Pope Callistus I

[Alberto325]

You could also use a copy of Catholicism for Dummies, which is an excellent basic explanation (catechism) of Catholic belief and doctrines.

Ah I see and I’ve read parts of that book mostly on the intercession of the saints but not the Marian dogmas and thank you for recommending that book

 

[jimkhong]

Hippolytus reconciled with the church before his death and martyrdom, but he was in schism for some time and was a rigorist when it came to communion and absolution. That last point is key. He thought some sins were to grave to ever admit anyone back to communion, and he thought it horrid that the church be “soft.” Hippolytus also set himself up as an “antipope” at one point. His views of Callixtus, who took a merciful, forgiving approach, are certainly colored, to say the least.

I have always had a bit of a devotion to Callistus and Hippolytus & Pontian since young. As you said Hippolytus was a rigourist and was scandalised when Callistus allowed priests to absolve the sin of adultery. He believed that the purity of doctrines and morals that he held to be more important than the pastoral needs of the sinners. In his pride he allowed himself to be voted an alternate pope in opposition to Callistus, and became the first antipope in history. He continued his opposition to Callistus’ two valid successors. Eventually during a persecution both Hippolytus and Pontian (valid pope at that time) were arrested and sent to the salt mines of Sardinia. There both of them were reconciled and Hippolytus died in communion with the Church, accepting Pontian’s papacy. I remember my catechism teacher pointing out how it takes the facing of death of ourselves and our church for us to realise what is important and what is trivial.

So, the sin of Hippolytus was of pride and casting a valid pope as in error for prioritising pastoral care and compassion over his own doctrinal and moral purity. (sorry to be provocative) How then does this sin of Hippolytus inform our current debate in the church over the pastoral treatment of those divorced who has remarried?

Let us pray that this current debate does not require the salt mines of Sardinia before it gets reconciled.