the pope

[newbiefound]

Correct me if I am wrong but from what I understand all of the popes are descendants of Peter. Can a pope do everything that Peter could when he was alive? Did Peter bind anything on earth that made his descendants able to take up the mantle he had? Sorry to keep asking questions but this leads to another question. What did the apostles do to allow people to pick up their “power” (for lack of my ability to think of another word) after they were gone? I’ve heard of “laying on hands” what is this? Thanks for all of your help in my getting to better understand the workings of the church.

 

[anawim]

newbiefound:

Correct me if I am wrong but from what I understand all of the popes are descendants of Peter. Can a pope do everything that Peter could when he was alive? Did Peter bind anything on earth that made his descendants able to take up the mantle he had? Sorry to keep asking questions but this leads to another question. What did the apostles do to allow people to pick up their “power” (for lack of my ability to think of another word) after they were gone? I’ve heard of “laying on hands” what is this? Thanks for all of your help in my getting to better understand the workings of the church.

The Popes are the successors of Peter. Peter and the other Apostles were the last to receive divine revelation. Revelation ended with the death of John, the Apostle. The Popes (as well as the general councils) also have the charism of infallibility. This means that on matters of faith and morals, their teaching is free from error.

One citation for the laying on of hands can be found in 1 Tim 4: 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you.