[prof.h.mandingo]

Wrong. Unless it is specific circumstances Catholics are not required to do what the Pope says. If our conscience tells us he is wrong then we are under no obligation to obey a Pope. Only exception is when he is speaking ex cathedra. I think that has only happened twice. The idea we have to obey the Pope in everything is a common canard against Catholics.

[mdmathis6]

The problem is that a lot of Catholics do believe it and can’t make the distinction in their own consciences!

[opus1]

Huh? I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about? I never said, nor do I claim, Catholics must obey the pope in everything. And I do understand the meaning of Ex Cathedra (but I’m not sure you do).

Perhaps you are another one of these Literalists who seem to be so numerous among the Catholics on FR, with their dour and judgmental criticisms giving our Faith a bad name more than any rantings about “ideas” ever could.