David Ancell / Friday May 16, 2003
I don’t know what has me fascinated with poll questions, but here is another one that is misleading:
Do you think that you can disagree with the Pope and still remain a faithful Catholic?
Well, in what way is there disagreement with the Holy Father? Obviously, the moral teachings of the Church, including those on contraception, abortion, and euthanasia are part of the deposit of faith and must be believed. The same is true for doctrines such as the Trinity, transubstantiation, and the Immaculate Conception.
However, Pope John Paul II is strongly against the faithful receiving the Eucharist in the hand, but do we also have to be, especially given that he permits it where permitted by the local bishop. What if the Pope predicted who would win the World Series? What about the Pope’s views on the war in Iraq? Although the Pope’s general moral views must be heeded, the Pope may not have the appropriate information to make the correct prudential judgement regarding the war.
Knowledgable Catholics know the difference between the teachings of the Magisterium and the private judgement of the Holy Father or of our local bishop. However, the same may not be the case with our media. Therefore, the polls give us misleading information. A perfectly orthodox Catholc may well say that it is okay to disagree with the Pope in a poll if he/she perceives the poll to say whether or not it is okay to disagree with anything the Pope says.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
« The Real Presence
Franciscan Conference »
No comments have been made on this post.
Please note that all comments are moderated, and they will be posted once approved.