Pope John XXII

[garysibio]

Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion says this regarding Pope John XXII:

John XXII. heretical in regard to the immortality of the soul. His name, therefore, ought to be expunged from the catalogue of Popes, or rather, there is no foundation for the claim of perpetuity of faith in the Roman See. (Book 4, Chap 7, Sec 28)

Does anyone know what Calvin is referring to here?

 

[DavidFilmer]

Does anyone know what Calvin is referring to here?

Pope John XXII personally believed and taught from the pulpit (though never in any official capacity as Pope) that the Saints did not enjoy the Beatific Vision until the final judgment. This throws a wrench into the Catholic idea of the Communion of Saints (whom we believe stand in the presence of God and are thus able to offer prayers on our behalf). FWIW, John eventually recanted his opinion.

These days (and in Calvin’s days), the opinion of Pope John XXII would be considered heresy. But, in the days of Pope John XXII, the Church had not formally taught in this regard (and John XXII never formally taught it - it was John’s successor, Benedict XII, who (in his encyclical, Benedictus Deus) first gave official status to what the Church now accepts as doctrine regarding the status of the Saints in Heaven).

Calvin lacked the clarity of Vatican I in understanding the limitations of Papal infallibility, so we may forgive him for not understanding that John XXII’s personal opinions do not, in any way, detract from the doctrine of Papal infallibility.

 

[mardukm]

It should be noted that at the Council of Florence, it was clarified that there are levels of Beatitude in heaven.

This is quite complementary with the Eastern understanding of Theosis.

Readers should be aware that there are non-Catholic polemicists who, in the interests of creating division between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, claim that the Latins teach only one, static level of Beatitude in heaven.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[mardukm]

IReaders should be aware that there are non-Catholic polemicists who, in the interests of creating division between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, claim that the Latins teach only one, static level of Beatitude in heaven.

To be fair, I’d also like to add that I’ve met Catholic polemicists who, for the same reason, promote that misconception of Catholic teaching.

Blessings

 

[garysibio]

Pope John XXII personally believed and taught from the pulpit (though never in any official capacity as Pope) that the Saints did not enjoy the Beatific Vision until the final judgment. This throws a wrench into the Catholic idea of the Communion of Saints (whom we believe stand in the presence of God and are thus able to offer prayers on our behalf). FWIW, John eventually recanted his opinion.

These days (and in Calvin’s days), the opinion of Pope John XXII would be considered heresy. But, in the days of Pope John XXII, the Church had not formally taught in this regard (and John XXII never formally taught it - it was John’s successor, Benedict XII, who (in his encyclical, Benedictus Deus) first gave official status to what the Church now accepts as doctrine regarding the status of the Saints in Heaven).

Calvin lacked the clarity of Vatican I in understanding the limitations of Papal infallibility, so we may forgive him for not understanding that John XXII’s personal opinions do not, in any way, detract from the doctrine of Papal infallibility.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Roman_Army]

I think perhaps Pope John XXII might have been influenced by the Jewish understanding. Jews believe that they must wait until the coming of the Messiah before going to heaven.

 

[caolinlin]

love pace and share
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