Question for Catholic Christians

[BlueCelt]

Hi all!

I was writing some thoughts on the different flavors of Christianity (Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox) and was wondering how important the Pope is to Catholicism. I mean to the every day practice of it, influence on prayer, sermons (are there sermons? I confess ignorance here), etc... Is the Pope essential to Catholicism?

Thank you!

Blue

 

[SpiritualAntiseptic]

Hi all!

I was writing some thoughts on the different flavors of Christianity (Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox) and was wondering how important the Pope is to Catholicism. I mean to the every day practice of it, influence on prayer, sermons (are there sermons? I confess ignorance here), etc... Is the Pope essential to Catholicism?

Thank you!

Blue

I don't how much every day stuff there is to the pope. His importance is as the successor of Peter. Catholics see that Christ gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16) and was the leader of the Church. Traditionally, Christianity understood that the apostles set up five Sees (seats): Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople and Rome. Peter was bishops of Rome and was martyred there along with Paul. Peter's successors have remained there since.

The Pope is responsible for approving of all new bishops- who are the heads of every regional Church in the world. They are sort of like mayors or governors. It is then the bishops that ordain priests and deacons, who have the important roles in every parish.

The Pope does publish encyclicals and other writings, which are generally viewed as worth paying attention to as they address modern issues.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Hi all!

I was writing some thoughts on the different flavors of Christianity (Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox) and was wondering how important the Pope is to Catholicism. I mean to the every day practice of it, influence on prayer, sermons (are there sermons? I confess ignorance here), etc... Is the Pope essential to Catholicism?

Thank you!

As a former Catholic, i would say that, very simply speaking, the Pope functions similarly in the Church as the President functions in our country--with the exception that the Pope receives his directives from God through the Holy Spirit in contrast to the President who receives his directives from those who paid to put him into office.

ephraim

 

[BlueCelt]

Thank you both for the responses.

Best,

Blue

 

[Catholic Wife]

Hi Blue,
Like others mentioned, the Pope is important in that he provides leadership to the Catholic Church. In this way, he is essential. He appoints new bishops as well as his advisors, which influences the "direction" and "tone" the Church takes, which does influence every day life for Catholics. In addition to writing encyclicals, the Pope also holds a weekly General Audience, which is a sermon of sorts. As for prayers, many Catholics include the Pope's intentions when they pray the Rosary. Pope John Paul II influenced prayer a great deal when he introduced the "luminous mysteries" of the Rosary.

 

[BlueCelt]

Thank you Catholic Wife. I asked because I've been studying Christianity as a religion from my outsiders position for the first time really and I'm trying to see how many different "flavors" of Christianity there are. I was raised protestant so I really don't know much about Catholics or Orthodox.

Again thank you all who responded.

Blue