Paladin D Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 I read that back in the "days of old", the Pope was chosen by not just the bishops, but by the priests and laity. Is this true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pan!c139 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 I'm pretty sure it is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin D Posted September 20, 2008 Author Share Posted September 20, 2008 If this is true, wouldn't this give more argument for those who want the Church to be more democratic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pan!c139 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Well the people didn't choose, they just "okayed" the clergy's choice. As far as I remember... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Cat Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 (edited) I remember seeing a documentary on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) concerning the Papal Elections/Conclaves, I seem to recall them mentioning that the early selections of the Pope were made by all male Baptized Catholics in the See of Rome. Likewise, the Church tolerated “interference” from secular powers in the selection of the Pope. Over time both the electors and the tolerated interference changed with Church Law. Right now those electors of the Pope are those current Cardinals properly disposed under a certain age. Maybe this could help? ( [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_conclave#The_electorate"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_conclave[/url] ) Edited September 20, 2008 by Mr.CatholicCat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggyie Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 It gives more umph to the "more democratic Church" argument only to the extent that people embrace the error of archaeologism. The idea is that the Early Church was more pure than the Church as it is today, so whatever the early Christians did we should be doing. This contrasts with the Catholic point of view, which is that structures and practices in the Church develop along with the Church's needs and with the help of the Holy Spirit. This is common sense to most people but not to everybody. I once read somewhere that in the early Church there was a rule that you couldn't become a baptized Christian if you were a seller of fringed cloth or something like that. There were all kinds of unusual practices regarding the Sacraments and other things which while not technically erroneous would not work at all today. Many people who push the democratic Church concept want it for the purpose of making various immoral sexual practices or heresies licit. The shockingly bad level of catechesis which has led to these "movements" is just one reason among many why democracy in the Church today would be a bad idea. It would stink for the same reason democracy tends to stink in the U.S.A, because the majority of the voters are uninformed, apathetic or just plain shallow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatcatholic Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 wow, awesome post maggie!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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