INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this document is to
acquaint those interested in the Papacy with the true Petrine Ministry
of
the Bishop of Rome.
This is not a theological treatise in which the author is interested in showing the reader his command of the language by using a profusion of words, seldom used in normal conversation, and which usually convey little. This is a "bare bones facts and figures" brief historical account of those who occupied the Chair of Peter, those who tried to occupy it and those who tried to steal the right to occupy it.
In other documents [1] The M+G+R Foundation has clearly stated its position regarding the Bishop of Rome. Nonetheless, in summary:
The legitimate Bishop of Rome, the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, is the Successor of Peter and, personally, under normal circumstances [2], the ultimate arbiter of the Doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church.
Since the Church claims that its Teachings are based on Divine Revelations and Tradition, we feel that the best way to understand the Petrine Ministry and the source of much of the Catholic Tradition is by virtually meeting each and every one who occupied the Chair of Peter.
We must all keep in mind one very
important detail. Although, without a doubt, the Holy Spirit of
God Was, Is and Will ever Be the Infallible
Guide of the
Church, the obedient
response to such Divine Guidance depends on the action of man.
That is why H.H. John Paul II has sought
Divine forgiveness so many
times for the errors and atrocities
committed by those who had the commanding voice in the Church at the
particular time in question and who did not submit to the
Infallible Guidance of the Holy Spirit of God.
FORMAT TO BE USED
We will break up the historical
presentation in short segments by publishing a brief history of four
Popes at a time. The groupings will be indicated by the period (in
years) covered, and may be accessed through the Papal Index Link.
Papal matters of significant note will be highlighted by underscoring the appropriate portions of the text. When appropriate, The M+G+R Foundation will make commentaries, however, we will strive to keep those commentaries to a minimum.
To avoid unnecessary controversy we have
drawn the information from an official sources.
NOTES__________________________
[1] About Us and About Miguel
de Portugal
[2] As the
reader reviews the Papacies of centuries past, the reader will see that
some teachings-by-example were certainly not from God. These
circumstances were the ones which are considered "not normal
circumstances". Nonetheless, in time errors and abuses were usually
corrected because God saw to it.
Originally posted on Pentecost Sunday.
June 3, 2001.
