Are catholic's to view the the words of the Pope, when or when not ecumenica to be coming from God. Can anyone help me out on finding a web page, that gives information on how catholics should view the a Pope..

-- E. H. (DREH35@AOL.COM), January 24, 1998

Answers

Response to THE HOLY FATHER, THE POPE

I found the answer to my question on the frist page to your web site under: The doctrine of papal infallibility.. and also found reference to where i can get additional info.. sorry for the waste of time. peace

-- E.H. (DREH35@AOL.COM), January 24, 1998.

Response to THE HOLY FATHER, THE POPE

The term for when the Pope is literally speaking as a total instrument of God, if you will, is when he precedes his speech with "ex cathedra." It is _extremely_ rare for this to occur and I don't know if he's even done it. Popes used to do it frequently but I feel today's Popes are graced with a better knowledge and control than those of the past. Technically speaking, it's God that performs the "ex cathedra," but as you are probably aware, an individual with an impure heart could conceivably say it in an irresponsible grasp for power. I pray that all future "ex cathedras" truly come from God.

-- Colin Gallagher (gallagc@efn.org), January 27, 1998.

Response to THE HOLY FATHER, THE POPE

I do believe that the last time any pope spoke 'ex cathedra" was on the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. It is correct that the pope seldom uses this term. Most people are fairly misguided into thinking that EVERYTHING that comes out of the popes mouth is infalliable. This just is not so.

-- Connie Ostlund (sorka@teleport.com), January 28, 1998.