A common stumbling block for non-Catholics is the role of the Pope, as the Vicar of Christ and the leader of the Church on Earth. Many misunderstand the actual role of the Pope, and misinterpret the authority that he has been given.
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16:18, Jesus says to Peter "and so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." Among Jesus' twelve apostles, Peter is given a unique mission to sustain the lucidity and sanctity of the Holy Church, and lead his fellow brothers and sisters in the one true faith. In like manner, Jesus endowed the other apostles with the authority of bishops, with Peter as their head. In this way, they formed a "college", or stable group dedicated to teaching, and defending the faith. Just as Peter and his fellow apostles together formed an apostolic college, so too does the pope, successor of Peter, and bishop of Rome, along with the other bishops, form an episcopal college, dedicated to instructing and preserving the faith. Since the Church was intended to endure straight through the ages, until the return of Jesus, succession was needful in order for this to be fulfilled. In fact, there has been an unbroken succession of popes from Peter to Benedict Xvi, the 265th successor.
MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA
Peter, along with succeeding Popes and bishops were and are given the authority to govern the Church, make doctrinal judgments, and implement definitive teachings concerning faith and morals. However, the Teaching office of the Church may be exercised by the Pope alone when he teaches officially, or by the whole "college" of bishops together with the Pope. It must be stated however, that the Pope is not infallible on all matters. The word "infallible" does not mean that the Pope is perfect. It also does not mean that the Pope knows everything. Instead, "infallibility" only applies when the Pope speaks about solemn, legal teachings on faith and morals. This does not happen very often and regularly is in response to a philosophy that has been called into question. This teaching is based on the promise Christ gave to His Church in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit would "guide you to all truth." However, on the occasion that the Church declares a particular matter as infallible, this means it is something believed to be revealed by Jesus Christ and is without the possibility of error. When a particular matter is declared infallible, Catholics are obliged to cleave in the spirit of obedience. In the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, the nature of infallibility is explained:
"Bishops who teach in communion with the Roman Pontiff are to be revered by all as witnesses of divine and Catholic truth; the faithful, for their part, are obliged to submit to their bishops' decision, made in the name of Christ, in matters of faith and morals, and to cleave to it with a ready and respectful allegiance of mind." (Lumen Gentium, 25)
The primacy of the Pope, and the recognition of the universal authority he has been given to instruct the faithful, sustains and safeguards the unity of the Church as the communicator of truth. It has been said that the Pope is the slave of the servants of God. That is to say, the Pope's customary mission is one of assistance to the citizen of God, to uphold the oneness of Christ's Church.
The Pope's Role in the Church MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA
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