Catholics - You've got mail?

Question

Catholics, you all know that Jesus the Good Shepherd left us an earthly shepherd, Peter and the popes, when He told Peter: "..feed my lambs.. ..feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17).

But, did you know that your earthly shepherd sends you letters? That's right: YOU'VE GOT MAIL !! Have you been reading your mail?

No? Well, a letter from the pope to you is called an "encylical". For example, here is one of the latest letters the pope wrote to you. called "Deus Caritas Est" (On Christian Love - God is Love) :
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est_en.html

One of my favorites by John Paul II is "Redemptor Hominus" (Redeemer of Man):
http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0218/_INDEX.HTM

You can serch many more here:
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/

So, brothers and sisters, isn't it time to check your mail box?

Answer 1

I have read many of them. They are far above the heads of Yahoo types though. (Just look at the idiots above me and below me)

Answer 2

Do not fear. You have not only not missed anything in the history classes . In fact, you have studies history in the correct perspective.Even Catholics cannot challange that they were responsible for the Inquisitions The Cat.holics who inadulged into it were victims of the waves of reformations which had loosed the fast anchors of faith and threatened to carry the safe and secure world of the Middle Ages in its sweep.The Inquisitions were a last ditch attempt to hold fast to the anchor of 'Faith'. The burning down of Bruno and the terrorisation of Galileo are instances in point. The poor souls who are harassing you are the remants of these Inquisitors. To be pities rather than to be hated.The Crusades were also an attempt to put Catholicism to a seculare use. Even if overtly these were attempts to obtain access to the birthplace of Jesus they were in fact attempts to open up the trade land route to the East through the Middle East which had then fallen to the Muslims.There was nothing essentially anti-Islam in them like the present attack on Iraq and Afghanistan by the West and theduststorm of Terrorism raised by it with an anti-Islamic face. There is no doubt about the faith of theCatholics in Christianity.They have unfortunately forgotten the dictum that essentially that alone is religion as sustains life.Like the orfthodox Hindus and Muslims they are pitifully trying to adhere to the literal meaning of the scriptures.

Answer 3

Considering the wealth of doctrine, information, and wisdom in the papal encyclicals, it would be foolish for a Catholic to ignore them. And I think some Protestants might be pleasantly surprised to find out how much good, solid Biblical teaching is contained in these letters from the Pope.

Answer 4

I've read Deus Caritas Est and I'm looking forward to Spe Salvi, his encyclical on Hope.

God bless.

Answer 5

behonest, it is not the person of the Pope who is infallible, but it is the Office of the Pope that it is infallible, and only when the current Bishop of Rome, in communion with the Bishops, speaks officially on matters of faith, morals, and dogma.

You see, I gave you the thumbs down, AND gave you an answer.

Answer 6

Thank-you for all the good links and info.
I Cr 13;8a

Answer 7

Can I recieve mail from the Pope even if I'm just a manky Protestant?

Answer 8

Eh, if the Pope can't answer MY mail then I'm not going out of my way to read his.

A few years back, I was teaching 5th grade in a Catholic school. We were learning about Canada, so we wrote as a class, to the then PM of the country. He was having a bit of difficulties at the time, but he took the time to write back to my class and send us some info about Canada. We were very impressed and my students followed the political goings-on in Canada even after we finished studying it.

So, we figured we'd write to the Pope. After all, it was a Catholic school and Pope JP was supposed to be all about students. The letter ended up at the Vatican Embassy in Washington and the Ambassador sent us some kind of "The Pope is pleased that you have written to him" thing, but it never even left the country!

I can hear my encyclicals at mass in place of the homily, thanks.

Answer 9

thanks for the bible lesson.

i just taught my sixth graders about encylicals!!

Answer 10

So, just when does a pope become infallible, before or after he is named pope? That one has always baffled me.

Plenty of thumbs down, but no answers. It is an honest question. Any takers,? You can email me if you like.