“....Did you all happen to notice that Jesus did not put Judas in charge of His church?”
Of course not, he placed Peter in this position - a sinful, meek, fisherman who denied Jesus 3 times.
Notice that Jesus’s promise that the Gates of Hell would not bring down his Church hold true. All Popes, whether good but sinful, or the less than 4% bad ones, are not going to bring down the Catholic Church
If you want to hold the Catholic Church’s leader’s to higher standards then Jesus knew no man could attain, then please apply this same expectations to all other denominations. Let’s start with Protestant TV evangelists - they seem to have a half life of about 5.5 years. Or the never ending splintering Baptists, Methodists, or community churches within 5 miles of my house that keep changing names and going under because of Pastor infidelities and youth miniistry child predators.
Which is a FAR cry form the immoral, hedonistic lifestyle lived by those popes listed.
Scripture is clear about how believers and church leaders are supposed to live.
The Catholic church is remiss for not enforcing Scriptural standards in he very Bible some Catholics like to claim the church wrote.
Catholics condemn others for all their varying interpretations of Scripture, but the Catholic church can't even seem to get something so simple right.
Gates are a defensive structure, not an offensive one. THe gates of hell are not attacking the church.
The gates of hell will not prevail (stand) against the CHURCH'S attacks against the kingdom of darkness.
Honestly,if that's the best Catholics can do in interpreting Scripture, it puts them in no position to criticize others for their interpretations.
If you want to hold the Catholic Church’s leader’s to higher standards then Jesus knew no man could attain, then please apply this same expectations to all other denominations.
Hey, it's not my idea to hold them to that standard. The HOLY SPIRIT inspired Paul to write that. Not me.
Besides, the Catholic church claims responsibility for Scripture and the Bible. Tell THEM they're setting the bar too high. Or tell Jesus who was the one who said to be perfect even as God is perfect.
Let’s start with Protestant TV evangelists - they seem to have a half life of about 5.5 years.
*seem to* That's real definitive.
And of what relevance is the length of one's ministry?
Or the never ending splintering Baptists, Methodists, or community churches within 5 miles of my house that keep changing names and going under because of Pastor infidelities and youth miniistry child predators.
Oh really? And that's made the news? Could you provide some evidence for your claim that that happens ANYWHERE?
Let's use the classic, "LOOK over THERE!" to avoid dealing with Catholic problems of bad popes, bad practices and bad theology.