that all Protestants aren't saved?
The prophecy of St. Malachy (which is not universally recognized as being a true prophecy) claims that the very next Pope, who will be named Peter, will lead the Catholic Church through the Tribulation. A summary of the prophecy can be read here: http://www.catholic-pages.com/grabbag/malachy.asp
Could it be that Pope Benedict XVI believes this prophecy and feels inspired to warn Protestants that the Tribulation is close? I'm not a Catholic, so I can't pretend to know, but his approach seems vastly different from Pope John Paul II's -- I still remember him kissing the Koran and encouraging interfaith communications.
(For those of you who aren't aware of this recent controversy, here's an article on the Pope's recent signing of a document that formally states Protestants are going to Hell: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56612 )
2007-07-11 04:58:30 · 13 answers · asked by Suzanne: YPA 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"Simon T," if you review his statements since being made Pope, you'll see this is a RECENT change he's made in his personal communications. And as I wrote, the previous Pope kissed the Koran!
2007-07-11 05:06:08 · update #1
"Liet," the Pope DID say that Protestants aren't saved. The article reads: "The document, formulated as five questions and answers, repeated sections of a 2000 text the pope wrote when he was prefect of the congregation, "Dominus Iesus," which angered Protestant and other Christian denominations because it said they were not true churches and did not have the "means of salvation." "
The Pope views Protestants as "vehicles" only, but it's apparent he believes those vehicles are on a course to Hell.
2007-07-12 00:06:47 · update #2
I think you are exactly right. The Prophesy of Saint Malachy explains why he chose the name Benedict, it fits right in, and shows that he is a believer.
The prophesy also states that Benedict will have a short reign, and if he keeps his comments about Muslims up, he may create a self fulfilling prophesy.
John W, you contend that the pope is wrong for stating that Protestants are hellbound and then follow it up by stating that Catholics are on a road to hell.
You religious people are all insane.
2007-07-11 05:03:42 · answer #1 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
*Is Catholic*
Well first the Pope did not say that all Protestants are not saved.
In a VERY tight nutshell what is being stressed by this document and DOMINUS IESUS is that it is not possible to disassociate Christ and his body the Church. Just as there is only one Christ, one name that by all people are saved, there is only one Church, one place through which and by being in communion with which all people are saved.
It is not a revolutionary idea and it is something that has always been taught - that there is a singular and sole Christ and a singular and sole body of believers.
Pope Benedict may or may not be the "Glory of Olives". It doesn't really matter. Just pray and follow Christ.
Though I want to point something out.....the last prophecy on the last Pope Peter you read "the city of seven hills will be destroyed"
That is not Rome. That is Jerusalem. FYI. If Jerusalem goes up in smoke (with Iran with a nuke that is a good chance) there is a high likelihood of a great apostasy of the Gentiles. Things which would fit with the events of Revelation.
2007-07-11 11:02:07 · answer #2 · answered by Liet Kynes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Again this is not a recent thing.
"It's been heralded as the turning point in the history of Christianity in Germany. Nearly 500 years after Martin Luther upset the church with his reformation theses, after bloody religious wars, hate and estrangement that spanned centuries, more than 200,000 Protestants and Catholics plan to proclaim their desire for unity over Ascension weekend in Berlin during the country's first Ecumenical Kirchentag, which begins Wednesday.
But clashes are on the agenda. While the visitors were looking forward to celebrating the holy communion together, the Pope ruled out the possibility.
In a papal encyclical issued in April, the Pope forbid sharing the Eucharist with churches not in full communion with Rome. Subsequently, Catholics may not engage in the ceremony with Protestants, whose beliefs the Pope has described as an ecclesiastical community rather than a church." This happened in 2003.
Catholics do not agree with Protestants. They haven't for a very long time. Also that prophecy is false, it should have happened like 2-3 Popes ago. But Catholics believing protestants are heretics is NOT a new thing.
2007-07-11 05:28:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I got this from a catholic but the website seems legit - anyway I dont know what to believe but this was an answer I got to a similar question:
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=24660
it does state that the pope is claiming the one true church but protestants
"are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation"
so maybe the secular news just got it wrong - I dont know take it for what its worth - all I know is i'm not too worried about what the pope thinks of my salvation
2007-07-11 06:19:23 · answer #4 · answered by servant FM 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Come on, the guy is the head of the CATHOLIC church.
Of course he is going to think that Protestants have the wrong end of the stick. All he did was actaully come out and say what should be blindingly obvious.
I am not saying that he is right or wrong. But it should be obvious to anyone with 1/2 a brain that this is what he believes.
2007-07-11 05:03:31 · answer #5 · answered by Simon T 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think you're dead-on about John Paul's superior approach; everyone loved him, and that kind of good-will is like a billboard that says "I am doing what Jesus would do." All Benedict has done since he took the post is create dissent and bad feelings, practically undoing all the good work John Paul did. I'm sorry this wasn't specifically pertinent to your question - I'm not too familiar with the situation and I don't have much time.
2007-07-11 05:04:30 · answer #6 · answered by oldwhatshername 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Jesus Christ is the only Head of the Church!
Under what authority does the Pope make this endorsement?
His Own!
The Church is comprised of Jesus Christ, the Light, and all who believe in him.
Will the Pope loosen and discard a brick of the Church tower that God Almighty has seen fit to place there?
Do we all need 20 years education to be saved?
Or do we just need the Faith of a 3 year old?
We need to accept Jesus as Savior, and REPENT of our sins. Faith without works is dead.
As far as worshipping the infallable Pope, praying to men or the dead, and needing a "special" person to create a "special" communion? (Whats a eucharist?)
No. Shame on you.
No different than the Pharisees in Judea. Rome has not changed a wink.
Like dogs you lie down in the trough of eternal life, and not only do you not drink yourselves, you prevent others from drinking.
My personal feeling is that the path to Hell is indeed Wide. And many will travel down it.
It would not surprise me in the least if Satan himself uses the Catholic Church to raise up the Beast of Armageddon.
Anyhow.. does anyone truly know where the thing they do every 5 seconds...when they say "In the name of the...." with their forehead and shoulders? Where did that come from? Does it say to baptize yourself every 5 seconds?
In my opinion it is a sect blinded by Tradition, Traditions kept alive so that man can feel needed. Power.
2007-07-11 05:02:45 · answer #7 · answered by John W 6 · 4⤊ 4⤋
I won't speculate on the Pope's mindset on this; I will only observe that he is not making a lot of friends among other faiths.
2007-07-11 05:02:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The reason is far simpler: religions ALWAYS try convincing their followers that their imaginary friend is the only/best one. It's the same reason Coke did taste tests against Pepsi and announced the results on TV: brand competition.
When will people wake up and realize the church is JUST another scam-artist business, selling "afterlife insurance." with no evidence they will ever pay anyone?
2007-07-11 05:05:45 · answer #9 · answered by Brent Y 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
What is more likely is that the Pope himself isn't a Christian.
That he is just another false religionist.
Pastor Art
2007-07-11 05:04:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋