spiritual discussionsThis is the place at AW for mamas to learn about all different religions and beliefs, to ask questions, to give answers- all done with respect! if you don't have anything nice to say here- don't say anything at all.
The first pope was St. Peter who was chosen by Christ to lead His followers. This is, in a nutshell, why people follow the Pope like the diciples followed Christ.
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I am curious and I'm not trying to start a debate or anything but how did Peter end up being a pope? There wasn't catholisism when Peter was alive? How could he have been a pope?
Originally the Pope was the guy who ran the meetings when the different church heads(patriarchs) got together, because the churches were all Christian but served different kinds of poeple in different geographical locations. The would get together and decide about doctrine and dogma, make proclamations, etc. Eventually the Pope of Rome decided he was in charge, and the schism happened. Because times change and people change, the pope became the spokesperson for ideas and doctrines and dogma that developed along the way. My church is one of the 22 churches that fall under the pope of Rome. Roman Catholics are the largest one, but there are many others. Some even have their own patriarchs, more like in the original church councils. I belong to one of 12 (I think) churches that call themselves Byzantine or Greek Catholic. Many have their roots in Slavic or Middle Eastern Churches, and they were under the Patriarch in Constantinople, hence the "Greek". Our worship and praxis is more like an Orthodox church. One of these churches is the Melkite Church, and another is the Ukrainian Catholic Church. You may have heard of them. Our churches were forced to Latinize or become like the Roman Church for a long period of time. Pope John Paul II was very interested in encouraging our churches to reclaim their traditions, including a more Orthodox woship (no pews) and a married priesthood (he looked the other way and said nothing when they began this in the Ukrainian churches in Canada). The new Pope may not be so kind to our churches and traditions. zsorry this is so long, but for many people who are in essence Catholic, but not Roman Catholic, the role of the Pope is very different.
I am curious and I'm not trying to start a debate or anything but how did Peter end up being a pope? There wasn't catholisism when Peter was alive? How could he have been a pope?
"Almost two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth and founded the Church, through His Apostles and disciples, for the salvation of man. In the years which followed, the Apostles spread the Church and its teachings far; they founded many churches, all united in faith, worship, and the partaking of the Mysteries (or as they are called in the West, the Sacraments) of the Holy Church.
The churches founded by the Apostles themselves include the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Rome. The Church of Constantinople was founded by St. Andrew, the Church of Alexandria by St. Mark, the Church of Antioch by St. Paul, the Church of Jerusalem by Sts. Peter and James, and the Church of Rome by by Sts. Peter and Paul. Those founded in later years through the missionary activity of the first churches were the Churches of Sinai, Russia, Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, and many others.
Each of these churches is independent in administration, but, with the exception of the Church of Rome, which finally separated from the others in the year 1054, all are united in faith, doctrine, Apostolic tradition, sacraments, liturgies, and services. Together they constitute and call themselves the Orthodox Church. "
"Almost two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth and founded the Church, through His Apostles and disciples, for the salvation of man. In the years which followed, the Apostles spread the Church and its teachings far; they founded many churches, all united in faith, worship, and the partaking of the Mysteries (or as they are called in the West, the Sacraments) of the Holy Church.
I have a question, and please forgive my ignorance (or the fact that I'm half asleep, too.) Jesus founded the christian church? Wasn't he jewish?
__________________ Janet -
Mom to Mary "gotta go to work!" 12-11-90
Hannah "Bubbie" 1-21-01
Kali "Peetie" 5-5-03
and wife to the wonderful, the awesome, the fabulous, the one and only, Alex since 9-16-00
Jesus had to be a Jew in order to fulfill prophecy. It was prophesied that he would come from the house of David. Jesus kept Jewish law even at the end of his earthly ministry by observing the Passover before He died. He said He did not come "to condemn the law, but to fulfill it".
I would like to say that I am no Christian apologist. I just like to clear things up. Peace!
We believe that when Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter, He installed him as the first pope. St. Ignatius of Antioch, who died in 107 AD, first referred to the church as the Catholic (which means universal) Church. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the the Bishop of Rome is the head of the Latin Rite Church on earth. As Jeni mentioned, there is also an Eastern Rite in the Church, but the head of that rite is separate from the Pope. We believe that the Holy Spirit guides the Pope in a special way. As a result, he makes decisions regarding church practices and can speak infallibly regarding doctrinal issues. Personally, I also see the Pope as the ambassador for the Church since he speaks on her behalf.
__________________
Maryalene
Proud Mama to Madeline, Donny and Max
Eastern Rite is actually a misnomer. The other 21 churches in the Catholic church are called churches sui iurus (?), meaning they are self governing. Some are called eastern Churches and some are called Oriental Churches ( I think). Some have a patriarch, some don't. For those that do, the Patriarch of Rome is "first among equals". In effect, he is the embassador for the others.
Sorry Jeni! Knew I was going to screw that up. I am embarrassed to say that I am not very educated on the other rites so I generally try to avoid commenting on them. I need to stick with what I know.
It's okay! I would guess that most people in general have no idea about the churches that fall under the heading of Catholic. It truly shows the "universality" of catholicism. It also happens to be something I find fascinating, so I know something about it.
"We believe that the Holy Spirit guides the Pope in a special way. As a result, he makes decisions regarding church practices and can speak infallibly regarding doctrinal issues."
How do you explain the change in position on birth control? If it is now ok to use birth control, then the previous pope/popes that said it was not, were wrong......the Holy Spirit can't be wrong. One of them must not have been guided by the Holy Spirit.
"We believe that the Holy Spirit guides the Pope in a special way. As a result, he makes decisions regarding church practices and can speak infallibly regarding doctrinal issues."
How do you explain the change in position on birth control? If it is now ok to use birth control, then the previous pope/popes that said it was not, were wrong......the Holy Spirit can't be wrong. One of them must not have been guided by the Holy Spirit.
When did the Pope change his stance? I (perhaps incorrectly) remember the Pope taking a lot of criticism here in the US because he wouldn't say that birth control was acceptable. I believe a lot of Catholics just do it anyway.
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