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I read no statement from the Vatican. An Archbishop of the Greek Melkite Church does not speak for the Vatican.

Whatever happened to the unity of the Catholic church? I constantly hear criticism of Protestantism for all their different factions and denominations and Catholics brag on how their church is one and united.

And yet every time some Catholic representative says something that embarrasses FRoman Catholics, they throw him under the bus.

Aren't these Catholic ordained priests? Didn't they go to Catholic seminary? Aren't they each an alter Christus? Once a priest, always a priest?

Then why are they and the different rites disowned every time they speak out and FRoman Catholics disagree with them? Who are the laity to condemn the priests? What gave them that authority? Did they go to seminary as well? Are THEY presuming to speak for the Vatican themselves?

Inquiring minds want to know.

INDEED!

As I understand it, the spokesperson/Bishop is a Bishop of a Roman Catholic Diocese called that.

I read no statement from the Vatican. An Archbishop of the Greek Melkite Church does not speak for the Vatican.

MetMom:
Whatever happened to the unity of the Catholic church? I constantly hear criticism of Protestantism for all their different factions and denominations and Catholics brag on how their church is one and united.

And yet every time some Catholic representative says something that embarrasses FRoman Catholics, they throw him under the bus.

Aren't these Catholic ordained priests? Didn't they go to Catholic seminary? Aren't they each an alter Christus? Once a priest, always a priest?

Then why are they and the different rites disowned every time they speak out and FRoman Catholics disagree with them? Who are the laity to condemn the priests? What gave them that authority? Did they go to seminary as well? Are THEY presuming to speak for the Vatican themselves?

Inquiring minds want to know.

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REGULAR FONT

VERY WELL PUT! As I understand it, the spokesperson/Bishop is a Bishop of a Roman Catholic Diocese called that.

METMOM:

I read no statement from the Vatican. An Archbishop of the Greek Melkite Church does not speak for the Vatican. Whatever happened to the unity of the Catholic church? I constantly hear criticism of Protestantism for all their different factions and denominations and Catholics brag on how their church is one and united.

And yet every time some Catholic representative says something that embarrasses FRoman Catholics, they throw him under the bus.

Aren't these Catholic ordained priests? Didn't they go to Catholic seminary? Aren't they each an alter Christus? Once a priest, always a priest?

Then why are they and the different rites disowned every time they speak out and FRoman Catholics disagree with them? Who are the laity to condemn the priests? What gave them that authority? Did they go to seminary as well? Are THEY presuming to speak for the Vatican themselves?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Good questions. Whatever happened to the Pope being Christ’s representative on earth? Seems to me he should have it together a little better than he appears to, with these rogue speakers going off all willy-nilly, usurping his authority and appearing to NOT be able to keep their pie-holes shut. If I didn’t know better, I would think there is a shadow pope who knows exactly what is going on, and is writing the script every day.

My mind inquires, too. I have read many threads and posts on the RF concerning the unity of "The Church" and how doctrine is determined by a consensus patrium and conclusions reached by a magesterium and then made "law" by the approval of the Pope, who is deemed infallible. When past Popes have their dogmas overturned or they themselves are declared heretics, or when archbishops, bishops and priests go "off on their own" and make dogmatic statements that the higher ups have to then explain or retract, it calls into question the whole unity of the faith/infallible in matters of faith and morals part seem squishy.

We know from history that not many council declarations were ever unanimous in full agreement with the decisions stated. Is there a sort of "critical mass (pun intended)" that happens first - a certain percentage of agreement - before a statement, dogma, doctrine, etc. can be declared unanimous? It doesn't appear to me to be that way. And that's why I see the danger in declaring infallible knowledge over things that are extra-biblical. Opinions are opinions, agreed, but to make dogmatic statements on behalf of governing authorities without their approval sure confuses the issues.