Does the Pope consider himself God?

[XianThinker]

I wouldn’t say the Pope thinks he is God but I’ve heard the Pope thinks he is the Vicar of Christ which means he takes the place of God. He is God on Earth meaning he represents God and Catholics should look to him as they would look upon Christ following his infallible teaching as they would follow Christ. I think many Protestants would consider that to be equating oneself with God.

 

[ggonzalez435]

I wouldn’t say the Pope thinks he is God but I’ve heard the Pope thinks he is the Vicar of Christ which means he takes the place of God. He is God on Earth meaning he represents God and Catholics should look to him as they would look upon Christ following his infallible teaching as they would follow Christ. I think many Protestants would consider that to be equating oneself with God.

Please, read the Catholic Catechism or go to a priest to ask questions on what Catholics believe. I wouldn’t take my car to my dentist to ask about how it runs. Don’t take the word of someone who has lived his life to teach against the Church to find out what we believe. Check out biblechristiansociety.com. I don’t for one second believe the Pope is God, thats nonsense! I’m just saying, ask questions, research, study the Church fathers and don’t just start at the reformation. You will find that the Church Fathers like Augustine, Clemente, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Jerome, Tertulian, etc. all from way before there were Methodist, Pentacostal, Jahova Witnesses. Study their thoughts and writings and tell me they weren’t Catholic if not by name then by their books and homilies. God bless

 

[Marybeloved]

I wouldn’t say the Pope thinks he is God but I’ve heard the Pope thinks he is the Vicar of Christ which means he takes the place of God. He is God on Earth meaning he represents God and Catholics should look to him as they would look upon Christ following his infallible teaching as they would follow Christ. I think many Protestants would consider that to be equating oneself with God.

Nonsense. The Pope is St. Peter’s successor in the church, meaning he plays Peter’s role in the Church. When Christ said to Peter “feed/tend MY sheep” and “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, whatever you bind/loose etc” do you think he was making St. Peter another God? When he said similar things to the Apostles regarding binding and loosing and forgiving and retaining the sins of others, was he making them Gods too? When the Apostles commanded that the churches obey them, were they makings themselves Gods too? Like the other poster said, you need to pick up for a copy of the catechism of the Catholic church, CCC, and find out for yourself just what Catholic teaching is and what it really means.

Peace.

 

[itullian]

Nonsense. The Pope is St. Peter’s successor in the church, meaning he plays Peter’s role in the Church. When Christ said to Peter “feed/tend MY sheep” and “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, whatever you bind/loose etc” do you think he was making St. Peter another God? When he said similar things to the Apostles regarding binding and loosing and forgiving and retaining the sins of others, was he making them Gods too? When the Apostles commanded that the churches obey them, were they makings themselves Gods too? Like the other poster said, you need to pick up for a copy of the catechism of the Catholic church, CCC, and find out for yourself just what Catholic teaching is and what it really means.

Peace.

 

[helplesspilgrim]

Since no one seems to have done this yet. Here is the quote in question:

“Rebutting a belief widely shared by Protestants and a growing number of Roman Catholics, Pope John Paul II dismissed Tuesday the “widespread idea that one can obtain forgiveness directly from God,” and exhorted Catholics to confess more often to their priests.”

I think your adversary is reading between the lines and seeing something that is not there.

 

[SaintPatrick333]

I wouldn’t say the Pope thinks he is God but I’ve heard the Pope thinks he is the Vicar of Christ which means he takes the place of God. He is God on Earth meaning he represents God and Catholics should look to him as they would look upon Christ following his infallible teaching as they would follow Christ. I think many Protestants would consider that to be equating oneself with God.

And as Scriptures and history proves to us time and time again, protestants are wrong.

 

[helplesspilgrim]

Oddly enough no one seems to be able to show the actual article link either. But it is sourced. I think some microfilm is in order.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Oddly enough no one seems to be able to show the actual article link either. But it is sourced. I think some microfilm is in order.

“It is good to renew and reaffirm this faith at a moment when it might be weakening, losing something of its completeness or entering into an area of shadow and silence, threatened as it is by the negative elements of the above-mentioned crisis. For the sacrament of confession is indeed being undermined, on the one hand by the obscuring of the mortal and religious conscience, the lessening of a sense of sin, the distortion of the concept of repentance and the lack of effort to live an authentically Christian life. And on the other hand, it is being undermined by the sometimes widespread idea that one can obtain forgiveness directly from God, even in a habitual way, without approaching the sacrament of reconciliation. A further negative influence is the routine of a sacramental practice sometimes lacking in fervor and real spontaneity, deriving perhaps from a mistaken and distorted idea of the effects of the sacrament.”

POST-SYNODAL
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
RECONCILIATION AND PENANCE
OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE BISHOPS
CLERGY AND FAITHFUL
ON RECONCILIATION AND PENANCE
IN THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH TODAY

Given in Rome at St. Peter’s on December 2, the first Sunday of Advent, in the year 1984, the seventh of my pontificate

Which of course, in the context of Catholic teaching, doesn’t say what is being asserted.

 

[Nelka]

Does the Pope consider himself God?

No.

 

[PJM]

=jeff417;8398964]Not sure where to post this, but thought I might get some great responses here. Could anyone help me with the argument that the Pope considers himself God. My anti-Catholic “adversary” has posted several quotes “proving” said claim. The current claim I am working on is, Popes apology LA Times, December 12th 1984., in which JPII allegedly tells people to come to him rather than to God. I cannot find this article or quote, is it real?

On what evidence is this made?

NO!

He [The Pope himself] does NOT

The Magisteroium of the CC does NOT

The Faithful Do NOT

“The Pope” is considered to be “The First among equals” [a Bishop]

Mt. 16: 15-19 is ammended to include ALL of the Apostles in: Mt. 18:18; Mt. 28:16-20 and John 20:19-23

THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH (Cann. 330 - 367)

CHAPTER I.

THE ROMAN PONTIFF AND THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS

Can. 330 Just as by the Lord’s decision Saint Peter and the other Apostles constitute one college, so in a like manner the Roman Pontiff, the successor of Peter, and the bishops, the successors of the Apostles, are united among themselves

THE ROMAN PONTIFF

Can. 331 The bishop of the Roman Church, in whom continues the office given by the Lord uniquely to Peter, the first of the Apostles, and to be transmitted to his successors, is the head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ, and the pastor of the universal Church on earth. By virtue of his office he possesses supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power in the Church, which he is always able to exercise freely.

Can. 332 §1. The Roman Pontiff obtains full and supreme power in the Church by his acceptance of legitimate election together with episcopal consecration. Therefore, a person elected to the supreme pontificate who is marked with episcopal character obtains this power from the moment of acceptance. If the person elected lacks episcopal character, however, he is to be ordained a bishop immediately

Can. 333 §1. By virtue of his office, the Roman Pontiff not only possesses power offer the universal Church but also obtains the primacy of ordinary power offer all particular churches and groups of them. Moreover, this primacy strengthens and protects the proper, ordinary, and immediate power which bishops possess in the particular churches entrusted to their care.

§2. In fulfilling the office of supreme pastor of the Church, the Roman Pontiff is always joined in communion with the other bishops and with the universal Church. He nevertheless has the right, according to the needs of the Church, to determine the manner, whether personal or collegial, of exercising this office.

§3. No appeal or recourse is permitted against a sentence or decree of the Roman Pontiff.

Can. 334 Bishops assist the Roman Pontiff in exercising his office. They are able to render him cooperative assistance in various ways, among which is the synod of bishops. The cardinals also assist him, as do other persons and various institutes according to the needs of the times. In his name and by his authority, all these persons and institutes fulfill the function entrusted to them for the good of all the churches, according to the norms defined by law.

DEFEND what we actually believe and PLEASE do not be so willing to accept that absurd charges have ANY basis in fact or even tradition are of any merit at ALL.

God Bless,
pat /PJM

 

[jeff417]

No worries. I in no way willingly accept these nonsense charges. I was hoping to, and did, receive some excellent feedback on this topic, however. The thread also clearly shows the difference in how Catholics and Protestants perceive the Catholic Church and Her members. Hopefully we can use this to dispel misunderstandings and promote a healthy understanding of the Truth.

 

[Sojourner61]

No worries. I in no way willingly accept these nonsense charges. I was hoping to, and did, receive some excellent feedback on this topic, however. The thread also clearly shows the difference in how Catholics and Protestants perceive the Catholic Church and Her members. Hopefully we can use this to dispel misunderstandings and promote a healthy understanding of the Truth.

Bravo! My wife and I will be starting RCIA next Sunday. We both come from Protestant backgrounds(she was raised Congregational Christian and I was raised Assembly of God),
and having heard all the lies being promoted as truth about the Catholic Church, we decided to see for ourselves. Wow! The truth is astounding! Long story short, our dads are not terribly impressed with us but we believe this is where God is leading us. We both believe that as we learn more about Catholicism, we can dispel those untruths that seem to permeate the Protestant world, and maybe in some small way serve to help mend the divisions in the Body that have plagued Christendom for so long.

 

[joe370]

The sad part of this story is that here is a person who claims to have been raised RC. He offered several similar quotations from several sources. None of them are real. I located and pointed out a specific example which he could readily check for himself and he refused. It is much easier, in my opinion, to condemn the RC church with lies than to seek out the Truth. I am convinced that his arguments are simply “cut and paste” jobs from anti-Catholic websites because he seems either unwilling or unable to do the simplest research to confirm his sources. He simply does not want to know the truth. He needs our prayers. God Bless.

Actually, the truly sad part is the fact that many non-catholics will believe such nonsense.

 

[Sojourner61]

From my lifetime(50 years) in Protestantism, it seems like many non-Catholics are actively looking for reasons to keep and even broaden the existing divisions in the Body. It grieves me to see the hatred aimed at Catholic brothers and sisters simply because they are Catholic. Jesus said the world would know His disciples by their love one for another. So, Even though I’m not Catholic…yet, I’m also not, and will not be Protestant.

 

[KathleenGee]

I was on CARM for at most 2 hours.

I read posts saying the ‘pope god’. The posters could smear and slur anything about our faith. I got a warning for questioning Mr. Slick…and his name. I got a warning. And I could not respond to the warning. I wrote what our worship is and it was deleted.

The this Baptist minister is not a true minister to God, to truth, and human decency.

Consider the source and move on. We will all be held accountable for that what comes out of our mouths. These people do not know what they are doing.

 

[zz912]

Baptist pastor’s response to me:
I too have extensively studied Roman Catholic doctrine. And yes, Catholics do indeed worship both statues and icons, as both of us already know. To bow before a statue is worship. Bowing down before a statue = worship (See Exodus 20). You can call it “veneration” if you wish, but it is still bowing down before a stature or idol, which is worship and which is strictly forbidden by God in the Bible

---

That poor Baptist pastor should read his Bible some more:

*Gen 18:1 The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oak of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. 2 Looking up, he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, *3 he said: “Sir, if it please you, do not go on past your servant. 4 Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest under the tree. 5 Now that you have come to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way.” “Very well,” they replied, “do as you have said.”

Abraham is bowing down before three angels. And it is not sinful, nor causes any concern from the angels. So obviously the act of bowing is not worship, but the attitude and beliefs associated with it.

 

[KathleenGee]

People like this, and they exist in every branch of Christianity, suffer from scruples.

They believe deeply in God, but have not arrived yet in their faith in believing and living out Christ True God…and Christ True Man. Their faith development has not arrived yet at the place to really experience the depth Christ loves them in their humanity. They do not fully understand and comprehend His humanity, and are afraid of things of life.

The Risen Lord has made all things new. The Risen Lord draws ALL men up to Himself, and even in our sinfulness…that perfects others who endure in good, we all in some way are fulfilling the will of God.

 

[jlhargus]

mark

 

[estesbob]

That poor Baptist pastor should read his Bible some more:

*Gen 18:1 The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oak of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. 2 Looking up, he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, *3 he said: “Sir, if it please you, do not go on past your servant. 4 Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest under the tree. 5 Now that you have come to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way.” “Very well,” they replied, “do as you have said.”

Abraham is bowing down before three angels. And it is not sinful, nor causes any concern from the angels. So obviously the act of bowing is not worship, but the attitude and beliefs associated with it.

The Baptist Pastor evidently has not beed in a catholic Church for a long time. If he did he would see we no longer worship statues-we worship banners

 

[jlhargus]

I wouldn’t say the Pope thinks he is God but I’ve heard the Pope thinks he is the Vicar of Christ which means he takes the place of God. He is God on Earth meaning he represents God and Catholics should look to him as they would look upon Christ following his infallible teaching as they would follow Christ. I think many Protestants would consider that to be equating oneself with God.

JL: Those who have been SENT speak with the authority of God.

Ex 7:1 And THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, See, ** I HAVE MADE THE A GOD TO PHARAOH**: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

Zech2:8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and THE HOUSE OF DAVID SHALL BE AS GOD, as the angel of the LORD before them.

2Cor 5:20 Now then WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, AS THOUGH GOD DID BESEECH YOU BY US: we pray you IN CHRIST’S STEAD, be ye reconciled to God.

2Cor13:3 Since ye seek a proof of CHRIST SPEAKING IN ME, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

Gal4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh YE despised not, nor rejected; but RECEIVED ME AS AN ANGEL of God, EVEN AS CHRIST JESUS.

Pope Clement I: “Owing to the sudden and repeated calamities and misfortunes which have befallen us… Accept our counsel and you will have nothing to regret… If anyone disobeys the things which have been said by him [God] through us [that you must reinstate your leaders], let them know that they will involve themselves in transgression and in no small danger… You will afford us joy and gladness if being obedient to the things which we have written through the Holy Spirit, you will root out the wicked passion of jealousy…” (Letter to the Corinthians 1:1, 58:2-59:1,63:2[A.D.80]).