Papacy question

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So I’ve wanted to ask, although it’s now moot, a question about the papacy and the doctrine of infallibility.

Lets imagine a scenario where a pope is selected who changes the direction of the church substantially and in a way that you at least previously didn’t agree with.

He accepts abortion as moral or gives blessing to gay marriages, or whatever. Whatever your hot button issue is, this Pope digs it.

What do you do? I can’t quite wrap my brain around this. Given that the church unambiguously says the pope is infallible do you just accept that whatever his position is in fact correct now?

I’m honestly asking. If the new pope had told Catholics that abortion was now moral, contraceptives blessed, and gay lifestyles were welcome would you accept it? Could you?
 
It is not possible because it would be contrary to the gospel.That would be an anti-pope.:nope:
 
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TlaIoc:
So I’ve wanted to ask, although it’s now moot, a question about the papacy and the doctrine of infallibility.

Lets imagine a scenario where a pope is selected who changes the direction of the church substantially and in a way that you at least previously didn’t agree with.

He accepts abortion as moral or gives blessing to gay marriages, or whatever. Whatever your hot button issue is, this Pope digs it.

What do you do? I can’t quite wrap my brain around this. Given that the church unambiguously says the pope is infallible do you just accept that whatever his position is in fact correct now?

I’m honestly asking. If the new pope had told Catholics that abortion was now moral, contraceptives blessed, and gay lifestyles were welcome would you accept it? Could you?
Click to expand...
It is possible to imagine, to “wrap one’s brain around” many scenarios. One can, for example, imagine a world of melting watches, as illustrated by Salvador Dali. Or a world of melting cows, as illustrated by Gary Larson. One can imagine a world populated by talking animated scarecrows, tin woodcutters and melting witches. One can imagine a world with talking playing cards, chessmen and melting cheshire cats (I know, it didn’t melt, it vanished. But I’ve got a theme going here, and I can imagine it melting.) I suppose I can even imagine a melting Pope. But despite the fact that all these scenarios and more are possible in my imagination, I know that when I walk out my front door, they’re just not going to be there. Likewise, we have the asurannce and protection of the Holy Spirit that the Holy Father will not lead the Church into error in matters of faith and morals. So even though you and I can “imagine” such things, they just aren’t going to happen.
 
Another way of looking at it: The Pope has absolutely no authority to “change” Church teachings. Should he attempt to do so, how in fact could he do it? Any type of teaching under the charism of infallibility would involve a lot more than an “off the cuff” remark, or even a stated declaration of INTENTION to make a change–no, the Holy Spirit would never allow the Church teachings to be in error. It would never get that far. . .God Himself has promised us that, and God Himself will take care of it. I have no worries at all on that head.
 
If I came across a four-sided triangle, I’d be at a loss, too.
 
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TlaIoc:
So I’ve wanted to ask, although it’s now moot, a question about the papacy and the doctrine of infallibility.

I’m honestly asking. If the new pope had told Catholics that abortion was now moral, contraceptives blessed, and gay lifestyles were welcome would you accept it? Could you?
Click to expand...
As Catholics, we believe, trust and know through faith the words that our Lord Jesus spoke to Peter before His ascention into heaven:

Matthew**, *Chapter 16:18-19 “***And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

…so, we can rest freely that no Pope will ever be elected who will teach heresy/evil (i.e., “netherworld” stuff).
 
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TlaIoc:
So I’ve wanted to ask, although it’s now moot, a question about the papacy and the doctrine of infallibility.

Lets imagine a scenario where a pope is selected who changes the direction of the church substantially and in a way that you at least previously didn’t agree with.

He accepts abortion as moral or gives blessing to gay marriages, or whatever. Whatever your hot button issue is, this Pope digs it.

What do you do? I can’t quite wrap my brain around this. Given that the church unambiguously says the pope is infallible do you just accept that whatever his position is in fact correct now?

I’m honestly asking. If the new pope had told Catholics that abortion was now moral, contraceptives blessed, and gay lifestyles were welcome would you accept it? Could you?
Click to expand...
The Church does not say that the Pope is infalliable in everything. If he said 2+2 = 77, well, he would be wrong. Infalliabilty comes under only certain conditions. The Pope is prevented from teaching error when it comes to matters of faith and morals.

To answer your question-I don’t know. I think I’d freak if what I have often imagined-like meeting a halfling, going to Narnia, or being a Jedi(LOVE THOSE LIGHT SABERS:D Purple ones are the best!!!) came true. So if something that I’d never imagined(like what you described)happened, I’d probably be in total shock and couldn’t accept it.
 
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