[okokie]

Be that as it may, I am qualified to speak about the moral issues in the case, and indeed, I am also obliged to do so.

You aren't qualified to speak for the Catholic Church since you are in a schismatic church-and you SPEAK AGAINST THE HOLY FATHER!!

[Aliska]

I agree with sinkspur, but I'm confused. The pope was not in favor of the Iraq war. The catholics on this board gnerally disagreed with him (there may have been a few exceptions).

Again, the pope spoke in favor of feeding tubes as not being artificial life support and should be maintained. Most catholics agreed with him.

Since these are just the pope's opinion, how binding are either of them? Neither was spoken ex cathedra. The catechism deals with both issues, but in generalities and not tailored to the specific cases of the war and Terri Schiavo's unique situation. How binding is that? Where is the magisterium on this and just exactly what constitutes the magisterium?

Catholics are split on many critical issues of our times. The church would have much more influence if there weren't so many dissenters.

One pope says one thing; years later another pope says another thing that disagrees or partially agree with what a former pope said. At different times through history things were permitteddisallowed that are spoken against now, Jews, usury, torture, what constitutes a just war, do you just pick the pope that says what you want him to say?

AC: How do we know you are not an imposter or troll. That screen name is very unusual, and anybody could have chosen it. Whoever you are, I see you just joined up today.

Sinkspur: You are funny. You remind me of a cop calling for backup :-).