The Pope

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Singinbeauty

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Again… not trying to be repetative or attack anyone but I would like to know in your words who the Pope is and what function he holds in the catholic church and in other denominations.

I have heard so many things and I know that they aren’t all true. I don’t want to say what I have heard before I hear what you describe and I can throw out the junk and keep the truth. Thank you! 🙂
 
He is my spiritual father, who is the successor of St. Peter.

He is a man like St. Peter who has been entrusted to be the earthly pastor of His Church. He kinda sits in the Prime Minister position.

We like to think of the Catholic Church as a big beautiful family, we have brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. He is like the eldest father to us.

I believe he stands for maintaining the truth of the Catholic Church. The Holy Spirit guides the Church and will maintain that the Pope, no matter how much of a failure as a man, the Church wont fall.

There have been bad popes, but interestingly enough none has ever in 2000 years taught contradicting doctrine. There is a good book that goes into a little more detail called Pope Fiction by Patrick Madrid.

This is also a show on EWTN.

God Bless
Scylla

As you can see I like to waste time at my job and post on this board. 🙂
 
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Singinbeauty:
Again… not trying to be repetative or attack anyone but I would like to know in your words who the Pope is and what function he holds in the catholic church and in other denominations.

I have heard so many things and I know that they aren’t all true. I don’t want to say what I have heard before I hear what you describe and I can throw out the junk and keep the truth. Thank you! 🙂
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Hi Sininbeauty, Welcome.

The Pope is the earthly pastor of the Church which Jesus Christ founded. He is the shepard of Christs flock. He is the successor of the Apostle Peter to whom Jesus said “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatsoever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, whatsoever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” This is very strong and powerful language, the giving of the keys and the power to bind and loose. In ancient Israel, when the king would go away, he would give his prime minister the “keys of the Kingdom”. He was given all authority until the kings return. This is the what Jesus did. As the successor of Peter, the Pope has full authority over the Church until Christ returns in Glory. Furthermore, the decisions of the Church are guided and protected by the Holy Spirit.

May the Lord guide you the the Pillar and Foundation of Truth.

Your brother in Christ.
 
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Singinbeauty:
Again… not trying to be repetative or attack anyone but I would like to know in your words who the Pope is and what function he holds in the catholic church and in other denominations.

I have heard so many things and I know that they aren’t all true. I don’t want to say what I have heard before I hear what you describe and I can throw out the junk and keep the truth. Thank you! 🙂
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OK. Short answer this time. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome. He is the successor to Peter. He is the Vicar of Christ. He is Christ’s human representative on Earth. He is a priest. He is a man. He is the leader of Christ’s visible Church on Earth. He is a spiritual father figure and a teacher to all members of the Church. The papal office carries with it the charism of infallibility when teaching on matters of doctrine and morals. This charism is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
 
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Singinbeauty:
Again… not trying to be repetative or attack anyone but I would like to know in your words who the Pope is and what function he holds in the catholic church and in other denominations.

I have heard so many things and I know that they aren’t all true. I don’t want to say what I have heard before I hear what you describe and I can throw out the junk and keep the truth. Thank you! 🙂
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The Pope exercises in the Church the same function as Simon Peter was given by Christ. This is he does in communion with the rest of the Church - with the laity and the clergy in general; and with the bishops in particular: because the bishops (of whom the Pope is one) are the successors to the Apostles.​

The Papacy is one form and development of the Petrine office. There was not always a Papacy - but the Petrine office has always existed in the Church, in some form or another. It would still exist, even if the Papacy as such ceased to exist.

It’s terribly difficult to answer your question briefly - there is so much that needs saying: about God, the Church, the bishops, the sacraments, the nature and purpose of Christ’s authority, the authority of Christ in His Church, and so on. It’s almost easier to say what the Pope & Papacy are not. ##
 
The Pope has the postition as our visible leader of the Church. He is our shepherd on earth and he represents Christ’s Church to the world. He is a humble servant who is doing the Lord’s work with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

He is the face of continuity that makes me feel connected to 2,000 years of history going all the way back to the first pope Peter and Christ Himself. Why do I listen to the Pope and love the Pope? Because I love God the Father and Jesus Christ.

I believe God knows us better than we know ourselves. We need one visible, clear voice to be unified. He answered that need by giving Jesus the duty of naming Peter as the first pope of His Church (Peter became the Bishop of Rome which is also a title still held by the Pope. “Pope” is an affectionate term meaning “Papa”.) I believe Pope Benedict XVI was chosen by the Holy Spirit.

It gave me chills when Pope Benedict went to the tomb of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to pray before going outside for his installation Mass. He is St. Peter’s successor - wow! St. Peter’s Basilica is literally “built on Peter”. The Church was built on the place of Peter’s burial after his martyrdom and his bones were discovered under the altar in the mid-20th century. The Church was literally built on Peter. I believe that. I’ve seen Protestant sites that refute the claim but after reading both sides, I believe it’s Peter in the tomb.
 
Just a handful of the many references to the primacy of Peter in Scriptures:

Mark 14:37 - at Gethsemane, Jesus asks Peter, and no one else, why he was asleep. Peter is accountable to Jesus for his actions on behalf of the apostles because he has been appointed by Jesus as their leader.

Mark 16:7 - Peter is specified by an angel as the leader of the apostles as the angel confirms the resurrection of Christ.

Luke 5:3 – Jesus teaches from Peter’s boat which is metaphor for the Church. Jesus guides Peter and the Church into all truth.

Luke 5:4,10 - Jesus instructs Peter to let down the nets for a catch, and the miraculous catch follows. Peter, the Pope, is the “fisher of men.”

Luke 7:40-50- Jesus addresses Peter regarding the rule of forgiveness and Peter answers on behalf of the disciples. Jesus also singles Peter out and judges his conduct vis-à-vis the conduct of the woman who anointed Him.

Luke 8:45 - when Jesus asked who touched His garment, it is Peter who answers on behalf of the disciples.

Luke 8:51; 9:28; 22:8; Acts 1:13; 3:1,3,11; 4:13,19; 8:14 - Peter is always mentioned before John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.

Luke 9:28;33 - Peter is mentioned first as going to mountain of transfiguration and the only one to speak at the transfiguration.

Luke 12:41 - Peter seeks clarification of a parable on behalf on the disciples. This is part of Peter’s formation as the chief shepherd of the flock after Jesus ascended into heaven.

Luke 22:31-32 - Jesus prays for Peter alone, that his faith may not fail, and charges him to strengthen the rest of the apostles.

Luke 24:12, John 20:4-6 - John arrived at the tomb first but stopped and waited for Peter. Peter then arrived and entered the tomb first.

Luke 24:34 - the two disciples distinguish Peter even though they both had seen the risen Jesus the previous hour. See Luke 24:33.

John 6:68 - after the disciples leave, Peter is the first to speak and confess his belief in Christ after the Eucharistic discourse.

John 13:6-9 - Peter speaks out to the Lord in front of the apostles concerning the washing of feet.

John 13:36; 21:18 - Jesus predicts Peter’s death. Peter was martyred at Rome in 67 A.D. Several hundred years of papal successors were also martyred.

John 21:2-3,11 - Peter leads the fishing and his net does not break. The boat (the “barque of Peter”) is a metaphor for the Church.

John 21:7 - only Peter got out of the boat and ran to the shore to meet Jesus. Peter is the earthly shepherd leading us to God.

John 21:15 - in front of the apostles, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Jesus “more than these,” which refers to the other apostles. Peter is the head of the apostolic see.

John 21:15-17 - Jesus charges Peter to “feed my lambs,” “tend my sheep,” “feed my sheep.” Sheep means all people, even the apostles.

Acts 1:13 - Peter is first when entering upper room after our Lord’s ascension. The first Eucharist and Pentecost were given in this room. Acts 1:15 - Peter initiates the selection of a successor to Judas right after Jesus ascended into heaven, and no one questions him. Further, if the Church needed a successor to Judas, wouldn’t it need one to Peter? Of course.

Much more here: scripturecatholic.com/primacy_of_peter.html
 
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Singinbeauty:
…I have heard so many things and I know that they aren’t all true. I don’t want to say what I have heard before I hear what you describe and I can throw out the junk and keep the truth…
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I respect this, but now that you have had some answers perhaps it would be helpful if you would tell us some of what you have heard, so that we may confirm or dispose of individual cases.
 
The Pope is the earthly pastor of the Church which Jesus Christ founded. He is the shepard of Christs flock. He is the successor of the Apostle Peter to whom Jesus said “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatsoever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, whatsoever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” This is very strong and powerful language, the giving of the keys and the power to bind and loose. In ancient Israel, when the king would go away, he would give his prime minister the “keys of the Kingdom”. He was given all authority until the kings return. This is the what Jesus did. As the successor of Peter, the Pope has full authority over the Church until Christ returns in Glory. Furthermore, the decisions of the Church are guided and protected by the Holy Spirit.

May the Lord guide you the the Pillar and Foundation of Truth.

Your brother in Christ.
 
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Singinbeauty:
Again… not trying to be repetative or attack anyone but I would like to know in your words who the Pope is and what function he holds in the catholic church and in other denominations.

I have heard so many things and I know that they aren’t all true. I don’t want to say what I have heard before I hear what you describe and I can throw out the junk and keep the truth. Thank you! 🙂
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What, specifically, have you heard? I’m curious.

I would also point out that the answers you seek here and on other threads are available in the Catechism. You will not find "junk’ in there, just the authentic Catholic teaching. 🙂
 
one of the oddest thing i ever heared re the papacy wa from a friend of mine,“If you look at the bible abd at history, there is no possible way to discount that the Pope is was and will always be the leader of christanity. but he is more of a figurehead than anything else so there is no obligation to become catholic or anyting”

WHAT!??
 
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Brain:
one of the oddest thing i ever heared re the papacy wa from a friend of mine,“If you look at the bible abd at history, there is no possible way to discount that the Pope is was and will always be the leader of christanity. but he is more of a figurehead than anything else so there is no obligation to become catholic or anyting”

WHAT!??
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So the corrected version of Matthew 16:18 would be:

“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this figurehead I will build my church, with no obligation or anything…”

:ehh:
 
Joseph Bilodeau:
So the corrected version of Matthew 16:18 would be:

“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this figurehead I will build my church, with no obligation or anything…”

:ehh:
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While we are at it we can adjust the next part, “the gates of Hell will not prevail against it” to read:

“the gates of Hell will prevail against it immediately and stay that way until the Reformation.” 🙂

Scott
 
Hey, Singin’! Did you go to the CA homepage and access the article on this. Pithy. To the point.
Good luck.
 
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Subrosa:
SING-in-beauty, NOT SIN-in-beauty! It changes her whole character! 😃 :rolleyes:
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Oops!:o Please accept my humble apologies.

Your brother in Christ.
 
There are a lot of good answers on this thread. Thank you to all those who have taken the time to write their answers and I will take a look at those links when I get a chance. 😃

The view of the pope on my side of the ‘fence’ has been to teach that he is viewed almost as a god by those of the catholic faith. That is something that I knew had to be wrong. shrug
 
Absolutely! He is not a God; that is preposterous! One thing I often hear from Protestants is that the Pope is the head of the Catholic Church; so the Catholic Church cannot be God’s true church because Jesus is the head of God’s true church. I even saw somebody site the Catechism of the Catholic Church, where it described the Pope as “governor” of the church.

The answer to this is that Jesus is indeed the head of the Catholic Church; the church is the body of Christ and Jesus is the head. But the Pope is also the head of the Catholic Church, in a manner of speaking. The Pope is the earthly head of the Catholic Church.

So the Pope is the head, and Jesus is the head, but these are two completely different roles; similar in name only. However you look at it though, the Pope is not a God… He is even sinful, and some of the Popes have been terrible sinners! Anyways, I’m rambling now so I might stop. I hope this helps 🙂
 
The Pope is the earthly pastor and shepard of Christs flock of the Church which Jesus Christ founded. He is also the successor of the Apostle Peter to whom Jesus said “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatsoever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, whatsoever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” This is very strong and powerful language, the giving of the keys and the power to bind and loose. In ancient Israel, when the king would go away, he would give his prime minister the “keys of the Kingdom”. He was given all authority until the kings return. This is the what Jesus did. As the successor of Peter, the Pope has full authority over the Church until Christ returns in Glory. Furthermore, the decisions of the Church are guided and protected by the Holy Spirit.

May the peace of Christ be with you.
 
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