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Author Topic: The pope question is a red herring  (Read 7572 times)

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Online Plenus Venter

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Re: The pope question is a red herring
« Reply #90 on: December 26, 2023, 10:06:04 PM »
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  • Read St Robert Bellarmine again, it is exactly the same teaching on infallibility as Vatican I. Understand Popes Pius XI and XII accordingly and you will not break with Tradition and the Catholic teaching:

    "'I have prayed for thee that thy faith not fail; and when you have converted, strengthen your brethren' (Luke 22:31). From this text, St Bernard in letter 90 to Pope Innocent deduced that the Roman Pontiff teaching ex cathedra cannot err; and before him the same was said by Pope Lucius I in letter I to the Bishops of Spain and France, by Pope Felix I in a letter to Benignus, Pope Mark in a letter to Athanasius, Leo I in sermon 3..., Leo IX in a letter to Peter Patriarch of Antioch, Agatho in a letter to the Emperor Constantine IV which was read at the Sixth Council (act 4 and again act 8) and approved by the whole Council, Pope Paschal II at the Roman Council..., Innocent III in the chapter Majores on Baptism and its effect... Therefore, if the Roman Pontiff cannot err when he is teaching ex cathedra, certainly his judgement must be followed... For we read Acts ch 15 that the Council said: 'It has seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us'; such also now is the Pontiff's teaching ex cathedra, whom we showed is always directed by the Holy Ghost so that he cannot err." - St Robert Bellarmine, On the Word of God, Lib 3, Cap 5


    Offline Stubborn

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #91 on: December 27, 2023, 04:46:47 AM »
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  • No, this doesn't annihilate R&R at all.

    Just like the quote from Pope Pius XII provided earlier in the thread by QVD, it is laying down the attitude a faithful Catholic ought to have towards the Magisterium.

    It certainly is not teaching that the Roman Pontiff is infallibly guided by Our Lord Jesus Christ whenever he pronounces on faith and morals, thus dispensing with every condition for infallibility just laid down by the First Vatican Council in a solemn definition that it very clearly stated was in accord with the Tradition received.
    It is utterly ludicrous and makes a mockery of the Magisterium to hold to such an absurdity.

    If that were the intention of Popes Pius XI and Pius XII, to contradict what had just been defined (as if they could do so! - unless you use some kind of mental gymnastics to pretend it was not a contradiction, just an addition), then clearly they would have had to do so with equal force and solemnity.

    Undoubtedly, in this context, it is to be understood that it is not without very serious reason that one may resist the Roman Pontiff, it would clearly be an extraordinary thing, it is not the ordinary attitude of a Catholic. Just as it is not the ordinary attitude of a child towards his parents. And a Pope teaching contrary to Tradition, as we have seen with since VII, is obviously just such an extraordinary situation.

    It is fanciful indeed to interpret these quotes from Pius XI and XII as meaning that the Pope could never teach contrary to Tradition and if he did we would either have to
    1. follow him anyway (Conciliar Catholics), or
    2. declare him not to be Pope (Sedevacantists)

    Yes VII and Colin, these are excellent quotes, but please understand them in the Catholic sense and do not pit them against the solemn definition of infallibility, as received from the Fathers and Tradition, of Vatican I.
    Very well said PV!

    So what do you think sedes believe is the point of turning sede? What is the advantage of becoming a sede?
    "But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men." - Acts 5:29

    The Highest Principle in the Church: "We are first of all under obedience to God, and only then under obedience to man" - Fr. Hesse


    Online Plenus Venter

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #92 on: December 27, 2023, 04:58:24 AM »
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  • Very well said PV!

    So what do you think sedes believe is the point of turning sede? What is the advantage of becoming a sede?
    I know, Stubborn, some kind of security I guess. As Bishop Williamson says, if that is what you need to do to keep your faith, then so be it, so long as you come out the other end still in the Catholic Church and recognise a good Pope when we have one. The conclavists make more sense to me, as Matthew often remarks, at least it leads to something practical. However, I am glad that the non-conclavists at least have enough Catholic sense not to throw out everything of the official Church like the conclavists do.

    Online Plenus Venter

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #93 on: December 27, 2023, 05:01:59 AM »
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  • Yes VII and Colin, these are excellent quotes, but please understand them in the Catholic sense and do not pit them against the solemn definition of infallibility, as received from the Fathers and Tradition, of Vatican I.
    Sorry, that was meant to read 2V, not VII!!!

    Offline Stubborn

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #94 on: December 27, 2023, 05:14:40 AM »
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  • I know, Stubborn, some kind of security I guess. As Bishop Williamson says, if that is what you need to do to keep your faith, then so be it, so long as you come out the other end still in the Catholic Church and recognise a good Pope when we have one. The conclavists make more sense to me, as Matthew often remarks, at least it leads to something practical. However, I am glad that the non-conclavists at least have enough Catholic sense not to throw out everything of the official Church like the conclavists do.
    I understand +Willimason's thoughts there and do not disagree entirely, but I'm not so sure that the theological gymnastics needed to become sede should be included in the "do what you need to do" idea. There is a whole lot more to sedeism than a vacant chair. I see no advantage at all, and I see no fruitful point in sedeism. If I am missing the point or advantage then I am missing something in all of this.  
    "But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men." - Acts 5:29

    The Highest Principle in the Church: "We are first of all under obedience to God, and only then under obedience to man" - Fr. Hesse


    Offline 2Vermont

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #95 on: December 27, 2023, 06:31:36 AM »
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  • Sorry, that was meant to read 2V, not VII!!!
    Hahaha.  At some point I noticed that my "name" is backwards of V2.  It wasn't intentional, but I like it.

    Offline 2Vermont

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #96 on: December 27, 2023, 06:52:23 AM »
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  • No, this doesn't annihilate R&R at all.

    Just like the quote from Pope Pius XII provided earlier in the thread by QVD, it is laying down the attitude a faithful Catholic ought to have towards the Magisterium.

    It certainly is not teaching that the Roman Pontiff is infallibly guided by Our Lord Jesus Christ whenever he pronounces on faith and morals, thus dispensing with every condition for infallibility just laid down by the First Vatican Council in a solemn definition that it very clearly stated was in accord with the Tradition received.
    It is utterly ludicrous and makes a mockery of the Magisterium to hold to such an absurdity.

    If that were the intention of Popes Pius XI and Pius XII, to contradict what had just been defined (as if they could do so! - unless you use some kind of mental gymnastics to pretend it was not a contradiction, just an addition), then clearly they would have had to do so with equal force and solemnity.

    Undoubtedly, in this context, it is to be understood that it is not without very serious reason that one may resist the Roman Pontiff, it would clearly be an extraordinary thing, it is not the ordinary attitude of a Catholic. Just as it is not the ordinary attitude of a child towards his parents. And a Pope teaching contrary to Tradition, as we have seen with since VII, is obviously just such an extraordinary situation.

    It is fanciful indeed to interpret these quotes from Pius XI and XII as meaning that the Pope could never teach contrary to Tradition and if he did we would either have to
    1. follow him anyway (Conciliar Catholics), or
    2. declare him not to be Pope (Sedevacantists)

    Yes VII and Colin, these are excellent quotes, but please understand them in the Catholic sense and do not pit them against the solemn definition of infallibility, as received from the Fathers and Tradition, of Vatican I.
    No one is saying that it equates with "papal infallibility" as defined at Vatican I. 

    What it is saying is that we are to be "guided and led in all things that touch upon faith or morals by the Holy Church of God through its Supreme Pastor the Roman Pontiff". 

    As I said upthread (or maybe it was another thread), this isn't about "Papal infallibility".  It's about the Church's infallibility.  So, this quote is actually more support for the Church's infallibility regarding its teachings on faith and morals. 

    The Church cannot err in these matters through its Supreme Pastor.  Otherwise, Pius XI would not command us to be guided and led in all things that touch upon faith and morals.  Nowhere does Pope Pius XI even imply that we can pick and choose or to sift what we believe to be correct when dealing with Church teachings pertaining to faith and morals or anything that even touches upon them.  

    Offline Stubborn

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #97 on: December 27, 2023, 11:58:45 AM »
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  • No one is saying that it equates with "papal infallibility" as defined at Vatican I. 

    What it is saying is that we are to be "guided and led in all things that touch upon faith or morals by the Holy Church of God through its Supreme Pastor the Roman Pontiff". 

    As I said upthread (or maybe it was another thread), this isn't about "Papal infallibility".  It's about the Church's infallibility.  So, this quote is actually more support for the Church's infallibility regarding its teachings on faith and morals.

    The Church cannot err in these matters through its Supreme Pastor.  Otherwise, Pius XI would not command us to be guided and led in all things that touch upon faith and morals.  Nowhere does Pope Pius XI even imply that we can pick and choose or to sift what we believe to be correct when dealing with Church teachings pertaining to faith and morals or anything that even touches upon them. 
    This is an excellent point 2V.

    PPXI essentially saying we are to be guided and led by the teachings of Holy Mother the Church through the pope, whether ex cathedra or not.   

    But we have a pope(s), the Supreme Pastor, who is a heretic to the point that we cannot allow ourselves to be guided by him in faith or morals - or anything else for that matter. But he is not the Church, we are still guided and led by Holy Mother the Church through the Church's Magisterium just the same as popes are. This is actually old news to trads who've been in this for a while. The essential thing we are missing is his teaching authority - due to him being a heretic.

    As for sifting the magisterium, while I understand what you mean, I do not entirely agree. God knows our tribulations better than we know them, and as long as we keep trying, one way or another He will take care of us - and wants to. 

    Note the oft quoted Zacharias 13:7 that says: "..saith the Lord of hosts: strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand to the little ones."

    Note the bolded - it is we who are the little ones, everything is in the hands of God, everything. He will calm this storm in His own good time.
    "But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men." - Acts 5:29

    The Highest Principle in the Church: "We are first of all under obedience to God, and only then under obedience to man" - Fr. Hesse


    Offline songbird

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #98 on: December 27, 2023, 03:30:16 PM »
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  • Questions regarding Pope Pius XI.  From my understanding, it was he who was to consecrate Russia.  He did not as we all know.  What happened?  According to sister  Lucia, Our Lady said, "If he does not consecrate, errors will continue, which we have.  But something else was said, and correct me if you wish.  Our Lady was to have said, " Because he did not, Pope will be as King Louis who did not consecrate France to the Sacred Heart. King Louis was dethroned and beheaded. 
     So, did Pope Pius XI go wrong in his pontificate, to not do a command of God through Our Lady's request?  Is it possible?   I say yes, and Cardinal Manning and Pope Leo thought so.  And because the pope was dethroned, the Church was beheaded?  

    The word "might" is used several times in Vat. I.  Might the Pope take the Graces given to him for his office.  So, his faith "may" not fail...ect.

    Sure, God can certainly decide between Him and  the Pope how things can turn out.  So, IMO, because Pope Pius XI not only did not do the consecration, he also mocked God.  That is very serious!!!

    Online Plenus Venter

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #99 on: December 27, 2023, 08:35:45 PM »
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  • No one is saying that it equates with "papal infallibility" as defined at Vatican I. 

    What it is saying is that we are to be "guided and led in all things that touch upon faith or morals by the Holy Church of God through its Supreme Pastor the Roman Pontiff". 

    As I said upthread (or maybe it was another thread), this isn't about "Papal infallibility".  It's about the Church's infallibility.  So, this quote is actually more support for the Church's infallibility regarding its teachings on faith and morals.

    The Church cannot err in these matters through its Supreme Pastor.  Otherwise, Pius XI would not command us to be guided and led in all things that touch upon faith and morals.  Nowhere does Pope Pius XI even imply that we can pick and choose or to sift what we believe to be correct when dealing with Church teachings pertaining to faith and morals or anything that even touches upon them. 
    Please, 2Vermont, read again the solemn teaching of Vatican I about when we are infallibly guided by the Supreme Pastor, the Roman Pontiff, in faith and morals. If you dispense with the conditions laid down and 'improve' upon the definition of the Church, if you falsely interpret Pope Pius XI and Pius XII as doing this, you reject the definition and incur a very grave penalty. This definition is irreformable, as you can read. Please do not try to reform it. This is the INFALLIBILITY that by the divine assistance promised to the POPE in Blessed PETER, Our Divine Redeemer willed His CHURCH to enjoy: Here it is, from the dogmatic constitution Pastor Aeternus:

    Chapter 4. On the infallible teaching authority of the Roman pontiff
    • That apostolic primacy which the Roman pontiff possesses as successor of Peter, the prince of the apostles, includes also the supreme power of teaching.
      • This holy see has always maintained this,
      • the constant custom of the church demonstrates it, and
      • the ecuмenical councils, particularly those in which East and West met in the union of faith and charity, have declared it.
      [councils]
    • So the fathers of the fourth council of Constantinople, following the footsteps of their predecessors, published this solemn profession of faith:
      • The first condition of salvation is to maintain the rule of the true faith. And since that saying of our lord Jesus Christ, You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church [55] , cannot fail of its effect, the words spoken are confirmed by their consequences. For in the apostolic see the catholic religion has always been preserved unblemished, and sacred doctrine been held in honour. Since it is our earnest desire to be in no way separated from this faith and doctrine, we hope that we may deserve to remain in that one communion which the apostolic see preaches, for in it is the whole and true strength of the christian religion [56] .
      What is more, with the approval of the second council of Lyons, the Greeks made the following profession:
      • “The holy Roman church possesses the supreme and full primacy and principality over the whole catholic church. She truly and humbly acknowledges that she received this from the Lord himself in blessed Peter, the prince and chief of the apostles, whose successor the Roman pontiff is, together with the fullness of power. And since before all others she has the duty of defending the truth of the faith, so if any questions arise concerning the faith, it is by her judgment that they must be settled.” [57]
      Then there is the definition of the council of Florence:
      • “The Roman pontiff is the true vicar of Christ, the head of the whole church and the father and teacher of all Christians; and to him was committed in blessed Peter, by our lord Jesus Christ, the full power of tending, ruling and governing the whole church.” [58]
      [Holy See]
    • To satisfy this pastoral office, our predecessors strove unwearyingly that the saving teaching of Christ should be spread among all the peoples of the world; and with equal care they made sure that it should be kept pure and uncontaminated wherever it was received.[Custom]
    • It was for this reason that the bishops of the whole world, sometimes individually, sometimes gathered in synods, according to the long established custom of the churches and the pattern of ancient usage referred to this apostolic see those dangers especially which arose in matters concerning the faith. This was to ensure that any damage suffered by the faith should be repaired in that place above all where the faith can know no failing [59] .[Holy See]
    • The Roman pontiffs, too, as the circuмstances of the time or the state of affairs suggested,
      • sometimes by
        • summoning ecuмenical councils or
        • consulting the opinion of the churches scattered throughout the world, sometimes by
        • special synods, sometimes by
        • taking advantage of other useful means afforded by divine providence,
      • defined as doctrines to be held those things which, by God’s help, they knew to be in keeping with
        • sacred scripture and
        • the apostolic traditions.
    • For the holy Spirit was promised to the successors of Peter
      • not so that they might, by his revelation, make known some new doctrine,
      • but that, by his assistance, they might religiously guard and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of faith transmitted by the apostles.
      Indeed, their apostolic teaching was
      • embraced by all the venerable fathers and
      • reverenced and followed by all the holy orthodox doctors,
      for they knew very well that this see of St. Peter always remains unblemished by any error, in accordance with the divine promise of our Lord and Saviour to the prince of his disciples: I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren [60] .
    • This gift of truth and never-failing faith was therefore divinely conferred on Peter and his successors in this see so that they might discharge their exalted office for the salvation of all, and so that the whole flock of Christ might be kept away by them from the poisonous food of error and be nourished with the sustenance of heavenly doctrine. Thus the tendency to schism is removed and the whole church is preserved in unity, and, resting on its foundation, can stand firm against the gates of hell.
    • But since in this very age when the salutary effectiveness of the apostolic office is most especially needed, not a few are to be found who disparage its authority, we judge it absolutely necessary to affirm solemnly the prerogative which the only-begotten Son of God was pleased to attach to the supreme pastoral office.
    • Therefore,
      • faithfully adhering to the tradition received from the beginning of the christian faith,
      • to the glory of God our saviour,
      • for the exaltation of the catholic religion and
      • for the salvation of the christian people,
      • with the approval of the sacred council,

      • we teach and define as a divinely revealed dogma that
        • when the Roman pontiff speaks EX CATHEDRA,
          • that is, when,
          • in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians,
          • in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority,
          • he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole church,
        • he possesses,
          • by the divine assistance promised to him in blessed Peter,
        • that infallibility which the divine Redeemer willed his church to enjoy in defining doctrine concerning faith or morals.
        • Therefore, such definitions of the Roman pontiff are of themselves, and not by the consent of the church, irreformable.

      So then, should anyone, which God forbid, have the temerity to reject this definition of ours: let him be anathema.


    Online Pax Vobis

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #100 on: December 27, 2023, 10:49:23 PM »
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  • Quote
    It's about the Church's infallibility.
    There’s no such thing.  There aren’t 2 infallibility’s but only one.  The pope has infallibility and that’s it.  The Church is infallible because of the pope.  The Church is an institution; an inanimate object; it can’t teach, except by way of the pope.  “Church teaching” is just an expression which contains all historical authoritative teachings by prior popes. 


    Offline 2Vermont

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    Online Pax Vobis

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #102 on: December 28, 2023, 08:41:36 AM »
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  • I would say that the “new Advent” site has been Modernized and it’s definition of infallibility pushes the erroneous notion of collegiality.  But that’s another topic.  

    Offline Hank Igitur

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #103 on: December 29, 2023, 04:54:41 PM »
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  • Show me the proof of his formal heresy, I don't follow him very closely. Thank you.
    Gladly:"No one can be condemned for ever, because that is not the logic of the Gospel" - Amoris Laetitia #297 (2016) That is in complete contrast to what Christ taught in the Gospels. However, I'm not surprised at Bergoglio's formal teachings of error because he is a Jesuit and the Jesuits have done more to undermine the Church and the faith of its members (just in the last 100 years) than any Freemason has ever done. Why else do you think the Jesuit order was originally abolished? They never should've been reinstated. 

    Online Plenus Venter

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    Re: The pope question is a red herring
    « Reply #104 on: December 29, 2023, 06:12:45 PM »
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  • Gladly:"No one can be condemned for ever, because that is not the logic of the Gospel" - Amoris Laetitia #297 (2016) That is in complete contrast to what Christ taught in the Gospels. However, I'm not surprised at Bergoglio's formal teachings of error because he is a Jesuit and the Jesuits have done more to undermine the Church and the faith of its members (just in the last 100 years) than any Freemason has ever done. Why else do you think the Jesuit order was originally abolished? They never should've been reinstated.
    Hank, what a terrible thing to say about the sons of St Ignatius. Do you not realise it is the Freemasons who have infiltrated the Jesuits that is the problem, and not the glorious order founded by this great saint? It is like saying the Catholic Church should never have been founded because of crisis that is currently afflicting Her. If the Jesuits were not there, the enemy would have used other means, which of course it has. The corruption of the best is the worst, therein lies part of the answer.