Roman Catholicism Quotes and Comments

The Papacy

"The pope is a false teacher:

He is NOT a Saviour: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12),
He is NOT your Father: "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Matthew 23:9),
He is NOT holy or sinless: "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good, there is none good but one, that is, God" (Mark 10:18); "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23),
He is NOT God's representative: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ" (1 Timothy 2:5),
He is NOT the Head of the Church: "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:17-18),
he preaches false doctrine: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-9); "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)" [source].

Papal Infallibility

"[Papal Infallibility] has only been a dogma since 1870. Yes, it was invoked in medieval superstitious traditions centuries before that, but never as an immutable doctrine of faith. And since Pope Pius IX who pronounced it obviously wasn't infallible when it was imparted ex cathedra, it plainly cannot be an infallible pronouncement. ... there is and has ever been only one man who was and remains preserved from error, and that man is Christ Jesus. St Peter certainly never claimed infallibility when defining doctrine concerning faith or morals, so quite why any of those who claim to be his successors should believe they are preserved from the possibility of error when doing so is something of a mystery (or blasphemy). This is no trivial matter or minor doctrine. ... Papal Infallibility is contrary to Scripture and reason. it is pseudo history and ecclesial illusion" [source].

"I am only infallible if I speak infallibly but I shall never do that, so I am not infallible" [Pope John XXIII, quoted at source].

Ecumenism

Understatement of the Week: Dr Ruth Rogers, chairman of Churches Together in Lewes and District, commenting on Ian Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, which has just taken over the running of Jireh Chapel in Lewes: "I have the impression they are not ecumenical" [New Christian Herald, 16 May 1998].

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