Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Destro
I'm trying to figure out how an infallible Pope can apologize for something a previous Pope did, and still claim that Popes are infallible. Did they previous Pope err? If so, then all Popes are not infallible. Did he not err? If that is the case, then apologizing would be an error.

This is so confusing.
3 posted on 04/30/2004 6:57:51 AM PDT by FactQuest
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: FactQuest
That little quandry is why the heretical declaration of papal infallibility introduces a second innovation besides the placing of the authority of the Bishop of Rome above that of an Ecumenical Council: it makes a distinction between a bishop's teaching 'ex cathedra' and other pronouncements of a bishop. Somehow the Pope speaking when sitting on his throne is more authoritative than the Pope speaking at a Mass or writing in his study, a bizarre notion for which there is no warrant in Holy Tradition just as there is no warrant for localizing the infallibility which the Church posesses by virtue of the indwelling the Holy Spirit in one man or one office.
4 posted on 04/30/2004 7:23:58 AM PDT by The_Reader_David (XC is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

To: FactQuest
I'm trying to figure out how an infallible Pope can apologize for something a previous Pope did, and still claim that Popes are infallible.

You are very confused.

"Infallible" means "capable of teaching without error," not "incapable of sin or wrongdoing." The Pope goes to confession weekly; he is a sinner, as we all are, and admits it.

The 4th Crusade's attack on Constantinople was not "something [the] Pope did". It was something Catholics did, however. It's a historical fact that the Pope at the time condemned the acts of the Crusaders in sacking Constantinople.

8 posted on 04/30/2004 7:55:24 AM PDT by Campion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

To: FactQuest
Your confusion is based on a wrong definition of "infallible." You are thinking of "inerrant," "impeccable," or "omniscient."

The Pope is not omniscient. He has no magic crystal ball, or oracle to give him any knowledge. He has no knowledge other than public revelation (i.e., scripture), and the discerning powers of the magisterium to correctly interpret that revelation.

The Pope is not inerrant. In other words, even when he does believe he knows something, he may be wrong. If the Pope states that the Marlins would win the NLCS, I wouldn't buy game tickets in Florida. We can know he is correct only when he speaks with the authority of the entire Catholic Church from the throne of St Peter for the purpose of teaching doctrine and morality.

The Pope is not impeccable. Although many accusations against Popes are gross distortions and inventions, the plain and obvious truth is that there have been many Popes who were sinners.

Be confused, instead, as to why people who claim to be men of God will falsely assert that the Pope has claimed impeccability, inerrancy and omniscience, when it plain he has not.
11 posted on 04/30/2004 8:29:33 AM PDT by dangus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson