Help me with a discussion about "the black pope" with a co-worker

[grasscutter]

A very nice and well meaning co-worker asked me about the “black pope” that he’s seen in every picture with the current (and past (?)) Pope that supposedly really makes the rules. I tried to answer, but I started with apostolic succession and then wasn’t quite able to verbally explain my point. This is a friendly conversation in which this person is seeking information. So, please help me with succinct and cogent points that I may offer. Thank you in advance.

 

[St_Francis]

First, ask the person to show you this person in “every picture of the Pope.” There a million pictures of the Pope all alone… It is not up to you to “explain” or prove, since you can’t prove a negative, but up to him to provide evidence that what he is alleging is true.

The term the black pope refers to the head of the Jesuit order. There have been conspiracy theories about them since the 1700s.

 

[bzkoss236]

A very nice and well meaning co-worker asked me about the “black pope” that he’s seen in every picture with the current (and past (?)) Pope that supposedly really makes the rules. I tried to answer, but I started with apostolic succession and then wasn’t quite able to verbally explain my point. This is a friendly conversation in which this person is seeking information. So, please help me with succinct and cogent points that I may offer. Thank you in advance.

The “Black Pope” is a derogatory term for the Superior General of the Jesuits. There is a conspiracy theory running around that he’s supposedly the “President of the World”. That he’s in control of just about everything and everyone, which is entirely ridiculous. There is no actual evidence to support the claims.

 

[mikeeh]

:whacky: It’s because the Jesuits are crypto-Jews and the Jews control the world.

Tell your friend to stop believing everything he reads and sees on the internets. :hypno:

 

[Jesuit_Boy_63]

:whacky: It’s because the Jesuits are crypto-Jews and the Jews control the world.

Why yes, didn’t you know that the SJ cypher attached to every Jesuits name stands for “Substantially Jewish”?

 

[PJM]

=grasscutter;10883095]A very nice and well meaning co-worker asked me about the “black pope” that he’s seen in every picture with the current (and past (?)) Pope that supposedly really makes the rules. I tried to answer, but I started with apostolic succession and then wasn’t quite able to verbally explain my point. This is a friendly conversation in which this person is seeking information. So, please help me with succinct and cogent points that I may offer. Thank you in advance.

The REAL Pope is the one dressed in WHITE

The Cardinal or Bishop “Black”] is just an AID. One of VERY MANY

READ Matt. 16:15-19 and take not of the SINGULAR tense “You Peter” and “MY Church”

This is a continuation of God always choosing JUST ONE LEADER [one man]
Noah
Abraham
Moses
the Prophets
the Judges
The Kings Like David and Soloman and Jacob
Jesus Himself
and then Peter from whom Succession begain as a absolute NECESSITY when shortly before Jesus assended to the Father He changed his Teaching MANDATE for just the Jews, to the ENTIRE World [Mark 14;16-17 and Matt 28:16-20]

So that ought to keep it simple, factual and chairitable

 

[Pablopedro]

Perhaps the simplest response you can offer your friend is simply showing him and let him read a few encyclicals written by the popes. Here he can really see with just what authority the pope speaks and how he is directing the church. It is also an opportunity to show just how much thought the popes do put in to their teachings and the direction of the church. There are some absolutely beautiful encyclicals from the past 60 years that you can show him and that are extremely relevant to today. It will probably not only change his mind about this “black pope” idea but make him think about Catholicism in general in a different light.

 

[grasscutter]

Thank you very much for all your answers! It’s much appreciated! I’m not poorly catechized, however I have trouble putting my thoughts into words in verbal conversation and this is someone who relies mainly on the internet for “information”. Now, I feel that I can respond in a sensible and kind fashion.

 

[PJM]

=grasscutter;10887157]Thank you very much for all your answers! It’s much appreciated! I’m not poorly catechized, however I have trouble putting my thoughts into words in verbal conversation and this is someone who relies mainly on the internet for “information”. Now, I feel that I can respond in a sensible and kind fashion.

May I suggest that you GO VERY BASIC; and VERY BIBLICAL

Look up and copy these passages in the Order suggested.

http://www.drbo.org/

Matt. 10:1-8
Matt 16:15-19 [be aware of the “single tense” words: “I, You, My and church”
John 14: 16-17 FILLED in John 20: 21-22
Mark 16: 14- 15 [again note the single tense “Ye” [alone]
Matt. 28:16-20 [same message again note the single tense 'Ye and You" [alone]

 

[pablope]

Thank you very much for all your answers! It’s much appreciated! I’m not poorly catechized, however I have trouble putting my thoughts into words in verbal conversation and this is someone who relies mainly on the internet for “information”. Now, I feel that I can respond in a sensible and kind fashion.

I ran into a group on FB that actually believed in the black pope.

They invited me for discussion…but after awhile, after turning the tables on them, they kicked me out.

First thing is…ask for the source of this story or claim. From my experience, presenting counter arguments is going to be difficult…so start refuting their sources. They will be hard pressed for evidence and will try changing their storylines.

Your friend most likely got it from a website such as this…"http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/

It is full of conspiracy stories.

Like this one…jesus-is-savior.com/Bible/defense2.txt