Posted on 06/18/2014 7:20:48 PM PDT by ebb tide
Perhaps the classic expression of this idea belongs to none other than the outgoing pope, Benedict XVI, who as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was asked on Bavarian television in 1997 if the Holy Spirit is responsible for who gets elected. This was his response:
I would not say so, in the sense that the Holy Spirit picks out the Pope. I would say that the Spirit does not exactly take control of the affair, but rather like a good educator, as it were, leaves us much space, much freedom, without entirely abandoning us. Thus the Spirits role should be understood in a much more elastic sense, not that he dictates the candidate for whom one must vote. Probably the only assurance he offers is that the thing cannot be totally ruined.
Then the clincher:
There are too many contrary instances of popes the Holy Spirit obviously would not have picked!
You might consider taking your own advice.
I was posting to someone who rejected Jesus Christ and turned his back on Christianity, yet you choose to attack me.
Interesting.
I was reading an entirely different Deacon Greg Kendra article earlier. I must have accidentally clicked on something at "Does the Spirit Pick The Pope?" which redirected me to "Under The Dome" before I read what you quoted. Both are pretty blistering, however.
I was posting to someone who rejected Jesus Christ and turned his back on Christianity, yet you choose to attack me. Interesting.
Might I suggest some healing balm for your wounds [Jer 51:8b]?
That’s your opinion. We currently have a Pope who says atheists can go to heaven without converting.
Substantiate (primary source) please.
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