Quantcast
Channel: The Bare Bulb » lutheran confessions
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

No Such Thing as a Lay Pope

0
0

poperobes

Although it is highly unlikely, a layman could be elected Pope. The election of the Pope is open to any baptized male.

But there is no such thing as a Lay Pope. Canon Law is clear:

The Roman pontiff acquires full and supreme power in the Church when, together with episcopal consecration, he has been lawfully elected and has accepted the election. Accordingly, if he already has the episcopal character, he receives this power from the moment he accepts election to the supreme pontificate. If he does not have the episcopal character, he is immediately to be ordained bishop (canon 332 §1, Code of Canon Law). 

If a layman were elected Pope, the Dean of the College of Cardinals would immediately ordain him: first as a deacon, then as a priest. Then he would consecrate him as bishop. Only then can the man assume the office of the Papacy. There is no such thing as a Lay Pope.

Now, we Lutherans hold firmly that the Pope is just a pastor. He is no more, no less in spiritual authority than any other pastor (Tr. 7-30). But we hold just as firmly, with the Roman teaching, that the Pope isn’t a layman. No pastor is. The Augsburg Confession is clear too.

So, just there is no such thing as a Lay Pope, there is no such thing as a Lay Pastor.



Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images