[griffin]

From the Catholic Encyclopedia, online:

"Under such circumstances, it is not surprising that the large treasure left by Julius II was entirely dissipated in two years. In the spring of 1515 the exchequer was empty and Leo never after recovered from his financial embarrassment. Various doubtful and reprehensible methods were resorted to for raising money. He created new offices and dignities, and the most exalted places were put up for sale. Jubilees and indulgences were degraded almost entirely into financial transactions, yet without avail, as the treasury was ruined."

Money, money, money. Just follow the money for medieval popery and self aggrandizement! Of course it was only for a REALLY nice church to hang REALLY pretty and expensive paintings....you know, the kind of thing leaders of Christianity should be really concerned about!

[skellmeyer]

Sorry, but you still haven't proven that Leo thought you could sell people out of purgatory. You've demonstrated that he was a sinner who grasped after money - ok. No one argues that point. But you need to produce a teaching document from Leo in which he says you can sell or buy people out of purgatory.

Paul called himself a sinner but wrote inerrant Scripture. So did all the prophets and the apostles.

Infallibility is not impeccability. Infallibility means you'll never teach error. Impeccability means you'll never sin. I can be the biggest sinner in the world and still teach infallibly. The existence of Scripture proves that. In fact, any sin I commit is WORSE precisely because I KNOW the truth.

I don't know why you guys have such a tough time with this. All the prophets and apostles were in exactly the same position as the Pope, and you accept all the writings of the prophets and apostles. It's not like there isn't tons of precedence for this concept.