The
Papacy
A Historical Perspective
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this document is to
acquaint those interested in the Papacy with the true Petrine Ministry
of the Bishop of Rome.
This is not a theological treatise in
which the author is interested in showing the reader his command of the
language by using a profusion of words, seldom used in normal
conversation, and which usually convey little. This is a "bare bones
facts and figures" brief historical account of those who occupied the
Chair of Peter, those who tried to occupy it and those who tried to
steal the right to occupy it.
In other documents (1)
The M+G+R Foundation has clearly stated its position regarding
the Bishop of Rome. Nonetheless, in summary:
The legitimate Bishop of Rome, the
Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, is the Successor of Peter and,
personally, under normal circumstances (2), the
ultimate arbiter of the Doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church.
Since the Church claims that its
Teachings are based on Divine Revelations and Tradition, we
feel that the best way to understand the Petrine Ministry and the
source of much of the Catholic Tradition is by virtually meeting each
and every one who occupied the Chair of Peter.
We must all keep in mind one very
important detail. Although, without a doubt, the Holy Spirit of
God Was, Is and Will ever Be the Infallible Guide of the
Church, the obedient response to such Divine Guidance depends on
the action of man.
That is why H.H. John Paul II has sought
Divine forgiveness so many times for the errors and atrocities
committed by those who had the commanding voice in the Church at the
particular time in question (3) and who did
not submit to the Infallible Guidance of the Holy Spirit of God.
FORMAT TO BE USED
We will break up the historical
presentation in short segments by publishing a brief history of four
Popes at a time. The groupings will be indicated by the period (in
years) covered, and may be accessed through the Papal
Index Link.
Papal matters of significant note will be
highlighted by underscoring the appropriate portions of the text. When
appropriate, The M+G+R Foundation will make commentaries,
however, we will strive to keep those commentaries to a minimum.
To avoid unnecessary controversy we have drawn the information from an
official source.
NOTES
(1) About
Us and About
Miguel de Portugal
(2) As the reader reviews the Papacies of centuries past, the
reader will see that some teachings-by-example were certainly not from
God. These circumstances were the ones which are considered "not normal
circumstances". Nonetheless, in time errors and abuses were usually
corrected because God saw to it.
(3) The
Papacy In Historical Perspective. The Seldom Told History.
Originally posted on Pentecost
Sunday. June 3, 2001.
© Copyright 2001 - 2022 by The M+G+R Foundation.
All rights reserved. However, you may
freely reproduce and distribute this document as long as: (1)
Appropriate credit is given as to its source; (2) No changes are made
in the text without prior written consent; and (3) No charge is made
for it.
The M+G+R Foundation
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