The names of the Pope
A friend of mine was telling me about the names the Catholic church calls the pope and I also looked up some.
Pontif, which means bridge builder, comes from pontificus maximumus, which is what the Roman emperors called themselves.
Pope - from papa, or father
Chief Pastor
Supreme Ruler
Infallible Ruler
Chief Judge
Vicar of Christ,
Supreme Pontiff,
Bishop of Rome,
His Holiness,
Holy Father,
As "the rock" - protector and gatekeeper of the Church so the gates of hell will never prevail in Jesus' Church. Defender and Promulgator of God's Truth, Will and Way to the Church.
As "holder to the keys of the kingdom of heaven" - controlled and authorized by God to discern and choose what to bind and unbind for both heaven and earth. Given the keys to Jesus' Kingdom, the role of St. Peter, or the papacy as a whole, includes the power and authority to bind (declare is unlawful or bad) and unbind (declare as lawful or moral/good) anything upon both heaven and earth. This means, whatever the pope declares as binding or unbinding should be heeded and followed by everyone in the Church on earth as well as all saints and angels in heaven.
As "vicar of Christ" - good and loyal shepherd of Jesus' flock; humble servant, obedient to Jesus' teachings and the will of His Father.
As "universal shepherd" - feed Jesus' lamb, tend and feed Jesus' sheep - with God's Love, Care, Truth, Will and Way.
As "universal fisher of men" - evangelize the whole world and bring God to all people and all people to God.
Papal infallibility - When certain statements are made by the pope, he is under the influence and control of God and so there is no way he is going to make a mistake. Thus, he enters the situation or state of "papal infallibility". It is not of his own doing. Rather, it is under the influence and doings of God, Himself so no error can be committed.
He is Bishop of Rome; Vicar of Jesus Christ; Successor to the Prince of the Apostles; Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church; Patriarch of the West; Primate of Italy; Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Province of Rome; Sovereign of the Vatican City; and Servant of the Servants of God.
I even found an email address for the pope, just in case you want to ask him about any of the names:
benedictxvi@vatican.va
The above words are not mine, but what Catholic doctrine proclaims of the pope. Some of those names are obvious provencial in nature, which doesn't make them inherently correct or incorrect. I would put forth a challenge though to any who are mesmerized by the reading of the above names: What are the names of God? Christ? Holy Spirit? God the Father? Look through Scripture to see what names God allows Himself to be called. Then, when you have seen Scripture, ask yourself, what place should I give men when giving out titles?
Pontif, which means bridge builder, comes from pontificus maximumus, which is what the Roman emperors called themselves.
Pope - from papa, or father
Chief Pastor
Supreme Ruler
Infallible Ruler
Chief Judge
Vicar of Christ,
Supreme Pontiff,
Bishop of Rome,
His Holiness,
Holy Father,
As "the rock" - protector and gatekeeper of the Church so the gates of hell will never prevail in Jesus' Church. Defender and Promulgator of God's Truth, Will and Way to the Church.
As "holder to the keys of the kingdom of heaven" - controlled and authorized by God to discern and choose what to bind and unbind for both heaven and earth. Given the keys to Jesus' Kingdom, the role of St. Peter, or the papacy as a whole, includes the power and authority to bind (declare is unlawful or bad) and unbind (declare as lawful or moral/good) anything upon both heaven and earth. This means, whatever the pope declares as binding or unbinding should be heeded and followed by everyone in the Church on earth as well as all saints and angels in heaven.
As "vicar of Christ" - good and loyal shepherd of Jesus' flock; humble servant, obedient to Jesus' teachings and the will of His Father.
As "universal shepherd" - feed Jesus' lamb, tend and feed Jesus' sheep - with God's Love, Care, Truth, Will and Way.
As "universal fisher of men" - evangelize the whole world and bring God to all people and all people to God.
Papal infallibility - When certain statements are made by the pope, he is under the influence and control of God and so there is no way he is going to make a mistake. Thus, he enters the situation or state of "papal infallibility". It is not of his own doing. Rather, it is under the influence and doings of God, Himself so no error can be committed.
He is Bishop of Rome; Vicar of Jesus Christ; Successor to the Prince of the Apostles; Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church; Patriarch of the West; Primate of Italy; Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Province of Rome; Sovereign of the Vatican City; and Servant of the Servants of God.
I even found an email address for the pope, just in case you want to ask him about any of the names:
benedictxvi@vatican.va
The above words are not mine, but what Catholic doctrine proclaims of the pope. Some of those names are obvious provencial in nature, which doesn't make them inherently correct or incorrect. I would put forth a challenge though to any who are mesmerized by the reading of the above names: What are the names of God? Christ? Holy Spirit? God the Father? Look through Scripture to see what names God allows Himself to be called. Then, when you have seen Scripture, ask yourself, what place should I give men when giving out titles?
posted by Keri at 5/10/2005 09:31:00 PM
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