(November 19, 2015 at 12:56 pm)Whateverist the White Wrote: There does seem to be an important similarity between Catholicism and Islam. Muslims follow Hadiths (sp?) and Catholics follow the pronouncements of the pope. Yet what one pope has ruled in the past can be overturned by a new pope. Recognizing the fallibility of men, especially those drawn to power, how can Catholics put so much faith in the institution of the pope?
I have to think that there were popes who approved of and promoted the condemnation of Jews, the crusades and of course the suppression of science which contradicted official Catholic positions. If the infallibility was so lacking in the past, how can a self respecting Catholic nonetheless hold the pronouncements of the current pope in such high esteem .. as infallible even?
Papal infallibility only applies when a pope makes an official infallible pronouncement. This is very rare and has only happened a few times in the past 2,000 years. So when a pope gives his opinion about something, it is still just his opinion. Infallibility does not mean popes don't sin neither does it mean everything they say is correct.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
-walsh
