This work of Roman Catholic theology defends Pope Francis and the papacy itself based on the indefectibility of the Church and the prevenient grace of God. The author argues that Pope Francis is a valid Pope, and that no valid Pope can ever fall into apostasy, heresy, or schism, nor can he ever teach material heresy. For the First Vatican Council taught that each Pope has the "gift of truth and never-failing faith" which was "divinely conferred on Peter and his successors."
The author concludes that the indefectibility of the Church necessarily implies the indefectibility of the Pope as an individual, and the indefectibility of the body of Bishops, not as individuals, but only as a body. Neither the Pope nor the body of Bishops can fall into apostasy, heresy, or schism, nor teach heresy (not even with a sincere but mistaken conscience). For the promise of Jesus to build his Church on the person and office of Peter and his successors cannot fail, nor can the gates of Hell prevail over the Church.
The infallible teachings of the Magisterium cannot err, and the non-infallible teachings of the Magisterium allow only a limited possibility of error. Some limited errors are possible in the non-infallible doctrines of any Pope, and a greater range of errors is possible in discipline. But no teaching of any Pope can err to the extent of heresy. Nor can a valid Pope ever become invalid.
This book contains dogmatic theology on the nature of the Church and the papacy. The author also presents his speculative eschatology on events in the near future, especially a schism in which some Catholics reject Pope Francis, and many more reject his conservative successor. Over time, the result is that a majority of Catholics will break away from the Roman Catholic Church. Eventually, a group of schismatic Cardinals and Bishops will hold a conclave and elect an antipope. At the same time, a true Pope is elected by the faithful Cardinals and Archbishops. The Church will be torn by this controversy, and many Catholics will be unsure what to believe and whom they should follow. In their confusion, many will fall away from Christianity altogether.
Eventually, the schism will be healed and most who abandoned the Faith will return. In addition, the Orthodox and Protestant Churches will return to unity with the Roman Catholic Church. The Magisterium will clarify Church teaching and settle controversies on doctrine and discipline. By passing through this difficult time, the Church will become holier and will win many new converts.
Chapter List:
1: The Church is Indefectible
2: The Pope can Never fall into Heresy
3: Is the Body of Bishops indefectible?
4: Prevenient Grace
5: Excommunication
6: Which Popes Are Valid?
7: Discipline is not Doctrine
8: Who Should Receive Communion?
9: Will the Pope Ordain Women Deacons?
10: The Possibility of Papal Error
11: Liberal versus Conservative
12: The Schism and the Pope
13: The Errors of Religious Fundamentalism
14: Pedro Regis: messages about the Pope
The author concludes that the indefectibility of the Church necessarily implies the indefectibility of the Pope as an individual, and the indefectibility of the body of Bishops, not as individuals, but only as a body. Neither the Pope nor the body of Bishops can fall into apostasy, heresy, or schism, nor teach heresy (not even with a sincere but mistaken conscience). For the promise of Jesus to build his Church on the person and office of Peter and his successors cannot fail, nor can the gates of Hell prevail over the Church.
The infallible teachings of the Magisterium cannot err, and the non-infallible teachings of the Magisterium allow only a limited possibility of error. Some limited errors are possible in the non-infallible doctrines of any Pope, and a greater range of errors is possible in discipline. But no teaching of any Pope can err to the extent of heresy. Nor can a valid Pope ever become invalid.
This book contains dogmatic theology on the nature of the Church and the papacy. The author also presents his speculative eschatology on events in the near future, especially a schism in which some Catholics reject Pope Francis, and many more reject his conservative successor. Over time, the result is that a majority of Catholics will break away from the Roman Catholic Church. Eventually, a group of schismatic Cardinals and Bishops will hold a conclave and elect an antipope. At the same time, a true Pope is elected by the faithful Cardinals and Archbishops. The Church will be torn by this controversy, and many Catholics will be unsure what to believe and whom they should follow. In their confusion, many will fall away from Christianity altogether.
Eventually, the schism will be healed and most who abandoned the Faith will return. In addition, the Orthodox and Protestant Churches will return to unity with the Roman Catholic Church. The Magisterium will clarify Church teaching and settle controversies on doctrine and discipline. By passing through this difficult time, the Church will become holier and will win many new converts.
Chapter List:
1: The Church is Indefectible
2: The Pope can Never fall into Heresy
3: Is the Body of Bishops indefectible?
4: Prevenient Grace
5: Excommunication
6: Which Popes Are Valid?
7: Discipline is not Doctrine
8: Who Should Receive Communion?
9: Will the Pope Ordain Women Deacons?
10: The Possibility of Papal Error
11: Liberal versus Conservative
12: The Schism and the Pope
13: The Errors of Religious Fundamentalism
14: Pedro Regis: messages about the Pope
