And here it is!
Posted on 09/13/2013 7:29:54 AM PDT by cleghornboy
Pope Francis, referring to atheists who refuse to believe in God, His Commandments and His Church, recently said, "God forgives those who obey their conscience." See here.
Pope John Paul II, in his Encyclical Letter Veritatis Splendor, explains that: "Conscience, as the judgment of an act, is not exempt from the possibility of error. As the Council [Vatican II] puts it, 'not infrequently conscience can be mistaken as a result of invincible ignorance, although it does not on that account forfeit its dignity; but this cannot be said when a man shows little concern for seeking what is true and good, and conscience gradually becomes almost blind from being accustomed to sin.'" (Veritatis Splendor, No. 62, citing Gaudium et Spes, 16).
Pope John Paul II continues: "Conscience is not an infallible judge; it can make mistakes....Conscience, as the ultimate concrete judgment, compromises its dignity when it is culpably erroneous, that is to say, 'when man shows little concern for seeking what is true and good.." (VS, Nos. 62, 63, citing Gaudium et Spes, 16).
How then can Pope Francis issue a blanket statement declaring that God will forgive all atheists who obey their conscience?
Some years ago, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, during his Keynote Address of the Fourth Bishops' Workshop of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, on "Moral Theology Today: Certitudes and Doubts," which was delivered in February of 1984, had this to say...
(Excerpt) Read more at lasalettejourney.blogspot.com ...
Hillary or Mooshell?
Ya gotta wonder at the Popes intentions because his statement is going to drive Atheists up the wall! They don’t want to believe there is any God and here is the Pope telling them no sweat you live right and God will forgive you you your non belief. What does this do to all of the Atheists that say they live a moral life because it’s the right thing to do, not because of God? The Pope has just threatened them with Heaven.
I’m glad Christ is my Great High Priest, and I’m not beholden to some MAN.
Sorry, but this guy is a kook.
No.....
Actually, his statement reinforces the Atheist's Wish: Compulsory Heaven For All (if there is one).......
That is the crux of the situation we cannot obey our conscience, we are sinners in need of a Great Savior, Jesus!
I agree with the Jesuit comment, but even still this kind of statement can put souls in jeopardy.
“He needs to read his Bible.”
You got that right. But a religion that makes something other than the word of God authoritative, allows all kinds of error. To wit: “atheists will be saved.” The Bible couldn’t be clearer or more redundant. Let me give just one verse that does not leave the truth in doubt.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. But he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
And one must believe while he lives not in some limbo land where he might receive a 2nd chance. This is it.
“Jesus saith unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever that liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this?” (John 11:25,26)
Without forgiveness of sin by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, the eternal lake of fire awaits. (Rev 14:10,11; 20:14,15; 21:7,8). The Catholics don’t believe this either.
He’s a loon.
He is clearly preaching some gospel other than YHvH's WORD. Francis is channeling the Evil One.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
Go read what the Pope actually said. He said that God will forgive those who COME TO HIM. In other words, an atheist still needs to become a christian before death. If he does, then yes, God will forgive him and will admit him to heaven. If he stays an atheist, then no: “There is no way to the father except through me”.
Second circle of hell for them. Please line up single file.
I’m not trying to put words in the Popes mouth or dispute his words and meaning. I am looking at the reaction atheists will have to his “reported” words. So please don’t be so defensive.
Is the Pope really referring to people who REFUSE to believe in God?
Because that is not simply a misguided conscience - that is man REJECTING the Most High. Big difference.
I think Romans 1:20 (or thereabouts) points out that God has revealed his glory in all of the heavens, and the Earth, and below the Earth (the sea and the ocean I presume), therefore they (the unbelieving man) are WITHOUT EXCUSE.
It doesn’t sound to me like Scripture is giving the atheist a pass for any reason anyway.
Hopefully there can be some logical and reasonable explanation for this. I really do hope because on the surface this is most unsettling.
All the vows of poverty and washing people’s feet go for naught if they remain unsaved sinners. Only Jesus Christ paid for all of our sins, and only through Him are we saved.
And here it is!
I’m going to go out of a limb and guess is this guy is more of a Teilhard Jesuit than an Ignatian Jesuit.
So, God forgives so anything goes? Really? Then no need for a Pope or a church.
I think he is referring to those who have not heard the Word of Salvation, not to those who have heard and rejected it.
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