2006-09-19 00:32:17 · 15 answers · asked by Baaad Dokhtar 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Isn't he infallible?
2006-09-19 00:37:58 · update #1
First, it actually isn't Catholic teaching that the Pope is infallible, rather the Pope can act infallibly. The Pope can also act fallibly.
The Pope of Rome is infallible when pronouncing on certain issues of faith and morals those beliefs always and everywhere held as true by the Church provided he is in communion with the bishops and the sense of the faithful accepts the statement as promulgated.
In other words, the Pope is infallible when he repeats things from the apostolic tradition, the bishops are in union with him and the faithful accept the teaching. If the Pope invents something, if the bishops disagree or the faithful reject the teaching then he is not acting infallibly.
His personal opinions do not count, nor do speeches. Although, anyone can act infallibly. If you say the words, "Jesus Christ is the Son of God," then you have acted infallibly.
This is the gist of Catholic teaching. Pope's may not innovate or add to the apostolic tradition. Either it came from the apostolic period or it did not. The Pope's role is to make certain things that are taught in Catholic Churches are from the apostolic period.
His speaches on history before a group of academics are subject to the same criticism when I present an academic paper to a bunch of professors. Being Pope does not make him any brighter than any other academic or minister. No aspect of Catholic teaching would support that idea. Pope's are not immune to ordinary human failings, including putting your foot in your mouth.
Of interest, the Pope discusses surah 2,256 just before the comment which offended everyone, "there can be no compulsion in religion," and praises it as true. He rather discussed the reaction of a person (the emporer) in the face of violence. When Islam attacks people, those people reject Islam regardless of its positive qualities because it is seen as an unreasoning and unreasonable religion. His point was that when any religion attacks with violence, it is rejected by the victims of that violence, whether it is the Christian crusades or Islamist jihad.
2006-09-19 00:50:36 · answer #1 · answered by OPM 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is the Office of the Papacy that is infallible, not the man who occupies that Office. The mere fact someone becomes Pope does not mean absolutely every last word that comes out of his mouth while he is Pope is totally infallible. Rather, papal infallibility only pertains to certain proclamations that a Pope makes. These are both few and far between. If a Pope were to make an infallible announcement, it's infallible nature would not be overlooked or unknown to those interested.
If the Pope were to share his personal opinion on something, no Catholic is under any obligation to accept it or agree with it. However, keep in mind that one does not accend to the Office of the Papacy by being intellectually or Spiritually inept.
There are times when the Pope may announcement that is infallible. Regardless of what our personal opinions of such a proclaimation might be - as an infallible annoucement - Catholics must obey.
2006-09-24 06:21:21 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is infallible at closely defined times.
The Pope is only infallible when he, in union with the body of bishops, solemnly teaches that a doctrine as 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 constructive criticism and forgiveness.
With love in Christ.
2006-09-19 18:05:43 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Infallibility is accorded for matters of religion. Catholics and non-Catholics may criticize the pope. They will not be jailed, tortured and killed for doing so.
2006-09-19 15:15:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. He is not a dictator he is just the leader of the Catholic, and he is just a man (or a big priest), and all men can be criticized because they all make mistakes. It's our species nature to make mistakes. Not all Christians share the pope's beliefs, I myself am not a Catholic, but I respect all Muslims and Islam. I'm so sorry that there is such hatred among religions these days...
2006-09-19 00:43:18 · answer #5 · answered by Λиδѓεy™ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Martin Luther is the most prominent catholic who criticized the pope. Did he die because of that? And to answer your question, YES, we are, because we catholics are a truly free and democratic and forgiving people who can say anything we want and believe in and the pope won't even send someone to silence us. Like every fascist organization like the communists, the underworld and worst, Islam who is fond of issuing fatwas to people who gives opinion especially if its true, like what they did to Salman Rushdie and a number of people who are now resting in peace.
2006-09-19 00:58:06 · answer #6 · answered by graif 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes.. in fact protecting the most foul speech is absolutely crucial to a free society. Fighting to allow such criticism is fighting to preserve freedom of speech
2006-09-19 00:38:41 · answer #7 · answered by maxima 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
YES, The Catholic church cannot even impose its rules for fear of losing members. They have ex-communicated the members of the masonry a long time ago but still there are many masons allowed to go to church.
2006-09-19 00:59:15 · answer #8 · answered by berkut 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow, I'd hope so.
Otherwise it'd be no more than a dictatorship with a spiritual slant. A system of belief that told you how to think and live. One that excluded all outside ideas as tainted and misleading....
...wait a minute...
2006-09-19 00:35:46 · answer #9 · answered by Eldritch 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes they are, unless their up bringing is totally catholic-- as in having names like deodanta or corallia.....
any way i think he aint above the law, but again , catholics do revere the pope. so its a tough call or them!
2006-09-19 00:52:17 · answer #10 · answered by titties 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋