Why limit your question to the popes? What about the apostles themselves?We know that the scripture teaches that Christ gave authority to His apostles to bind and loose.
Question: Is is ever possible for the vicar of Christ to ever deny forgiveness to someone who God actually forgives despite the fact?
This is a loaded question. Generally speaking, the Pope’s position will be guided and protected by the Holy Spirit. However, the situation can change over time. If someone came to the Pope and asked forgiveness sacramentally and the Pope judged that the person was not sincere, (for instance, if a man came to confess adultery but continued to live with his mistress), the Pope (and any other priest) would be obligated to withhold his absolution. However, at some later time, the man might give up his mistress and be truly penitent and confessing to another preist and be put back in the state of grace.We know that the scripture teaches that Christ gave authority to His apostles to bind and loose.
Question: Is is ever possible for the vicar of Christ to ever deny forgiveness to someone who God actually forgives despite the fact?
If Jesus said that “Whosoever sins you forgive are forgiven, and whosoever sins you retain are retained”, why would He then behave like He never said that in the first place?We know that the scripture teaches that Christ gave authority to His apostles to bind and loose.
Question: Is is ever possible for the vicar of Christ to ever deny forgiveness to someone who God actually forgives despite the fact?
Or all of us, for that matter. Did not Christ teach that we must forgive in order to be forgiven?Why limit your question to the popes? What about the apostles themselves?
I believe the direct answer to your question is no it is not possible…BUT…paul c’s response below is excellent in putting things in perspective.We know that the scripture teaches that Christ gave authority to His apostles to bind and loose.
Question: Is is ever possible for the vicar of Christ to ever deny forgiveness to someone who God actually forgives despite the fact?
I would just add to this that if the person repented and gave up his mistress but died before being able to sacramentally confess…He would still stand forgiven before God.This is a loaded question. Generally speaking, the Pope’s position will be guided and protected by the Holy Spirit. However, the situation can change over time. If someone came to the Pope and asked forgiveness sacramentally and the Pope judged that the person was not sincere, (for instance, if a man came to confess adultery but continued to live with his mistress), the Pope (and any other priest) would be obligated to withhold his absolution. However, at some later time, the man might give up his mistress and be truly penitent and confessing to another priest and be put back in the state of grace.
Assuming the pope was hearing confessions (which he normally would not be doing) -And so if one of the evil popes didn’t forgive anyone then their sins are retained?
IMHO, the answer is a flat-out yes. Ultimately it is Christ who is the judge.We know that the scripture teaches that Christ gave authority to His apostles to bind and loose.
Question: Is is ever possible for the vicar of Christ to ever deny forgiveness to someone who God actually forgives despite the fact?
This is a really good question. When a priest is being insincere, is he still acting “in persona Christi”? Could he actually retain someone’s sin, say, out of spite?And so if one of the evil popes didn’t forgive anyone then their sins are retained?
I agree that it is Christ who is our judge. However, how would the person know, (say, if it is a particularly scrupulous person, and he/she leaves the confessional thinking their sin hasn’t been forgiven)? If it were me, I suppose I would find another priest and try again.IMHO, the answer is a flat-out yes. Ultimately it is Christ who is the judge.
Just because someone does not resolve absolution from a priest/bishop does not mean they are not forgiven. The simple example is that the person can have perfect contrition, and ultimately Christ decides.