There actually are definitions of high crimes and misdemeanors. It is called the criminal law code enacted by Congress. And it is telling that the framers did not initiate impeachment proceedings within their lifetimes, even though they had virulent political disagreement with one another. We don’t see a case of impeachment trial until Johnson, and not again till it was threatened against Nixon (though he resigned before it was passed), and Clinton.But there’s no definition of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” We see “high crimes” as felonies, and misdemeanors as lesser crimes like shoplifting/petty theft, simple assault without serious injury, aggressive trespass etc. And that’s logical. Except that’s not how the Framers saw it.
“Abuse of power” is actually enshrined in our legal code through the various laws surrounding things such as bribery, perjury, obstruction of justice, etc. What is explicitly forbidden is ex post facto laws, where Congress would pass a law retroactively naming some behavior as criminal, which is essentially what you are advocating.Anything that falls under the vague, uncodified rubric of “abuse of power” is grounds for impeachment.
Agreed. The Pope isn’t appointed by God, but somehow the leader of a country is?This is simply absurd.
You do realize the SCOTUS would preside over the trial in the Senate, right? Or are the nine Justices not judges?And if, as you say, impeachable offenses are invariably enshrined in the United States Code (they’re not), then let a real court with a real judge or tribunal of judges hear it, rather than 535 politicians.
So what do you make of then-Cardinal Ratzinger’s statement that it was his belief that the Pope is not in fact chosen by the Holy Spirit?
- The Pope is Christ’s Vicar on Earth.
“I would not say so, in the sense that the Holy Spirit picks out the Pope… I would say that the Spirit does not exactly take control of the affair, but rather like a good educator, as it were, leaves us much space, much freedom, without entirely abandoning us. Thus the Spirit’s role should be understood in a much more elastic sense, not that he dictates the candidate for whom one must vote. Probably the only assurance he offers is that the thing cannot be totally ruined. . . . There are too many contrary instances of popes the Holy Spirit obviously would not have picked!”
I think you mean to say your interpretation of St. Paul’s words. Unless you have something that shows your interpretation to be the Church’s interpretation.
- If you don’t believe what Paul says in chapter 13 of his letter to the Romans, then I guess you don’t believe that it’s divinely inspired (i.e. Jesus speaking through Paul). If you think Romans 13 is an insert, just say so.
Peter was appointed by Christ. The Holy Spirit was promised to the Church and the power to bind and loose. None of this shows that Popes are chosen by the Holy Spirit. Did Pope Benedict XVI forget those verses when he stated he didn’t believe the Holy Spirit picks the Pope?Peter was appointed by God; when Peter died someone had to take his place. The 12 were commissioned by God at the Last Supper. Jesus promised the HOly Spirit to the Church; not to nations. Jesus gave the authority to bind and lose to Peter; not to nations.
So? Those men have Holy Orders, but are still very much men. Mortal men. Flawed men.He is chosen by people who have the sacrament of Holy Orders, which Christ, not men instituted.
Of course I do. I just don’t think the Holy Spirit makes every decision for us. If the Cardinals want to elect Stephen VI, then he’ll be the Pope. The Holy Spirit will just ensure that he doesn’t destroy the Church over the course of his Papacy.Do you agree that the Holy Spirit guides the church? Sure you do.
Everyone who is subject to governing authorities includes the President. Laws apply to presidents too.Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Sometimes, God has established the “impeaching” or “overturning” authority. Especially when the authority in power has misused that power. I don’t think Trump has misused any power, so I think this attempt at impeachment by the Democrats is really an attempt at a coup.Romans 13:1-2
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
So scripture appears to imply that impeachment of a head of state is sinful. There’s a lot of discussion by our separated brethren over Romans 13 but little by Catholics. Opinions?