"Then two years later came the lapse of Liberius, of which we have spoken above. Then indeed the Roman clergy, stripping Liberius of his pontifical dignity, went over to Felix, whom they knew to be a Catholic. From that time, Felix began to be the true Pontiff. For although Liberius was not a heretic, nevertheless he was considered one, on account of the peace he made with the Arians, and by that presumption the pontificate could rightly be taken from him: for men are not bound, or able to read hearts; but when they see that someone is a heretic by his external works, they judge him to be a heretic pure and simple, and condemn him as a heretic."
Bellator, I'm sorry, this was YOUR quote (of Bellarmine), not LastDays. I debated your interpretation of it, but you didn't answer about 30 pages ago and LastDays did, so i forgot who originally posted it.
Liberius was not a heretic, though that was only known later. At the time of Liberius, Bellarmine says that we must judge him by his external acts. Ok, fine. My point is that who judged him? Was it joesixpack? Was it one bishop? Was it 4 priests? No, the ROMAN CLERGY STRIPPED LIBERIUS OF HIS PONTIFICAL DIGNITY.
So, this argument goes to prove that the Church must act in some capacity before we can declare (with certainty) a pope is no longer pope. Until he is removed, he's still considered the pope. Even Bellarmine's example proves this.