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The Popes
(Note that these musings were written before receipt of the news article page 2,3 and 13. Pope Explains Primacy of Peter via Scripture)
It seems to me that the Popes - all of them - of the past 150 years (in particular) have been Popes of greatness.
While John Paul II must be the equal of the greatest Pope of all time, all the Popes over recent centuries have been outstanding.
Without exception.
Over the millenniums there have been a handful of Popes who have exhibited a non-Catholic character, even though their core apostolate remained absolutely faithful to The Truth.
Such is
the nature of the Papacy
which can not
- it is unable to -
deviate from Truth,
for the Pope is the Vicar of Christ.
No. The Church can not err in teaching, for Jesus Christ promised the Pastors of His Church that He would send The Holy Spirit,
The Spirit of Truth,
to teach them all truth, and to remain with them for ever. (John xiv:16 and xvi:13). (Penny Catechism)
Thou art Peter (the Rock).
On this rock I will build My Church
and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it
and I will give to thee
the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Whatsoever thou shall bind on earth,
shall be bound also in Heaven.
Whatsoever thous shall loose
on earth,
shall be loosed also in Heaven.
(Matthew xvi:18,19)
And so it has been for over 2,000 years.
The Popes have lead The Church
without deviation from Truth
during every generation and in every facit of dogma, since Peter -
for each Pope is Peter
(the Rock-of-Truth).
Each Pope, therefore, is the foundation of The Truth.
P 61 3 13 For they that have ministered well, shall purchase to themselves a good degree, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
61 3 14 These things I write to thee, hoping that I shall come to thee shortly.
61 3 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou
oughtest to behave thyself
in the house of God,
which is the church
of the living God,
the pillar and ground of the truth.
61 3 16 And evidently great is
the mystery of godliness,
which was manifested in the flesh,
was justified in the spirit, appeared unto angels, hath been preached unto the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory. P (Paul to Timothy)
However, Peter, in recent centuries, has been put to the test in every way, even to having to over-ride recommendations of trusted advisers!
[Remember the recommendations to Paul IV on the matter of artificial contraceptives (by exceptionally competent, trusted Catholics of renown expertise) which he did not accept.
His refusal to accept those recommendations - and indeed his instructions to the Faithful were in contradiction of these recommendations - were absolutely in accord with The Spirit of God.
How faithful to Truth was that great Pope, as proved by history even after only half a century.]
Paul IV spoke out against artificial contraception ("Humanae Vitae") and the artificial contraception mentality which have proven to be so frighteningly destructive worldwide, paving the way for all sorts of immoralities and world calamities.
We merely have to review the twentieth century in its satanic quest - and success - for hundreds of millions of children murdered in the womb: which resulted from the contractive mentality which Pope Paul VI came out strongly
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