Church

Catholic Pride in 'One True Church' Makes Enemies, Says Coptic Pope

Pope Benedict XVI’s pride in the primacy of Catholicism is making him enemies, said the head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church.

Pope Benedict XVI’s pride in the primacy of Catholicism is making him enemies, said the head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church.

“The man (Pope Benedict) makes enemies every time,” said Pope Shenouda III, leader of the 10 million Coptic Christians in Egypt, according to the state-run daily Al-Ahram.

“In his first statements a few months back, he lost all the Muslims,” he said Saturday, referring to the Pope’s speech in Germany last year when he associated Islam with violence. “And now this time, he lost a lot of the Christian denominations because he has begun to err against Christians themselves.”

Shenouda was reacting to the Pope’s approval of a document last Tuesday that reasserted the Vatican’s position on the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church as the “one true church”, while all non-Catholic churches are simply “ecclesial communities”.

“Other Christian communities are either defective or not true churches and Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation,” the Pope was quoted as saying.

The Coptic head said the statement was the result of Catholic pride and a belief “they were the only Christians in the world”, according to Reuters.

“We’re not opposed to Catholics having pride in their Church, but that doesn’t mean that every church that doesn’t join them isn’t a church,” he said.

Protestant leaders have also expressed disappointment in the Vatican’s position, coming amid ongoing efforts to deepen ecumenical dialogue between Protestant Churches and the Catholic Church.

“We are puzzled by the release of a statement of this kind at this time in the history of the church,” wrote the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) General Secretary, the Rev Dr Setri Nyomi, in a letter response. “An exclusive claim that identifies the Roman Catholic Church as the one church of Jesus Christ … goes against the spirit of our Christian calling toward oneness in Christ.

“It makes us question the seriousness with which the Roman Catholic Church takes its dialogues with the Reformed family and other families of the church,” Nyomi added. “It makes us question whether we are indeed praying together for Christian unity.”

However, many Protestant denominational heads and scholars have also pointed out that the Vatican’s statement is nothing new.

“Similar statements and perspectives precipitated the 16th century Reformation nearly 500 years ago,” said Dr Gerald B Kieschnick, President of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

“At that time Martin Luther said, ‘Popes and councils can err.’ Apparently that is still true today,” he added.

Despite the disagreement over who belongs to the “true church”, many Protestant denominational organisations have publicly stated their continual commitment to ecumenical dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church. These groups include the Lutheran World Federation, the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Presbyterian Church in the US.

Added: Monday, November 12, 2007, 5:52 (GMT)

Only god knows the heart an who is really being true to the way he wanted it. we are all of 1 body an that is the body of christ we are all the same in the eyes of god.change your thinking pope before its to late thats hate thinking.

jl, usa texas

Added: Monday, August 27, 2007, 20:51 (BST)

I'd like to quote a former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, who in his Nobel Peace Prize speech in December 2001 said, "The idea that there is one people in possession of the truth, one answer to the world's ills, or one solution to humanity's needs has done untold harm throughout history." Maybe Joseph should have thought of that before making such a backward-thinking comment.

Karolyn, Manistee MI USA

Added: Sunday, July 22, 2007, 9:56 (BST)

Has the Vatican torn out the page of the Holy Scriptures which describes how God will handle the entitiy that sits on seven hills, wears purple and scarlet, with pearls, and who has deceived the world while playing a harlot since the beginning? I'm interested in learning what nation will produce the False Prophet who speaks flattering prayers in public to gain attention for the soon coming global leader?

Lynda, Richardson, TX. USA

Added: Sunday, July 22, 2007, 4:10 (BST)

Greetings, Pope Benedict, I beleieve The Pope is loosing half of church before The Rapture and under pressure has this time insulted his own intelligence and The True God Loving Christian Witnesses. I believe that under pressure he has made a statement that joints together with "The New World Order" Power Seat for the One World Religion that has been proposed for that time and place in The globalist future. There is no need to insult Us, The rapture is from GOD and for those chosen from a worldwide invitation of those that are a walking temple or a church of GOD in "Mind, Heart, Soul and Holy Spirit/Ghost. (Matthew 22:37-). Some are ignorant to GOD'S words and less educated because Preaching and Teaching is not allowed in many ungodly nations of Our Beautifull Planet Earth. The Great Harvest from those nations if their constitutions do not change will be less educated when Raptured. I hope this helps any and all in visioning Our near future Prophecies. May GOD Bless Us Worldwide and keep Us In The Law of His Etrenal Union. Lets begin to reason and use The Logic of Law in our first steps of life. If we do not BREAT, we DIE and that is The first Law. When We agree That GOD IS....In Union and In neutral Law we will become One under His Heavens. In Neutral Law we will win them both. This means that we have to be self supervised, responsible for our own actions and conquer ourselfs before we do others. Just say "NO" (know) to any wicket act and document any Supernatural or human attemt to take us down and we will win them both for Us and Our GOD in Heaven. "Just say no to drugs, etc.". Nineveh, 1 Cor 6:9, 1 Cor 2:9- Jude 1:9, Romans 12:19 Thank You for your time to digest my words that I think are truth. Do not let me mislead you, use your own researched intelligence.

Rigoberto Rojas, Hialeah, Florida=USA

Added: Sunday, July 22, 2007, 0:09 (BST)

To say there is a physical organization or denomination that is the "one true church" here on earth is preposterous since there are in every church those who have not come to repentance and faith. Only those who have placed their trust in Christ for their Salvation are in Christ's church, which is not of this world. If you belong to a church, but do not trust Him for your Salvation, you are not a member of His church; your church or denomination does not save you, Christ does.

S.A.M., Iowa, USA

Added: Thursday, July 19, 2007, 16:20 (BST)

Roman Catholics are the one true church. Oh, silly me! When the Jehovah's Wirtnesses call at my door, I am told that they are the one true church! So too, apparently are a number of other sects. But I have no need to worry - I have been a Baptist for many years and now worship in a Pentecostal church. Praise God that Jesus is my Saviour and I will be with Him when I stand in glory.

Peter Waring, Rushden, Northants, England

Added: Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 18:37 (BST)

Religious bigotry is a sin. Christians believe that Jesus' ministry alone has provided for the salvation of humankind. May the peace of Christ be with the Bishop of Rome.

Harold A. Nichols, Gibsonville, North Carolina

Added: Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 14:35 (BST)

Although I disagree with the Pope, I admire him for standing up for what he believes. He isn't afraid of what others may think of him. He's being bold in his faith. We could all take a page from his book. Now, having said that, I do believe we should all try to get along. Just because one may have different views from you doesn't mean you have to be at war with each other but you should be able to explain what you believe & why.

Kristy, Lewisville, TX

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