2007-04-23 10:40:36 · 14 answers · asked by House Speaker 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are voting members of the Vatican (the College of Cardinals) who are closed away from the public to select the Pope. The College of Cardinals is made up of all Catholic Cardinals, if I'm not mistaken.
This is called a conclave and it starts any time between 15 days and 20 days after the last Pope dies.
They vote on 3 cardinals to count the ballots.
2007-04-23 10:48:01 · answer #1 · answered by Behaviorist 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As for Baptist churches, the local church has it's own by-laws adopted when it organized. Amendments to the by-laws are voted on by the congregation. Pastors & deacons are examined by questions & background checks, etc. in view of the church calling to fill that position, an open question time is held with the congregation, then a discussion is held without the potential pastor/deacon present, and a final vote is taken by the congregation as to accepting that person(s) or not. All these things are well publisized so everyone can come and participate. Each church is autonomous even if they belong to an association (ex. The Southern Baptist Association).
2007-04-23 17:52:14 · answer #2 · answered by Joyful Noise 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The local Bishop 'approves' the priests and deacons that are ordained in his diocese. No voting allowed. He also appoints the pastors who head the parishes within the diocese.
Bishops are appointed by the Pope. No voting allowed.
The Pope is voted in based upon tradition of the early church. All of the Cardinals in the Catholic Church are summoned to Rome for the 'election'. Only Cardinals can vote.
This is simplistic, I know, but it does explain the workings of the Church.
2007-04-23 17:47:30 · answer #3 · answered by Pete W 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, the Pope is Catholic and I cannot speak for how he is elected since the office of Pope is not mentioned in the Bible.In my church, if we are in need of a Pastor, we elect by popular vote, a pastors search committeee. They prayerfully go into churches where a prospective pastor is preaching and listen to his sermon. The state Association will have information on how his church has grown or not, and how many Baptisms he has performed during a year, all of this information is compiled by the search committe and committed to much prayer. From the decision by the committee, the church will make the final decision by vote.
Deacons are selected by popular vote of the church, based on a persons dedication to the Lord and his expressions of faith.ie, does this person teach a Sunday school class, are the active in their attendance, etc.
2007-04-23 17:54:32 · answer #4 · answered by loufedalis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Catholic Church was given her authority by Christ when He breathed on the apostles and gave the gift of the Holy Ghost. By virtue of this authority she ordains (not votes) her bishops, priests and deacons.
When a Catholic priest is ordained, therefore, the bishop breathes on him to bestow upon him the gift of the spirit. Thus a priest's authority can be traced back to Christ Himself.
A Pope is selected by the cardinals who vote in the Vatican. The selection of the Pope is not an infallible process and does not guarantee that a saint will be chosen.
The Protestant churches do not have this same apostolic authority, nor do they have formal ordinations as in the Catholic Church. In many churches, such as baptist, they rely on the authority of the congregation as a whole. It's more democratic than a hierarchy. Everyone votes. Or a man goes to seminary and is made a minister by another minister but there is no apostolic succession or guarantee of the conferring of the Holy Spirit.
2007-04-23 17:45:00 · answer #5 · answered by Veritas 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
The Papal Office is a political office AND a religious office. Based on the New Testament writings, the office was given to Peter, then to those he chose to come after him. The voting is done by the College of Cardinals, mainly out of the traditions set up by the Greco-Roman early churches. Like several early kingdoms, no permission was asked, and the Patriarchs of the Church claim to receive their authority from God. B.
2007-04-23 17:50:18 · answer #6 · answered by Brian M 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If I have this right, the only person elected to any position is the Pope, which is done by a gathering of bishops.
All the others: bishops, priests and deacons, are ordained.
God bless.
2007-04-23 17:45:58 · answer #7 · answered by Danny H 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Apostlic succession..... then why do they VOTE on it. I thought something like that would be similar to the Kings of Israel. Appointed by God... not voted in by man. But then, they voted on what books would be in the Bible and called them "inspired" and people have believed that for this long. *shrug*
2007-04-23 18:12:16 · answer #8 · answered by Kithy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The authority is known as the Apostolic succession.
2007-04-23 17:44:45 · answer #9 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Depends on the Church hierarchy.
2007-04-23 17:46:18 · answer #10 · answered by Bruce7 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋