Is the pope infallible? Is his moral authority unaltered by his comments and their consequences?

Question

The pope has made certain comments about Mohammed today that have ignited a firestorm in the Islamic world.

Though one cannot say for certain, it is quite likely that Christian blood will be spilled in days to come.

There is a Catholic doctrine that the pope is infallible-at least when he speaks "ex cathedra." If lives were to be lost as a result of his comments, would you consider that doctrine to be still valid? More important, would you consider his moral authority to remain unscathed as a result?

Answer 1

Of course he is not infallible. He is an elderly human selected by a bunch of other religious leaders. The doctrine of infallibility was created by one of the previous popes to give the papacy more of a god-like status.

His remarks, even quoting someone else saying them, served no apparent purpose other than to incite a response. Unfortunately, that response will result most likely in death and destruction. Although I am an athiest, my understanding of the bible from a former lifestyle would lead me to believe based on the teachings that he has in fact committed a sin against the diety he worships.

Answer 2

The pope is just a man. Of course he's not "infallible". And he could only be considered a moral authority within the catholic church. The pope's doctrines, dictates, and opinions have no meaning for everyone else, including for non-catholic christians.

Answer 3

Papal infalliacy, in the Orthodox faith, is an innovation and anathema.

The Pope had every right to speak his views on Islam but he does so knowing how he helped Islam defeat the Roman Empire in 1453. The Pope speaks as leader of his own imperialistic domain, the Vatican, which became imperialistic when Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas Day 800. Charlemagne received an elephant from the caliph of Baghdad.

Answer 4

The pope is a human being, therefore he is as infallible as you. In his speech, he quoted a 14th century religious leader, he did not say that was his opinion. Seems this 14th century religious leader said that "what Mohammed had brought THAT WAS NEW, was evil. He did not say that everything was evil. Do you really feel that a few words in a speech justify killing and murder of innocent people?

Answer 5

More like fallible. His comments were one-sided and he completely refused to give us quotations from those marauding Crusaders like Richard the Lion Hearted so we get a sense how tolerant Christians were in that era too. I wonder why. A moral authority would present all quotes about the Islamic prophet and not one or two from a single source.

Answer 6

The pope is just another old guy in a dress who believes he has the right to run other people's lives. Nothing more.

Answer 7

This is what happens when you put a senile ex-nazi in charge. The pope is nothing more than an old man wearing a silly hat.

Answer 8

THIS POPE HAS NO MORAL AUTHORITY HE WAS A NAZI FOR CRYING OUT LOAD.IF HIS JUDGMENT WAS FLAWED THEN IT SURE IS FLAWED NOW.WHETHER HE WEARS JEWELRY AND GOWNS OR NOT.HE DID NOT SEEM TO MIND MUCH WHEN JEWISH BLOOD WAS BEING SPILLED.I SUGGEST HE SHUT-UP.WE DO NOT NEED HIS KIND TO FAN THE FLAMES OF HATRED.WE NEED ALL MEN OF GOOD WILL TO COME TOGETHER TO HELP WITH THIS STAIN ON OUR GENERATION CALLED TERRORISM

Answer 9

I think that everybody is entitled to an opinion. if what the pope says is what he believes about the islamic 'holy' war then why should he be made to apolagise.

Answer 10

He is a man elected for life by men. Do you really think God wants you to follow them or him? What part of free will do not understand?