Is the Pope right or wrong?

Question

Several weeks ago the Pope issued a new document re-instating the position that the Roman Catholic Church was the only true church, and all the rest are mere shadows, and not real. How do you feel about this?

Answer 1

I believe it this was really true, then the Bible would have mentioned it.

Answer 2

Really there can be no argument that Christ instituted One church only, anything else to the contrary is anti-gospel.
The question therefore is this, can any Christian church claim the Apostolic succession as can the Catholic church? if so then the body of Christ is divided and there can be no longer a bone fide church at all.
I would like to read the document you have mentioned to be more specific, however even without reading it I can say that the Pope could not possibly say that all other Christians are not real!! as this would imply, we are talking here about the office of the Pope and Bishops united to him which forms the one holy Catholic and Apostolic church and no matter what arguments are proposed there cannot be a contradiction between Christ,scripture and His church.

Answer 3

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 4

Read Daniel & Revelations then get out a history book on the empires throughout history- The papal system- will come into play again according to the Bible- The comment that the present pope made-- is just a start of what is to come- funny how his nickname was "the enforcer" .....beware.............
In light of the recent $$$ settlement --they are working to win back those that turn against the church- due to scandals.. Once they are back in the favor of the people- they will be free to make a move.... Does this truly sound like the "true" church?? A church representing Christ?

Rev 13:3-7
3)One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. 4)Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" 5The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. 6He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.

Answer 5

May I quote the film "Luther" on this:

Karlstadt: "Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus." This debate has raged from the earliest days of the church, but now the Fifth Lateran Council has reaffirmed Saint Cyprian's famous dictum, "Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus..." which means, "Outside the (Catholic) Church, there is no salvation."

Luther: But what of the Greek Christians?

Karlstadt: A Roman bishop, not a Greek bishop, was Peter's successor.

Luther: Is this based on an over-literal reading of Matthew 16:18: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church..." ?? Yet two lines earlier, in verse 16, we Christians find the very foundation of our faith: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" Surely the more universal we make these great words, the nearer we come to the mind of Christ.

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The pope is dead wrong, just as the Fifth Lateran Council was, just as Cyprian was. Christ meant to make salvation universal. To claim that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic church is contrary to Scripture, as Luther pointed out above.

Answer 6

You really should read the document yourself. You can find it at http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html, but let me quote a part that relates to your question:

"It is possible, according to Catholic doctrine, to affirm correctly that the Church of Christ is present and operative in the churches and ecclesial Communities not yet fully in communion with the Catholic Church, on account of the elements of sanctification and truth that are present in them."

This does not sound like the Pope is saying that the rest are mere shadows and are not real.

Answer 7

I am a former catholic, now an atheist. Despite my atheism, I have a soft place in my heart for catholicism. It certainly has demonstrated a far richer intellectual life than the majority of protestant sects. That being said, I have some problems with the current Pontiff.

At the time of Ratzinger's election I was a bit stunned. I felt like they took a huge step backwards, knowing his conservative outlook. His statements on other christians confirmed that to me. I think he did great damage to the ecumenical movement.

As I said, I am now an atheist. I don't believe in God, but I still have an interest in religion because of its profound influence on society. With all of the polarization going on in the world today, he contributed to it even more. Its a shame.

Answer 8

Ummm...let's see. How do I feel about this? Some old guy in a funny hat and dress, saying his cult is the only real cult and is much better than all the rest of the cults. I wish all of these mind control cults would go out of business.

Remember, "god" is nothing more than a nonsense word made up by man to explain away the things we can't yet understand.

Answer 9

No.
That would be "Holier than Thou" Catholic mentality, which in and of itself is laughable - but disgusting.

"Let He who is without sin, cast the first stone."

So who's the Catholic church to proclaim itself as being perfect in doctrine? I could pick alot of pinholes in it. Trust me, they haven't got it all together.

It's truly a sad day for Catholics. I feel bad for them, that their leader would put them back so far in progressive Christian growth.

(I'm living in the shadow, and I don't feel condemned for it...and If I were Catholic, I'd leave the church. This pope sux.)

Answer 10

The pope,bless his funny little hat and dress,is gods rep on earth,hehehe and enjoys papal infallibility,hahahaha as such he cannot make a mistake.HAHAHAHAHAHA.sorry,I am trying to be serious.therefor,when he says his church is the true one,snigger,no,stop it.I am trying herer ok! then heheheheh he must be right.Look,if you keep making me laugh,I'm going Ok!I don't think his pedophiles,oops sorry,priests enjoy the same god like qualities though,HAHAHAHAHEHEHEHEHAHAHAA.Oh no,I think I've peed myself.I have to go.HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Answer 11

I believe that what he said was a lot of horse poo!!!

How can ONE church be THE church!!! Where they around when Jesus was, I DON'T THINK SO!!! How do we know that the Catholic Church really IS connected to Jesus and the apostles...boy do I wish I had a time machine, lol...

Sorry, but I don't buy it