does the pope have the power to damn someone to hell
2007-12-04 05:09:02 · 38 answers · asked by Michael M 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If you believe that the only way to heaven is through the catholic church, and the pope excommunicates you from the church, then yes, he can damn you.
Fortunately for me, I don't believe in that nonsense, so I don't have to worry about it.
2007-12-06 00:00:13 · answer #1 · answered by timbers 5 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Not personally, because it is your own actions and inactions that will damn you to Hell. The Pope can however, excommunicate you, if you are Catholic.
Excommunication means you are formally separated from the Catholic faith & therefore unable to receive the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. Some may say through deductive reasoning that in essence sentences you to Hell, but if you live your life well and make amends for your wrongdoing, perhaps God will have mercy on your soul and let you into Purgatory until you are fully ready to enter Heaven.
2007-12-04 05:19:40 · answer #2 · answered by Andy K 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The pope can issue and edict of excommunication, which then stops a Catholic from receiving the sacrament (i.e., penance or reconciliation, communion, last rites, marriage by the church, holy orders etc.), which to a Catholic would be the equivalent of being damned.
Many a king, queen and scientist have been brought to hell by the same. Some nations have , too.
2007-12-04 05:15:10 · answer #3 · answered by Big Bill 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No one can "damn you to hell", not even a pope. As long as you have Jesus in your life and believe in him, you can be saved through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Jesus can save you, but no physical person can save you or judge you and say you're going to Hell. The Bible says do not judge, lest you be judged. If a pope is judging anyone, he will be judged when it's his turn to face the Lord. Worry about yourself, and if you're doing what you feel is right, don't let anyone make you feel blame that you will go to Hell. God loves all of us, and you can and will make it to Heaven with God's Grace.
realme1960
2007-12-04 05:14:25 · answer #4 · answered by 520doglover 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Catholics can be excommunicated from the Church on his authority (or by authority vested in Priests/Bishops, etc.) but if someone is truly following their conscience, and if the Pope or other Church authority is wrong in excommunicating the person (We believe the Pope is only infallible in matters of interpretation of the Gospels), that person will see G-d and be vindicated at the final judgment.
2007-12-04 05:14:29 · answer #5 · answered by Goethe's Ghostwriter 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No.
The European Pope lost that power after intentionally covering up child crimes and trying to keep those child crimes from the secular police departments around the world.
2007-12-04 05:15:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can try.
And 500 years ago he could usually condemn someone to be burned at the stake and others would carry out his sinful desire.
However, aren't you glad to know that God does not take orders from Rome?
I am.
The other thing is the Rome doesn't take orders from God. And Rome and all those Popes will one day stand before God and then they will have to explain themselves.
Pastor Art
2007-12-04 05:14:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not in any manner, shape or form. He is only a human being, and is only the Bishop of Rome, and Leader of The Roman Catholic Church. Indeed, some of the holders of that office throughout the centuries have been the greatest sinners.
2007-12-04 05:19:31 · answer #8 · answered by The Questioner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually no coz in corinthians Paul says no one has the right to judge so by the Pope damning any one he's judging and that is considered sin
2007-12-04 05:17:29 · answer #9 · answered by becki k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No no matter what any one say, the Pope is just a person and he can not damn you to Hell ............only you yourself through your own actions can do it.
2007-12-04 05:12:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋