| |
Back
to
list of
questions
|
|
What
is the Papacy?
|
 |
 |
| The
Pope enjoys, by divine institution, "supreme,
full, immediate, and universal power in the
care of souls."
(Catechism para. 937)
Question:
Why?
Answer: When Christ
instituted the Twelve, he constituted [them]
in the form of a college or permanent assembly,
at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen
from among them (cf. Luke 6:13 ;
John 21:15-17).
(Catechism
para. 880)
In
other words, by the Lord's institution,
St. Peter became the head of the body of
apostles, a body which we call an "apostolic
college". The pope today is Peter's
successor, and the bishops today are the
successors of the Apostles, therefore, the
pope is the head of all bishops. But more
than that....
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
From
the Catechism para. 882:
The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor,
is the perpetual and visible source and foundation
of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole
company of the faithful. For the Roman Pontiff,
by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and
as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme,
and universal power over the whole Church, a power
which he can always exercise unhindered.
What
does he do with this power???
"The
Pope's duty is a service to the Church and to
humanity; this is why since ancient times he has
been known as Servus servorum Dei - Servant
of the servants of God". (Pope
John Paul II)
Is
the pope infallible?
|
|
|
|
