Were You Offended By The Pope's Remarks?

Question

If so I apologise - as a catholic - on his behalf.
No one has a monopoly on religion.
As far as I am concerned all roads lead to the same destination, as far as religion goes.
His remarks, to my mind, were grossly offensive to non catholics.
Were you offended?

Answer 1

I didn't hear his remarks; certainly that's about what I would have expected from him, given his office. I'm Jewish, so I honestly don't pay a lot of attention to what he says, except insofar as the political power he wields is used to further his ends. When it comes to his teachings about religion, they simply don't apply to me.

I agree with you; all roads lead to the same place - it is not the route that matters, but the intended destination.

Shalom :-)

Answer 2

This is not the first mistake he has made with regard to his opinions. I don't think he is taking very wise council before he makes public comments. He has certainly offended a lot of people and some of the damage will not be able to be repaired. It has taken so many years to get to this point of ecumenism and he goes and destroys what was good. I think he wants to take the church back to another era, a place which most catholic people these days would not tolerate to be. I don't know what has happened to him. I met him several times when he was a Cardinal and he always seemed so nice, perhaps the position of pope has affected him, or perhaps he is getting a little senile in his old age. Who knows, I know one thing for sure he won't apologise.

Answer 3

I would be shocked and offended if the Pope didn't believe that he was teaching and representing the truth.

Since the teachings of the Catholic church are different (at least in some ways) from the teachings of all other churches and all other groups, then if he believes he is teaching truth, he must believe that everybody else is teaching some untruth.

Seems like it would be very bad to have a pope that did not believe in the truth and authority of his own church.

What I don't understand is how you can think that all religions equally teach truth in spite of all their disagreement. That makes no sense, and such nonsense does offend me.

Answer 4

Read it, all he's saying is that there was only One church in the beginning, and now there are thousands under whatever name, especially in America!.
The mainstream churches are all on the same road to God, just slightly different that's all.
It's all been said before, what the Pope is saying is that certain churches have the truth, but the Catholic Church has the fully revealed truth. What's wrong with that. If you choose to be in a particular denomination, then that's up to you. We have to build alongside our differences.
You must admit that there are differences.

Answer 5

"Regardless of what you may be reading on news sites and blogs elsewhere, this document does not represent a shift away from the teaching of the late and revered Pope John Paul II about ecumenism (relationship and dialogue with Christians of other denominations.) It is not a return to pre-Vatican II theology. It is not a move to drive a wedge between Catholics and Protestants. In fact, it is an attempt to lay the foundations for eventual unity by clearly expressing the theological disagreements that currently divide Christian communities. Unity based on a whitewashing of differences, according to Pope Benedict, is a facade and only stalls fruitful dialogue." -- Father Jonathan Morris (Fox News)

Answer 6

I have read the text of his speech and was not offended mainly because I could not understand his convoluted diatribe.

Some commentators have suggested he was saying that Christians who are not Catholics are wrong in thier beliefs. He has every right to say that. I believe he is wrong and hope he will not be offended by that.

The Christian religion as well as most other religions should heed the saying that " A house divided against itself cannot stand" (Abraham Lincoln)

Answer 7

As I currently see things in 'Christianity' there are roughly 7 deviations to God's word. (The group I was reared in had all 7). The Catholic (sect) has about 3.5 in it presently. So I find the pope's comments rather limit- sighted presently. This past week I replied to the diocese's bishop regarding one of the area's that would benefit Catholics and Protestants (teachings of the scriptures).

Answer 8

You have no right to apologize for the Pope.

He did not make those remarks...they are 2000 years old. He reaffirmed the understanding that the Catholic Church is the one true apostolic church. This is not an offensive statement to any religion if you read the actual decree and not just the media blurb.

The Pope is a well know, respected and knowledgeable Catholic theologian. He knows more about Catholicism and other religions then you or I will ever know. How dare you put yourself up as knowing better then he does?

His position, prior to Pope, was defender of the faith. He knows Catholicism, the history, everything. He knows exactly what and why the Catholic Church is the one true church. He knows excactly what he is saying.

He DID not say that protestants were not Christians, nor did he say they are not saved. Read the decree before you go around apologizing for things you have no authority to.

Answer 9

Here is the full text of the new document that states nothing new: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html

Most Christian denominations believe that each of them is the fullest version of the Church of Christ.

While the Catholic Church also believes that she is "the highest exemplar" of the mystery that is the Church of Christ, she does not claim that non-Catholic Churches are not truly Christian. The Catholic Church teaches:

Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.

Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church.

All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 819: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#819

With love in Christ.

Answer 10

No I believe he is another religious extremist and I have no more use for him than I do for the muslims.
They are all religion controlling people and hurting them after reading how the Catholic Church controls everything in Mexico and then stands idily by and lets the poor class be victimized by the rich it turns my stomach. If he wants to speak out about something it seems to me it would be the abuse going on in Mexico.

Answer 11

A couple of years ago, I was in D.C. on The Mall (not IN a mall, but ON THE Mall..there's a difference) and a couple of guys approached me and handed me a brochure. The end of the brochure said OUTSIDE THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH THERE IS NO HOPE FOR SALVATION. I asked a couple of Catholic friends about this and they told me it was a belief by a group of nutty fringe group Catholics and not a doctrine of the RCC. NOW, THE POPE himself says the same thing. Oh my, tsk tsk.
Well, the MORMONS and the RUSSELITES (aka Jehovah's Witnesses) along with several nutty cults say that THEIR church is the only true church on earth! Who's right? What a pile of male bovine excrement!
No, I was not offended. The pope just made himself look to be the arrogant, pompous old fool he is and dumped the RCC back about 100 years and caused it to lose a lot of credence by a lot of folks (Catholics and other Christian faiths).
One's salvation is not dependent on what faith you belong to. One's salvation is based on your belief in Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, regardless of what denomination you're a member of.