[Mrs. Don-o]

I know there way too many people who think the Pope makes statements because of a claimed personal "message from God," woo-woo oracle-style; but this is not a claim made by the Catholic Church nor by any Pope or Council.

Even at the first Council, the statement "it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us" does not make the claim that this is a God-mandated ruling here for all people at all places and times.

Not even the rarer-than-a-full-eclipse "infallible" statements are purportedly justified as, or presented as, a "personal message" from God to the Pope.

[Salvation]

**this is not a claim made by the Catholic Church nor by any Pope or Council.**

BTTT!

[Governor Dinwiddie]

My example was not about the right or wrong of dogma so much as to point out that if a dogma is in error, Roman Church polity makes it very hard to correct.

In any organization it is prudent to have a mechanism that allows for correction of official policy, such as the U.S. Constitution which has an amendment process.

As for the validity of any particular dogma, there have been hundreds of published volumes with pros and cons of each and they would be a better source for those interested in the topic than an Internet blog.

I certainly respect all those who believe this particular dogma, and I am in no position to judge anyone. Lord knows I have more than enough on my own plate.