Attn:adeo-continuation Of "can The Pope Be Ousted"

[ICTHUS]

Adeodatus,

A pope such as Pope Leo X, whose irresponsible reign had disastrous consequences for the Church (namely, the Protestant Reformation), ought to be able to be removed. Why are situations such as this not provided for by the Church, [i]especially[/i] in light of men such as Leo X.

[Adeodatus]

The Church is often compared to a ship, isn’t it? I guess if the Pope is like the captain, and behaves irresponsibly, could the No. 2 or XO (Cardinal Ratzinger?) relieve him of command? Well, that’s where the ship analogy stops. The Church is metaphorically like a ship, but it isn’t a ship. It is compared to an Army, but it isn’t literally an Army. It is God’s Church, and we know the Holy Spirit guides the Church and we trust in Divine Providence.

We can only look at popes like Leo X and declare with hindsight that he should have done-such-and-such, or not done this-and-that. Even if we have our misgivings at the time, we cannot see all ends (as Gandalf might say). So what are we left with? God’s promise: “I tell you, you are Rock and on this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not overcome it.” If God gives the Pope the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, there is no power on earth that can take them away. Only the one who holds the keys, i.e. the Pope, can lay them down for another to take up. What a burden! Let’s pray for our beloved Pope!