If no one is pope, everyone must appeal directly to Jesus Christ for their salvation, for “... there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Act 4:12)
Your reply:
Even though there is a pope everyone who is saved is saved through Jesus.
Question: So to be saved, I don't have to appeal to Rome?
Futhermore, you said:
I don’t think the Pope saves.
Does that mean:
I think wonderful things come to those "in full communion with the Holy See," including awesome theological guidance. For me, the sacraments are inexpressibly great aids. But, for reasons I can't quite understand, God does not clear his gift giving through my office, and I have seen graces in unexpected places and among people who found themselves quite astonished to be holding hands and praying with me in public places.
Again, I've been in full communion for almost 21 years. I have sometimes been shocked at false teaching, distressed by shoddy practice, outraged by what felt like personal betrayal.
Nevertheless, I have had wonderful relationships with holy people (who, incidentally were very clear in private and in public about the centrality of a personal relationship with Jesus) who have helped me and sometimes have let me help them in our shared walk toward the Jordan and the golden city beyond. Not a one of these folks -- and they include "provincial" (that's like 1/3 of the lower 48) priors and other "superiors" as well as folks in the trenches -- have ever suggested anything like "an appeal to Rome" as a remedy or necessity.
If you and I were kicking back and enjoying a cold beverage while the steaks grilled, and if you asked me for my spearchool advice,
I'd ask how you and Jesus were getting along. I'd how you were doing on believing down to your marrow that your sins were as a molecule of carbon to the great ocean of Love which has its source in the trickle from the right side of the temple.
Then, if you were to ask MOI, I'd talk about how the sacraments (including "confession")and various Catholic-type-stuff work in my life and seem to help bear me along in the river on whose banks are beautiful trees with fruit good to eat and leaves good for healing, the river that makes even my salt tears sweet and fresh.
And if you didn't start making the sign against the evil eye (kidding), at some point I'd say, "Come and see." But I'd add, "Don't be put off by the thicket of thorns -- thorns of idiocy and works-righteousness and superstition. On the other side is a tall castle with beauty and joy in it."
I have held back nothing from you and been candid. At least be gentle, please.