Protestants aren't proper Christians, says Pope

Daily Mail ^ | 11th July 2007 | SIMON CALDWELL

[humblegunner]

Pope Benedict XVI declared yesterday that Christian denominations other than his own were not true churches and their holy orders have no value.

Well, just wait until I'm Pope.

I'll be redefining a value or two for sure!

Right after I take the PopeMobile mudding at the river.

[danneskjold]

You understood perfectly. Unfortunately.

Actually, I don't think either one of you understood. My fault for not being clearer...

I don't feel that any one Christian religion is the only "proper" one...

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Are you saying that Catholics have a lock on being self-righteous? If so, you are EXTREMELY ignorant.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I’m guessing you must have a big shortage of Southern Baptists down in LA.

[SouthJrzReaganite18]

I don’t know how I feel about such statements but I will say this: you’ll notice that protestants and catholics in Europe did not poor into the streets blowing up each other’s churches.

[danneskjold]

The Pope didn’t say anything about who’s going to Heaven and who isn’t.

And I didn't accuse the Pope of saying that either...

He simply said that the only legitimate apostolic succession rests with the Roman Catholic Church. And in that, he is stating the simple truth. You don’t even have to be Catholic, or believe that that matters, to acknowledge that.

If you're only referring to an unbroken line of bishops beginning with the original Apostles, ok, sure. However, I'm not sure how that causes a non-Catholic to be "improper"...

Sorry if that offends anybody, but it’s the fact.

Not offended...just don't agree...

[DTwistedSisterS]

Really? I had no idea the Pope lived in such luxury as you claim.

I think that living a life in the spotlight, under the constant threat of assassination, and of having every move watched is not exactly luxury.

[markomalley]

Protestants aren't proper Christians, says Pope

OK

[sageb1]

I am a Catholic.

[danneskjold]

I’m guessing you must have a big shortage of Southern Baptists down in LA.

:) Actually, they're quite prevelant. I was actually raised Southern Baptist, but that's not what I consider myself now. I honestly never heard any sermons from the pulpit about those "improper" Catholics.

I'm not saying there aren't old-schoolers that feel that their brand is the only way, but this is coming from the Pope for goodness sake...

[wmfights]

He simply said that the only legitimate apostolic succession rests with the Roman Catholic Church.

Where in Scripture do we have a practice of Apostles directly appointing bishops of churches? I know that Paul writes of the qualities that an individual should have to be an elder, but the practice was for the congregation to select their elders and bishops. The monobishophoric hierarchy did not develop until after the end of the Apostolic era.

[wmfights]

you’ll notice that protestants and catholics in Europe did not poor into the streets blowing up each other’s churches.

They sure did during the religious wars and the RCC has a long history of destruction when it had the power of the state behind it.

[danneskjold]

Agreed. My point was that if the big claim of being a “proper” Christian lies with apostolic succession, then why?

[marsh_of_mists]

The monobishophoric hierarchy did not develop until after the end of the Apostolic era.

Yeah, because that's when it began to be needed, once the first generation apostles started dying out. Thus, when Peter died he was succeeded by Linus, who was succeeded by Anacletus, who was succeeded by Clement, etc. This was coming into being before the writing of some of the latest New Testament scriptures and certainly before they were codified and declared Holy Scripture (by bishops).

[wmfights]

My point was that if the big claim of being a “proper” Christian lies with apostolic succession, then why?

It never has. A "proper" Christian is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who knows they only path to salvation is through our Saviour Jesus Christ. No institution of man has that power and the theory of Apostolic succession is not supported by Scripture.

[danneskjold]

Thank You...

[wmfights]

...it began to be needed, once the first generation apostles started dying out.

It may have developed in response to external forces, but it was never mandated by Scripture. In fact in Scripture you see at the council in Jerusalem a congregational approach to resolving issues.

when Peter died he was succeeded by Linus, who was succeeded by Anacletus, who was succeeded by Clement, etc.

Your list has some gaps and problems with credibility. Also, you do not see in the generations following the Apostles the supernatural powers in these leaders that the Apostles had. Thus you may a lengthy historical lineage, but it is no direct pipe line to GOD.

This was coming into being before the writing of some of the latest New Testament scriptures and certainly before they were codified and declared Holy Scripture (by bishops).

The Scriptures were Holy whether one group of Christians recognized them or not.

[wmfights]

Thank You...

Your welcome Brother.

[Eagle Eye]

He wears the finest clothes, has the finest foods, lives in a palace with servants where his ever need is catered to and DOES NOT fear assassination....he has his own secret service.

What does he need? Nothing.

He is no more closely examined than any other powerful person who leads a semi public life.

[gogogodzilla]

I guess Jesus is d@mned to burn in hell for eternity, according to the Catholics.

After all, he wasn’t Catholic... and didn’t believe in the trinity... or worship himself.

And if you don’t do that, then you’re ‘supposed’ to go to hell.

For only Catholic faith can get you into Heaven.

(rolls eyes)