Some Catholics are trying to give the special title of “saint” to Pope John Paul. (The bible teaches that all Christians are "saints", but that’s another topic.)
As I understand it, Catholics teach that the Pope is an “infallible” servant of God.
So here’s my question. If the Pope is infallible, how could he not be a “saint” (and shouldn't all of the popes automatically be qualified to be given this title)? If he lacks something that would make him worthy of the title of “saint", doesn’t that shortcoming mean that he is not infallible? Please explain.
2006-07-20 11:16:29 · 12 answers · asked by JoeBama 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Pope is human like everyone else; to say that he's infallible is blasphemy because only God/Christ is perfect.
2006-07-20 11:19:56 · answer #1 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Where should I start? Catholics teach that all those who are in heaven are saints, too. Some are given the special title of "saint" as example of how we should live. I do not think John Paul should be a saint before it has been sufficiently studied and his three miracles have been performed and documented. Catholics need to be dead at least five years before they qualify. If Mother Teresa isn't a saint yet, I don't think John Paul should be yet either.
Popes are only infallible on matters of faith. They have strict guidelines on when and how it should be used. I believe the last time a pope spoke from the Chair of Peter as it can be called, it was in the last part of the 19th Century when it was declared that the Immaculate Conception was true. It had been considered for hundreds of years before it was declared. I don't think that simply being infallible on matters of faith should qualify a pope for sainthood. Some of them were pretty nasty.
2006-07-20 11:25:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes JPII should be cannonized as a Saint.
The Church teaches that everyone in Heaven is a Saint. A "Canonized" Saint is someone that the Church has officialy recognized for living a life of heroic Faith.
The Pope is infallible ONLY when he officially speaks to all the Church on the subjects of Faith or Morals. The Holy Spirit will prevent any Pope from speaking incorrectly in that situation. At any other time, the Pope is not infallible and in fact is just as fallible as the next person.
2006-07-20 11:29:29 · answer #3 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Pope isn't God - he is a living & breathing ever so human person, who still puts on his boxers one leg at a time. If you read up on the life of Pope John Paul 2, you would find that he was a deeply humble man, who was very much aware of his shortcomings. I think you are confusing infallability, with his position as the head of the church. Just as a president has his/her own quirks & challenges, as does the Pope.
To answer your second question -- no, all Popes should not be given the title of saint. Just as you wouldn't give a humanitarian award to every president - you would award it to those who were exceptionally concerned about mankind, such as Jimmy Carter was.
Earlier this year, there were 2 movies about the life of Pope JP2 -- you might want to watch them. I would recommend the one that did NOT have John Voigt in it -- I preferred the other.
Good question!
2006-07-20 11:25:48 · answer #4 · answered by amuse4you 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to the First Vatican Council (1870-71) and as reaffirmed at Vatican II (1963-1965) the Pope is infallible when speaking ex cathedra on matters of faith and morals.
Not all Pope's would be Saints. Formal canonization is a lengthy process often taking many years, even centuries. The process includes a thorough investigation of the individual who has been put forth as a candidate for Sainthood. This investigation typically is concerned with examining and confirming (or disproving) any number of visions or miracles that may have been attributed to the person in question, or of the general holiness or specific good deeds that he or she may have done while alive. However, the Church places special weight on those miracles or instances of intercession that happened after the individual died and which are seen to be demonstrative of the Saint's continued special relationship with God after death.
2006-07-20 11:23:55 · answer #5 · answered by nicemachine 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is infallible only at closely defined times.
The Pope is only infallible when he, in union with the body of bishops, solemnly teaches that a doctrine is true.
This comes from the words of Jesus to Peter (the first Pope) and the Apostles (the first bishops), "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matthew 18:18) and "He who hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16).
At all other times the Pope can be just as sinful as you and me and be in need of forgiveness.
There are many Popes that have not been declared saints.
With love in Christ.
2006-07-20 17:13:37 · answer #6 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your understanding is a little skewed. Just like any faith, many people who grow up Catholic reject the beliefs of their parents in childhood rebellion and leave with incomplete and incorrect thoughts regarding the faith.
Nowhere in Catholic dogma does it state that the Pope is infallible.
However, on occasion the Pope can make a proclamation or "infallible statement" that is not to be questioned. It comes from the Bible, I forget the chapter and verse, but Jesus said to Peter, "What you hold bound on Earth, I will hold bound in Heaven."
As I recall, infallible statements have been issued twice in the history of the Catholic church. Quite frankly I am not sure what topics they were on... though I believe one referenced abortion and one referenced Mary's virgin birth.
2006-07-20 11:28:50 · answer #7 · answered by VanJimmy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Pope is infallible if he is speaking "from the throne". In regular speech or actions he is not. If he says I think it is going to rain tomorrow his opinion is as good as yours. It is only when he is speaking in his official voice as Pope that he is considered infallible.
Sainthood is a state that has to fulfill certain specific conditions of the church. Such as least two miracles being attributed to them. It is a result of a long life of grace and many actions that display virtue.
They are really two different things and it would be an unusual man indeed to be both. However, John Paul was an unusual man.
2006-07-20 11:26:35 · answer #8 · answered by oldhippypaul 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many people interpret the infallibility of the Pope to mean that he can say nothing wrong. This is however a misinterpretation of a seminal Catholic precept. What Catholic dogma asserts concerning papal infallibility is that he is only infallible when he speaks "ex cathedra", in other words, when he speaks from the seat of Peter concerning matters of faith and morals. His comments concerning other matters such as science and politics can in fact be errant just like any other human being.
2006-07-20 11:29:20 · answer #9 · answered by Lawrence Louis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Pope does no longer takes the call himself. The call of Pope is given to the first authorities of the Roman Catholic Church as a company and Rome as a rustic. The Pope is pick by technique of democratic election by technique of a body of those who're allowed to sign up in that election. it truly is only a popularity, like President or accurate Minister. What Pope potential is Father. no longer some thing else. The call became chosen before even as a father parent became considered because the utmost authority in society. The Pope isn't impersonating God in any respect and he's amazingly cleared on what his position is. To unfold the understand God. the individuals call him Holly, he does no longer calls himself that. in case you had finished your analyze you may now that instead of babbling lies about the chief of the RCC and Rome you may understand that.
2016-12-02 00:35:03 · answer #10 · answered by braye 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋