Probably no to both questions.
Although we cannot presume to know that, I would say his chances are pretty high, judging by the fruit of his faith and the beauty of his life.
A street sweeper may have as close a relationship with God as a Pope – and you KNOW that, don’t you?
Not quite. Popes can define what is and has always been doctrine, where an issue is in dispute, with two or more parties suggesting alternative doctrines. He cannot make up doctrine afresh.
There have been very few popes who might be called ‘liberal’. Some who might have been immoral in their personal lives, some who were more tolerant or less autocratic, but popes have largely been pretty consistent in enforcing the traditions of their faith. Catholics like to think this is due to the influence of the Holy Ghost.
No. And–No. It is widely believed in the RCC that it is impossible for women to receive the charism of the priesthood, although this has not been infallibly defined as such.
By ‘gay’ I am assuming you mean only that someone has same-sex attractions, not that they are willfully engaged in immoral behavior. If so then your answer woud be: not usually although they can be if they are not observing chastity and remaining faithful to their vows of celibacy.
Very doubtful. There are likely as not, hundreds or even thousands of such message boards in various languages. On th other hand, Ratzinger was interviewed on the Catholic Answers radio show I understand–if so, he may be somewhat aware of the message board. It would not be especially important to him to have someone provide him a synopsis of activity here, however. What would be the need of it?
Same logic applies to computer-based message boards.
We will only know that of a certainty if and when he is canonised.
Not necessarily. He may be getting his ear chewed off by the Savior over his misdeeds in running the Catholic Church even as I write. I think he did a pretty-good job but my ways are not the Lord’s and besides I’m not Roman Catholic. (I happen to think that Jesus isn’t either, but that’s another thread).
Sorry, I tried to back track in the thread but, for the life of me, I can’t figure out what you are referring to. Sorry to be so obtuse. Can you give a hint? Thank you.
My fault.
I was trying to give a couple of links to the World Christian Encyclopedia and to David Barrett’s web site in order to provide some information so anyone interested may examine Barretts’ methodology in how he arrived at the figures he puts out.
Thanks EA. Helpful info. Can we please go back to the topic?
Innocent III said:
In this quotation from his coronation sermon Innocent is describing the dignity of the papal office, not the man, who may be as frail a sinner as anyone (although we pray he won’t be).
He did not say that tey do not exist. He said they are not physical, material places as this world understand space and time. Indeed, we all know that space and time as we understand them limit our ability to comprehend the mysteries of eternal life.
:whacky:
I think you’d better reread them. He in no way said that they do not exist. Do you believe that this physical world is the only existance?
Where did you get that idea? The Pope may be in heaven (and in the case of JP II, I’m pretty sure he is) but canonization does not “promote” a person to heaven. Canonization is a legal a process by which the Church conducts an examination of the person’s life, and when the life has been determined to be one of “heroic sanctity”, and with the confirmation of authenticated miracles, the Church is able to declare that person, without doubt, to be in Heaven. Your saintly grandmother and mine are probably sipping tea together in heaven right now – but they are not canonized, so we cannot publicly recognize that fact as a matter of faith.
Are you messin’ with my head here? Surely after all these posts you have a clearer grasp of this than that.
Think of Purgatory as the vestibule of heaven. The souls in Purgatory are saints. They are in their final purification (because "nothing unclean shall enter the City – Rev 21:27) before the final judgment. For clarification on judgment, see *The Catechism of the Catholic Church *scborromeo.org/ccc.htm #’'s 1051, 1022, 1023, and 1806.
If you would like a few words from the Pope, why not read one of his books? The following titles are in print (there are others) and might shed some light on your questions (they are available through Ignatius Press ignatiusinsight.com/authors/cardinalratzinger.asp.
Actually this has been addressed several times and should be considered to be a closed subject. I has been infallibly stated that the priesthood is for Males only, as they are the spouse of the Church. The Church is the Bride of Christ, hence her spouse must be Male. Also, the priest acts “In persona Christi” and Christ was a Male human.
I heard the same thing just last night, from someone who appears to be 3/4ths of the way through the book. He said it was extremely rich in theology but that it took effort to read. It was highly recommended to anyone willing to put in some energy.
Interesting - I didn’t see the reference to the office in his sermon.
beg the question: How is this humility exhibited? By issuing interdicts against entire countries, France for example?