Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

Is The Pope Catholic? Column for the weeks of September 1-15, 2007

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As kids, we had clever answers to obvious questions. One was: “Is the Pope Catholic?” It was our way of saying, “What a stupid question!” This rhetorical phrase has spawned a board game, a book, and numerous titles to witty articles like this one. (Hey, if the Pope is infallible, I can call my prose witty!)

So – really – tell me – is the Pope Catholic? If there is any doubt, just look at the Vatican’s official document declaring Roman Catholicism the only real Christian religion. Issued in July, the Vatican claims and Pope Benedict XVI agrees that Protestant churches “cannot be called ‘churches’ in the proper sense” because “Christ ‘established here on earth’ only one church.” Also other ‘churches’ lack apostolic succession – the ability to trace their bishops back to the original apostles. And – very importantly – they do not recognize the primacy of the Pope, which is a defect that harms them!

The infallibility of popes is an interesting premise, because popes are human beings and all humans are flawed. Of course, Catholicism would not have you confuse infallibility with the absence of sin, or why would some popes go to confession? Nor do Catholics deny that some popes have been less than virtuous. In fact, under Pope John Paul II’s direction, the Vatican issued an apology asking God to forgive the sins of Catholics through the ages. However, the document entitled Memory and Reconciliation only acknowledged those who sinned in the name of the Catholic Church; it does not acknowledge that the Catholic Church sinned. I wonder if those who sinned in the name of the Catholic Church would include popes. I don’t know – is the pope Catholic?

The Catholic view on a pope’s infallibility is loosely linked to Luke 10:16 when Jesus said to his apostles, “He who hears you, hears me” and Matthew 18:18 that states, “Whatever you bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven.” So this infallibility is more for doctrinal issues or proclamations – such as the one claiming Catholicism to be the only true church.

The Latter Day Saints feel the Mormon Church is the only true church. They believe there is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet and salvation comes through him and his teachings. To them, Catholics and Protestants are members of false churches.

Other lesser known churches make similar claims, although, perhaps not as blatantly. Since I used to belong to an “only true church” at one time, when I hear churches make this claim, a red flag pops up in my mind. “Been there; done that!”

Being the “only true church” has a ring of superiority to it. It also has a cultish feel or mentality. Although many would hesitate to list the Catholic Church as a cult, there are similar characteristics. Such as:

• Focusing on a specific leader to whom members give unquestioning commitment
• Discouraging questions, doubt, or dissention
• Dictating how members should think, act, and feel
• Leadership not being accountable to any authority
• Believing they are the remnant of the true church
• Not relying on the grace of God alone for salvation
• Going through an individual to have access to God

Many might wonder if there is an earthly organization that is the “one true church.” I have my doubts. I don’t think God’s “one true church” is an organization, building, or denomination. Although a denomination might help a person’s spiritual journey, being in the “true church” means belonging to Christ. People are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). The “one true church” transcends denominational barriers. It relies on an individual’s relationship with Christ.

I have a real problem with going through any one person to get to Christ. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn (Matthew 27:50-51). Symbolically this represented God moving out of a dwelling place made of hands to be among the people (Acts 17:24). Jesus Christ removed the barriers between God and man. Man has direct access to God. Jesus Christ is our personal Savior. Only through Jesus can we get to God – not through the Pope. And salvation is for all – not just the Catholics.

So is the Pope Catholic? You know he is! However, I believe God is non-denominational!

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.