What Is Papal Supremacy?
Papal supremacy is a doctrine in the Roman Catholic religion that teaches the pope is the ultimate spiritual authority on earth. There are several significant ramifications of this doctrine. This article also looks at the roots of papal supremacy from both a Roman Catholic and a Protestant viewpoint.
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Definition
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In the Roman Catholic Church, the pope has absolute authority. The roots of this teaching are in the belief that Jesus appointed his disciple, Peter, to be the head of the church, and gave him "the keys of the kingdom." Catholics consider Peter to be the first pope, and believe all popes after Peter were divinely ordained to succeed him.
Catechism Teaching on Papal Supremacy
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in paragraph 882, "the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered." It goes on to say in paragraph 937, "The Pope enjoys, by divine institution, supreme, full, immediate and universal power in the care of souls."
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History
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The doctrine of papal supremacy arose during periods when church and state were hopelessly entangled, with civil leaders claiming authority over church affairs and vice versa. By issuing the doctrine of papal supremacy, church leaders hoped to regain power within the Catholic Church, as well as solidify their influence over kings and other state rulers.
Ramifications for Catholics
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Papal supremacy, as stated above, declares that the pope has complete power over the Catholic Church. Another doctrine, the doctrine of papal infallibility, teaches the pope is infallible, or never wrong, in his teachings on faith and morals. These doctrines together imbue the pope with an absolute power which is unheard of in most other Christian churches. For example, the pope has the right to declare what actions are to be considered sin and who will be excommunicated.
The Protestant Viewpoint
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Protestants reject the notion of papal supremacy. Instead, they view the Bible as a higher authority, although how strictly they interpret it varies from one denomination to the next. All Protestants, however, share the belief that the Roman Catholic teachings about the papacy are in error, including the doctrine of papal supremacy.
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