Vitus, something I've been curious about From what I understand the pope is considered the word of god, like whatever they say is kinda like gods word, and therefore people will follow what they say. But obviously popes can contradict each other, they don't all agree on every subject, so what does that mean for Catholics? Like if one pope thought that Gay people were sinful, and the next said they were fine. Those contradict, but they would've both been considered correct? From what I understand of religion god doesn't really change their opinions like a human would
Sorry If something about that is just a misconception, I'm not extremely religious and though my parents went to college to study Christianity it wasn't specifically Catholicism, so they weren't as sure about everything we were talking about with the pope
Vitus, something I've been curious about From what I understand the pope is considered the word of god, like whatever they say is kinda like gods word, and therefore people will follow what they say. But obviously popes can contradict each other, they don't all agree on every subject, so what does that mean for Catholics? Like if one pope thought that Gay people were sinful, and the next said they were fine. Those contradict, but they would've both been considered correct? From what I understand of religion god doesn't really change their opinions like a human would
Sorry If something about that is just a misconception, I'm not extremely religious and though my parents went to college to study Christianity it wasn't specifically Catholicism, so they weren't as sure about everything we were talking about with the pope
No worries on misconceptions. (Heck, I've had some of my own in the past.) And for that matter, there's definitely finer details I'm not the best on.
The pope is considered the head of the church and has authority to speak infallibly (ex cathedra) on matters. But there's also infallibility with the church in union with the pope. The only two ex cathedra statements are on the Marian dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption. (That Mary was preserved from Original Sin and that Mary was assumed, body and soul, into Heaven.) But you also have various ecumenical councils too that define doctrine.
As a note, while it wasn't mentioned by you one common misconception of papal infallibility is that it means the pope is sinless. Which it doesn't. (Lord knows we've had some pretty sinful people in the papacy. Popes Alexander VI and Benedict IX tend to top those lists.)
In terms of the contradicting, there is the belief that the pope *can't* infallibly teach error. Because the whole point of infallibility is to safeguard the faith. So for example a pope could never infallibly teach that Jesus wasn't crucified. (That would kinda break the whole Christian faith.) But popes can have personal opinions that aren't infallible. One example I think of comes from Pope Francis when asked about hell said, "What I am going to say is not a dogma of faith but my own personal view: I like to think of hell as empty; I hope it is." (While the existence of hell is a doctrine, there's no definitive teachings on how many will go there. So there's views with differing degrees of optimism.) And of course on things that aren't matters of faith there's also no an expectation of infallibility.
(On the matter of homosexuality, not something I'd want to get into deeply here. But I will note Catholicism doesn't teach that having a homosexual orientation is in and of itself sinful. Just as having a heterosexual isn't inherently sinful, but someone with a heterosexual orientation could for example commit adultery which *would* be an issue.)
One site I do like, in case you've got other questions too, is https://www.catholic.com/ aka Catholic Answers. They're one of my go-tos that generally has at least something (even if not comprehensive) on most Catholic-related questions.
If you don’t know where I am, I’m either sleeping or roleplaying. If I’m doing neither of those things, except the worst. (Do not actually expect the worst) If you need to talk then PM me. Head Acolyte of The Tree Cult.
If you don’t know where I am, I’m either sleeping or roleplaying. If I’m doing neither of those things, except the worst. (Do not actually expect the worst) If you need to talk then PM me. Head Acolyte of The Tree Cult.
Right now I'm heating up leftover pizza and then going a church group. How you doing?
Alright. Hbu?
Was a good night. Decent discussions and had fun catching up with people. Got to be regaled of tales of the Doom Guy from the game series since a friend had played and finished the new one.
Vitus, something I've been curious about
From what I understand the pope is considered the word of god, like whatever they say is kinda like gods word, and therefore people will follow what they say. But obviously popes can contradict each other, they don't all agree on every subject, so what does that mean for Catholics? Like if one pope thought that Gay people were sinful, and the next said they were fine. Those contradict, but they would've both been considered correct? From what I understand of religion god doesn't really change their opinions like a human would
Sorry If something about that is just a misconception, I'm not extremely religious and though my parents went to college to study Christianity it wasn't specifically Catholicism, so they weren't as sure about everything we were talking about with the pope
Where have all the flowers gone?
No worries on misconceptions. (Heck, I've had some of my own in the past.) And for that matter, there's definitely finer details I'm not the best on.
The pope is considered the head of the church and has authority to speak infallibly (ex cathedra) on matters. But there's also infallibility with the church in union with the pope. The only two ex cathedra statements are on the Marian dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption. (That Mary was preserved from Original Sin and that Mary was assumed, body and soul, into Heaven.) But you also have various ecumenical councils too that define doctrine.
As a note, while it wasn't mentioned by you one common misconception of papal infallibility is that it means the pope is sinless. Which it doesn't. (Lord knows we've had some pretty sinful people in the papacy. Popes Alexander VI and Benedict IX tend to top those lists.)
In terms of the contradicting, there is the belief that the pope *can't* infallibly teach error. Because the whole point of infallibility is to safeguard the faith. So for example a pope could never infallibly teach that Jesus wasn't crucified. (That would kinda break the whole Christian faith.) But popes can have personal opinions that aren't infallible. One example I think of comes from Pope Francis when asked about hell said, "What I am going to say is not a dogma of faith but my own personal view: I like to think of hell as empty; I hope it is." (While the existence of hell is a doctrine, there's no definitive teachings on how many will go there. So there's views with differing degrees of optimism.) And of course on things that aren't matters of faith there's also no an expectation of infallibility.
(On the matter of homosexuality, not something I'd want to get into deeply here. But I will note Catholicism doesn't teach that having a homosexual orientation is in and of itself sinful. Just as having a heterosexual isn't inherently sinful, but someone with a heterosexual orientation could for example commit adultery which *would* be an issue.)
One site I do like, in case you've got other questions too, is https://www.catholic.com/ aka Catholic Answers. They're one of my go-tos that generally has at least something (even if not comprehensive) on most Catholic-related questions.
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
Vitus!
If I’m being annoying, tell me to shut up. Seriously. Just say “Bananer shut up.” And I will. For a few seconds!
Don’t listen to the folks down at Adohands. It’s good for me to overwork myself.
Professional idiot! Trans! Pansexual pancake! I am a minor so you will do none of that (GP) with me! I use He/They pronouns :3
Extended Signature!
Hey Vitus.
Lightning flashes, it creates ash. The ash forms a human.
If you don’t know where I am, I’m either sleeping or roleplaying. If I’m doing neither of those things, except the worst. (Do not actually expect the worst) If you need to talk then PM me. Head Acolyte of The Tree Cult.
Hey, Banan.
Right now I'm heating up leftover pizza and then going a church group. How you doing?
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
Hello Vitus. (Where does the W in your name come from? An initial or something?)
Lightning flashes, it creates ash. The ash forms a human.
If you don’t know where I am, I’m either sleeping or roleplaying. If I’m doing neither of those things, except the worst. (Do not actually expect the worst) If you need to talk then PM me. Head Acolyte of The Tree Cult.
Alright. Hbu?
If I’m being annoying, tell me to shut up. Seriously. Just say “Bananer shut up.” And I will. For a few seconds!
Don’t listen to the folks down at Adohands. It’s good for me to overwork myself.
Professional idiot! Trans! Pansexual pancake! I am a minor so you will do none of that (GP) with me! I use He/They pronouns :3
Extended Signature!
Yep. And St. Vitus was my confirmation saint.
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
Thats pretty cool. Im a former catholic myself, though my family stopped going around when I was in 4th grade
the biggest screwup since the screw was invented
Im heading off for the summer. ill miss you guys, but ill probably back in the fall!
Thanks for the fun memories!
the biggest screwup since the screw was invented
If you want to get in contact with me, Ill be checking my messages on slack periodically throught the summer
Scratch.mit.edu Username is Dragon8824
if im not online when you stop by, play some of the games ive made. no promises that they are all good, but im proud of the castle of dawn
the biggest screwup since the screw was invented
Was a good night. Decent discussions and had fun catching up with people. Got to be regaled of tales of the Doom Guy from the game series since a friend had played and finished the new one.
See you in the fall!
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny
Eggo Lass, Bone and Oblivion | Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus, Drakkenheim
Karl Erikson, No Guts No Glory | Chipper, Curse of Strahd
Silverwood Group 1 | Silverwood Group 2
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 51, 10/23/25, Viva La Vida
See you Dragon!!! Have an awesome summer!!!!!
may the 22nd be with you all!!!!!
Long live the dragon slayers, long live the spider guild, long live the forums.
I want you to know. You are going to lose. You are going to lose badly. You’re going to lose badly and it’s going to be awesome.
Dang, a lot of people have actual lives. Couldn't be me.
Me neither…
If I’m being annoying, tell me to shut up. Seriously. Just say “Bananer shut up.” And I will. For a few seconds!
Don’t listen to the folks down at Adohands. It’s good for me to overwork myself.
Professional idiot! Trans! Pansexual pancake! I am a minor so you will do none of that (GP) with me! I use He/They pronouns :3
Extended Signature!
Just a random fact, I joined only two days behind you.
Huh. That’s interesting.
If I’m being annoying, tell me to shut up. Seriously. Just say “Bananer shut up.” And I will. For a few seconds!
Don’t listen to the folks down at Adohands. It’s good for me to overwork myself.
Professional idiot! Trans! Pansexual pancake! I am a minor so you will do none of that (GP) with me! I use He/They pronouns :3
Extended Signature!
Cool! What event?
If I’m being annoying, tell me to shut up. Seriously. Just say “Bananer shut up.” And I will. For a few seconds!
Don’t listen to the folks down at Adohands. It’s good for me to overwork myself.
Professional idiot! Trans! Pansexual pancake! I am a minor so you will do none of that (GP) with me! I use He/They pronouns :3
Extended Signature!
Yeah, I haven't been on the forums at all until this point though. I've mostly just stuck to home brew.
Oh…
If I’m being annoying, tell me to shut up. Seriously. Just say “Bananer shut up.” And I will. For a few seconds!
Don’t listen to the folks down at Adohands. It’s good for me to overwork myself.
Professional idiot! Trans! Pansexual pancake! I am a minor so you will do none of that (GP) with me! I use He/They pronouns :3
Extended Signature!