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Canonizations are generally considered infallible.  How then do we understand the "canonizations" of scandalous people in recent years?  John Paul II changed the process of examination to a point that he vitiated his own decisions of whether or not a person could be canonized.  For example, the elimination of the "devil's advocate".  John Paul II would not allow testimonies against the candidates for canonization to be reviewed.  Absurdity!

Sadly, the great Padre Pio was "canonized" according to the new vitiated process.  That is why traditional parishes will not have public recitations of "Saint Pio, pray for us" or allow statues of him in the chapel.  Obviously, the vast majority firmly believe in his sanctity.

Dear NIFH,

Catholics trust canonizations not because of the "process" but because of the papal declaration.

Has the process EVER changed? Since it appears that you disagree with the process of John Paul II, are you somehow the new judge of what the process needs to be? If you're not in charge of that, who is?

Sean’s answer sounds reasonable.  Either way, at that point, church officials would act in some manner, so my opinion would be irrelevant.  That’s why I haven’t answered the question… because my opinion is irrelevant. 

Even if the church officials would eventually act in some manner, there would still be the period of time between the moment the putative pope admits he is a heretic and the moment the church officials make a declaration.  Would you still accept him as pope at the moment he admits he is a heretic?  

Would you still accept him as pope at the moment he admits he is a heretic? 

The church is not a democracy.  It is not individualistic.  Catholics don’t decide things “on our own” or by way of “personal decisions.”


Your question shows a lack of understanding of how a hierarchical organization works.  The closest organization that exists similar to the church would be the military.  If some General came out and said he was anti-America, the simple soldier on the ground does not have the authority to a) stop his mission, b) change his daily duties or c) lead an ιnѕυrrєcтισn against the bad general.  It’s above his pay-grade.  His opinion doesn’t matter.  What matters are his superiors and their orders for him. 

So to answer your question:  whether I (personally) accept pope x as pope matters 0%.  Even if pope x claims heresy.  It doesn’t change my daily duties as a catholic nor do I have any authority to lead any kind of rebellion.  My duties are to God not a pope.  I can educate others on the heresy and tell them to pray for the papacy (in general terms), but the persons responsible for fixing the issue are a) God and b) church officials.