheat of the Gospel until the end of time. This echoes Jesus’ parable of the wheat and weeds (Matthew 13:24-30), where good and evil coexist in the Church until the final judgment.

With regards to priests, yes, even 1 bad priest is 1 too many, I fully agree - and you need to note at the same time that Priests are human and subject to sin, as are all people. The Church teaches that ordination imparts a sacramental character but does not remove human weakness. While failures are scandalous, they are not universal. Many priests faithfully live their vows, serving sacrificially in poverty, chastity, and obedience. For example, saints like St. John Vianney (d. 1859) and countless unnamed priests exemplify fidelity. The media often amplifies scandals, overshadowing the majority who serve humbly.

The efficacy of sacraments does not depend on the priest’s holiness (ex opere operato). A sinful priest can still validly administer the Eucharist or absolve sins because the grace comes from Christ, not the minister

the Church acknowledges its history of corruption and the sinfulness of its members, including priests who fail in poverty, chastity, and obedience. These failings are real but do not negate the Church’s divine foundation by Christ, its holiness as His Bride, or its authority to teach and sanctify. The Church is a hospital for sinners, guided by the Holy Spirit, and has a history of reforming itself through councils, saints, and repentance. Scandals, like clergy abuse, are gravely sinful, but reforms and the faithfulness of many clergy show the Church’s commitment to renewal. Catholics are called to personal conversion, accountability, and trust in Christ’s promise that the gates of hell will not prevail (Matthew 16:18), ensuring the Church’s mission endures despite human weakness.

Christ hand-picked a traitor, a 3x denier, a doubter and a bunch of sleepyheads who couldn’t stay awake with our Lord and pray.

Also, let’s not forget people like Bella Dodd that testified before congress that the communists sent many into the Priesthood to destroy the Church from within.

It’s a sad reality but it is what it is. She still stands 2000 yrs later, still teaches the fullness of truth and will until Christ returns.

I don’t speak for others but I’ve fallen many times in my life.

But the lefties who advocate for Liberation Theology in Latin America or in Europe or Asia fail to answer the question of how best to have the surpluses and wherewithal to meet the needs of the poor.

The church has the answer to how best to meet the needs of the poor, and it's not material wherewithal and surpluses. People need grace, mercy and peace, freeing their souls to pick up their cross and carry it. Francis instead chose the world's definition of "meeting needs."

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