What do, those of you who are Catholic, think about the recent comments by the Pope about being Christian?

Question

Please read this before answering.. http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=24660

Answer 1

The Pope did not make any comments about being Christian. He simply approved a 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 2

The headline is a bit misleading. Just reading the headline, a person may think that the Catholic Church is saying it is the only true church.

You must understand that the Pope is using a very narrow definition of "Church". By this definition, there can be only one Church because Jesus did not establish many churches.

However, quoting from teh Catechism, "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter." Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."

In the article, it says, "Noting that churches and ecclesial communities not yet fully in communion with the Catholic Church “suffer from defects,” the doctrinal congregation acknowledged that “elements of sanctification and truth” may be present in them. "

Answer 3

Not sure what the Pope said, but all Catholics are Christians. We believe Jesus was the Christ and the son of God. That is what makes us Christian.

We are also the church founded by Peter, the person Jesus called "The Rock on which I will found my church."

Answer 4

I used to be Catholic, now I am an atheist, but everyone I know save one or two people is Catholic.

I thought it was a stupid thing to say, just making people hate Catholics even more. My devoutly Catholic grandma, who never ever swears, shouted that the pope was a dumbass. Everyone I talked to thinks it was a very bad idea.

Answer 5

Anyone who truly understands Christian theology knows that what the Pope stated is absolutely correct.

The Pope is a great teacher and an excellent theologian.

Others could learn a lot from him.

Answer 6

I was raised Catholic. My family is from Ireland it is sort of a birthright. I have an uncle who is a priest. William Peter Blatty, the author of "The Exorcist" was my uncle's roommate in college. That said, I am neither Catholic nor Christian and I found his statements to be repugnant. Then again, you have to realize that his election wasn't a Holy Spirit miracle but the result of political of machinations going back over a decade.

Answer 7

"Love is therefore the 'heart' of Christian life; indeed, love alone, awakened in us by the Holy Spirit, makes us Christ's witnesses." -- Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, July 15, 2007

Sounds good to me!

Answer 8

This question has been asked and answered on here numerous times already.
The Pope never said that. The whole statement that he signed is here:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congre...

Answer 9

he's losing me fast

Answer 10

Please specify the Pope's comments.