I've looked at various web site that claim that all Popes since Pope Jonh XXIII (who they say was a Freemason?) are illigitimate or heretics. One guy is calling him self Pope Michael I (who by the way lives with his mother, as mentioned on his web site), then there are a few going by the name Of Pope Peter II and Pius XIII or that the seat of Peter is vacant. What's the deal?
http://www.truecatholic.org/
http://www.vaticaninexile.com/
2007-10-18 01:52:37 · 6 answers · asked by Gregory C 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My considered opinion is that these people have nothing better to do with their time. I'm not Catholic but I don't know a single Catholic who is bothered by these interesting theories. We have a fellow locally who claims to be the "true pope", too.
2007-10-18 01:59:02 · answer #1 · answered by anna 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say you should dismiss this type of slanderous talk and be careful that you do not read to much into such claims.
This type of thing is called Sede-vacationism and states that the chair of Peter is vacant which cannot be true,of course there have been times when there was no Pope for long periods but this is not the same thing at all.
The Holy Spirit would not allow this to happen and the words of Christ would be read as false``The gates of Hell will not prevail against it(the church) if there has been no legitimate Pope since Pius XII then the gates of Hell have indeed prevailed and Jesus is wrong.
2007-10-18 09:00:38 · answer #2 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Pope is elected by the College of Cardinals. Someone who has not been thus elected can never be the Pope.
2007-10-18 08:59:02 · answer #3 · answered by Kalyansri 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think there should be no popes.
Get rid of the top heavy religious leaders an direct worship directly to our father through his son.
Think of all the money saved by getting rid of the dead wood and the money saved could be used to help the needy instead.
2007-10-18 09:01:05 · answer #4 · answered by pestie58 the spider hunter 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There have been lots of cases of people and groups splintering from the Catholic Church and calling themselves "Catholic". They are worse than Protestants because they mislead people into thinking they are the Catholic Church. They are not.
If you are not in communion with Rome, you are not a Catholic.
2007-10-18 09:04:39 · answer #5 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're all delusional - including the current one.
2007-10-18 09:00:00 · answer #6 · answered by Keltasia 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋