Posted on 05/13/2009 8:49:12 AM PDT by markomalley
The Vatican has opened its secret archives, the repository of centuries worth of documents pertaining to the Holy See, to let the world get a closer look at a document presaging Englands split from the Church of Rome. Dated July 13, 1530, and addressed to Pope Clement VII, the letter, right, asks for the annulment of Henry VIIIs marriage to Catherine of Aragon and includes the seals of dozens of peers of England who concurred with the request.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Exactamundo! Had there not be some extremely corrupt and evil popes, the Christian world might have indeed remained "Catholic" (one great church)...but too many, RCs will not accept that fact. Besides there is no Biblical prescription, IMO, that calls for the "Bishop of Rome" to be any greater in rank than any other bishop ( incidentally, this was the spark that set off the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western churches ). Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not in disagreement with a top bishop having certain power but I do believe that historic popes have erred in certain matters. Perhaps had the church been set up with a council of elders where there could have been a majority decision on matters with the top bishop having some kind of veto power (which could be overruled by the council) that would not have happened.
Note: this topic is from . Thanks markomalley. Just doing some housekeeping, no ping.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.