Everyone is agreed that John Paul was a wonderful man. But, to me as a non-Catholic, I do not consider he was infallible.
Despite some shortcomings, which should perhaps be pointed out even amidst the adulation (for some balance is always necessary), I will aways admire him for his role in the Cold War as a member of the axis of good with Reagan and Thatcher.
JPII, first pope in History to proclaim apostasy
1. I don't remember asking you to believe in papal infallibility.
2.What do you find "disturbing" in the post?
agreed
and his role in the pedophilia coverup in the US Church is fair criticism (god knows what other pedophilia scandals have happened outside of the US and have been covered, well it sure happened in Canada as well)
I also believe the whole Vatican stance on keeping the clergy celibate is ridiculous, I think the Eastern Orthodox church proves without doubt there is precedent for married priests and only sheer greed lead to the celibacy requirement in the first place [as in a single priest is cheaper to provide for than a married priest and his family]
This may be on a liberal blog, but a lot of it is true. John Paul II WAS a progressive and could be anti-capitalist AT TIMES.
How many of us could forgive the man who shot us? That kind of mercy should be a model for all of us, even towards those we politically or morally object too.
But I don't expect the pope to fit any earthly political box and it doesn't distress me that my politics could be at odds with some of his stands. I admired his many facets, and his convictions.
Who can agree with everyone all the time?
What he Liberals can't understand (their "brains" just aren't evolved enough), is that Pope John Paul II had a moral center. He didn't float with the polls like so many politicians of the left and the right do. Inevitably, that will lead you into conflict ideas with people no matter where they come from.
1. Love God
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Those who make it a priority to follow this golden rule of Christ will often find the tenants of capitalism an obstacle.
The Pope tried to get us all to "set our hearts on things above, not on things of earth." How can one do this and still champion capitalism at all costs.
I hope someone more versed on the subject then I posts, but here goes until then.
As a Catholic, I do not believe the Pope as a man to be without error or without sin, often referred to as impeccablity. I do believe the Pope speaking ex cathedra to be infallible.
A lengthy but interesting read on the subject can be find at
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm#I
or
http://www.catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp
the doctrine of Papal Infallability has been invoked exactly TWICE, iirc. It is not a general mantle of infallability.
This person sees what he wants and quotes the Pope out of context. You can make any case in this way.
China is a perfect example of the unbridled capitalism and unrestrained exploitation of resources.
The Pope wanted reconciliation of religions rather than confrontation. He did not choose islam over Christianity or Judaism or support palestine over Israel.
Notice that the blogger didn't refer to the Pope's opposition to abortion, homosexuality and gay marriage.
To me, as a Catholic (and, what's worse, a convert), I neither am obliged by RC teaching to consider him infallible nor do I so consider him.
I take ALL his opinions with extreme seriousness and respect and I frequently return to those with which I disagree and re-examine my thinking and his.
Mind you, had he defined something as de fide, that would be a different matter.
When the Pope said "No to war," his solution was not acquiescence in the face of terror, as was reported by the American Press. To the contrary, he noted that at times, civization must confront evil. The news media, and that blogger took these quotes out of context. But he was teaching how to end war: "First, end abortion."
Many non-Catholics do not understand when the infallible statements are made.
Go to newadvent.com and check it out please.
One big thing that does not get enough mention: John Paul snapped the rug out from under the "liberation theologians", who were in the process trying to reconcile Catholicism with Marxism. The better thing was to defeat Marxism and flush it down the toilet of history. That way you don't have to worry about reconciling with it....
bookmark for later
"Everyone is agreed that John Paul was a wonderful man. But, to me as a non-Catholic, I do not consider he was infallible."
No one is infallible spiritually or otherwise. If they were we wouldn't have needed Christ on the cross to redeem us. Leave it to "Informed Comment" to be divisive. Their venom for Bush knows no low.
Pope Pipeus I..