The Popes of our Church

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The popes: the most powerful men in the world, and holding the most sacred of titles anywhere; more powerful than a king or even an emperor. But I have one question to ask to you: are each and every pope in the history of the Holy Roman Catholic Church godly and devout men? Share with me your views here.

-- Anonymous (noemail@no.email.com), April 28, 2000

Answers

This much we ought to realise: Popes are not anonymous, as you are. Popes down through history were seen in public, they didn't hide behind pen names or paper over their weaknesses. In fact, probably more ink has been spilled over the sins of 2 or 3 particularly sinful popes than the sins of any other public figure. Is the Catholic Church then, reprehensible in the eyes of God, for the sins of a few Popes? Figure it out for yourself:

Jesus Christ called twelve men to become Holy Apostles. That is, Church leaders. Did they ever fail Him? Yes; Peter, our first Pope denied Jesus 3 times on the night He was betrayed. Judas, another of the twelve, was the traitor. Most all the others ran away in the hour of their Lord's greatest need. What is it about Jesus? He picked all these ''bad'' characters to be Apostles, and to serve Him as Leaders of His new Church. You know, it might've been better if they had been anonymous. How can they hold their heads up; even to this day? But, all this time through 20 centuries, the Church has survived. Through thick and thin, it was favored by its founder, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit has raised up 100 great men to the Papacy, for every bad example of a Pope. --No, a Pope is not necessarily a holy man. But he is usually a better Christian than any 10 thousand men. Just an opinion, you don't have to believe me. My name is below.

-- Eugene Chavez (rechavez@popmail.ucsd.edu), April 29, 2000.


It is funny!!! People speak strongly against the Pope and they offer the sins and scandals of some of the Popes in history, but they never refer to the many, many holy men that were Popes!! What are they trying to prove? That the Catholic Church is false and not the Church of Christ? Why bother to mention, for instance, Alexander VI? The first Pope, Peter, deserted Christ during His Passion and three times denied knowing Him. The rest of the Apostles also deserted Christ at that hour. Was that the HOLY Catholic Church? When Christ founded His Church He wanted it to be formed by men -all sinners- Then: 1- If the Church were a mere human institution I think it should have disappeared long time ago.

2- The Church is HOLY, because Christ is holy, the Sacraments are holy, His Word is holy....and there have been millions of Catholic holy people, Popes, Bishops, Priests, Religious men and women, and, of course, lay people.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), April 29, 2000.


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