I was wondering..

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Probably not in the sense you mean.

We certainly consider the Pope to be the supreme shepherd on Earth, the one whom Christ called to “tend [his] sheep”, “feed [his] lambs”, etc.

However, the true Good Shepherd is Christ Himself. Every priest on earth is at once an icon of Christ as Shepherd and a sharer in Christ’s role themselves (that is, they both reflect Christ and in a mystical way are Christ).
 
Many of us like to think of the Holy Father as our German Shepherd as well 😉
 
Toribus said:
Probably not in the sense you mean.

We certainly consider the Pope to be the supreme shepherd on Earth, the one whom Christ called to “tend [his] sheep”, “feed [his] lambs”, etc.

However, the true Good Shepherd is Christ Himself. Every priest on earth is at once an icon of Christ as Shepherd and a sharer in Christ’s role themselves (that is, they both reflect Christ and in a mystical way are Christ).
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Yep. Most priests are shepherds (which is what the word “pastor” means), but the term “Good Shepherd” is reserved for Christ.
 
The Pope is the Shepherd of Christ’s Flock in that he is the Vicar of Christ, the Good Shepherd. The Pope is a shepherd, but only Christ is the Shepherd, the Lamb, the Gate, and the Pasture.
 
The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI is our earthly shepherd watching over God’s flock here on earth! Jesus appointed Peter to govern His sheep! 🙂

I’ve seen bumper stickers soon after he became Pope…

"I Love My German Shepherd!"
… with a picture of B16!

We know however, that Jesus is THEE Good Shepherd! 👍 Pope Benedict XVI is a good shepherd though as was John Paul II! :yup:
 
Thank you all for your answers. Why then if, as I believe, Christ is alone is The Good Shepherd does the CCC ascribe that title seemingly to the Pope (I say seemingly because I could be mistaken) in 896:
The Good Shepherd ought to be the model and “form” of the bishop’s pastoral office. Conscious of his own weaknesses, “the bishop . . . can have compassion for those who are ignorant and erring. He should not refuse to listen to his subjects whose welfare he promotes as of his very own children. . . . The faithful . . . should be closely attached to the bishop as the Church is to Jesus Christ, and as Jesus Christ is to the Father”:

Let all follow the bishop, as Jesus Christ follows his Father, and the college of presbyters as the apostles; respect the deacons as you do God’s law. Let no one do anything concerning the Church in separation from the bishop.
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Looking at it again I believe I might be mistaken in my notion
 
historyb said:
Thank you all for your answers. Why then if, as I believe, Christ is alone is The Good Shepherd does the CCC ascribe that title seemingly to the Pope (I say seemingly because I could be mistaken) in 896:

Source

Looking at it again I believe I might be mistaken in my notion
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Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
 
historyb said:
Thank you all for your answers. Why then if, as I believe, Christ is alone is The Good Shepherd does the CCC ascribe that title seemingly to the Pope (I say seemingly because I could be mistaken) in 896:

Source

Looking at it again I believe I might be mistaken in my notion
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Yes, you are mistaken. The passage in the CCC you reference states that the Good Shepherd (Christ) should be **the model **for bishops and priest not that the Pope is the Good Shepherd.
 
historyb said:
Thank you all for your answers. Why then if, as I believe, Christ is alone is The Good Shepherd does the CCC ascribe that title seemingly to the Pope (I say seemingly because I could be mistaken) in 896:

Source

Looking at it again** I believe I might be mistaken in my notion/**QUOTE]

Yes, you were mistaken my friend. Sometimes that happens when we read too fast or when we do not have a solid Catholic foundation. That part of the Catechism says:
The governing office
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First off the Pope is a Sinner. He’s not perfect Like Jesus who is the only true shepard. He’s merely a stand in for us, you could say the ‘‘Offical’’ Representive and head of the Church who’s visable.

Somethings he does are wrong, somethings he believes are wrong, take for example his belief in evolution .

You need to understand he’s only infalliable when he sits in the chair of saint peter and makes what we call an ex catherdra statement. An offical Statement about faith and morals. Otherwise he can lie or deceive. Im not saying he does but he can because he’s a sinner.

He’s a shepard but not thee Shepard who is Christ alone.
 
1ke said:
Yes, you are mistaken. The passage in the CCC you reference states that the Good Shepherd (Christ) should be **the model **for bishops and priest not that the Pope is the Good Shepherd.
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I figured that out after rereading it, thanks 🙂
 
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