Why wouldn't the Pope be more sensitive to other Christian religions?

Question

We live in the USA! We do try to get along with others,having respect for their Christian faith. We do try to love our neighbors and get along together. Why would the Pope come out and say,the way he did, that Catholic is the only true Christian religion? I understand what he is saying, but the way he said this was wrong. This doesn't make our way of life any easier. We are trying to make a better world and a comment like this doe not help anyone. All those smart people at the Vatican, could think of different ways to address these issues!

Answer 1

Can you say Inquisition? I knew that you could.

Answer 2

Let me start by saying that I am Catholic and American. I am a huge fan of Pope John Paul II, I do not know much about the current Pope. In the 1960's and 1970's the church became more liberal by allowing Mass said in the vernacular and lightening up on the idea of mortal sin. When JP II became Pope in 1978 he turned the church to a more conservative direction. The new Pope seems even more conservative.

The Catholic church has been saying for roughly 2,000 years that we are the one true church founded by Jesus Christ. This Pope re-stressed this belief in a blunt and non-PC manner.

Please keep in mind that the Catholic church's idea of ecumenism is different than what many think. The Catholic church is not interested in reaching a compromise or only focusing on the similarities between Catholics and Protestants. The Catholic idea of ecumenism is that Protestants are welcome to come back home any time.

Answer 3

i do no longer think that worship is the observe you're finding for. study the 1st of the ten Commandments, which all Christians persist with, so some distance as i understand. (The Catholics do placed an emphasis on Mary, the pope, and the saints that different Christians do no longer, even nonetheless. this may well be the source of most of the misunderstandings.) very almost all and sundry I heard spoke respectfully of the present pope, John Paul II. This secure different Christians (different than Roman Catholic) and non-Christians besides.

Answer 4

In the Pope's defense, the Catholics aren't the only ones who claim this. In fact, pretty much every sect of Christianity believes that they have the "true" way. If they didn't think it were true, then why would they be there?

But I agree. Sometimes the "true" church remarks can be interpreted as smug and self-righteous, but it all comes back to our own individual perspective. The Catholic church is "true" to the heart of a Catholic. The Baptist church is "true" to the heart of a Baptist. The Mormon church is "true" to a Mormon, etc etc. The same way Atheism is true to an Atheist.

Answer 5

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 6

I am not Catholic.

The Pope doesn't live in America.

That said, why should anyone be more sensitive to anyone else's religious beliefs? Where is it written that I have to even acknowledge others' views?

If the Pope is right - or at least thinks he's right - shouldn't that be enough "reason" to say what he did? But in any case, how would you have phrased it differently, yet retain the same message?

Answer 7

This statement should really not come as a surprise. He was simply restating what has been the Catholic Churches position along concerning protestantism.

Answer 8

ah...because hes catholic??