In church history, after the book of Acts, believers were called catholic with a small "c". This emerged to form the Roman Catholic of today that is different than the first century. Our faith in God and His son, Jesus, and the Bible should be the focal point of our Christian walk.

Diane, Amarillo , USA

Once again, the pope is right on. Open your eyes people... Jesus didn't preach 10 different religions during his time! Catholicism is the only faith that can trace our roots back to Jesus time. We have connections other so called Chrisitan religions lack. Truth be told, God's hand is firm.

Jacob, Apple Valley , USA

The Vatican and Catholisim and the Catholic Church rely on fear amongst their followers and have done since the day the papacy was formed . The fact that other religions stand up against this means they are intolerant of other religions. Their religion is borne of the dark ages and has no place in modern society. The cover up of sexual abuse by so called followers of GOD all over the world is proof of the deep rooted problems this church has for years covered up. BJK

Ian Dbear, Stirling, Scotland

Yet again The Vatican & The Pope are very wrong ,
A Christian is a follower of christ , one who celebraites his greatness and his existance on earth ,
so they say Protestants Dont ?
Many like David Livingston of Scotland travelled the world inc Africa to Preach the Gospal, many Protestants died inc being Burned and starved (ie Patrick Hamilton, St Andrews ) in Gods name , so these brave martyrs where not followers of christ ?
I think the truth is the Vatican believes what it wants to believe and passes their one sided beliefs to their jesuits and priests to take into the catholic community & beyond , maybe it would be morarlly correct for the RC Church not deny the rights of other Christians but continue Privately in their own prefered religious ways of worship and to let other People decide for themselves instead of trying to brainwash people into believeing otherwise !!

God Help Us All

Colin Campbell , Glasgow, Scotland , UK

The Roman Catholic Church has been following tradition for centuries and in recent times has strayed away from tradition. All that Pope Benedict XVI wants to do is bring back tradition. The Roman Catholic Church is the one true church of Christ. All of these protestant religions have left the one universal church (Catholic = universal). They denounced various beleifs of the church and thus have flaws. The pope is truley the successor of St. Peter as layed down by Christ himself that the church on earth will always have a leader, the Roman Pontiff. He is Christ's voice on earth and to not follow him is wrong. I am a Roman Catholic and I beleive that anyhting the pope says on faith or morals is the truth (Papal Infalibility). Tradition is a good thing and to bring it back to the church would be grand. One of the steps in bringing back tradition is acknowledging this issue. Tradition is and should be the church's goal. As it has been seen with a lack of tradition everything can fall apart

Ryan, shelton, America

Catholics do not worship icons or statues. We worship the Holy Trinity alone, three Persons in One God, the Father Son and Holy Spirit. Some teachings in the Catholic Church are certainly not popular but we believe that the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit, in the doctrines It teaches. The Holy Father has to protect His flock, and we trust the Church is doing its best to guide its people, in order to live a life in the Natural Law, the way Christ wants us to live it.

Anthony Vaz, Singapore, Singapore

The Pope is not known for being PC. He is blunt. And he IS stating Catholic doctrine.

I am Catholic. I have had plenty of friends tell me what errors they find in my beliefs. As long as they are honest, still respect me and my right to believe, no offense is taken.

Since the horrors of the Crusades and Inquisitions (for which we are ashamed and sorry), we have become a Church which preaches humility. We do not, therefore, see non-Catholic Christians as being less than us as Christians, even though we see errors in their doctrines. We do not see non-Christians as less than us, even though we believe Christ is the only way to salvation. We are taught that we do not know what goes on between another person and God in life or death, so we try to represent His love the best we can and leave the judging up to Him.

A good resource for anyone who is truly interested in Catholic doctrine is apologist Scott Hahn. He can clarify the confusing issues of "idolatry", etc.

Roberta Barnum , Cranham, UK

Pope Benedict XVI is a brilliant man. I'm confident he is quite aware of the history of the Catholic Church, beginning with Jesus Christ until today. As for the varied, delusional myth theories that like to imagine the Catholic Church morphed idols into Jesus, anyone clinging to these false accusations has a National Enquirer mentality. While the other churches are busy being offended by the Pope's statments, it is better to keep this in mind: the Catholic Church alone is remaining strong and united against virulent attacks on the family, homosexual teaching and the like. There may be evil men within the Cathoic Church, however, the Church itself is the work of the Holy Spirit, and will not be destroyed by any demonic efforts.

Mary , Los Angeles, CA

It seems that the present Pope does not know his own church history. The Notorious two Sylvester I and the pagan Constantine I in 325AD all they did was to change the name of their god Mithra to Jesus and kept all the traditions, example Mithras clergy were celibate and Mithras birthday is 25th December and nothing to do with Jesus.
If then the Roman Catholic is it the true church, when we are commanded by God in the bible not to idol worship, another term for idols is icons, to venerate an icon is to worship it. Let him that is without SIN cast the first stone.

Dr Mohammed Omar, London, United Kingdom

Let us set this right the church of Rome was the first break from a united church where the pope was at constantinople and the church at Rome broke from it so they are no different from any other break away since. They say that Peter was the first Pope of Rome yet he died centuries before the church of Rome broke from Constantinople. There is only one church and that has Jesus Christ as the head and not the Pope or any other man so let the Pope of Rome bow his knee to the real head of the church and stop pretending he represents God alone for all who follow Jesus Christ are equal with none over us except our Lord and Saviour.

John Blakeston, Ramsgate, Kent

You know what? I am really tired of this argument about people saying that they can trace their priesthood back to a certain time. Wasn't it John the Baptist who chastized the Pharisees for their claim to paternal lineage. Saying that they had Abraham as their father so they were right. if I'm not mistaken, John pointed out that God was capable of raising up children of Abraham from stones laying near by. No such claim holds any water for me. It's like saying well since George Washington was a good president and every president since can be traced back to him, that they all must be perfectly good and without flaw. Its ludicrous and just a dogmatic argument fed to a bunch of Catholics who are not willing to think for themselves. Its a banner slogan, not even a worthy point. Study to show yourselves approved. Seek God, not wisdom or salvation in a man of flesh.

Rob, Dover, DE

If I were going to write an article about a document, I would read it first. Maybe that's just me. The document simply does not say that the Orthodox Churches are not true Churches. This is false and detrimental reporting

www.holydormition.blogspot.com

John R.P. Russell, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Wait to the end, and see whou gets "Left Behind."

jabin, Adak, Alaska

This comes as no surprise, as, I believe it's always been Catholic doctrine - it's just not often spelled out. However the Pope made a distinction between the Orthodox branch - which he did say could be seen as "churches" and had apostolic succession (though they had a "wound") and the Protestants, who, he said, could not. I wonder why he doesn't logically make a distinction for Anglicanism, whose priests have been ordained in an unbroken line back to Catholic times. Or was this officially cancelled by Papal decree back in the 16th C and this didn't occur in the split from the Orthodoc Church back in the 11th??

Oliver, Nice, France

Michael of Orlando, you can't really believe that the Pope has been slanderous and stupid in what he says here. Do read it again and make some allowances.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

I had always thought that the word "Church" referred to us, The Christians, the body of Christ. I thought that WE ARE the church. So by claiming that all other denominations other than Catholics are not Churches, then the Pope is also declaring that anyone other than Catholics are not Christians. But if we look at the word Christians, it means to be a "Christ follower". And as far as I know, non-Catholics who follow Christ are also "Christ Followers." So in conclusion, the bold and SLANDEROUS statement that the Pope made about non-Catholic Churches not being Churches is a VERY BAD and STUPID call on his side.

Michael, Orlando,

Charlie of London, where did you hear that nonsense? Of course only God forgives sins. There's no payment.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

I believe that the Catholic church has drifted far from what it should be. I can't see Paul encouraging people to pay to have their sins forgiven. To be honest, all churches have drifted far from the Church Jesus began 200 years ago. I believe in following what the Bible says... Only that, not doing things because of tradition etc. It saddens me deeply to hear the Pope has said this at all. Only Jesus can forgive our sins, not Mary, not the Pope, not a Priest. Jesus.

Charlie, London, England

Heather, the Pope is trying to embrace the teachings of Jesus which includes the Papal leadership.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

Romoan Catholicism may be the closest to the Churches teachings as I mentioned before, and I beleive, so far, that this is true in many ways. However, I do beleive the Pope's speech about this was totally unnecessary, as there are already many social barriers in the world because of different religions and the lack of tolerance towards them without building barriers in a single religion. Not to mention the country's "declining morality".

I don't know much about all these denominations, but I did learn in Religious Studies Christianity was following the teachings of Christ, and during his life Christ did not deliberatly set upon making such barriers. Shouldn't the Pope be trying to embrace Jesus' teachings and try to do what he would do in these times rather than make unnecessary remarks about others paths to the same place.

Heather, Stockton, UK

This should of been said a long time ago when those other churchs were established so those who were lied to to enter would not be lashing out against the Pope at this time. Jesus just wants all of us Christians under one Church; the Church he created 2000 years ago.

Jacob, Jackson, Tennessee

Father Chad of Woodbury, Iowa, where did you get the idea it's like that? What an odd notion that it's just to do with power. The Pope is responding to the Lord. That he must do. He is he servant of God's servants. Why should anybody who's not a member wish to receive Holy Communion in our Catholic church? This is much more than a social response. I go to ecumenical services from time to time but I do not demand the Communion there.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

So why do you title the article with the term 'Roman' catholic?

Are you not aware that many catholics are not 'roman rite'?

I jumped to the link for this article because I thought you were advertising some excommunication of churches! Very funny.

Malapropos.

joan, lovely,

Such comments are not made lightly, there is much study involved in everything which comes out of the Vatican. When you look at it, it is theologically sound, and simply re-states traditional Catholic belief on the subject.

Simon Davies, Norwich, UK

The truth is the truth and perhaps this is the time the Pope declares the one true and proper church of Christ non other than the Catholic church! It is like the proclamation of the kingdom of heaven by Christ himself in His time non other than the kingdom of God! Prosecution of people who speak the truth happens every now and then, too many of them in actual fact. The Pope is simply saying what should be said long time ago. For the protestants to retaliate by using such remark as "lust for power" shows the leaders are not proper themselves and how can their churches be proper??!

Maggie Ong, Selangor, Malaysia

I am horrified that the Holy Father would denounce all others who are not under his authority. I found this out when many who thought they was catholics was denied communion, reconcilation, last rites etc. Even I as a former Roman Catholic was denied to come to our Lord's table becasue I chose to follow a different group of catholics similiar to the Orthodox faith.

To bad I am not allowed to claim that Rome is not a true church anymore since it delves into a power trip. WE all came from Rome at one time or another, and yet they still teach much ignorance.

I am glad I am walking away from all of this soon.

Father Chad, Woodbury, Iowa

Whoever started the idea that the Catholic Church does not have exclusive claims?. Anyhow I think it's pretty well known though a good number want to fudge the issue.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

Of course the Pope would say this, and how in all reality can anyone expect otherwise? The Roman Catholic Church, like all other denominations, is an exclusivist one, and as the head of such an organisation the Pope is therefore doing his job correctly. The Archbishop of Canterbury, or indeed the Queen, would be well within their rights to say the same thing about the Catholic Church, although it would not be very diplomatically astute. Aside from critical differences of doctrine, the Catholic Church is an entirely seperate organisation, and an evangelistic one at that. This is the sort of thing that the Pope shoukd be saying in order to fulfil his role.

Oliver Mitchell, London,

Nothing matters much and at the end of the day nothing matters at all.

John Trollope, Huddersfield, U.K.

I was disturbed by the Pope's comments on other churches.
This seems contrary to the teaching I learnt as a young man- I am now 67 -that all valdily bapisted Christians were members of the(Roman) Catholic Church but unaware of it and that despite the fact that their rites, rituals and ceremonies are different in part or in whole from similar Roman Catholic rites, rituals, etc. The Nestorians brought a form of Christianity to the East, and Anglicans from the London Missionary Society brought the Gospel to people in Africa, I would consider it unfair to say that non Roman Catholic churches did not minister to and bring the Gospel to pagan and heathen peoples throughout the world.The Roman Catholic Church cannot plainly claim exclusiveness in this. The Catholic Church is one not only of the Word but most specifically of Sacrament and thus its emphasis on Eucharist and Priesthood. To say Protestants are Ministers but not Priests, would be a truer, fairer and kinder comment. 0PI

Penvronius Miles Cambrensis, sfo, London , Greater London

Sorry, my message for Helen is meant for Heather.

Brian Lewis of Manila. However, whatever, the underlying message is that the lord has arranged for the Pope to be our guide in Faith and Morals. This is clear in Scripture. The well known objections are very weak. We need to be in unity with him. Ubi Petrus, ibi Ecclesia.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

Sorry, my message to Helen, should be to Heather.

Brian Lewis of Manila, however, whatever, the underlying meaning is that Peter and succesors are important moral guides of Faith, estabished by the Lord. The Community of believers urgently needs unity with him. I find it crystal clear in Scripture. The well known objections are very weak. I have to live with this truth. Ubi Petrus, ibi Ecclesia.

f, Tintagel, UK

I am a bit puzzled by what we mean by 'discrimination'. If I borrow the Pope's words with a slight change, what is wrong with " If it' s not English, it is not a proper culture, the Queen tells the world'". Or are some people saying you can discriminate as long as you believe what you say! Can I do what I like if I really believe in myself!

Brian Lewis, Manila, Philippines

Hello Helen of Stockton, UK. Thanks for what you say and how you say it. Yes, you have me right. I firmly believe in Catholicism without hesitation or ambiguity. I think it matters. I see the way forward as being very open to God.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

Hello, Father Bryan Storey (I made a comment on another thread to do with homosexuality and misunderstood your point, sorry). I understand that you are not trying to really convert people but are just trying to explain to them that Catholicism is the only denomination of Christianity that is closest to the Bible. Am I right? This probably is the case, but what do you think? Do you think it matters aslong as people respect the Christian God and have found their path?

Heather, Stockton, UK

You can best encourage us wicked Catholics to repent , N. Walker of Indianapolis, IN by your personal repentance in deep humility.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

In my opinion and with all due respect to the head of the world church, or the whore of Babylon as it is known in the Book of Revelation, you are very arrogant to presume the things that you do. As Jesus said in the Book of Matthew Chap.23, " The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Everything they do is done for men to see. They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; ...And do not call anyone on earth "father", for you have one Father, and He is in heaven... Woe unto you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! ...Blind guides!... Blind fools!... Whitewashed tombs!... Repent! "

M Walker, Indianapolis, IN

We need to see what exactly the Pope meant when he said that. Also it is not justified to take a line from the Pope's writings out of context. Before making judgemental statements, on anyone, it is best to read the complete story.

Joeyanna, Mumbai, India

Once again, the Pope puts his foot in his mouth. It is irresponsible of the Pope to make such comments particularly in view of the state of the planet today. Not only that, it simply is not true. If one follows the teachings of Christ what difference does it make if one is Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, etc. ???

Mike, Houston, Texas

I read "of course there can only be one god". Well, I've heard about sun gods, rain gods, snake gods, elephant gods, gods on the top of mountains, Ra and Thor and Zeus, the wrathful god of the OT and the loving god of the NT, Jahweh, Allah and many more that I can't even remember. Almost all of them have disappeared along with those who believed in them. Not surprising, since they only existed in their minds. But some gods are still around, waiting eventually to die a similar death. -- Now I know the Catholic church has been around for two thousand years, but that's only a blink of the eyelid compared with, say, the 100 million years or so that the dinosaurs "ruled" the earth. But then they disappeared. Humankind will, I'm sure, not last that long - and when we've gone, our various gods will have gone with us. The earth will most likely be well rid of both of us.

alan, cologne,

Why would anyone in their right mind say these things? Where in the Bible does it say that the Roman Catholic Church is the one true Church of Christ. Why does the Pope think his brand of Christianity is superior to others? If Jesus Christ were to come back tomorrow I am more than sure he would not want Roman Catholic, Catholic, Episcopalion, Protestant, Orthodox or any other offshoot of Christianity preaching to each other - I am sure he would want Christians to be TOGETHER under one banner (NOT ANY OF THE ABOVE!!). A force for good in the world. The Pope needs to rethink his strategy for Roman Catholic dominance. He is doing more harm than good.

Kathleen Black, Renfrewshire, SCOTLAND

Robin Castellanos of Texas, yes, of course, there can only be One God. Jesus founded a teaching society. To make sure it keeps on line with Him, He said Peter and successors are to be specially helped and looked to. He did not, of course promise the leaders would be free from sin. Some have done some of the awful things we see all the time throughout history. He said we mustn't nonetheless minimise sin and go in for cover ups. The Bible helps enormously and needs the interpretation given it by the protected society with the Pope at the head. Prayers.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

It is very unfortunate that Pope Benedict uses his authority to defame other Christian Churches. Did our Holy and ALMIGHTY God inform him that other Christian Churches lack essential elements and they are not proper churches? With all due respect, this is the most childish comment I've ever heard from a well respected head of a major Christian Church. It is anti-christian and pro-satan! Why? Because it will cause, strengthen and promote hatred among the Christians which Jesus Christ does not really love to happen among His people.

No wonder Christians keep on splitting and throwing stones among themselves because of the lack of essential elements within their annointed leaders in the first place. Satan is so powerful that he can deceive everyone who lack essential Christian elements.

I humbly ask the Pope Benedict to pray for all his Christians brothers and sisters rather than criticise them as he can be criticized consequently and in a more unfortunate way.

Kenneth, Suva, Fiji

The Bible can be interpreted many different ways to mean different things to different people. I am a European historian and have studied much of the religious wars and the reasoning of Martin Luther. Jesus started His teachings first by going on the road to preach the word of God and then through His disciples. The Catholic church is man-made, not Christ made. The sins that the Catholic church has committed through it's history would show that it's teachings are not of God. The pope's through out time would put many politicians too shame with their treachery. Why is not the pope out spreading the word of God the same way Christ and St. Peter did? They did not live in a lavish way the way the pope's have in the past to this day. The Catholic church is corrupt and has been for a millenium. I believe all religions have a validity to be here, what makes one more correct than the next. Hindus, Druids, Christians, Jews, who's to say that in the end we're not all praying to the same God?

Robin Castellanos, San Antonio, TX, USA

The document said that other Christian faiths “lack elements considered essential to the Catholic Church”.

I would like to thing the message of " Christ crucified" would be enough to unify the denominations. Maybe we should look at the things that we DO agree on. The church needs to spend less to battling with each other and take the Gospel to the Nations.

Matt Jenkins, Dresden, OH

Derek Smith of Brighton, look up the Apostles' Creed and tell us where you saw the claim that Jesus is the biological Son of the Father, please.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

Dorothy, a very good question to which the answer might well be yes. Since in the view of the head of your church is clearly no I'll leave you to come to your own conclusions about why he might see things differently. I think I understand that officially it is because he is chosen by god and thus infallible, maybe holding to that belief gives an insight into the character of the sort of person who might take the job.

Mark Wilson, Nottingham, England

isn't it the same God that we all worship , as a practising catholic i find these remarks very sad , surly the inportant thing is to worship the Almighty in what ever form .

Dorothy Rowan, Liverpool, UK

Further to Tom Hurst's query, where does it say in the bible that Mary was a virgin? Indeed, this wasn't made 'of faith' until around the middle of the19th century. I seem to remember that, to avoid the concept of original sin, Mary herself was said to have been born by an immaculate conception but it stopped there.

Not only that, where does Jesus say that he is the biological son of god? I can't find it. There are, of course, many 'our fathers' but it's a sort of generic handle and hardly the same thing. The first reference I know of is by Saul/Paul. All very odd. I await my confusion and ignorance being solved by the Tintagel scribe.

Where's a Viking when you need one?

Derek Smith, Brighton, UK

power corrupts....

Mark Wilson, Nottingham, England

When you consider the garments worn by the Pope and other officers of the Church, don't they strike you as being feminine in origin? I've long believed that St. Paul hijacked Christianity. If that gives you a clue, then pick up the ball and run with it.

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Japan

Pope is wright to say the Roman catholic church is the Only Apostical Church. The protestants always say we catholioc worship Mother mary. Do u know that Mother mary's birth is a miracules Birth as Jesus . she is the Choosen one. Tell me you protestants talk so much of the Bible to confuse we catholic even you are confused .Tell me in which part of the Bible tells us the Birth of Mary as a Miracules Birth. Go read the Muslims Holy Book You will Find the answer That Mother mary is Born of the Holyspirit a special child like Jesus.
I challange the protestants to prove this Miracules Birth Wrong.
so the pope statments is true we are the only true church. you are made up of so many man made Denomination like private limited company .The Truth is the Truth as the pope stated.

Dr B. Anthony, George Town, singapore

I'm sure the Pope shares your appreciation of the Orthodox communities, Alan Pavelin of Chislehurst. he longs for unity as a true servant of the servants of the Lord.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

The Roman catholic church From the begning is the Mother Church it has under Gone Persecution by many so called denomination. Especially the protestant .They protest Luther protested against the Romancatholic church see now still protestants are still protesting . Denomination after Denomination arebeing made in the name of the Lord Jesus .if the Lutheran Church was perfect? why so many Denomination now its all like a private limited company . The Roman catholic church is the only Apostical Church Christ Jesus Said he will Build the faith on Peter the Rock Our Pope .The protestants say we catholic worship mother mary .
They dont have a proper Doctrine . So many versions of the Bible Made by them according to their Denomination.
Can they Tell us in which part of the Bible states How Mother mary was Born.? it clearly states . mother marys Birth is a Miracelous Birth like Jesus . pure and as jesus. so dont hide the truth .the catholic church is only church of christ.

Dr B. Anthony, George Town, singapore

As a Catholic, there is one aspect of the Pope's statement which worries me, namely his devaluing of the Orthodox Church as wounded because they do not accept the primacy of Rome. At the time of the Great Schism, whose immediate cause was the unilateral insertion by the Vatican of filioque into the creed, the authority of the Pope was significantly less than now, and if the Schism had not occurred it would almost certainly still be less than now. Therefore I maintain that the phrase "one true church" applies equally to the Orthodox as to the Catholic (an argument can also be made for the Anglican church, but that is mor dubious owing to its large Protestant element which denies certain teachings). So I remain a Catholic, but would urge the "magisterium" to stop downgrading the Orthodox.

Alan Pavelin, Chislehurst, UK

Tom Hurst of Alberta, Canada, have you forgotten the end of Acts? Peter was martyred in Rome and is buried under St. Peter's. It is very interesting how Our Lord commits St. John to His mother and St. John to her. She's a great help in the heavenly Kingdom. Please don't undermine her.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

There is no mention of a Roman church in the Bible. Its a usurped power. True Christianity was in England about the time our Master was destroyed on the cross. I see no reference to a worldly Church nor do I see where Peter the Apostle ever went to Rome. The first lesson in true faith is If you want to speak to the Father come through the Son. This is an individual relationship where each person is refered to as an individual person. If anything Revelations and the book of Daniel record something entirely different. Its rather like saying Sunday is the seventh day when we all know it is Saturday. The papal power changed that. Also show me where Mary was adored in the bible as Papal power worships her. Who is it that supports idolatry in the form of small icons and rosaries and such. If you check history The Babylonian mystery religion is live and well in Papal Rome. Check it out friends, and I am not saying Catholics are all doomed just somewhat deceived. Thank you Tom Hurst.

Tom Hurst, Ft.McMurray , Alberta Canada.

Eric of Charlotte, if you read the more than 300 references to Peter in the NT, it becomes quite clear that Peter was appointed the guide and leader. He's mentioned more than all the others put together and twice as many times as St. John who is mentioned over 100 times. Yet look at the circumstances and situations carefully. A convert to our Church told me his Protestant gatherings always skated around these things in discussions.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

The start of Catholisim was during the council of Nicene about 300AD. The council was a decree by the pagan emporer Constatine to provide a universal religion for Rome rule. Before the council, there were many forms of Christianity, some with pagan rituals. Early teachings were by word of mouth due to persecutions the early Christions endured. All early teaching were snubbed by Rome except for the one the council wanted to teach, the universal Christian church. I believe the Nicene council helped put Christianity on the "right path" since Christ's teaching may have been diluted by these other off shoots though the council may have not given us all the information about Christ's life and teachings. That being said, I believe the Nicene council might have been God's design to "straighten things out" but it does not mean that God does not like diversity in worship. Christians are reading from the same bibical page but may be signing a different hymm.

Larry, Chicago,

Where in the Bible does it say that the pope should be revered as the head of the Church?

Eric, Charlotte,

George Milcetich, can you seriously be comparing Luther to Francis of Assissi? Do you see he'd got it all right and the Catholic Church was totally wrong? Methinks, you've gone more than a bit too far.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

I can see the logic in blaming religion for all war and poverty, however i think everyone knows that religion is only used as an excuse for war and if it did not exist someyhing else would be used for a reason instead. religion brings alot of hope and encouragment to millions of people, it is a sahme that a few extremists know then ruin it for all

kiera, liverpool, uk

Khalid, there is a big difference. True to western values Christians of different denominations can say these things but they understand man errors and God is bigger than any man; including the pope. Also, true to western values, the world doesn't see Orthodox or Protestant Christians inciting riots and being detructive since this erroneous teaching isn't taken personally.

Christine, the Roman Church likes to appeal to the Early Church Fathers. Sadly, many Roman Church Christians fail to understand that their current church body wasn't defined until the Council of Trent in the late 16th century in reaction to the Reformation. Luther tried to do what Francis of Assisi did. Reform the church within and not cause a split. The 95 Theses were meant to stimulate a debate at the university. He was a professor. Unfortunately, the arrogance of the church hierarchy demanded obedience to their errors that were contrary to scripture. Scripture defines the church; not the pope. Out of characters

George Milcetich, Hollywood, MD

religion is total rubbish!
i hate religion for casuin loss of life and missery!
if religion wasnt here then niether would poverty, think of all that money wasted
lets put a stop to this and cut out religion for ever!

brian, newcastle, uk

Khalid Rahim of Scarborough, Canada, isn't that a bit extreme?

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

What is the difference between the Pope's teaching and that of a radical Imam. The former is protected by western values while the later is condemned for his ethnic background. Both shut the doors to spiritual enhancement.

KHALID RAHIM, Scarborough, Canada

St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons ( martyred 202 AD ), disciple of St. Polycarp, who was himself a disciple of St. John the Evangelist, had this to say '...we point to the tradtion of that very great and very ancient and universally known Church which was founded and established at Rome by the two glorious Apostles Peter and Paul: we point, I say, to the tradition which this Church has from the Apostles, and to her faith proclaimed to men which comes down to our time through the succession of her bishops, and so we put to shame all who assemble in unauthorized meetings. For with this Church, because of its superior authority, all must agree-that is the faithful everywhere-in communion with which Church the tradition of the Apostles has been always preserved by those who are everywhere'.

Christine, Wigan,

The British Christian is being crushed in the vice-like grip of two opposing forces: on one hand, rampant secular atheism and on the other, aggressive religious extremism. Each of these forces feeds on the other and they gain strength at the expense of the British Christian, squeezing him/her out and making him/her irrelevant.

What can the British Christian do to retain his/her identity and influence in the face of these irresistible forces?

Anglicanism is deeply divided.
The Evangelical movement is splintered and fragmented.

The only way the British Christian can act is to return to the Christian roots of British society which is the Universal (Catholic) Church.

Only by taking back their rightful place in the global family of the Catholic Church can British Christians retain any hope for the future. From this firm and steadfast foundation the British Christians can stand up and be counted and reclaim their cherished historical values in a society determined to destroy them.

PeterB, Lincoln,

Far more superstitions outside religion, Alan of Cologne. Irreligion is the breeding ground of it inside and outside worship of God. So, you close the door. I try to keep mine open. I find it more interesting and illuminating.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

After 660 comments isn't it time to close the debate and agree that without the unspeakable superstition known as religion we would all be far better off?

alan, cologne,

The interesting linguistic fact about the word "Catholic" is that it is of Greek origin: it means "universal". Not surprising, since the New Testament was written in Greek, and many modern scholars argue that Jesus actually preached in Greek, in the same way that modern Indian intellectuals and politicians still use English as a universal means of communication in India. When the Roman Empire succeeded the Greek Empire of Alexander, it was a long time before Latin eventually became the standard language and displaced Greek - except, of course, in the Orthodox community, which still uses Greek. There is nothing intrinsically sacred about Latin - but it is understandable that it has a special appeal to those who were brought up to use it as the language of worship in the Church of Rome.

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

Rina of Japan, nobody promotes God more than Mary, Mother of a Divine Son. Do you know the Pope's title 'Servant of God's servants'. Our Faith is full of rich paradox. To be great, we need vitally to be small in our own eyes through making God big and important.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

I agree to daryl of singapore. I just hope catholics just take off their pride and accept what is lying in front of them. Catholic Doctrine has definitely not abided the Word of God. And even if they can see it and read it in front of their faces , they just don't wanna see it . Escaping the TRUTH. And that's what pope benedict is doing. He just announces they are the only true church of Christ but their doctrine do not follow the teachings of Christ. Say it to Holy Mary Mother of God!haha! is there a mother of a God? whetever! Christianity has no other King of the Church but Jesus. A true church do not put a leader into a pedestal like the papacy do.

rina, japan,

To emphasise the need to be in union with the Pope is not being nasty. It's Biblical.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

My Catholic religion teaches and emphasizes tolerance and justice and compassion. I see no evidence of those beliefs in the document authorized by Pope Benedict. We're evidently not on the same page.

Margaret Pokusa, Alexandria, VA

Ok now is it as disterbing to others that the main claim to being correct is linage honestly guys if thats what makes you think your church is correct you are no smarter than the stupid racists who accert there correctness and rights to a country through linage, it may be that the pope is the direct next in command byu linage because he was the succcessor to peter(which is laughable any way ahow can you honestly be the successor to an apostil).
this says nothing about your teachings being maintained and being correct and to claim that your church is the one true church is even more laughable i cannot find in any bible where it quotes jesus saying now peter that you have created this church none other shall be as correct nore shall be a true church for that is a right i leave truly unto you for i am the son of god and i as the the son of god would know these events to happen and thus now am preventing them by this very statement, no what jesus says is make a church and teach other

Adam D, Sydney, Aus

Thank God there is someone in a Christian Church who stands for something.

W.S.Becket, Bangor, North Wales

If there are 30,000 protestant sects (and still counting) how can they rely on "Sola Scriptura"?
More like "Multipla Scriptura".

PeterB, Lincoln,

i am a protestant and i totally believe that i am a true christian. it doesnt matter what denomination you are as long as you believe that God is God, Jesus died for our sins, and if we accept him then we will go to heaven. i have friends that are protestant and catholic and believe me, the catholics that i know are extremely embarrassed and dont know why the pope said what he said.
besides, thousands of protestant missionaries have led people to Christ throughout the years.
So, yes, i think that the pope is wrong.

Laura, Dillon,

Some really nasty things being said here. There's so much happiness in Catholicism which can be abused like other organisations- for sure much less but with more publicity. The Pope has given a kindly Biblical statement of as Servant of God's servants.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, uk

1054 AD was "The Great Schism". The Roman Catholic Church was split off from the "true church - EASTERN ORTHODOXY" and all other relgions are now a branch of this newly split belief system called The Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholics deviated from the original true teachings of the church. Rome drifted out of vital communication with her sister churches and delved into a new belief that one person should be in charge and other doctrinal changes began to take form in the Roman Catholic Church. She strayed from the original body of teachings confirmed by the sister body in the early Councils of Nicea. Eastern Orthodoxy maintains all early teachings of the original fathers (without deviation) and has the apostolic succesion history to prove herself as the one true church. We are humble christians which is not a quality in Pope Ratsinger. Is this a humble leader? 1st Commandment: "thou shalt not kill"

Irene Tocimak, State College, PA

Daryl, you speak of "Christians" and Catholics" as if you are speaking about Calvinists and Atheists. Catholics are Christians. Catholics belong the the oldest Christian tradition in the world. If a person is a Catholic they are - a priori - Christian. We are the original Christians.

ste, Hull, England

Why is everyone supposed to submit to the Pope? So that we can have unity? Why should we expect greater unity when the Roman Catholic Church itself is filled with all kinds of disunity. Most lay Catholics don't even believe faith in Christ is necessary for salvation. Vatican II says atheists can be saved. We're supposed to submit to that kind of nonsense? Let the Pope clean up his own Church before he points the finger at others. There are unlimited reasons as to why people have rejected papal authority. God has removed their candlestick, just like he did the Pharisees who once sat in Moses' seat. Innocent III imposed an interdict on all of England and France because he had squabbles with their kings. Other Popes burned or tortured people who tried to effect reform in the Church. The Councils of Florence and Vatican I condemned all non-Catholics. Pope John Paul II encouraged Catholics to pray with pagans for world peace. It's all proof that Popes don't merit our allegiance anymore.

Michael Flowers, Lakeland, FL

I don't see how there can be any reconciliation between the Christians and the Catholics. Realistically speaking,there can't be especially since we differ on so many doctrinally important concepts that pertain to True Christianity. Either the Christians are right or the Catholics are right and it would be as how God defines it as "separating the sheep from the goats" or " the wheat from the tares"

Some of the chief objections we have towards the catholics are the question of papal infallibility, the eucharist, the intercession of the saints, penance, works as necessary for salvation, the seven sacraments, purgatory, compulsory celibacy, the use of rosaries, the use of images in worship, tradition of equal importance to scripture,, etc..

As a Christian, I stand firm by my convictions of Sola Scriptura and have the common discerning ability as many of us do to read Scripture and be illuminated by its truths. Time will tell who are the true followers of Christ.

Daryl Tan, Singapore,

If more Roman Catholics would actually research and study the Reformation, they MIGHT understand why the Catholic church is SO FAR from what Christ commands us to do. You know, as a protestant, I have been "taking the high road" for so long.. letting R.C's say what they want in my face w/o saying anything or much back (because I truly believe it is pleasing to Christ), but as a human who sins daily (as we all do) it is getting harder and harder to listen to this CRAP!!!! NONE OF US deserve God's grace Hello..... it's GRACE!!!! And none of us who follow Christ as our savior (that's protestants and R.C.'s) is on "a higher plane" then the other. We are all EQUAL!!!!! FOr all you R.C's who believe your'e the ONE TRUE CHURCH (boy am I sick of that) what were all the churches that Paul preached to (Ephasus, Galatia, Corinth......) DUH!!!

Whew.... I feel somewhat better. Cuz I dare not talk like this to my mom ( who puts her alligiance to THE CHURCH over me, her own protestant daughter.

Suzy Morton, Kalamazoo, Mi

I''m not a believer in God, i would rather define myself a doubtful in God. I'm just disappointed by you all guys! The Pope is talking about theology and you talk for stereotipes. IS anybody of you knowing the difference between "church", "ecclesiastic community", "religious community"... PLease, let's talk only about things we know and we are able to talk about!

Mauro, Utrecht, The Netherlands

I think the Vatican view must be seen to be essentally true. What Benedict seems to miss, however, is that if the people who are Christians are thus divided, then the Body is incomplete, and neither can Catholicism be a full and true church - it is also "defective".
Ecumenism is more fundamental than either traditionalists or radicals seem to percieve, the credibility of anyone who claims to belong to the Church of Christ is surely taxed by the current divisions.
What's needed is a deeply humble rapprochement from all sides. I think there have been great efforts to do just that, but then people trip and lose sight of their humility in their attachment to their party values. Human weakness.
With Vatican II the rhetoric of division was gently parked for a while and open dialogue welcomed.
The current pope, in his passion to be orthodox and authentic may have missed a greater truth and stated a lesser one too strongly and is danger of plucking good wheat as he picks the darnel.

Adrienne O'Toole, Wallasey, UK

What the Catholic Church has said in the document is nothing new. The Church has been teaching it since its foundation 2000 years ago. King Henry VIII and Luther themselves accepted that teaching. Then, arbitrarily, they changed their opinion. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us to know the whole truth and accept it humbly.

Joe Zammit, Paola, Malta

It must come as a great relief to non-Catholics to learn from the Vatican that they are not part of ‘the one true Church’ and as such have no need to share with Roman Catholics the burden of guilt over the Inquisition, anti-semitism, the Mafia, the IRA, non-opposition to Hitler and Mussolini, oppression of women, child abuse and the criminal activities of P2 and the Vatican Bank.

Charles Gidley Wheeler, Kempsford, UK

Ecumenism? Arma-Cistere or Arma-Geddon, that is the question God eventually asks in Elijah.

Ian , London SE8,

I'm sure a document detailed the failures of the Catholic Church would be far longer than 16 pages. Personally as a fully practicing agnostic I have been quite happy to attend a catholic church, be married in one , and have my children baptised in one. But to be frank it seems the Catholic Church is more interested in power than in following the words of Jesus (a very old observation I'm sure). Shame on the Pope.

Jason White, Paris,

Thank you for speakng the truth, Lisa, Boston, USA

Igor, Ljubljana, Slovenia

I'm a practicing Catholic and I am embarassed by what is happening with the priests in the USA and by our power-hungry pope. The pope would be better served apologizing for the sins of its priests than to put out doctrine which is nonecumenical. In my opinion our pope is a lot like having Bush for President...I didn't vote for him and I think his direction is confused but I'm stuck with him. It makes me question why I'm still a Catholic. Fortunately, the priest in our church is really a good person and reaches out to all people, telling us to decide now if we want to be saved, and if so, to live our lives in prayer with God and serving God. I think our priest has the right idea and the pope could learn a few things from him since he leads by example and is very humble.

Carol, Orlando, USA

Interesting comment from somone who was, I believe, in the Hitler Youth.

JP, Winchester,

Where on earth did James Froelich get the idea that the English tried to wipe out all the Catholics in England and Ireland (as if I didn't know!)? And to use the claim that he is being historically honest when he says this is simply to beggar belief. This is the kind of display of ignorance that makes me despair that non-believing people of intellect will ever take Christians seriously. It is also a rather depressing indication of the kind of untruths that the Roman Church has been putting about for centuries. If only RCs would ask for some evidence now and then. The "Holy" Father is not holy James, He is just a politician. Nor is there any shortage of people who know just as much about the Bible as he does but who disgree with him nevertheless.

Tam Earl-Aine, Cheltenham,

This is blatant exclusion. If you are a Christian you should be asking yourself "is this what Jesus intended, what He would have wanted?" Your answer should be self-enlightening.

james mercer, preston,

It strikes me from reading some of the protestant and RC posts here that the major issue taken by both denominations is where to find one's authority on spiritual matters of the Christian church.
Many of the RC posts have claimed (not unfairly) that Jesus gave authority to the apostles, the founders of "the church" to teach and to guide those who would seek to follow Jesus' teachings. These posts then subsequently add that church tradition has been inherited from the apostles along with the scriptures, which is undoubtedly, to my mind true.
I take issue with the fact (speaking as an evangelical Christian) that these traditions are of equal primacy to scripture, because tradition has been handed down through many years of church hierarchy, whereas we can trace almost all of scripture back to manuscripts written in the first two centuries of Christian thought. Thus it appears to me as if church tradition, changeable as it has clearly been, cannot be equal to a Bible that can be traced

Nick, Bradford, UK

There's only one true church,"The Body of Christ" made up of true believers. Jesus knows who they are and they know who they are.! These are the ones's He is coming back to get soon; if you are not sure if you are one of them, you are in trouble and need to make a decision. Stop reading, start praying, get right with God, ask Him to come into your heart and life now, and be saved. When you stand before God, it's just you and Him; no man can help you...only Jesus.

GB, Marlton, NJ

Yes, David Donaldson of Renfrewshire, imagine no religion, no schools, no hospitals, no soup kitchens, no marriages, no rules, no laws, no orphanages, no prisons, no hospices, no forgiveness, no repentance, no social securities, anyone can do anything to anyone at any time and no one cares. Try hard to picture this in your head? Would you want to live??

Virginia, Brisbane, Australia

In the USA some two million cases of child abuse were reported in the last years, very few went into courts. From that total amount in accordance with accurate statistics, almost 60 per cent are young boys or girls abused by members of their own family,. Some other 20 per cent they were attacked by classmates, professors, and teachers and from their schools, and around 15 per cent by strangers, mostly known pederasts, with a police file in most cases. So you have less than 5 per cent for others. When I started a researched in numerous publications or court records, I find out that no more than 3 per cent of the cases you have a Catholic priest, a protestant minister, or from any other religious denomination who were involved or are currently involved in these awful cases. So my conclusion is many people like are condemning the whole Catholic Church as a consequence of your own ignorance, or because you hate the Church which is quite common in these days and especial amongst agnostics.

wetzvonken, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Surely faith is individual and each one of us knows what we believe in (perhaps aided by our family upbringing and tempered by our life experiences) and therefore do not accept that the Pope has the monopoly on Belief or choice of church or other venue in which to worship in fact a lot of people prefer to practice their own religion alone still providing Christian help to those who need it. Perhaps those on high will someday realise what people require to survive on a day to day basis. There are many in need from those in Old Peoples Homes at home to those desperate in Africa can we not focus on practical help for them now before we even think about other future problems. Let's sort out our situation first then our childrens, preferably sooner rather than later. Put Global warming on a Low then Medium then High heat .

George Gibson, Saltash, England

We meet the first protestants in John 6:66 (KJV if ye liketh)
'From that time many of his disciples went back,
and walked no more with him.'
(The only 666 in the gospels)
I suggest you read from verse 47 on and pray the Holy Spirit to guide.
Note, Our Lord does not go after them
("Just kidding lads, speaking symbolically don't you know")
.....He lets them go.
"Where the Catholic church is, there is Jesus Christ."
St. Ignatius Bishop of Antioch 105 AD,
"Where there is Peter, there is the Church."
St. Ambrose Bishop of Milan in the 4th century

Francis, Vancouver,

in the wide words of albus dumbledore - soon we will have to choose between what is wright and what is easy.

juicydangler, shropshire, mintyland

This coming from a man who heads a church that diddles the altar boys and has a priesthood rampant with homosexuals.

I'm not Catholic, and I may be out of line for saying this, but I don't think Jesus would approve.

What do you think?

Swede, Priest on Altar Boy, Rome

"If it isn’t Roman Catholic then it’s not a proper Church, Pope tells Christians"

If i had owned an ice-cream shop, of course i'd tell the world that my ice-cream's were properly made and the best around.

Mohammed, London, UK

Hello! Look deeper! This is only the beginning. There are lots more coming. Therefore you have to learn to walk with the footmen before you can run with the horsemen. Trust the ONE true and living God and He will direct your paths.

Carlene, George Town ,

Hello! Look deeper! This is only the beginning. There are lots more coming. Therefore you have to learn to walk with the footmen before you can run with the horsemen. Trust the ONE true and living God and He will direct your paths.

Carlene, George Town ,

I agree with Ed Findlay completely, although I am a fully signed-up practicing Roman Catholic. The RC Church is my guardian of absolutist morality (although I love drinking tea, The CofE can't really function this way for me). This doesn't mean that I don't occasionally dismiss the odd papal decree about Protestants/Jews/Muslims 'doomed to Hell' as claptrap however, because Jesus would not agree. It's just vital not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Incidentally, isn't this a non-story? Of course the head of the RC is going to say that his Church is the one true way - that's part of his job!

Dave Burke, Manchester, UK

i think the Pope has read the bible. in fact i think he could match anyone versre for verse, according to helaire belloc all wars are religious in nature. the revelutionaries during the reformation committed as many brutal murders as the catholics. let us not forget that the english tried to wipe out all catholics in britian and ireland. to be historically honest it cuts both ways. and while we are on history you can thak the catholic church for saving europe from the heresy of the muslim faith. yes they are a heresy from the true faith and they wanted nothing more then to dominate all your ancestors. history is a wonderful subject.

james froelich, mandan, nd, usa

Why do you care our popes says? you don't belive in the catholic ways so why should it bother you what our holy father says? If some protestant said the catholic church is not a church I would not care but I think you people are not sure about your saw call church so you strike back with anger and hatefull messeges and you people call your self christians?

Rocco, Milan,

Wake up people! Wake up Catholic Church! Jesus and his apostles were all Jewish!! If anyone has a legitimate path directly to Jesus it is the Jews! So much for the "true church". And oh, by the way, Jesus did not establish a "church." First and foremost he was a Jew and preached to a Jewish audience. The Catholic church has misrepresented the teachings and twisted the words of the Jewish Messiah--Yeshua! What a step backward for ecumenical dialog between the different faiths. The RCC should focus more on cleaning up their sins of child molestation, greed, and power than taking the ego-manical stance that they have a monopoly on salvation. There are many pathways to God to those who seek the truth.

Lisa, Boston, USA

Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of the sins of all men and women. We can be saved from eternal damnation because of this gift of unconditional Grace and everlasting Salvation. All good works and other Christian practices, offered through organized churches of Christian faith, do NOT help us to obtain additional salvation or richer eternal life possibilities with our God. Organized, Christ-centered worship and study of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit can be helpful in assisting us to more positive servants for our Lord while on this earth. No interventions by any Christian official, either elected or self-appointed, is necessary to assure us of God's gift of Grace to us. Neither the Pope or any other recognized official of any Christian church should place themselves in a position to dictate who is blessed/saved or not blessed/saved by our God. Each human individual has the God-given opportunity to accept or reject salvation/eternal life which has been freely offered.

Ed, Findlay, Ohio

What all these Catholics are so quick to forget is that their church is merely a sect that broke away from Eastern Orthodoxy, just as Protestantism broke-off from Catholicism. Catholics: your "church" does not go back to the apostles - so just imbibe this fact and get over it.

Jon Castro, Guildford,

Of course the Pope is right - If you are a devout Catholic. If you are of any other faith then the Pope is wrong, and it is ONLY your own faith that is right. Isn't this, precisely, what is wrong with the world today. Spiritual leaders should be working towards harmonisation of world cultures, not pontificating on their own right to religious doctrine against all others in the world. Perhaps we may see the Inquisition resurrected once more.
One particular point that I am pleased about, this particular statement reinforces my belief in the divisiveness that is the only offering that religion has to contribute.
As an atheist I firmly believe in the power of people to create good in this world. If the majority of the population feel the need to belong to a religious “group” in order to accomplish that, then I support and respect their views. What I detest is a supposedly intelligent leader of one of the largest religious sects in the world, denigrating other peoples’ belief.

Michael Nye, Colnbrook, Slough, UK

Martin Luther and other leaders of the Protestant Reformation knew what the Scriptures really say: That Jesus said we are to call no man our spiritual "Father" (Matt. 23:9), that we have one priest and mediator before God--Christ (Heb. 4: 14-16), that only Christ--not Mary, the saints, or priests--makes intercession for us (Heb. 7:25), and that Christ's atonement covers all sin (Heb. 8:12), there being no difference between mortal and venial sins in Scripture. Furthermore, we are to confess sins directly to God (1 John 1:9) and only God can forgive (Mark 2:7). Scripture contains no doctrine of Purgatory, Indulgences, Limbo, Penance, etc. Considering that the Pope subscribes to all of these doctrines, should we listen to anything he says? The Pope, infallible? Hardly! Only God's word is infallible. Men who think they are and who would add or take away from God's word commit blasphemy and will not attain eternal life (Rev. 22:19). Listen to God and forget everything else!

Candy Pouliot, Canastota, USA/NY

This just confirms what I already knew,that the Catholic chuech is not christian.It is just another cult,making a saviour out of their church rather than jesus christ.
There were churches before the apostate Catholic church.
Which by the way were persecuted fiercely by the popes.
I think the pope would do that again,if he thought he could get away with it.

Howard Cox, crescent city, u.s.a. fl.

As one who is a product of a cross-sectarian marriage and was baptized a Catholic, my father's religion, then put through the Catholic educational mill, I cannot say that the candid though offensive pronouncements of this document issuing from the current papacy and its doctrinal watchdog is at all surprising: this has simply been the RC line since the Reformation. The papacy will simply not entertain the legitimacy or validity of any other form of Christianity that is not under Rome's dominion; nor indeed, will it concede the value or worth of any non-Christian religion, e.g. Buddhism. Personally, this former Catholic thinks that the Protestant Reformation was the best thing that could have happened to the Western world and most of the freedoms we now enjoy were born of it. Full marks to the Rev David Phillips for his statement on the Vatican's "lust for power" and his call for the papacy to renounce "its errors and pretensions". He might well have added its arrant hypocrisy.

Paul, Sydney, Australia

Some would say that all received belief systems, such as christianity, islam, or the ancient delusion of judaism, are designed as mass control systems of humanity. Others might say that Constantine's implemented control system - the Roman church and salvationism through the executed Nazarene - has engendered much violence and inhuman behaviour in this world. And still others might reflect that what Ratzinger stands for is not so different from the aryan christian fundamentalism of Hitler's political party. I would go further, and say that religion is a cancer invading the human psyche. It is what we do that matters, not what we subscribe to or delude ourselves with.

Tony Gold, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Sorry, the Bible says the true Church are those who have the testimony of JESUS CHRIST and keep the Commandments of GOD, no mention of a Pope here! Oh and that includes the 7th Day Sabbath which your church has admitted in changing, Christ never changed it, in fact, the 7th Day Sabbath is a Sign between Christ and His people, and only Jesus is to be called FATHER, no one else, and oh yeah, we don't need a priest to go to Jesus is our Savour, King, and Priest. You aren't the true church, or my father, only Jesus Christ.

Diane , St. Louis, Missouri

As usual, most of the comments generate heat but shed little light.
Regardless of what the Pope said the same retinue of faith bashers would spout on, sporting their total ignorance about complex theological issues.
Naturally the 'discourse' has to rake over the crusades, the inquisition, clerical child abuse and the nazis. Someone soon will find a link between the Vatican and Global warming. Throw in a few lines from the Bible to support your tirade or a bit of pop psychology and hey presto another little Dawkins clone is born. It is astounding how juvenile, and frankly uneducated, most comments have been. The relative anonymity of email gives people the courage to write comments that they would be embarrassed to repeat in front a crowd.

Mark D, Dublin,

The Roman Catholic church Hierachy are just like the Pharisees mentioned in the Bible ,the very ones that Jesus called a brood of vipers.,Hypocrites Nothing has changed...
The Vatican is a huge state built on greed and lust for power and anyone who disagrees with their warped teaching is persecuted. The papacy is not biblical. How dare they say that true bible believing Christians are not part of the Church.

Tony, Dublin, Ireland

The truth is always provocative and challenging. The truth will also set you free and will bring you into full communion with Christ. Clearly Christ founded His Church on the 12 Apostles making them the authentic leaders of the Church on earth. The laying on of hands by these 12 Apostles and their successors (the authentic making of bishops and priests) makes the Catholic Church the authentic Church of Christ through the ages. The Church of England, for example, was founded so that one man, Henry VIII, could divorce or kill his wives. Full communion with Christ means accepting Christ’s authority in your life which includes accepting the apostolic authority which Christ gave the 12 Apostles and their authentic successors

Chris Mason, Cheltenham, UK

Personally, I'm happy that Ratz has articulated his beliefs so unequivocally as it underlines why the pursuit of 'ecumenism' is so fatally flawed! The reason why Luther and others left the institution HAVE NOT CHANGED; the R.C. is SCRIPTURALLY UNSOUND as well as HISTORICALLY INACCURATE in it's claims.
It's amazing how a refusal to study has led to the mix-up that RC's rely on to believe that Peter was ever the 'rock' on which GOD would found his Church!! Ignoring his temporary instability, the point is that IT WAS THE REVELATION OF THE NATURE OF CHRIST THAT PROVIDES THE LEGITIMACY OF HIS DOCTRINE and therefore the founding of the Church.
Apostle Paul had a MUCH GREATER role in espousing, training and protecting Biblical truth AND WROTE HALF THE NEW TESTAMENT!
Furthermore, the Roman institution did not come into existence until 300 AD and was an attempt to marry Christian and pagan beliefs as social 'glue' to hold the Roman Empire together! ONLY CHRIST SAVES- NOT Mary/'saints'/ RATZ

Michael, london,

Roger, from wales, your comment about the invention of religion is interesting. Are you denying the existence of God? The whole point of all these different religions is so people will have ideas such as yours and stay away as you say 'ditch' religion. I agree there are man made religions. But there is only one God. And that God is not separate from his creations and got involved with is creation, who are we to deny it. You can but it only hurts you not God. Take care.
I am Orthodox Tewadedo ('Made One'). Obviously as my fathers disagreed with the Catholic claim of supremacy and other doctrines I follow in their steps and disagree. But please lets understand that denying a thing does not make it go away. Ditching is not the answer...

Matiwos, Alexandria, USA

As a Catholic, when we attend Mass it is a Profession of Faith, The Nicens Creed, which we read out loud..At the end of the creed we state "We believe in the one holy Catholic and apostolic Church"..Now the Nicens Creed was composed by the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, and this Creed has been used for hundreds of years.. This is not a new statement at all..

Annmarie, Massey , Canada

Sorry to sound smug, but it is just this sort of thing that explains and gives a reason for the Church of England.

Roman Catholicism=Microsoft

Pope=Bill Gates

Matthew, Sacramento, CA

Rommel in the Philippines,

Get real, look at your birth rate compared with other Asean countries. It is the poor of the Philippines who keep on having six or more children who are destined themselves to be poor because their parents can not afford to send them to college and there are no jobs for those children because the birth rate outstrips the rate at which new jobs can be produced. Dream on fool. Your president kowtows to Mr. Pope on contraception issues even though she herself, being more educated than the Pope, has been ligated. If you want to be more enlightened Rommel then pressure your leaders to promote contraception so that your fellow Filipinos can rise out of Poverty.

Roger, Baguio City, Philippines

As one who is a product of a cross-sectarian marriage and was baptized a Catholic, my father's religion, then put through the Catholic educational mill, I cannot say that the candid though offensive pronouncements of this document issuing from the current papacy and its doctrinal watchdog is at all surprising: this has simply been the RC line since the Reformation. The papacy will simply not entertain the legitimacy or validity of any other form of Christianity that is not under Rome's dominion; nor indeed, will it concede the value or worth of any non-Christian religion, e.g. Buddhism. Personally, this former Catholic thinks that the Protestant Reformation was the best thing that could have happened to the Western world and most of the freedoms we now enjoy were born of it. Full marks to the Rev David Phillips in his statement on the Vatican's "lust for power" and his call for the papacy to renounce "its errors and pretensions". He might well have added its arrant hypocrisy.

Paul, Sydney, Australia

Jeanie Bethel, I just want to highlight that if you had made these kind of remarks to other religions such as Islam you would have been given a Fatwa straight away.

That is polemical, I understand, nevertheless it is important that it be stressed.

Besides, there's a profound ignorance over the Pope's undertakings: the radical-chic nichilism and rejection of ours roots is a crucial point in the understanding development of our society. Values have to be conveyed in some way: I refer to family, solidarit but also to freedom and autonomy.

Briefly, a last consideration, it is neither positive nor negative but surely an important sign that so many people felt the emotional urge to comment on this article.

Mario, Palermo, Italy

Yeah because the world was made in 7 days in the past 60,000 years, man was there from the start and dinosaurs.... didn't exist? Are a test of resolve? Get real. This attitude helps nothing and no-one.

Ben, York,

There is a clear distinction:
the Catholic Church believes the Catholic Church is the true Church and the Anglican Church believes that the Anglican Church isn't the true Church.
That's why they are so offended.

Peter Weatherby, Stoke-on-Trent, UK

I was raised catholic , but as years went by , I notice that the catholic church teachings and doctrines were not really biblical. The church was getting away from the bible because the influence of mans teaching not by god. Its like the time jesus was on earth proclaiming his kingdom, the pharisees were so rapped up in their tradition and rituals and more worried about pleasing man rather than god, they didn't even recognize the son fo god-JESUS. One of catholic teaching is you can pray and worship to mary to reach our father. But if read 1 timothy 2:5 for there is one god and one mediator between god and men, the man christ jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all men. I left the cahtolic church and now I'm in a bible believing church. There is so many false teachings in the cathloic church. If you use common sense and research the bible on your own you will see the false doctrine.

Eric, honesdale, pa

Jesus said:
Matt 23:9
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
(KJV) So why do the so called perfect ones say to call them Father?
Paul taught us:

1 Tim 4:3
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
(KJV)
They forbid the "fathers" to marry so again they teach the opposite of the followers of Christ. The Pope is a sick sick person who thinks he is the next thing to God when he is next to Satan.

HF Chamberlin, Asheboro, NC/ USA

"It does not like many of the Protestant Churches bow to popular demand" - Samuel

Excuse me? When did Mary become Holy? the early 20th century and why was that? Due to POPULAR DEMAND! Although that popular belief had been around since about 500AD. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH JUST TAKES MORE TIME TO SWAY TO POPULAR BELIEF SO THEY CAN CLAIM IT'S NOT, IN FACT, DUE TO POPULAR BELIEF. They didn't even accept the world was officially round until about 30 years ago! They still believe the Earth is the center of the universe! The bible was written by man and so has been edited by man as all other Holy books have been. Also, the Catholic church is the baby of the 3 oldest religions Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The fact is that all 3 believe in one true God, they just ask you to practice your faith in a different manner. In closing, it may not be for another 1400 years but they will okay contraception and abortion, if their still around, Armageddon will be a bit over due by then...

Graeme, Edinburgh,

andrew, would you say the christian church of Luther's time was fine? Do you not for one second believe that most of what Luther said about buying indulgencies and corruption in the church were true?

witch burning and spanish inquisition anyone?

the church needed reformation.

sandy, london, uk

Protestantism was the beginning of true degeneracy and corruption in the world. Sad, really. An awful lot of heretics and well-meaning types (secularists, 'humanists' etc) will be getting a nasty surprise when they cross to the other side.

Simon Smith, London,

According to the Word of God (Bible) the only way to enter into Heaven is through Jesus Christ the Savior of all mankind. Any other way is false. When you listen to any other way YOU are choosing seperation from God for eternity.
Our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit according to the Word.
We got to church to be with believers in Jesus and to sing worship songs to the Lord. We can do this at home too but i like to be with believers a few times a week. It is only natural.
The catholic church is not the way to Salvation and you can tell that to the Pope himself. I would if i had his email.

Carol, Keller,

It is high time the catholic church stopped dictating their views on the masses. If someone wants to believe in a god then that is their business and no one elses. The pope is a dictator, He is terrifying some of his followers into believing everything is a sin. The only sinner is himself. He has never married and seems to think he can dictate to women regarding contraception and is causing great suffering. How dare he? when the catholic church, and no doubt some others, have a reputation for child abuse! All religions treat women as some by product and it is time they got some sense. Religion should not be taught in schools because it causes untold suffering, in wars, and torture by the extremists. But the old saying ' Give me a chlld till he/she is 7 and I will give you the man', has never been more true. Some god who lets little african children suffer, what have they got to worship about? I would never again let the catholic church dictate to me, or my family.

Alicia, Blackpool, uk

It's always nice when a German standing on a balcony declares that his race/faith is superior to all others ...

Richard Roberts, Ridgewood, New Jersey

Blessings and peace be upon my brother and
sister Christians, let us not be troubled by this
act of the Pope! Many lost children are out there
and are confused by what they have been raised
to think by "men" and are unaware of the Truth
given by the word of God!

let us also remeber that the "Catholic" church
is not the mother of the Bible, but God is the
Father who inspired it's writers.

also remember Only Christ can give the gift of
Salvation. Let us study the word of God and
pray for all who are lost! Soon the Foam of
Rome will clear away to reveal the living water
of Christ.

Brother and sister Christians rejoice the
heavenly father will clear the storm!

Be patient and wait on the Lord. Amen!

Ruben, LA, USA

I think all of the powers of reason and logic are explicitly clear! The very moment two denominations disagree on a single solitary particle of faith, then we have a scientific, irrefutable fact - ONE of them is not the true Church, established by Christ Himself.

Wayne Paul, Edmonton, Canada

At every Mass Catholics profess their faith, which includes the line:
"We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church"

If you do not believe that your religion is the one true faith or if you believe that all religions are the same then why would you be a member of that church? - I say that for all religions and churches.

If the Pope, the leader of the Roman church, says that the Catholic church is the one true church, it shows conviction in what he represents - I don't know why people are so shocked or indignant!

Catherine, Kildare, Ireland

Won't Pope Benedict be surprised when he comes before God and God says "I don't know you!" and the Pope responds "But I was your faithful servant that lead your Chruch." Then God pauses and responds, "Oh, thats right, you are the guy that thought you knew truth! You just didn't get it! You were too wrapped up in trying to make everyone follow you instead of ME! Sorry, I don't know you!"

I am discussed by the Popes comments. God tried making things clear through Jesus. But obviously our Pope is missing the key to salvation!! Maybe he needs to reread the gospels. It is very clear what the key to salvation is . . . and it has NOTHING to do with what organized religion you belong to or participate in . . .

The good ol' boys club is at it again . . . my worry is how many will actually buy into these ideas . . .

"Father, forgive them for they know not what they are saying!"

Maria, Downers Grove, Illinois USA

Here we go again! My religion is better than your religion! All based on superstition, and the desire to control the masses. All those years of study and he hasn’t learnt to live and let live. Unfortunately, there are plenty of sheep willing to follow this shepherd.

Pete, Telford,

I am a practising Catholic and very much enjoy being part of the Catholic Church, but I deeply respect all other Christian traditions. I know and find I have a great deal in common with a range of believers from different traditions; we simply regard each other as Christians whenever we meet. My Catholic faith shapes my life, but I recognise that the history of the Catholic Church is not unblemished. I would prefer people to find their own path to God in the tradition in which they are most comfortable - whether that is Catholic or one of the Reformation churches and movements.

Jonathan, London,

So the protestant will be the next Serbs.

Zoran D., Detroit, USA/MI

As neither a Catholic nor a Protestant, but rather an adherent of a non-Christian religion, it is utterly amazing to me that in the 21st century, after all the wars fought over religion and all the millions killed, even today people are still arguing about whose God is better and whose church is true!! As an outsider looking it, it boggles the mind!

Gloria, Freehold, New Jersey, USA

I think most of us will shrug their shoulders and carry on living a life unconcerned with such trivial matters...

David, London, UK

The Church of Jesus Christ is not a 'physical' place of meeting or a 'man-made labelled' organization.

The head of the true church is Jesus Christ. To transfer this position to any other false god(s), including ALL MEN and WOMEN, is an abomination and simply, EVIL.

The True church of Jesus Christ is that group of believers that have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and have accepted a committment to change their lives according to His word, NOT man's, as well as having a 'personal one on one' relationship with HIM; Him alone (this TRUE church has members from ALL different Christian denominations).

Paolo Ramadori, Canada,

Alistair Campbell hasn't started working for the pope has he?

Neal, Wokingham, UK

Oh sure! Pick on people who won't scare you back, we would't want you to return to bow and bend your knees again in Turkey, so go ahead and pick on people who won't fight you back!!!!!!!!

Antulio Landeros, Visalia, California USA

What the Pope has to say about the Church established by St Peter at antioch? He did not establish a throne at Rome but was killed when he visted!
What about the eastern Church (Assyrian) that was established 5 years before the Church At Antioch?
Catholic Popes' lust for power destroyed the Church Jesus established by making it a royal establishment and thowing out its purity. Every other christian orthodox Church was split by the ROYAL power of Popes over the centuaries.
The day the Roman empire embraced Christianity was the beginning of D day for the followers of Christ. Christ's message was distorted. Another religion (Islam) was born as a result of hypocracy exhibited by "Christians" and the total uselessness of the "Christian Church" to solve common man's problems. The wound created by crusades is now thretening not only christians but the world. Unable to bear "Catholic Imperialism" honest and sincere people split away to form protestant Churches.
Kuriakose Varkey

Kuriakose Varkey, New York, New York/USA

To say that the Catholic Church is the 'one true church of Jesus Christ' is a disgrace. They should read the Bible.

Chloe, Devon,

How surprising that a religion that collaborated with the Nazi's in World War 2 and have covered up the molestation of untold thousands of innocent little boys by their "priests" would consider themselves the only true represenative of The Lord Jesus Christ. lol

Ed, Seattle, WA

Ah Dr Strangelove

Matthew, Sacramento, CA

If Peter was the rock on which the church was built then Martin Luther was the quicksand upon which the Protestant sects were built on. Luther was a an anti-semite of the first rank. I prefer Peter to Luther.

Andrew, London, UK

John 17:21 "THAT THEY MAY ALL BE ONE; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. "

The Pope's statement is not new at all, and it is very true. There is a place for Unity and Obedience in true Christian spirituality......Most breakaways/heresies always have pride as their foundation. Pride is a spiritual sin which we humans share with fallen spirits.....

Peter, Lagos, Nigeria

What a thoughtless, irresponsible thing to say in this day and age. I thought the days when protestants were persecuted were long gone, it seems I was wrong. I am a proud atheist, disagreeing with the ideologies of every religion I have come across so far, but Catholicism is one of the few that I actively despise. It is nothing more than a means of controlling people.

Ella, Glos,

The problem with deception is that when you are deceived you think you are 100% right when you are 100% wrong.

Christianity can be proven to be the greatest deception that the world has ever believed.

Serious,unbiased, prayerfull study of the origens of Christianity
will convince any God fearing soul that they will have to reject the "New Testament" as the greatest fiction ever told.

Ian Smith, Nelson, New Zealand

And in furtherence of World Peace, I say you all suck.
Quote from Il Poppi, "Top Robe" of Rome

George Bush's remark. "Hey, you go Big Benny, you're my type of Uniter."

Craig Johnson, Dalton, USA

Dear Janet,

With all due respect, it sounds as though you're not clear on what it means to be Catholic. The Pope is attempting to take the Church back to a time when the Truth meant something. Pure "tolerance" is merely the virtue of a man -- or woman -- without convictions. Perhaps you would be happier in a religion which pretends that God did not found "one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic" Church, but a social organization which makes it easier to "love thy neighbor as thyself." The local Methodists are superior social workers than we -- join them and you won't have to be embarrassed at the actions of our Pope any longer.

Michael, Plano, Texas

While the Catholic Church was seeking to control the world through religion, true Christians were running for their lives from the Catholic holocaust that ran for centuries.

God has always had His people, faithful to Him and His Word. They had no part in the Roman Catholic Church. Through much of history, organized religion has hunted and slaughtered God's people. For an excellent overview of this, read the classic work, "The Trail of Blood," at one of these websites:

Tom D, woodbridge, USA

Without God there is no hope.
Without Christ there is no peace.
Without Rome there is no guidance.

PeterB, Lincoln,

The truth is always provocative and challenging. The truth will also set you free and bring you into full communion with Christ. Clearly Christ founded His Church on the 12 Apostles making them the authentic leaders of the Church on earth which is His Body. The laying on of hands by these 12 Apostles and their successors (the authentic making of bishops and priests) makes the Catholic Church the authentic Church of Christ through the ages. The Church of England, for example, was founded so that one man, Henry VIII, could device or kill his wives. Full communion with Christ means accepting Christ authority in you life which includes accepting the apostolic authority Christ gave the 12 Apostles and their authentic successors.

Chris Mason, Cheltenham, UK

Chris Jenkins ---
Do you really believe that the Catholic and Orthodox churches can trace the Popes back to Christ in an unbroken line?
Surely not!
If you truly believe this, do list this lineage within this forum.

Bert, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Scripture clearly states, " There is one Mediator
between God and man. Jesus Christ the Righteous."
Not a man sitting in a wooden box with a window
listening to other people's sins and absolving them.
Only God can forgive our sins and He only does
that for those who have received His Son into their
hearts as their Lord and Saviour. No Man, No Church,
No earthly institution or earthly king or whoever or
whatever. No so-called holy-father in Rome. There is
only one Holy Father. God Almighty! There is only
one way to get to Him. Through His Son The Lord
Jesus Christ!! No other way! Period! Ask God to
open your eyes and make this clear to you. Eternity
is in the balance. Christ shed His precious blood for
all mankind. Receive Him and His pardon for sin.

Peter Tracy, East Hardwick, Vermont

Which is greater, the church or the bible the church is based on?

Jesus said "No one can come to the Father except through me." He didn't say "No one can come to the Father except through me and my mum." And where in the Bible is the required 'Hail Mary' mentioned?

In the new testament, Paul tells people off for saying "I am of Paul", or "I am of Peter": he says that we are all of Christ, and that he and Peter are of little consequence in comparison. Why, therefore, does the Catholic Church hold the apostles in such high esteem?

Chris, Suffolk, UK

Let us remember that before the comparatively recent problem of Islamist terrorism, the Catholic church had held the lead position in this global field of religious endeavour for centuries, in Europe (the Inquisition), the Americas (the Conquistadores) and the Pacific. Thank goodness for Henry the 8th. Who the hell does Pope "Adolph" think he is and is he intent on regaining the publicity he has lost to Islam?

Snowy, Thetford, England

Dear Mike (flint, MI, USA)
We don't worship mary or the saints - we talk to them as I am talking to you now. There are many bible passages urging us to pray for one another (especially in Paul's letters) just as jesus prayed for us (read John 17 for example). There are also many old testament passages that advocate praying for one another and asking for prayers (think of Moses on behalf of God's people). We ask Mary and the saints for prayers just as I might ask you for prayers and they pray for me and you just as we pray for eachother - they are not gods - they are one of us. Please try to remember that you are not the only one to ever have read the bible!!!

Karen, Manchester, UK

Pope says to all non catholics 'You are not a proper church'!
How insulting, how offensive, how arrogant can you get!
To think most non Catholics like myself have spent years offering the hand of friendship, and praising Catholics (especially the previous Pope) for their strong stand on moral issues, and this is how the Pope decides to respond to this love and friendship. How very sad!
I had my doubts about this Pope when he decided to take the Catholic Church back to the dark ages by stating that all Catholic churches world-wide should return to holding their services in Latin, thus keeping the church and priest in total control and the congregation in the dark. In my personal experience, Catholics friends I know, already have no first hand knowledge of the scriptures or very little as they have received their faith second hand via their priest or church. I suggest they start seeking their faith first hand perhaps by reading the whole of John's Gospel for a start.

Simon Icke, AYLESBURY, UK

Can anyone tell me which of the 4000 odd Protestant sects is the true one. I kind of get confused with all these sects and what they believe in. Like the Presbyterians are into predestination, the Seventh Day adventists are into Saturday Sabbath and you even get an American Protestant sect who are into playing with rattlesnakes. Then you get the Mormons who were given the sacred texts by the angel Moroni on gold tablets. At least the Catholics sing from the same hymn sheet and thus there is a lack of confusion.

Andrew, London,

I am a Roman Catholic who is a member of a sedevacante church. We do not believe that what is calling itself catholic today is indeed catholic. And while I do believe that salvation can only come through the Catholic Church, it is important to understand it as true Catholicism understands it. It is a very complicated doctrine. And as for all this talk about Catholic and pope not appearing in the Bible is concerned--what Bible are we talking about? There are over 400 different versions. And who made the Bible the central focus of Christianity? The Bible could disappear and Catholicism would still remain intact. Every word in the Bible is contained in other doctrines of the Catholic Church. Let us not overlook the fact that the Catholic Church is the Bible's mother. It would not even exist were it not for the fact that Saint Jerome compiled it more than 300 years after the death of Christ. Pope means Bishop. Pope is the title given to the Bishop of Rome. Catholic means universal.

Kenneth martin, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

CORRECTION ADDRESSED TO: Robert, Glasgow, Scotland
"Matthew in Sacremento, Scotland is far from a presbyterian country. Church of Scotland (scottish version of CofE) is the biggest religion followed by catholicism. "

1. The Anglican Church in Scotland is in fact the Scottish Episcopal Church.

2. The CofS is Presbyterian (not related to CofE).

3. I think that we all believe in the one holy and apostolic church, the holy trinity and one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

4. We're more alike than we are different.

Harry Wragg, Glasgow, UK

The Vatican would do well to read Hebrews 11 where St. Paul cautions the Jews in the early church about being critical of fellow Christians over the minor details of how they worship and what traditions they hold dear. The essential point is belief that our Lord Jesus is the Son of God and the only atonement for our sins, the only way to receive the gift of eternal life and for sinners such as we (& this Pope) to approach God. Also, read the end of the Gospel of Mark. When Jesus was crucified, the Jerusalem Temple's curtain to the Holy of Holys was torn in two by God -all 10 inches thick of it - not an insignificant event! No longer was a priest necessary to access God. Jesus his Son is now the high priest of those who accept the gift of Salvation. Praise the Lord!

Charles Bates, Sanatoga, PA

Can't agree with the Popes statement, but I do applaud him for saying it; there can be no real dialogue without honesty. Unfortunately most ecumenically-minded individuals try to wash all truth away in a see of good feelings; which is precisely the opposite of Jesus' teaching.
Incidentally, only the Orthodox churches can actually trace their lineage back to the apostles, the primacy of Rome is a late middle ages conceit. I'm not Orthodox, but come on people, facts are facts.

Micah, L.A.,

It is the enlightened understanding that our Lord Jesus Christ left us His greatest gift; "The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass", as our redemption, anything less is not in communion with His teachings.

The Apostles were the consecrated and blessed messangers of: The Truth, The Light & The Way.

It is important to remember how liberal behaviour as always lead to the dismise of any society or structure, including spiritual. Yes, we must all love one another as ourselves, as well, love our enemy.

I feel it is important to note, since the reformation and the pretentious liberal influences in christianity, many liberties have been taken to change the teachings and understandings of our Lord Jesus Christ. By doing this, at what cost does one separate themselves from our Lord?

"This is a time for my soul", amen.

Hollman, Red Deer, Canada

I am not a Roman Catholic. I am a Christian. I believe my faith is right, and not that of the Roman Catholic Church, or I would be a member of that church.

I am not upset at this position of the Roman Catholic Church that the rest of us are not members the "proper" church. This is their belief, and, to put it crudely, the Pope and his top lieutenants are "paid" to look after such positions.

Ecumenism is a false dream. The different Christian groups don't need to hate each other or fight, and can in some cases work together on some issues; there are simply too many important theological differences to ever think that we would all join together as one happy ecumenical group.

Laura in Texas--

There is another interpretation of the verse you mention. As I understand it, the Greek word for rock in reference to Peter is "pebble;" while the Greek for the Rock on which the church is built is "boulder"--this Boulder is Christ. The church is built on Christ--not on any man.

Terry L. Walker, Ladson, S.C. / USA

For the record, the human body is the Temple or Church of God as His Spirit dwells within the Christian and not the Vatican or some cathedral. All who call upon the Name of the Christ are Christians no matter the sect.
Lastly, the Vatican sits upon Vaticanus Hill or the demonic oracle hill of Rome. St. Peter never set foot in Rome to found any Universal or Catholic religion.
The "peter" the Vatican speaks of is PATER as in Simon Pater, or Simon the father who is in book of Acts as Simon the sorcceror who tried to buy the power of God from the Apostles. That is fact.
In conclusion, in the Revelation of Jesus given to John, the Vatican is called the whore of babylon as it involved from the beginning pagan ritual and has sold itself to world governments that is why it is the "universal" or catholic religion as it is pagan system hiding behind Christ's Name.
The leadership knows this and is perverting the faithful catholic followers.

LC, Watertown, USA, NY

Sadly, hundreds of millions of Catholics fail to do their homework, and accept the word of their priests and leaders, in what amounts to a 'Christianised' but not Biblical revision of the Imperial Roman Empire in which the Caesar (Pontifex Maximus or 'Pontiff') embodied the role of near-deity, emperor and most high priest , keeper of the bridge between man and god... Does the role sound familiar now? The Bible (Apostle Paul) speaks of salvation through faith alone. The Vatican declared this 'anathema.' The Bible prohibits the use of idols or graven images as objects of worship. The Catholic Church reversed that. The Bible makes no reverence of Mary at all. The Vatican added it in. Jesus Himself said 'I hate' the deeds of the Nicolaitans (Nicolaitanism was priestcraft and the spiritual and intellectual dark ages for which the Vatican is most famous). So who's a 'real Christian' now, then?

Steve Aspinall, Leeds,

Can you see more signs of Jesus' return? Only those who stand firm to the last will be saved. All Christians who have Jesus in their hearts (because God sees the heart) and whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be with Jesus on the Day of Judgement. Does the pope thinks that just because you are labelled a Catholic, recite the rosary, go to church on sundays you are saved? Nothing could be further from the truth. If you dont have a personal relationship, you are not a Christian. Jesus said you must be born again, born of the Spirit of God. I dont believe this pope has the Spirit of God. Isn't this what satan wants? A division ? Ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart, and He will direct all your worship to Jesus our Lord and Saviour instead of Mary!!! Catholism is just another religion full of laws. Christians are saved by the Grace of God and there is not an ounce of thing you can do to the Finish Work of Christ. HALLELUJAH !!

Virginia, Brisbane, Australia

"Forcing a child to do these things does not make that child a Nazi."

You're right, Emily. The vast majority of German people were forced into taking part in Nazi activities. Kids had to join the Hitler Jugend, men had to join the army. There was a resistance in Germany, and many people took part in it, but you never hear anything about that (I only know about it because my in-laws are German).

starling, Lancaster,

If you belong to an improper church it means that your money is likely to end up in the wrong pockets. This has serious consequences for the proper church and the Pope in particular.

Robert Gibson, New York, USA

First of all, the notion that, if you can't find it in the Bible, it can't be true, is a strictly Protestant notion. Once you concede that, you've weakened your position. Catholics believe the Bible is the word of God, but not the whole word of God. Nowhere in the Bible does it claim to contain all that God revealed to His people (on the contrary, Jn 21:25). Scripture is supplemented by Tradition, which began with the Apostles, but has developed over the centuries, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. At the Last Supper, Christ promised the Apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (Jn 16:13). It stands to reason that He would continue, after the Apostles' death, to guide their successors, our Bishops, rather than leave them with just a Book (the differing interpretations of which have produced something over 30,000 denominations worldwide).

Francis, Vancouver,

"In My Father's house, there are many mansions....'
And, so far as I can tell, they aren't all built in Rome!

As a happily lapsed Catholic, I am thankful for the Christian elements of my upbringing, for the emphasis my parents and teachers placed on tolerance, education, respect for others and on the virtues of faith, hope and charity. We lived by the big commandment, to love and honour our neighbour as we wished to be loved and honoured ourselves. But what I am HUGELY thankful for is that by far the majority of people I know, Catholic or not, do not give a rat's for the antiquated opinions and coersive tactics of the Pope and his supporters, and have not done for years. The Pope speaks for people only if they let him. I chose years ago to inform my own conscience. If he wants to make the Church even more irrelevant than it is now, Benedict should just keep issuing such batty statements. For an alleged man of Christ, he sounds like a bigot.

Angela, Sydney, Australia

"Not a proper Church"? That's OK because I'm not a proper sinner either!

Paul Newton, Hove, UK

It is becoming more everyday that Islam and the Roman Catholic church will merge in the future, They teach that their higharchy Bishops / Imams are spcial godly men who can tell all the peons what and how to do it. They are both the same groups whom....cut people's heads off and sacrifice children to further their cause. EndTime are Here!

Opagene, Boston, USA

"I think it my duty to consult the chair of Peter, and to turn to a
church whose faith has been praised by Paul...My words are spoken to the successor of the fisherman, to the disciple of the cross." [Jerome, To Pope Damasus, Epistle 15 (A.D. 377)

Francis, Vancouver,

Supposing someone in Israel had invented baked beans, which became so popular that they spread all through the known world in 50 years right up to the distant fringes of Celtic Britain. Then an entrepreneur in Rome decided to can them, slap a label on them and call them the only true baked bean. Pity they couldn't patent it.

Nigel MacNicol, Oakham, Rutland, UK

The truth is always provocative and challenging. The truth will also set you free and will bring you into full communion with Christ. Clearly Christ founded His Church on the 12 Apostles making them the authentic leaders of the Church on earth. The laying on of hands by these 12 Apostles and their successors (the authentic making of bishops and priests) makes the Catholic Church the authentic Church of Christ through the ages. The Church of England, for example, was founded so that one man, Henry VIII, could divorce or kill his wives. Full communion with Christ means accepting Christ’s authority in your life which includes accepting the apostolic authority which Christ gave the 12 Apostles and their authentic successors.

Chris Mason, Cheltenham, UK

At last, we have a Pope with guts enough to speak the truth.

Wilbay Kamande, Nairobi, Kenya

" IT IS MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY, JA!?"

Garth Strong, San Diego, USA/CAL

There is only one church. The BODY OF CHIRIST. A personal relationship with Jesus. Christ. Believers who put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ , that His death on the Cross takes away their sins, His ressurection gives them eternal life and that He will come again to judge are the ones who are the Body of Christ. No church is perfect, especially the catholic church. The pope is in need of the saving grace of Jesus Christ especially if he leads others away from the Lord by his hurfful comments. Beware of falsehood and false prophets!! There is not one single thing one can do to add to the FINISHED WORK OF JESUS. Your works is because of your salvation and not for your salvation. Just because you have been elected pope does not mean that you are saved. You may be a very clever man in theology and history but unless you are born of the Spirit of God, you wil NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. Read Jesus' explanation to Nicodemus about being born again.

Virginia, Brisbane, Australia

> "They remind us that in their view that to be a true church one has to accept the ludicrous idea that the Pope is in some special way the successor of the apostle Peter and the supreme earthly leader of the Church."

It is just a historical fact that when a church separates from Rome, then it dies. For instance, anglicanism. The idea that the King or Queen of England is the supreme leader of the Church of England has possible much more biblical and historical justification, for the Rev.

Agustin, Madrid, Spain

I was wryly amused by 'GMO' from Glasgow: "Does anyone really care what this old guy has to say?' Clearly 533 comments on this thread show that quite a few people care tremendously, whether positively or negatively. Had (say) Rowan Williams made this claim (yes, I know it's almost unimaginable), or Will Morrey (current President of the Methodists), most people would have raised an eyebrow and giggled. Rome, for good or ill, matters in a way that no other church (however one wishes to define 'church') does.

Sue Sims, Bournemouth,

As one who is a product of a cross-sectarian marriage and was baptized a Catholic, my father's religion, then put through the Catholic educational mill, I cannot say that the candid though offensive pronouncements of this document issuing from the current papacy and its doctrinal watchdog is at all surprising: this has simply been the RC line since the Reformation. The papacy will simply not entertain the legitimacy or validity of any other form of Christianity that is not under Rome's dominion; nor indeed, will it concede the value or worth of any non-Christian religion, e.g. Buddhism. Personally, this former Catholic thinks that the Protestant Reformation was the best thing that could have happened to the Western world and most of the freedoms we now enjoy were born of it. Full marks to the Rev David Phillips in his statement on the Vatican's "lust for power" and his call for the papacy to renounce "its errors and pretensions". He might well have added its arrant hypocrisy.

Paul, Sydney, Australia

If there were a god she would quickly put an end to all of the petty squabbling and violence carried out in the name of religion. However, notwithstanding reality, Ratzinger's rant is nothing but a commonplace expression of will to power. When I was a child growing up in Ontario, Canada there was a lovely family that lived nearby, which belong to another faith (not Catholic). In all things they were very good neighbours, except on Saturdays when the man of the house would regale us kids with tales of how we were all going to hell for not being part of his religion. Although we were only nine, we found it to be endlessly hilarious and could not contain our laughter which unfortunately set him off even more. Ditto for the Pope's laughable and silly power grab.

Emma H., Ottawa, CAN

This is the same church the changed the ten commandments of God, to fool the people even more. Sounds like big business to me. Any church that’s spreads hatred is not one from God.

Tony, SF, CA

Oh, thank the gods that was settled. I've been losing sleep over this for years.

Now, if the good Pope would just have a get-together, over coffee perhaps, with Ayatolla Khomeini and straighten out the Muslims once and for all...

James P, Sacramento, California

As a lifelong Roman Catholic I am upset by the terrible things that have been levied against my faith. I am by no means a model Catholic, but I strive to better myself every day. In this matter I applaud our Holy Father's effort to assert our main contention with other Christian faiths. Odd that It is acceptable for other believers in Christ to rail against Catholicism, but for us to clarify our beliefs is considered regressive. I pray for the day in which we can come together as one true Church in his name.

J.T. Blevins, Pierce City, MO, USA

The simple question is who founded your religion and when? Jesus Christ founded the Holy Catholic Church and made Peter the first Pope. Even St. Peter, the first Pope sinned but the Catholic Church will remain the only true Church. Those who claim to be Christians should return to the flock.

Kato Liko, Quezon,

It seems like the Pope is trying to start a new Counter-Reformation. Everyone says how bright he is, but he's not exhibiting that intelligence. Perhaps he needs to look back in history to see what misery statements like that created in the 16th century with people slaughtering each other in the name of an institution. After his rude comments about Islam and Judaism and now about Protestantism, maybe ... well, maybe he's losing his grip. It seems that the Protestant churches may once again have something to "protest".

Sarah, Ottawa, Canada

If what the Pope says is so irrelevant why everyone seems to be up in arms? It doesn't seem to me that Protestants in the UK are that tolerant, after all in 21st century it is still not acceptable to have a catholic prime minister. And all this doctrinal discussion seem a bit void to me coming from a branch of Christianity that decided to part its way from Rome so that its king could marry and divorce at whish and pillage few hundred monasteries to replenish the Crown coffers.

Matt, London, UK

Will they be televising the Inquisition this time?

This man and his message are so irrelevant, and he manages to demonstrate this over and over again.

This is why the Reformation was needed. Sadly, none of those "improper churches" have done much better over the centuries.

Barb Johnson, Baltimore, MD

"We'll I think it is clear that my interpretation of a badly compiled book of Bronze Age myths is better than yours."

What a futile and pathetic argument to go through. Grow up please, from reading forums like this it seems half the people in the world are still living in the dark ages. It may come as a surprise to you but the Old Testament sky god is just as real as Zeus, Thor, Amon Ra, Mithra or Santa. I presume you don't still hold a belief in them?

Barry, Newbury,

what's the issue? all churches know that they are right.

dl, dudley,

God saved me from the Catholic church and all her false doctrines. Here are a few: purgatory, prayer to "saints", infant baptism, the rosary and worship of Mary, displaying statues and crucifixes, priest as an office in ministry, Eucharist and the mass, just to name a few.
The church is built on the foundation of the prophets, apostles and JESUS CHRIST Himself being the chief cornerstone. The church is built on truth not man's traditions. The Word of God will judge mankind on the day of judgement. There is only one church - the one in which Jesus Christ is the Head, not a man. The true church should pattern itself after the church in the book of Acts. That is the standard, not the Catholic church.

Naz, Hamilton, Canada

Sammy (from Toronto) stated "The men in the vatican throughout history are the most educated and smartest men in the world. People should remember that and appreciate that when they begin to think they know better theology."

Really? Aren't we talking about the same people who forced Galileo to end his life in captivity for saying the earth rotated around the sun, and not viceversa? I remember running circles around my Rome-educated theology professor (a Jesuit) when I was in my teens.

The men in the Vatican are a bunch of mediocre hacks who don't have a chance of earning a living in the real world, hence they wear funny hats and live in fantasyland.

Dan, Cordoba,

I wonder...what would Jesus Christ say about idol worship (venerating man made objects) , praying to someone other than God for forgiveness of sins (aka Mary), and covering up rampant child molestation by appointed members of the 'catholic' church? I seem to recall a passage where HE (Jesus) said HE is 'the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIGHT. No man cometh unto the FATHER but by ME. John 14-6 Not through praying to Mary. Or how about the famous "Suffer the little children come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of GOD. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of GOD as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (MK 10, 14-15)? Think HE was giving permission for priests to molest children, or giving his followers the mandate that they should approach religion with a child's eyes...with a child's wonder? Perhaps the good pope should read his Bible and judge his own church before he declares judgement on other CHRISTIAN churches.

Phil Webb, Willow City, Texas

I find it hilarious that so many people are quoting scripture to make their points without realising the fallacy. Quoting Harry Potter novels does not prove the existence or ways of Voldermort but it would do to a theist.

God is a human construct and requires faith i.e irrational belief, belief without proof. It is a very sad world whereby people are not able to use reasoning, logic and critical thinking and continue to believe in something that has no more validity than unicorns, fairies, elves, a pink teapot orbiting the sun or indeed the flying spaghetti monster.

The big problem for the world and humanity is that these irrational thinkers are in positions of power and have to make crucial decisions. How can a theist be sure that his reasoning is rational when making a decision when he is clearly irrational? This is why religion is so dangerous. Couple this with indoctrination and brainwashing from birth, which gives the child no choice, and you find a world without reason.

Russ, Reading, UK

If you are not part of the "true" Church, you don't get damned...you Just do not experience the full grace of God. According to RC doctrine those outside of the RC Church still have the ability to cooperate with the grace of God...they just don't have access to grace via the sacraments of the Church.

You must remember that salvation is not an all or nothing in the RC Church, since they have that whole purgatory thing. Purgation is no longer conceived of in terms of time (i.e., years in purgatory) merely in relation to amount of purgation.

It's been a while since I read about this or discussed it with an RC theologian, but it is my recollection that non-RC's can cooperate with God's grace to the extent that they are not damned. I guess the logical conclusion is that most non-RC's that get over that hump will endure a greater measure of purgation before experiencing the beatific vision. In other words, salvation is not solely for the RC's but is easier for the RC's.
It's their identity

Ryan, Lakewood, Colorado

For the first thousand years of Christianity there was only one Holy Catholic Orthodox Church. The Pope of Rome was acknowledged to be the first among equals, but the centre of the Christian world had moved to Constantinople.

From the mid 11th century the Popes began to expand their power, became territorial rulers & claimed judicial power over the whole Church, which they had never had before. Meanwhile, the Orthodox Catholic Church of the East became progressively weakened; Constantinople was sacked by western crusaders in 1204, and it fell to the moslem Turks in 1453.

Abuses in the western Roman Church led to the Reformation; unfortunately the Protestant Churches often threw out the baby with the bathwater. The Roman Church slowly reformed itself, but cannot claim the sole use of 'catholic' (universal). The Eastern Orthodox Churches probably have the best claim to be the successors of the Early Church. The greatest threat to all is creeping secularization.

Dave, Wrexham,

It appears that the catholic church is still under the clutches of delusion that Lord Jesus Christ founded catholicism and not christianity. What a bunch of lost souls !

Rohan, Yonkers, USA

The Church of Jesus Christ is not a 'physical' place of meeting or a 'man-made labelled' organization.

The head of the true church is Jesus Christ. To transfer this position to any other false god(s), including ALL MEN and WOMEN, is an abomination and simply, EVIL.

The True church of Jesus Christ is that group of believers that have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and have accepted a committment to change their lives according to His word, NOT man's, as well as having a 'personal one on one' relationship with HIM; Him alone (this TRUE church has members from ALL different Christian denominations).

Paolo Ramadori, Canada,

Considering we all worship the one God, does it really matter in which manner or building we worship?
I don't think God is going to squibble about our personal Faith on the Day of Reckoning.
All this statement has done is alienate the Protestants who respect the position of the Pope even further.

Tanya, Lismore, NSW

Do people seriously believe this stuff?

There's a big palace in rome, filled with gold and antiquities based on the teachings of a simple carpenter. They only manage to pay the grass root ministers £10 000 and if we don't start joining their club we will go to a fiery place with lots of demons and stuff.

I don't see the point in all these arguments over which church is better, if you want to be a good Christian pick up the bible and read for yourself, instead of eating up all the lies fed by the fraudsters who have been trying to rule the world for 1700 years.

Jesus was a man with a message of peace, nothing more nothing less.

( I am an Atheist on a crusade against organised religion. Worship whomever you like, just don't let other worship for you)

George K, West Drayton, UK

The ignorance of the history of the Church of England displayed by many of your correspondents would be forgiveable if they didn't use their misconceptions to support their arguments. The Church of England was not begun by Henry VIII. He continued to practise as a Roman Catholic for his entire life. However, he did appoint himself head of the Church in England. That was not at all an unreasonable thing to do given the corruption in the Roman Church. The criticism of that event ought to be directed at the pope of the time who capitulated to the demands of the Holy Roman Emperor who was Catherine's nephew, rather than follow his own conscience, which was telling him to allow Henry's divorce. In fact everything that has ever gone wrong for the Roman Church has been its own fault - including the loss of the Christian Middle East to Islam. I deeply regret that fact that because of Herr Ratzinger many people are going to view the Church with contempt and reject the Gospel.

Marion Morrison, Cheltenham,

well, the problem is that everybody will believe their religion is the best and the true one but i think from my point of view the oldest religion should be the true one and in any case i think there are far too many religions trust anyone. Catholic church made their religion based in some fact but at the same time they go pretty much against the bible taking into account the use of icons etc... it should be more humble instead of so luxurious. I think from some point of view those modern religions (by modern i mean those of about 500 or more to nowdays ) give a more truthful view of the bible or i would like to think so. I would never understand the use of the pope in catholic church... the pope is suporting his league as there many catholics that are looking for the truth somewhere else.
Myself i was born catholic and nowdas i shoud say i got my own religion somehow based in the catholic church but not really catholic church anymore. in any case still is christianism.

Mario , London, UK

I cannot agree to this article that Roman Catholic is the only true Church!
I come from India and a member of the Indian Orthodox(Malankara Syian Orthodox) Church and I am proud to be member of this ancient church founded by St.Thomas,one of the disciples of Jesus Christ in 52 A.D. All the 12 Apostles spread Christianity around the world.Saying that RC is the only true church implies St.Peter was the only one who preached the word or Jesus!

John Shibu , Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Brothers & sisters please let us stop using this opportunity to increase the division between us (Anglicans, Baptists, Catholics, Evangelists, Jehovah witness, and others), you are confusing some brothers and sisters that just started following God!. We believe in one God, we have one way to reach Him: Jesus Christ, and Both of Them are with us everyday of our life and show that through the daily works the Holy spirit do to all of us. We have only one enemy: satan (the evil) that we have the duty to fight!!! Can any of you tell me what reward s/he will get when s/he manage to convert a Catholic to a Protestant or a Baptist to an Evangelist or vice versa ? It just sounds like moving from your sister or brother rooms in the same family house; that means it won’t increase the number of people inside that family. God will be happy if a non Christian come back to him, Heaven will be shaken by that event and this is our duty, I mean to bring back non Christians to any Christianity.

Thierry Boukanga, London, UK

Truth at times can be uncomfortable. If there is to be hope of a positive dialogue between the Christian denominations, then it must be done on the basis of openess and honesty. I do not see this latest statement as being offensive. It should in no way diminish the love and respect we hold for each other, no matter what denomination we are. The most important thing is that we strive for unity, from a point of clear understanding of each other. Our Lord's command after all is "..may they all be one"!

Diarmuid, Belfast, N. Ireland

Well Conrad Black agrees with the Pontiff, he converted to Rome in a high profile move a decade or so ago - and look how that helped improve his moral life!

Heathcote, Banbury, UK

TheVatican argument is not correct on the basis of history and Bible. The views will damage the mutual relations between churches.The present perspective will be to less the new issues and find out new ways of cooperation. Protect the christian people in the arbic world from the humilation of Islam is the need of the hour.

paulose, sterling hts, U.S.A. Micigan

Jesus wants his message spread to the ends of the earth,he doesn't care if you are catholic or protestant.We are all his children and he loves us all unconditionally.
It sounds to me like the pope is wanting a one world religion.
Why does he think that there is no other way to heaven?
The holy spirit flows thru protestants as well as catholics.

Kathy, Denton, NC

Dear David Harries (Swansea, Wales)
Brothers can oppose one another but still love each other, and if you are not a Catholic, it doesn’t mean you are not loved by other Catholics. On the contrary, we love you more because we want to share with you the great gift to man that is the Catholic Church, the true Church of Christ.
God bless you too

Ted, Monte, Italy

I love all of you who read this, I am a Catholic. The word Catholic means Universal. The word Religion means, believing in a divine being. All of you who believe in God, His Son Jesus, The one who died for all of us, no matter what religion you choose, and The Holy Spirit, (our personal spiritual counselor) inside all of us, pray.pray, He will give you understanding in the Pope's statement. I for many years drifted away from the Catholic church to many other "Churches" although I felt good at times because of the fun atmosphere and good music, I one day realized, "Its not about me" and how "I" feel. It is about direction pointing to God "only" through Jesus. The first to say yes to Jesus was Mary His Mother. And the Saints followed in her footsteps. They should be the role Models. It makes sense to follow tradition. After all, no one hesitates to put the hand on your chest at the traditional song? So why is it so different to make the sign of the cross. I really love you whoever you r

Theresa, Antioch, California

To say that Our Lord Jesus Christ created more than one church would be an err. Since the first Holy Bible was translated to Latin in 382AD; "The Latin Vulgate", there has been numerous re-writes, including the King James Version. It has been said by many reformation theologians that the re-writes have approx. 30, 000 errors in them. This speakes volumes about the ongoing crisis of newly formed sects.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was Jesus Christ's gift to us for our redemption, anything less is not in communion with Jesus Christ or His teachings. Pope Benedict XVI is merely stating the facts, and anyone accusing him of Power might want to look deep within themselves about their own pride, ego & power struggle.

It was Satan's pride and ego that removed him from Heaven, lets not forget that.

Hollman, Red Deer, Alberta - Canada

"if you're an atheist surely what the pope thinks is of no concern to you...?"

It is, since people's opinions and habits are dictated by the lovely pope.

starling, Lancaster,

I think the Pope needs to read a little bit of hostory !!
The Orthodox church was there centuries the Catholic church .So logically , the Catholic church was the one that left the true faith .
I'm really dissapointed !!!

Canadian, Ottawa, Canada

I am an ex-Roman Catholic, now worshipping in a non-denominational church, and I am glad I left this religious body that is being directed by one man's ego, to pursue a relationship with Christ.

Geraldine Tan, Singapore, Singapore

oh great!!!... Catholic and protestant faith fighting again! So Catholic and protestants will be bombing and killing each other, what a relief for Islam!!!! There are many relgions throughout the world just pick one, and live your lives in peace.

Joe, Warrington, England

Oh well, at least when you religious bunch are arguing between yourselves us atheists get some peace.

Laura, London, UK

Let me get this straight: when Jesus said, "He who is not with me is against me," he was talking about Roman Catholics, right, and saying everyone else has to join them?

Come to think of it, isn't 'Roman Catholic' a contradiction in terms?

Phil Williams, Shrewsbury, UK

To the uninitiated some of the scriptural stuff seems like pure gobblygook. Is it true Christians eat the body and drink the blood of God? Is this legal in Europe?

Phil, Hong Kong,

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin, sorry i forget?

My god is better than your god, give it a rest and grow up.

Rob, Birmingham, UK

Not a surprising comment from someone who was once a member of the Hitler Youth.

John McIlray, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Herr Benny will burn in Hell along with JP II and all of the heretics who preceded him. Roman Catholicism is the oldest surviving cult that was spawned from the true Christian faith. True Christianity has not only survived but also flourished in spite of the Papacy putting true Christians to death through the centuries.

David Alan Schwarz, Nashville, TN, USA

Why all the bitterness? it appears this topic has touched a nerve among all the atheists and protestants out there. frankly, why do most of you even bother reading and commenting on this article - if you're an atheist surely what the pope thinks is of no concern to you...? If you're protestants, you more than likely think exactly the same as the pope, merely vice versa... 'the whore of babylon' and all that, as that upstanding pillar of the protestant community in northern ireland put it - isnt your attitude somewhat hypocritical

scheming_papist, bristol,

Christ has one Bride. This Bride is one visibly and invisibly. The disunity of Christians is diabolical. Only those who who live in sanctity, holy people, should speak. Everyone else be silent. .

The disunity of Christians is diabolical. The glory of God in us and amongst us is dependent on our oneness.

The Pope is a sincere man. What he says is serious. Catholics need Protestants. And protestants need catholics whether they like it or not. The Lord commands that we be one. Now is the time.

JJ CL, Kerry, Ireland

Two Thousand years hence:

An old chap with grey hair wearing white robes shall pronounce that only the Rowling version of Potterism is correct and all other are non believers. Every single one of the Dahl Sect of Hobbitites will complain as will the Lewis Denomination of Narniists.

A few sensible people will proclaim that we are all True Fantasists and that there is only one Dr Who - from who we are all descended.

One man will stand up and proclaim -

IT'S JUST A BL@#DY STORY AND NOT A GOOD ONE AT THAT!!

Paul, Swansea,

Hal, Washington, DC, I think you need to look slightly more closely at Martin Luther's teachings. He was a lot more right-wing than you think.

starling, Lancaster,

I think the Roman Catholic church needs to get into the real world. It is full of homosexual priests and child abusers, which is covered up bu the authorities

Mike, Paphos, Cyprus

What Pope Benedict is saying is nothing new... this has been the Church's stance since the beginning... people who are railing against what they THINK the Church is... clearly do not understand what the Church truly is… Jesus was misunderstood by some during His days as is His Church now... EDUCATE yourselves and read the early Fathers of the Church who walked and talked with the original disciples of Christ!!!

Joel, Pensacola, USA/Florida

This is almost laughable, but this is really sad. Combine the fact that the Catholic church has killed more Christians than any other religion and denied people the right to read the bible. Now combine this that they also want to bring back the latin mass - dead langauge that NO ONE understands? With friends like this who needs enemies??
Anyone who has studied church history can tell you that it was Constantine who almost destroyed the church by inventing the Catholic Church as we know it. Just read the Ante-Nicene writings for yourself.

Preston, Madison, AL

Good to know that Tony Blair is going to join a 'proper church'

Carl Teper, Paris, France

Roman Catholics make much of the fact that they can trace the history of their church back to Peter. So what? It may have started out OK but it has been grossly distorted and corrupted along the way. Peter must be revolving in his grave in view of what has been said and done in the name name of God by the Roman Catholic Church.
Pedigree counts for nothing if inbreeding has made you ugly and evil.

Tony Jones, Grantham, Lincs

If Peter was the first pope then why did Jesus call him Satan? Why did Paul chastise Peter for being religious? Why did Paul write the majority of the New Testament? Why did Paul go to the Gentiles? Just a few ponderances and let's not forget Mary worship, etc.

John Roebling, Weston, MO

"Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours and when he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. "
[Clement of Rome, "The First Epistle of Clement",5(c.A.D. 96)

Francis, Vancouver,

The Roman Catholic Church is Christ's church. Everything else is a watered down version for people who won't follow the churches teachings. A poor king can't get divorced in the church so like a little boy takes his ball and goes home and creates a church where divorce is okay. What a perfect example of how it works.
Any clown with a secular credential, can and will say anything to attack the church or the pope.
The men in the vatican throughout history are the most educated and smartest men in the world. People should remember that and appreciate that when they begin to think they know better theology.

Sammy, toronto, canada

I don't agree with him but I applaud his honesty. After four decades of Vatican II doubletalk, he has told the plain truth in stating what Catholics believe and have always believed.

Stephen, Douds, IA

It's worth pointing out that this article is factually wrong on several counts. The most important error is that the vatican document (which nobody appears to have read, not least the journalists), explicitly states that the Orthodox Church IS a proper church, contrary to the misrepresentation of the document in this article. It is impossible to have an informed discussion on any subject if those who take on the role of informing us, like Ruth Gledhill, can't even be bothered reporting the facts accurately. Sloppy journalism.

John , Glasgow,

The Pope is correct. Read the bible if you don't believe him. Jesus established Peter as the foundation of the church. Jesus called Peter by the name "Cephas" which means rock in Aramaic. Peter is the rock or foundation that Jesus built his church. Let me make this clear. Jesus built the church and established Peter at its head. Peter is the first Pope. The Pope is responsible for the leadership of the church that Christ directly built. No church other than the Catholic Church can lay claim that Jesus built it directly. Other churches are based on Christ's teaching but they were not directly built by Him.

John, Orange County, California

I'd just like to point out the fact that a lot of American-based comments are very pope-friendly which proves once more that the usa is a country ruled by religion and that other churches were founded because of the catholic church's narrow mind. For hundreds of years it has persecuted people. And to the person that said that the Queen is there by divine right and so on, she never dubbed other religions heathens, did she. I might remind everyone that England is the first country to accept all religions and also the first democracy of western europe. as said by graeme from scotland, no religion = better world

lou, godalming, england

Steve , Phoenix, Arizona USA,who thiks Europe is the worlds greatest civilisation

I think China is the worlds greatest civilisation and I don't ever want the Pope visiting or kissing chinese teritory!
Keep him out of China!!!!

Duke_Widin, Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China

Christanity as it was built by Jesus himself and his Apostles is shining through many of the denominations. However, Non-denominational Christianity which follows only the doctrine the Holy Bible gives (not that of man) is following most truely. Catholicism is built on idol worship of statues and necklaces that have no life in them. They are right that they are a church of thier own, but don't call them Christian. Jesus isn't on a necklace, Mary will be judged like the rest of us, and dead "saints" can't ansewer your Prayers. Jesus said himself, He is the only way to the Father, not the pope who makes rules based on what man thinks is true and not God's Will which is perfect.

Jared, East Setauket, USA / NY

Arrogance is a sin.

Having said that, I think all thinking people would agree that the holiest man on earth for the last 2,000 years has generally been an Italian, as is evidenced by the nationality of 87% of Popes.

This assists me in cleaving to the view that the Church of Rome must indeed be the only true Church.

Jonathan Wilton, Bukit Timah, Singapore

Dear Ted, Monte, Italy

I do not consider myself as "opposition" rather more a fellow brother (non Roman) catholic in Christ. I recall our Lord saying "love they neighbour" not oppose them.

God bless

David Harries, Swansea, Wales

This is a bad mistake!!! It comes at a time when ALL Christian denominations should be showing a united front as more and more people are ;leaving the Church. What is in a name? Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian.
I regard Christians as members of the same political party. THE CHRISTIAN PARTY, The only difference is whether they are left wing, right wing or centre.We are all children of God.
I am a Catholic, my wife is a Presbyterian - now converted to Catholism and only converted under Vatican II . She, like many other thinking people, would seriously reconsider remaining Catholic under this bigoted regime.

Desmond Lawler, Tazilly, France

Ray in Leeds, perhaps you should check the entry in the english dictionary for 'catholic' - i think you might be pleasantly suprised

Scheming_papist, bristol,

@GM, Poznan, Poland

He hasn't insulted the non-Catholic Christians, he's disappointed them. And if they thought that he was going to say "lets dilute Catholic Doctrine to allow compromise" then they were rightly disappointed.

As for the Jews, pretty much all religions say all other religions are blind to the truth...just cause it's spelt out due to historical events shouldn't offend anyone, and if it does, they're misguided.

Peter K, London, UK

Who wants to be Roman Catholic anyway with all the flip flop theology of the confused infallible leaders of that group?

Dan, Trenton, New Jersey, USA

The Scriptures are the final and ultimate authority, it is God breathed, (inspired), (2 Timothy 3:16) The bible teaches that the true church, the bride of Christ, is composed of all true, Born Again, believers, who are justified by Faith alone, in the finished work of Jesus on the cross at calvary.(Romans 1:16), (Romans 3:21-26) (Ephesian 2:8,9) And this church is built upon the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Crist as the chief cornerstone, and all believers are living stones, being built up as a spiritual house. (Ephesian 2:19-22), (1 peter 2:4-10). Where do you find the Roman Catholic church mentioned anywhere in Revelations chapters 2, and 3, or anywhere else in the New Testament , in all of Paul's letters he writes to the Elders/Bishops of the various local churches. The true church of Jesus Christ is indeed catholic, (universal), but it is not Roman catholic. The vicar of Christ is not the Pope, but the Holy Spirit, who Jesus promised to send after He assended.Jn 16:7-15

Richard, Simi Valley, California

The pendulum is swinging back the other way. After years of liberal thinking and innovation, which led to sexual abuse of youth, among other things, the Church is trying to adopt a much more conservative stance. This is partly an attempt to recruit a new breed of priests -- men who are attracted to a life of power and authority.

I think the Pope's premise is correct, but there are perhaps more polite ways to say this without seemingly intending to irritate or alienate other Christian groups. Cut him some slack; he can't help being born German.

See Lk 9:46-50. Whether you are a member of The Church, a church, or a community or club, we are all called to follow Christ and spread the Gospel message of love and salvation.

John, Maryland, USA

Our Lord broke down the walls of division with His Own Body, so that Jews and Gentiles might be One in Him. By His Resurrection Power, He rent the veil of the temple so that all men might have free access to God.
Jesus promised that He would not turn away anyone who came to Him. He said,
'Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest'.
Some of Our Lord's last words were in the form of a solemn prayer that we all might be One in His Love.
His prayer has gone unanswered. Mortal men have preferred power and their own authority. They have denied others access to Him, quite forgetting that they themselves are sinners, cut off from God except through the free forgiveness of Christ Our Lord.
The Church today is as exclusive as the Jews of old, so denying the True Shepherd and failing to follow His command to ' Feed My Sheep '
How often do priests and people today spend nights in prayer, seeking the will of Christ Our Lord and Master in these days?

Christine Cornelius, Llangammarch Wells, Powys, Wales.

Sad to say that "child abuse" was raised when they (the protesters) chose this cheap jibe whilst unable to fully understand,or argue the case for Protestantism..

The fact is that the Church of England has recently been exposed in cover ups of such behavior and in N Ireland such evil behavior was also covered up.

As for the Pope being there by divine right and infallible,it must be remebered that the Monarchs of Britain are in the same position...but I hear no outcry!

I for one as an Anglo Catholic Anglican agree with the Holy Father and have had enough of weak leadership and whatever faults the RC may have,I feel I can comfortably live with them and say God Bless the Holy Father..and I am Tiber bound

Protestantism is drifting further away and the C of E is the Established Church in name only, and will be seperated from the State within 5-10 years ,having failed to meet the spiritual needs of the nation....

JKM, Durham,

I am very thankful for the Pope's comments, evangelicals have been falling all over themselves in order to be in unity with Rome. But Roman Catholicsm is a false Gospel. My hope is that these words of his will prove to be a wake up call to these compromising evangelicals, and get them back on the Biblical road.

Rose, Chilliwack, B.C. Canada

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is JESUS CHRIST"-1 Cor.11:3.
The Apostle Paul declares that the Church is built upon JESUS CHRIST himself, not "apostolic succession". Paul , whom the Pope recognizes as a "founding apostle", who also wrote most of the New Testament writes to "brethren" (all believers in Jesus) in 1Cor.11:9..."for YE are God's building". All believers are the "temple"= the "church" ...long before the Roman Catholic Church existed.
"Know ye not that YE are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" -1 Cor.11:16.
There was no Pope when Paul wrote this.
Paul instructs them (1 Cor.11:4-6) NOT to look to apostles and teachers ("apostolic succession") because they are just workers with GOD in buliding the Church. God is building the "temple" (11:7).
This is in the Catholic Bible. The Catholic Church has many teachings which directly CONTRADICT what the "First Apostolic Fathers", (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul) taught.

Linda Beauchamp, Rockport, TX, USA

I left the Catholic Church about 4 years ago, and now going to a pentecostal one.

I am very offended by the Pope's comments. The 20 years that i was part of Catholic church 90% of the people who were there were "pew sitters", and not once was i ever inspired, not once did i ever feel God's love for his children, not once did i ever see anyone express a love for our God.

The Catholic Church is based on Doctrine not the True word of God, it has deferred from the true meaning of what it is to be a christian.

Rebecca, Canberra, Australia

how can the catholics declare that they were the true church, that if we look at our lives were not transformed, many of us were bound in diverse vices in life, Christ is living in a holy life everyday, Christ is obedient to the Father, Christ does the will of the father, before we confess that we are in Christ or the true church, we must have Christ like life everyday. . .. read 1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heared from Him and declared to you: God is light, in Him ther is no darkness at all, v6 if we claim that we are in
Him or to be His disciples, yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
I challenge everyone throughout the world to examined first ourlives beforee say something, God will bless you as you read this simple truth.. . . .

victor, miami, Fl, USA

I think it's interesting that the Protestant faiths are being called off-shoots and defectors, when "the Church" as the original apostles saw it wasn't an organization until the Catholic Church was stared many years after they had all died. The Catholic Church has perverted the definition of the term to mean some hierarchy of mediators and overlords, which is not in any way Biblical.

The true Church is the collection of believers that have given their lives and hearts to Christ ever since his resurrection. But that truth doesn't lend itself to power-hungry bishops. The Catholic Church only has power if people believe that they have to go through them.

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" -1 Timothy 2:5

Eric, Temecula, California

The bullies speak once again and show their true colours .
As they are in danger of losing South America they realise that they are losing the battle and are trying their age old scaring tactics to frighten the poor and uneducated into submission .

Now we are to believe Jesus chose this mob to lead us into Heaven . Heaven help us .

I suggest they try to read the bible and gain a better understanding of its meaning and then perhaps their billions of pounds of treasures can be used to good use .

These nutters actually think they are god and I for one will celebrate the fact I have avoided the brainwashings that other comments here seem to suggest . I hope god shows mercy for crimes .

jim, helensburgh, scotland

Roman Catholic Church is imperialistic, dictatorship type of state, rather then church. During the history it committed many crimes, even genocide (Byzantium, inquisition, WW II...) in the "name of the God!
Is that really church at all?

Ron, Ann Arbor, US

Well what do you expect him to say?
"Oh, we're just one of the crowd.
No different from the others.
Go ahead, do your own thing and pretend we're not here' ?"

Gerard Mulholland, Paris, France

If we had NO religions then the world would be a safer, friendlier and less violent place. There would also be less AIDS as people would be free to use condoms and there would be less of a population problem as people could use birth control and abortions, there would also be quicker medical advances as no religion would stand in the way of progress, there would have been less wars, no suicide bombers, there would be less wars, there would be no sectarian violence and the wealth of the religious bodies could be distributed over the developing nations to house, clothe and feed the people these establishments CLAIM to help.

Religion was invented to give man meaning and reason in this expanding "scary" world (which was then abused to wage war and oppress). We no longer need it to explain why we are here (we will never know) or why the sun sets. All holy books have been written by man and so MAY have been changed to suit needs of the time.

No religion = safer, happier planet

Graeme, Edinburgh,

The head of the church is Jesus and if youre a christian you should be able to approch God through Jesus Christ who is the head of His church . The popes proclamation does not affect the growth of the church and the proclamation of the gospel which is salvation to the world . Trying to argue his point is a distraction at best as christians outside the roman cathlic faith do not need the roman catholic validation. . The new testament validates that there was a church before the "roman catholic church" and its validity is adherence to the scripture of faith and salvation in the lord jesus christ. this church is growing vibrant and doing the work of the ministry .

steve, london, uk

Jesus said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan," when Peter was asserting his will against Jesus'. Looking at the history of the church to the present, I think it's safe to assume all popes exhibit the character of this moniker rather than rocks on which the church was built.

George, New York, USA/NY

Why should the Catholic church bend in the politically correct wind? The Pope is simply stating that his church is the only true way. As do many other religious leaders with regards to their own beliefs. The pope isn't into celebrating diversity, his job is to promote the Roman Catholic creed. If you don't believe, fine. If you do, you have a strong leader who isn't prepared to compromise and crumble at the insistence of outsiders.

Brett , Manchester, UK

People nobody is trying to get you to come back to catholic church that is your choice. Henry the VIII started his own church because he wanted more wifes, Luther was a monk that when crazy and started his church and so on and so on. but the catholic church has been here almost 2000 years and it still will be here when all of you are gone. Bless our Pope for speaking the truth.

Rick, Houston,

What a great Pope we have! And the more he proclaims the truth, the more riled become the opposition. Just look at these comments. Jesus suffered the same fate: the more he spoke the truth, the more angry the crowds became until, eventually, they crucified him. The Catholic Church is not called the 'body of Christ' for no reason.

Ted, Monte, Italy

I find so many of these comments simply amazing. No wonder the entire West is in the mess that it is today with the end result that the modern day secularists has completely underminded the West's idea of right and wrong and logic. What we see from too many of these comments is the self-hatred of the very civilization that gave the world the most incredible beauty. As Hillaire Belloc said: "Europe is the Faith (Catholicism) and the Faith is Europe." Without the Catholic Civilization for 1500 years Europe would never have developed into the GREATEST CIVILIZATION that the world has ever known. What the world needs today much more than sincerity is TRUTH and only the Roman Catholic Church can provide that TRUTH and She is the SOLE bulwark against the horrors of Mohammedanism which is sweeping the West. It was the Catholic Church which stopped the hoirdes at Tours, at Lepanto & at the very gates of Hell. Pray that she can do so again or we are all doomed in this life!

Steve , Phoenix, Arizona USA

Hey, there is nothing new here. Same old stuff. Anyone who thought any different is only kidding themselves. The True Church founded by Christ is the Roman Catholic Church. Protestants are just that, protestors. If thats what they want to do, then they should not kid themselves. For 1500 years, they believed the same stuff as the Catholics, then they got all kinds of ideas on what THEY wanted Christ to say and built 23000 sects and counting.
Its kind of funny watching one denomination calling another a cult (evangelicals vs mormons or jehova's witnesses). Where do they get their standard? Their interpretation of the bible? How can they say its any better than anyone elses?
Any basic Christianity or 'orthodoxy' is based on the Catholic Church, the only one that has been around since the beginning. Simple.

Goofy for God, San Antonio, TX, USA

As an atheist I have always considered that if I am proved wrong, and there is a god and an afterlife, then he (or more likely she) will have the good sense to realise that the real issue is not what you believe (or claim to believe) but how you live. I am absolutely certain that if there is a heaven it will contain just as many pagans, Muslims, Jews, Buddists etc as it has Christians! Why would a good god deny access to her presence to those who have led blameless lives without having felt it necessary to adhere to a formal religion? As for only Catholics being part of a true church - stuff and nonesense!

Kevin, Kent,

16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. 20 Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16

PT Murphy, Co Kildare, Ireland

We are thankful for the Pope's honesty and consistency with historic R/C dogma. The Petrine *theory* is alive and well at the Vatican. It was mysterious when Rome began to call Protestant *heretics* the "separated brethren" (Vatican II). Many of us simply believed that Rome had put on a more seductive dress by using such condescending language. Martin Luther believed that hell it self most likely existed directly under Rome (hopefully his thought here was metaphorical - but his concern for a departure from NT Christianity was real). As a student of Scripture for some thirty years, I spent a few days in Rome quite recently - yes, we visited the Vatican. I had been convinced by Scripture that the Roman Catholic Church had admitted many heresies/inventions in her teaching - but was more convinced than ever through first hand observation that Rome's failure to be teachable in the 16th century has left her what she is, an apostate expression of "Christianity."

Howard Eames, Kansas City, Missouri

Ralph from Charlotte. So it's ok for the Pope (who, granted, has studied for years) to criticize other Christian faiths, whose leaders have also studied for years, but it's not ok for us to criticize the pope? Like Chris said - we have to be Biblical. And Mark from Houston - casting out of demons, speaking in tongues, etc CAME FROM CHRIST HIMSELF. Yes, I'm in love with God!!!!! And I'm proud of it! The Pope should read his Bible. We, as Christians, are not allowed to judge. Blessings.

Leigh, Pretoria, South Africa

Consider:
1 Cor 10 v 4: Christ is the rock-mass, not Peter.
Col 1v 17,18: Christ is the head of his congregation
Matt 28 vs 19,20 : all true christians to be preachers of the Good News, not just a clergy class.
John 13v 35: Christ identified his followers would have love amongst themselves.
Luke 10v 27: true followers of Christ would love their neighbour.
Matt 24v36: Jesus admitted he had less knowledge of future events than his father, so they could not be the same.
Eze 18v 4: the soul dies, it is not immortal.
The Catholic church has adopted teachings that were first taught and believed in ancient Babylon, such as the trinity and the immortality of the soul as well as adopting European pagan traditions such as the Easter celibrations and the birth of the "sun" on the 25th December . The catholic and protestant churches have supported both sides in two World Wars which killed tens of millions, not exactly love of neighbour. Read your bible and decide if the RC church is true

BPS, Kent , England

After reading through these comments it is clear that a large majority of people who give their opinion are in fact so ignorant of what they are talking about that they just make the issue worse by preaching their hate, and their own prejudices.

For all who say that they have a 'personal' relationship with Jesus, if you really want to get personal, get to the Catholic Church. There you will find the body and blood, soul and divinity, of Christ, present at every Mass. You can't get much more personal than that.

For those who think they can live without Christ, you need to change. And you should before it's too late.

There are only a few people who really hate the Catholic Church. The rest hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church.

When you are dealing with issues that regard your eternal state, get over the problems you have, deal with your issues and get into the Church. One day it will be too late.

Jay, St Albans, UK

Well, every church believes it is the only right church.

Wouldn't be much point in having a church if you felt otherwise.

gb, Austin, USA

I was Catholic but left that church when the Catholic church was more interested in protesting war and defending Islam than calling evil just that. Oh, and then that whole pedophile priest thing. War against terror= wrong. Priests raping little boys=protection.

Jim Madison, Ames,, IA, USA

The time has come when the whole world will realize The full Fatima Secret has foretold that The Triumph Of The Immaculate Heart Of Mary Thru The Consecration Of Russia In union with all The Catholic Bishops will bring peace to the world and the world shall recognize that it was thru Our Blessed Mother Mary's Interccetion. Noone will be confused anymore, The Roman Catholic Church IS the ONE, TRUE CHURH OF CHRIST.

Gloria, san antonio, texas

Strange. My Bible says that Christianity was started originally in Israel by Christ. And it is “difficult to see how the title of ‘Church’ could possibly be attributed to" the Roman church, seeing how a NEW covenent was made by God to his people, writing His laws in our hearts, and doing away with the priesthood. If you insist on having a priesthood and saints to "intercede" with God for you, then of what use was Christ's sacrifice?

The Blood of Christ forever covers our sins, and he is our intercessor with God. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit. No priesthood is needed. Not to mention the direct commandments to call no man "father," or worship any graven images. Why follow the traditions of men, and ignore the comandments of God?

William B, Las Cruces, USA / NM

I'm a Roman Catholic, for B.16 to say that the Roman Chuch is the only true church undermines the documents of the Second Vatican Council and is a return to the reformation and the Council of Trent. It's an outrage and politically insensitive. Sounds a lot like his little speech in Germany regarding Isalm. He needs a touch of reality.

Ralph Pinto, Shohola, USA PA.

In fact it is very simple on this occasion! No person or community can have an identity without there being a way of identifying it.

To be a Catholic is to believe that the Pope is the descendent of St. Peter, to whom, in the Gospel, God gives the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. When God meets Man, he teaches him about divine authority. It is also true that the greatest way that He did this was by dying on the cross. And it is also true that at the last supper he instituted mass and the eucharist.

I am a Catholic and I say respect me for this reason: if I am not allowed to be a Catholic, and if the Pope is not allowed to be a Catholic, then you will find the same dark forces preventing you from being an Anglican or Presbytarian or Methodist etcetera etcetera.

Also, the better the different sections can define themselves to one another, the greater is the possibility of unity which is first and foremost a unity of hearts expressing a reality of love for God and neighbour.

Piers Cadell, Wiltshire,

its funny how protestants always mention that the catholic church is losing members and that church is going to die out. let me tell you tha that we are the largest church in the world and will and always will be the largest church and also the only true church.

We have been here almost 2000 years and when it will always will be here.

rick, rome,

"But I can show the trophies of the apostles. For if you will go to the Vatican or to the Ostian way, you will find the trophies of those who laid the foundations of this church."
[Gaius, fragment in Eusebius' "Church History",2:25(A.D. 198)

Francis, Vancouver,

"These claims cannot be justified, biblically, or historically, yet they have been used not only to divide Christians but to persecute them and put them to death. "

I actually laughed out loud that someone could say that with a straight face. What part of any religious superstitution can be justified in any way? It is, by definition, a faith. Which means it cannot be proved . Which means no nonsensical idea can be 'the right way' whilst another is 'the wrong way'.

You're all wrong and dangerous. Very very dangerous.

It's all nonsense: anyone who cares what these religious fanatics have to say is a fool.

Nicholas Ord, Guildford, UK

Well...., that's the problem when you have a guy talking on behalf of 1 billion people. I think he believes what he is saying and many catholics also do, but I think that many catholics don't. Usually this kind of declarations are made by people that are unsecure with their situation. It was funny to find out that my church is a "private" one that is affected by wounds just because we don't have the bishop of Rome as the boss. I am orthodox and as an orthodox I could never say that someone (christian or not) outside my church is not going to be saved. We think only God knows, we just have our duties as orthodox (orto=straight, dox=faith).
keep hoping!

adrian, Bucharest, Romania

To all those RCs claiming authenticity because their popes can trace direct lineage to Peter:

Luke 3:8 "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham."

CW, KL, Malaysia

If only Roman Catholics are allowed into heaven, how bad can hell be?

Harter Jackson , Springfield, usa ohio

I wonder what Tony Blair's thinking now?

This is surely another fine example of the daftness of The "Holy Roman Catholic Church".

What a joke.

Jack , austin, TX, usa

It is quite extraordianry how appallingly disturbed and meglomaniacal sclerotic old men become when they get power or as they hang on to it: Ceasesceu, Mao Tse Tung, Muagbe, and many others; Pope Bendict 16 is just one in a long line; they all get worse as they get older, as their arteries harden and as they start to believe they have all the answers and we should all dance to their tune. Fortunately so far as most of us are concerned this old man in the Vatican can prattle all he likes as he has no power over any apart from those who decide to allow him it. Who cares what another self-important aged old man thinks?

W Burke, Peterborough, UK

I thought Mohammedanism (aka 'Islam') was supposed to be the ONE TRUE religion. Or was that last week?

Now, a religion that promised 'eternal salvation or your money back', would be really worth considering.

L.W., Montevideo, Uruguay

This is all Emperor Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus Constantine's fault. Popularly known as Constantine I, first Christian Roman Emperor, his Edict of Milan in 313 A.D. put an end to institutionalized persecution of Christians in the Empire.

Now the Pope can say whatever he likes to say. Who can do what about it? No one. Nothing. That is power. If only the church can pay reparations to all the poor people of the world who have been exploited by colonialists who came them with the bible in one hand and a gun in the other, then the polemics about one faith being better than the other, at least from the African perspective for example, would be inconsequential.

Wanaku, Maplewood, MN, US

We all know Jesus is coming back and we'll all know Him, he said so - but what if he decided to come back for just one visit to one church.
The Vatican? A Billy Graham Crusade? A mega church in Texas or South Korea? A store front church serving sandwiches to the homeless?A group welcoming gay folks in love? That's the Church I want to belong to.

Joan, Shelton, USA/connecticut

They're still upset about Luther and all those indulgences they lost. I wonder how many of Luther's 95 Theses still apply today? I'll have to go through them. I'll send the pertinent ones to the Vatican as a reminder. As an aside, there are quite a few fundamentalists that believe the city in Revelation refers to the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican.

John, Stoughton, Wisconsin USA

Well, This said by a church that has a lot of blood on its hands. At least the Baptists did not ever have a policy of murdering people who would not convert. The Catholic Church gave up the gospel of Christ long ago. Especially when it got into banking.

Joe, Flowery Branch, Georgia (USA)

This makes me think of what I have always heard of the Catholic Church, that they think they have the truthful picture. Newsflash..The Pope is just a Man. Salvation comes thru Christ alone, not thru a man, or saints, or the Virgin Mary. If being in the "True Church" means believing alot of untruths, then I guess I'm bound for somewhere other than Heaven. Course, truth be known, I guess if I have to be Catholic, then I'll choose Roman Catholic, cause I roaming as far from Catholic as I can get. Non-catholic Christian, and thankful for it. BTW, I want the Pope hat, it would make a great lampshade.

John, Dallas,

As an anglican convert to catholicism (i.e. swimming the tyber) I want to contribute my two cents. Every church believes it is correct or that there are such defects in exisitng churches that they need to break away. If protestants belive in ecumenism then why have anglicans and methodists-and church of christ never merged only 26% per cent of U.S. Catholics do the bare minimum which is to attend weekly mass only catholicism places a higher bar via the catechism for what God expects of his creatures only the Catholic Church has individuals such as St. Bernadette whose dead bodies are incorrupt where are the muslim/protestant incorrupt bodies?only the catholic church has individuals with stigmata where are the orthodox/protestant only the catholic church has the appartions at Medjugorjie and fatima in only the catholic church do you find daily the offering of the holy sacrifice of the mass (how many protestants can explain the lanciano miracle?)

Ted, chicago, USA

Protestants should not be so thin-skinned to be offended by Pope Benedict's statement. As a Christian, I am no more offended by his comments than I am when Gordon Hinckley calls me sectarian or when Muslim Imams call me an infidel. I know what the Bible says and I am secure in my salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the only path to salvation. Christians should not embrace ecumenical-ism at the expense of that truth. These religions' beliefs are in conflict. Each one of them claims to be true but they cannot all be true. Only one of them is true. That isn't "intolerant" it's just simple sentential logic.

Don H., Pittsburgh, PA, USA

I find it hard to believe that someone who lives in extreme luxury with multiple residences surrounded by hundreds of millions of dollars worth of art can claim to be the supreme head of the only true church of Christ. Jesus fought his whole life against the Jewish religious establishment. Jesus did not have a multi-billion dollar empire, just disciples who left everything they owned to follow him. He told his followers that they had to give away all they owned and follow him it they wanted to enter the kingdom of heaven. Mother Teresa embodied the spirit of Jesus on earth. The Roman Catholic Church and the Pope certainly do not.

Alex Miller, Toronto, Canada

The Catholic church is the most populous false church and cult in the history of Christ's kingdom on earth. It has murdered more true Christians than any other institution.
It's idolatrous nature condones terrible heresies that deny the true gospel of Christ. It has elevated church doctrine above the word of God. It has force an unnatural celibacy on priests, promoted a cheap grace that never teaches repentance, enforces a structure of priesthood and laity, contrary to true doctrine
This false church has been used by Satan to promote backlash against God's people.
Though there are true Christians in this institution the Holy Spirit calls His true children out of this darkness into a salvation through the true priesthood of the whole body of Christ, according to the Word of God

Michael-Jay, Concord, , California

The Pope is playing churchianity. Jesus wants us to worship Him and follow what the Bible says. Not what some pompous guy in a white robe says. If the Pope was really saved, he would know this. He seeks the power of the church not the power of Jesus.

Carol Sublet, Lakehead, USA/CA

The Bishop of Rome has no jurisdiction in this realm of England (from Article 38 of the CofE)

So you can keep your roman catholicism and your pope.
No Pope Here

Vic, Whitby,

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at all these grown ups arguing over who's fairy tale is real! If you want the answer ask Richard Dawkins!

Steve, Swansea, UK

So the Antichrist has for once been honest in his statements. No true Protestant could recognize Rome as a true church whilst it maintains so many errors. Good for Joseph!

John Brew, Tacna, Peru

I am a Secular Humanist with little time for religion and am enjoying this. Religion arose to control people. If you don't like it leave and practice whatever is more convenient. Henry VIII wanted divorce, today people want contraception, sex outside marriage and abortion. So they broke with the Catholic church. Few would disagree that some life guidelines are good thing, eg: don't kill people. All Benedict is saying is that to follow the Catholic church you need to follow more demanding guidelines than those who want the above freedoms. In the US for example just a few people can differ with their 'church', they get a cross, guitar and school hall once a week, over coffee they say Christian type things and call it 'church'. Being seen to attend is the paramount event. As for the those to whom Benedict refers and with a mandate directly from Peter, he finds the notion of their calling themselves 'churches' a bridge to far. Just as I find with coffee, cake and guitar 'churches'.

Ian, Newcastle, UK

This is just another example of why so many people are sick and tired of "religious people". I have been raised in the church all my life and have read the Bible many times, but no where have I found Jesus naming a particular religion as the "right" one. As long as the church preaches the true word of God and lifting Jesus as the true messiah and the only way to salvation, then that is a true church. Focus on being like Christ and not on the denomination.

Chris, Grand Prairie, Texas

The pope is correct ... Christ established but one church. But he also established only one priest, Himself.

Any clergy, including the pope, who attempt to intervene between Christ and His church is the thief who came in over the wall.

Reg Hearn, Shelton, WA

The Catholic faith has led many people away from Christianity by the examples of their paedophile priests and the nuns who run convents with iron hands. Christianity is all about the Love of God, not about a list of dos and donts. Catholic worship idols, you just have to go in a Catholic church and be surrounded by them. Somehow Jesus is left out. God sees the heart and Jesus said if you want to be first, be last. I came to serve not to be served. Those who follow Jesus must have a servant heart. It is just another organisation that is all about power, greed and riddled with corruption. There are always cover ups. It is no different to the outside world. Chritianity is a daily spiritual walk with the Living God,. God said unless you invite the Holy Spirit in your heart, Jesus will not come in. Those who worship Me must worship in Spirit and in Truth. The pope is interested in dividing the Body of Christ. I dont believe this man has the Mind of Christ.

Virginia, Brisbane, Australia

Robert in Glasgow-FYI Scotland has been a proud Presbyterian country since the time of reformation when the RC Church was forcibly evicted by our forefathers. Although the Roman faith made a comeback in the late 19th century due mainly to Irish immigrataion, nevertheless Presbyterianism remains one of Scotland's defining national attributes. To describe the Presbyterian CoS as being a "Scottish version of the CofE "is highly offensive-do you script write for Ratzinger per chance? If you are Scottish you should know that wars were fought on this very issue- and yes you bhoys lost those as well!

Iain, Paisley, Scotland

Truth is truth is truth full stop end of discussion. Truth is so true its blasphemy to even discuss it period. All the people here debating the truth WILL spend eternity in a fiery pit. In fact I dont think I should even be discussing it. oh well I guess I will see you all there.

The wise man, UK,

In view of the mutual slaughter of Shia and Sunni in Iraq, the Pope's comments are utterly indefensible. Now is not the time for sectarian rivalry amongst Christians...

Paul, Columbia, USA

Well the pope is a doctor of spin. The real church is the people. All religions, including the Catholic religion, are man-made, not ordained by God. Religions have cut and paste parts of the gospel to fit their doctrines. By doing that, they have called God a liar. Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written,... You don't need to "join" a religion to "find God". In fact, no one "finds God", God reveals himself to you and by his grace, leads you to him. If you are feeling like suddenly you need God in your life, pick up a bible and start reading. Learn the 10 commandments, be honest with yourself and see how many you have broken. Then ask God to forgive you, repent and believe. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mary, Albany, USA

Roger makes the statement, "There is only one way out...ditch following religions and focus on humanism." Would that be the humanism of Chairman Mao, Stalin, or Castro? The historicity of Christianity is well established following the resurrection of Jesus with over 500 contemporary witnesses. Even Encyclopedia Brittanica states that these eyewitnesses cannot be charged with fraud. That a firm belief based on first hand knowledge of the resurrection is the foundation of Christianity cannot be argued. Those who deny this truth have to invent other reasons why Christianity exists. As to succession of Apostles and which is the true church, I would suggest reading The Church History by Eusebius published in 325, in the public domain at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.toc.html. This work was written before there was a Pope in Rome and when Christianity was truly catholic (universal). DaVince Code fans would also learn the true history of Christianity.

Arlan, Quakertown,

I'm trying to figure out how Mohammed fits into that equation, Ian Hill.

starling, Lancaster,

Shock! Horror! Head of the Catholic church thinks his faith is best! Who’d have thought it, eh?

And with regard to his being a Nazi, the Pope was a member of the Hitler Youth in the same way that every other German boy at the time was forced to be. I don’t suppose he really had much say in the matter.

MS, London, England

Good for the Pope! What is the Anglican Church but an instituion created to satisfy the whims of a crude self-ordained ruler who probably didn't have the legal right to call himself king anyway. If the Queen had a pair she would recognize this and rejoin the only true Church. As for the other splinters, they too were based on a convenience. Shams, all of them.

Art Ocone, Vero Beach, Florida

Of course Anglicanism is a proper Church. It's a Church of barmy Anglicans who think they can reach an agreement with the Catholics. Catholics believe in an unelected infallible leader, in religion it's the Pope, in politics it's the European Commission. It's not the English way of religion or of government, we should go our separate ways in both.

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

In one week the Pope has managed to insult all non-Catholic Christians, all Jews by re-instating the Latin Mass without deleting the Good Friday prayer that describes Jews as blind to the truth of Christianity, and as we all know, he did a good job of hindering rapprochement with Islam a wee while back. It's a pity another JPII could not be found, because this chappie has all the subtlety of George W.

GM, Poznan, Poland

I am not surprised at the pope's statement.They are losing followers heavily in South America and Africa to Evangelicals.Maybe it's an attempt to stop this haemorrhaging, and retain members, or else they are going to find themselves irrelevant with a few years.
I also find it funny that the fruits of the so called 'one true church' includes some of the most wicked things to have occured on earth including Paedophilia on a mass scale,inquisitions,crusades,Anti-semitism,pogroms against jews in eastern europe,asylum for nazis,Magdalene laundries, and so on...

gabe, Dublin,

Well obviously the pope is going to say this, you cant be the leader of a religion that is constantly looking to gain believers and say "be our religion, because its the only religion thats right, but the others are good too, thats fine" What do you expect him to say? Lets all be muslims?!

Christy Malyan, Welling, Bexley, UK

I'm reminded of an old saying...'Many people believe there are Gods and some or all of them may be correct. However as none know with certanity there is a God or Gods, never trust anyone who tells you they know.'

bill, airdrie,

As a Roman Catholic, I am completely astonished! How can my Church (or what I used to believe was my Church) state all that stuff? We can't forget that Protestant CHURCHES was born in reply to an unbereable situation of curruption in the Roman Catholic Church!!!
And above all: "For where two or three be gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20)
Did Benedict XVI missed that???

Maurizio, Milan, Italy

A strange interpretation of the Bible - didn't the apostles always say that they never placed themselves above the common man? The early church was scattered all over the place, there was definitely no pope and they certainly didn't all look to Peter for guidance. They weren't bound by tradition and form of ceremony, or under the leadership of a man. They were held together by the gospels and the Spirit - God's true presence on earth.

Meg, Pembs,

I would propose that all religions think exactly the same, even if they don't always say it. Similarly, the basis for each religion knowing the 'true' god is equally pulled out of their a**es (and never based on reason or evidence where people regardless of the accident of the location of their birth could come to a consensus.)

Sarah Jennings, London, uk

At last, our Pontiff Benedict XVI, the successor of St Peter, has stated a truth that our own pusillanimous hierarchy in England and Wales have been afraid to utter for decades.

Fact : Our Lord Jesus Christ founded His Church on St Peter, from whom all subsequent popes have maintained an unbroken Apostolic Succession.

Fact : At the time of the Reformation, the English Church chose to break this succession, thereby entering into schism, which is maintained to this day.

One does not achieve ecumenism by compromise - you cannot compromise revealed truth.

Habemus Papam magnum - Deo Gratias !

John Sales, Colchester, United Kingdom

As Pope Benedict XVI well knows, since he taught at the University of Tubingen (Germany) with Professor Hans Kung, there is no canonical, historical or theological basis for the primacy of the Bishop of Rome in the Christian Church. By his most recent edict, it is with the deepest regret that I can only conclude he has effectively brought the ecumenical movement to a precipitate halt. Orthodox, Protestant and Anglican churches all over the world should now stop fraternal dialogue with the Church of Rome until it once again comes to its senses. Pope Benedict may lecture Tony Blair, a candidate for entry to the Church of Rome, on British and American imperialism in Iraq but this latest announcement demonstrates beyond a shadow of a doubt that Rome's lust for spiritual and temporal power remains unquenched. This is indeed a sad day for Christianity.

Dr David Green, Athens, Greece

If the Pope believes the Catholic church is the only true church due to teachings from the bible... then why does the Catholic church use a different 10 commandments to the ones cited in the Bible?
Simple answer... because they take what they want out of Gods word in order to make themselves more powerful.

There IS a commandment that says 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me' meaning you should not worship or pray to idols. Yet worshiping idols is a cornerstone to the Catholic church. In taking this commandment out.. they simply split the 'Thou shalt not convet' one into two... wife and possessions.

Tell me please... how is this following the apparently one true religion spoken of by God through his holy book?

Sarah, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Thank God 2000 years of Christians focused on Peter and not on Judas. The first scandal started with Judas. People sin. The Catholic Church is holy because Christ is holy - not because of even one of It's members. John Henry Cardinal Newman ( a convert to Catholicism) said, "to be steeped in history is to cease to be Protestant". As a convert to Catholicism myself, I second this statement. If everyone who chooses to throw stones would learn TRUE history, and not the smear campaign that's been thrown at The Catholic Church, you would see the truth in Pope Benedicts words. Christ's prayer was that we be "one", as He and The Father are one. The Catholic Church ( "Roman" Catholicism is just one "rite" of Catholicism) has been and still is "one". No where outside of the Catholic Church does this exist. How often did Jesus choose "political correctness" and "people's feelings" over truth? Learn your history, people.

Susan, Elizabeth,

I wonder if the Pope, with all his linguistic expertise, knows that, in the Spanish language, Protestants, Anglicans etc are called 'Cristianos', but Catholics are not . 'Cristiano' means Christian - 'Follower of Christ'. What does that make Catholics?

Ray, Leeds,

“The Most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews, heretics, and schismatics can ever be partakers of eternal life, but they are to go into the eternal fire ‘which was prepared for the devil and his angels’ (Mt. 25:41) unless before death they are joined with Her; and that so important is the unity of this Eucharistic Body , that only those remaining within this unity can profit from the sacraments of the Church unto salvation, and that they alone can receive an eternal recompense for their fasts, almsdeeds, and other works of Christian piety and duties of a Christian soldier. No one, let his almsgiving be as great as it may, no one, even if he pour out his blood for the Name of Christ, can be saved unless they abide within the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.” The Doctrine of "Nulla Salus ex Cathedra" (outside the Catholic Church, there is no salvation) infallibly stated!

Steven Dean, New York City, New York, USA

The Roman Catholic church may claim to be the one true church, but if you are a believer and accept the teachings of the Lord Jesus then the one true church is your heart and soul.

Brian, Porto, Portugal

I grew up in the Catholic church, I have left in favor of the evangelical movement. Because I noticed glaring inconsistencies with their traditions and the Bible. Some things I found troubling; the doctrines of papal infallibility, transubstantiation, the overt pagan elements of worship (justified as devotion to Mary and the saints), sexually repressive demands upon the clergy. purgatory, and a works based salvation plan.
I am slightly surprised by the Pope's open admission of what has always been the church's position. This is nothing new, it's just been brought into the light. And it will harm the church's efforts toward ecumenism.

Ryan Krafft, Port Huron , MI

Halleluiah and AMEN! I'm a Bible student & Bible believer. Catholicism is far from a Biblical/apostolic model of the Christian Church. Modernization, ecumenicalism & blending Catholicism with other Christian traditions muddies the water & allures naive people who want the promises of Jesus Christ but don't know the Bible. I'm glad to see Papal assertion of Catholic belief & doctrine. It clarifies between Biblical churches & churches of worldly traditions & idolatry. Don't take my word for it though...look it up in the Bible yourself! Anybody willing to take a serious look at the Bible can see the discrepancies. I am secure in my faith, secure in my personal relationship with the living God & His only begotten Son Jesus Christ who died by crucifixion & rose again the third day to defeat sin & death. I am not offended in the least by the recent Papal decrees, in fact, I'm convinced the decree will separate the wheat from the chaff making spiritual matters easier to discern.

Miss Stacy, Green Bay, WI

1) Trinity is taken from [1 John 5:7 (King James Version)], has been used sometimes to prove that Trinity is taught in the Gospels. The verse says: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one".

2) "Jesus as Son of God" is taken from [John 3:16] has been used to prove that Jesus is Only Son of God. The verse says: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son".

3) "Jesus as God" is taken from [John 10:30] has been used to prove that Jesus is God. The verse says: "I and my Father are one".

Yet, these verses have been removed from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible (RSV) by Christian scholars of the highest eminence backed by cooperating Christian denominations, as it was an interpolation, a later addition to the text of the statement.

John Zain, Mabella, Spain

I am an athiest, but if I was a christian I would be protestant.

Let us just test the Pope's claim to be the heir of Peter. For starters, the papal baton is passed by the election of a new pope by the college of cardinals. It is quite clear that for most of the middle ages this electoral process was rigged by money and influence. How can it credibly be asserted that God would apporve of this and bestow His legitimacy on the chain of succession. It's just stupid.

Secondly, the Catholics can hardly claim to be the oldest church. The orthodox churches were around at the same time as Constantine. The Roman Catholic Chuch, such as it was then, was simply the one with the backing of the State. The fact that the Roman Catholic Church is distinguished as the Church that most appealed to polytheistic Jupiter-worshipers hardly commends it as God's true church.

Thirdly, Roman Catholic Curches are full of wax statues. The old testament god would not have approved.

David, The Hague, Kingdon of the Netherlands

Dear Sir/Ma'am

What great news this is!! great news because ecumenism feeds on vagueness and fudge, with clear thinking and plain speaking being fatal to its cause, so thank you Pope Benedict X1, for speaking plainly, as did your predecessor on Maundy Thursday 2003, stating in the clearest possible terms, that non-Roman Catholics have no right to eat at his altar, and that Roman Catholics must stop attending Protestant Communions. At the same time, he reasserted the doctrine of the real presence, that is transubstantiation. He also repeated that only priests "in the Apostolic succession" may conduct a mass.

So now, the ecumenists know where they stand. Rome will not have their fudges. Give her the "Abrahamic faith" (sic) of Islam any day, but not Protestants, ecumenical or otherwise.

Barry Holroyd, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

Actually, it is not the case that most Christians up to Luther considered the Pope to possess any real supremacy over the Church. The Orthodox position is quite clear: Rome is one of the five patriarchal seats, and has no authority in or of itself to define doctrine. This is a matter for the Council of the Church as a whole, when the Holy Spirit will descend to inspire the assembled bishops. Technically, Rome has been, is, and will presumably continue to be in heresy on this important point. Despite Laura's claims, the succession of the church from Christ on was not assigned to Rome as exclusive or authoritative intermediary or definer of doctrine. This is a reinterpretation by later Popes, who are hardly neutral on this point. Naturally, when Rome recognizes the orthodox position, repents, and confesses the truth of Christianity, it can be received back into the Christian fold which it violently, schismatically, and heretically chose to leave.

Nick, Boston, MA

At last the Roman Catholic Church is showing its true colours. Nothing has changed in their beliefs since the Reformation. It has only changed its tactics. What they could not achieve through force they are now achieving through stealth.

There will soon come a time just before Jesus (the Son of God the creator) returns, when there will only be two 'churches' on this earth. One with the Pope as its head and the other with Jesus as the head. We all have to decide which one we are going to join.

We should not dismay at this document because it indicates that what the Bible says about the end time is true.

Jerry, Westbury,

I believe that the Pope must not have read the Bible very closely. God's own word said that EVERYONE (That includes the POPE) has fallen short (sinned). There is therefore no unfallible individual on this earth.

Romans 3:22-23 "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:22-23

John 3:16 " For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16

Gods word (The Bible) tells us not to follow this man or that man, but to follow God's words and instructions as well as Christs example. This word of God did not make any exclusion for the Pope.

Warren Toles, Clearwater Bay, Canada

Pope Ratzinger is consistent with his condemnation of relativism on his first Papal speech. No one should be surprised about his position: if one believes in one indisputable "truth" then there is no room for interpretation. It follows that there could only be one "true" Church! Often one wonders whatever happened to the spirit and word of the man of Nazareth whose 'sin' against the establishment was to argue that God loves us all whoever we are and wherever we come from. I thought that this also meant that the one theological truth is that God loves us all equally. If after 2000 years we are still splitting hairs about the "true church of Christ", then maybe one must be reminded that it is quite absurd to claim that Jesus of Nazareth was Catholic, or Anglican or Orthodox or ... As someone brought up as a Catholic, I cannot help wondering what John Paul I (Albino Luciani) would have made of Ratzinger's stand. It's a pity the man only lasted just over 30 days as Rome's bishop!

John, New York, USA

Ken, Minnesota.

You're absolutely right. All of the other main religions date back to before the time of Mohammed the Prophet, who was born, oh, a few years before Jesus was even a twinkle in the archangel's eye.

You remember the story about the parting of the sea? That's the one.

Do you think the Pope would challenge China & Japan because they're not Catholic? Or do you think Italy would wave their famous war flag again - the one like the French one of the white cross on a white background...

Liz, Gutersloh, Germany

Mr. Ratzinger (the person also known as Pope). Who do you think you are claiming that you are above all others? No person is above any other. Pitty to those that believe you and follow you...

Panayiotis Christofi, London,

One of the risks of the academic life is the tendency towards time wasting knit picking as a means of self aggrandisement. There is always a substantial danger that when one speaks out it is more in an attempt to impress colleagues that to ease the lot of the common man. This latest infallibility would seem to be a case in point.
As a catholic youngster I was taught that Christ said "Unless thou be as little children and come unto me thou shall not enter the Kingdom of heaven"
(thats about simplicity)
And that a church may be defined as a community gathered together for the purpose of worship.
(thats about simplicity)
And again supposedly from Christ's own lips that "Wherever two or more of you are gathered together in my name there I am"
(thats about simplicity too)
Simple stuff but then truth usually is.
No doubt about it Christiansmay well belong to Christ, religion on the other hand lies firmly in the boney grasp of man.

kevin Sheridan, Cape Town,

While reading this story I couldn't help wishing that Monty Python was standing nearby with pen in hand writing furiously.
Makes me glad that I gave up all religious nonsense years and years ago. I must admit though that it did start off my day with a nice chuckle. Thank you Times

Shirley Hodge, Glasgow, UK

I'm sure my late father would be interested to know that the Presbyterian ministry he served for 40 years was seemingly irrelevant. Now, apparently, I can't get a break from converting to the Episcopal (Anglican) church - it's *still* irrelevant!

From where I sit - and it's what I absorbed as a child - was that the Roman Catholic Church was just another "brand" of church - like Methodist, or Baptist. I realize that that is an over-simplification, but still - I can't help feeling that way.

I understand that the Pope has a great big church in Rome and a fancy car and lots of minions. There's something else he has: absolutely no clue!

John, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

No wonder it took Ian Paisley so long to come round to making a deal with the RC's-respect to you Ian-you have shown us Protestants are more "christian" than the Catholics.

Mike Brown, Bath, UK

This sort of eclesiasticle mischief making together with the two most intolerant, extemist religions (Roman Catholicism and Islam), both apparently worshipping the same God and in their separate times sponsors of the most extreme terrorism are not going to interest me in their religions

Born a Christian
Developed through the process of thought into an Agnostic.
Now a fully committed Heretic and a much better more tolerant person.

Keep your thoughts in Rome PAPA, they are not valued here.

John Snow, Thetford, England

I am amazed that more people didn't not see the hand writing on the wall. the fact that the new pope was elected in the first place tells you where they intend to or should I say approve how the this religious system should perpetuate itself. If you contruct a system based on human foundations it must remain at a distant from other men and women of god, to not do so whould invite wholesale disection of it's doctrine, it's man made and driven worship of a system that Christ would have cleared the temple of in his days on earth. And the poor Anglicans, Canon so & so. Let's have some discernment here boys. Where are the gifts of the spirit in operation. We are not powerless against the workings of the FLESH and all it's manifestations.
Is it true that in England very few people go to church? Is it true most church building set empty. Forget the pope, what about a revival and retoration of the work of the Spirit of the Lord building the kingdom of heaven on earth.

Gregory Van leer, Sr., woodbury, MN, USA

I see nowhere in scripture where Jesus organized and/or ordained the Roman Church. Neither do I see an office of pope, cardinal, or archbishop. I do not see Mary declared a co-redeemer. I do not see the need to keep any sacraments as a means of "maintaining" grace, nor do I see any thing like Purgatory where one must add to the finished work Jesus did on the cross.
Take it for what it's worth: Jesus is the only way to Heaven, not the Roman Church or any other church or denomination. He says so in John 14:6.
And how do you get there? Read Romans 10:9.

Artie, Fredericksburg, USA/Virginia

I expected an open debate on such issues, especially when the pope pontificates. Not the rabid ideological rabble you were when the Pope wrongly accused Muslims of violence in the middle ages when a goner Byzantium Emperor was about to lose his throne.

Please display some courtesy to the Pope now when the sword falls on you.

billloo bhai, London, UK

This is so distrubing to me, a strong Christian Believer!! I depend on the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me, not a pope.

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour, and also my
SOON COMING KING!!!.

NJC, Abilene, USA, Texas

We are in the FREEDOM-OF-RELIGION age.....The Pope should not be attacked for his comments.

Peter, Lagos, Nigeria

Pope is Catholic shock!

Pope Benedict in a written communication has said he is a Catholic and prefers the teaching of the Catholic church to protestantism.

This shocking announcement has been condemned by all and sundry as further proof that the Catholc church is an inter-galactic power mad conspiracy determined to do as much evil as possible and gain control of everything, everywhere.

As no Catholic anywhere at any time has ever suffered for his faith or led a christian life this pronouncement is evidence, if any were needed, that adherents of that church are either self-serving jesuitical schemers or illiterate peasants in want of protestant truth as invented circa 1530.

How dare this man have a point of view which differs from that of the Archbisop of Canterbury, Richard Dawkins, the National Secular Society and John Knox.

I mean who do these Catholics think they are?

offmyrocker, Brussels,

if there is a god, religion only serves to keep us from him.

although looking around the world I can't say I'm too impressed by either religion or god as both apear remarkably cruel.

jem, london, uk

The Pope is NOT saying that non-Catholics are damned. The Church is clear that ANYBODY can be saved; people of different Christian traditions, different faiths or no faith. Salvation cannot be earned by membership of a Church. Salvation is a gift from God.

It is wrong to suggest that the only difference between the Catholic Church and Protestantism is the authority of the Pope. There are major theological differences. This is about the purity of The Word. Evangelical & Pentecostal churches have very different attitudes to salvation when compared to Catholicism.

The Catholic Church is the only institution which has been in existence for the entire Christian era, since the first Pentacost. All the other churches, other than perhaps Anglicanism, broke with Catholocism not because of arguments about authority but because of different interpretations of scripture. It is different interpretations of scriptural treatment of homosexuality which tears the Anglican Communion apart today.

Simon Allen, Melbourne, Australia

Oh, you have got to be kidding. This is the organization that in the 16th century had courtesans living at the Vatican, legitizimized children (quite freqently the pope's), covered up monsterous sexual abuses,although they did apologize for their stance on the Jews during WW II. I would be making sure my house was in good moral and spiritual order before I claimed to be " Christ's Church" and found others to be lacking. Oh, I forgot, you just go to confession, say the prescribed penance, and you are good to go.

Jeanie, Bethel, USA

Too bad the pope doesn't use his time in authentic Christian works. He could start by counting the untold riches of the RC church....grabbed from the poor over centuries of RC rule....and figure out how they could be returned to the poor of, say,Brazil or Honduras or Tanzania.

And exactly how does this assertion read to the Chinese who were recently assured by Rome that the Vatican wasn't interested in a power struggle there?

ginger, arlington, USA/VA

Churches are established by man to reflect man's perception of what god is. It is rather presumtuous for any man-even a pope, imam, or rabbi- to assume what god wants. As long as people belive in god, it doesn't matter what faith they claim.

The real tragedy is that the church elite are power hungry, and use the guise of faith to perpetuate their biases through their congregations.

bob host, sun prairie, WI, USA

This sort of attitude causes fear, suspicion, prejudice - and genocide. Substitute "Roman Catholic" and "Protestant" for "Sunni" and "Shia" if you need convincing.

Ben, York,

"I could trace it back to the days of "killing" in Jesus name with a bright red cross on their shields. But that was okay, the victims were lowly Muslims"

Yes how did Muslims get into Jerusalem ?

TomTom, Leeds, England

Can't really say anything as I live in Scotland and any anti-RC comments will be construed as sectarianism.

C Dorward, glasgow, Scotland

This is old news. 500 years old. The Roman Catholic church has never retracted anything from the Council of Trent documents which condemn protestantism. Roman Catholocism is a retrogressive institution who has caused great harm to the world through ignorance and superstition. Unfortunately, Pope Benidict has the same bias as every other religious nut; namely, "If you don't believe just like me, you're beliefs are wrong and inferior." He may not advocate violence like muslim terrorists, but his logic is the same. This is not compatible with true democracy.

Ashley Myers, Yakima, WA, USA

this only highlights what groups like the orange order have been trying to tell the more ignorant of the evangelical congregation. catholics dont recognise us as people who believe in god we are heretics. they believe that they eat the body of christ through the wafer and drink the blood of christ through the wine , sounds like ritualistic cannabilism to me

chris jardine, livingston, west lothian

Can't we Christians put aside our petty theological differences and get back to work persecuting atheists and unbelievers ?

Pat, Haren,

As a christian and member of a the Church of Scotland I am quite comfortable in my faith. I try to live my life according to the teachings of Christ and I will be judged by the Lord only.Until then I won't be bothered what some chap in Rome thinks. He is irrelevent to me and I care not a jot for anything he might think.

Dave, Edinburgh, Scotland

What Pope Benedict is saying is nothing new... this has been the Church's stance since the beginning... people who are railing against what they THINK the Church is... clearly do not understand what the Church truly is… Jesus was misunderstood by some during His days as is His Church now... educate yourselves and read the early Fathers of the Church who walked and talked with the original disciples of Christ!!!

“To be deep in history is to cease being a Protestant.“
- Cardinal Newman

Joel, Pensacola, FL/USA

Seventy odd years ago my Protestant late mother was being visited by the local Catholic priest, who was vehemently insisting that because my (lapsed) Catholic father was to be married in a registry office, that the marriage was "not only unacceptable in the sight of God, and that "any children that resulted from this so called union would be rendered illegitimate!"
My mother, (a somewhat forthright women), threw him out of the house into the gutter.

With hindsight I think, a real result!

Keith, Dartmouth, UK

Truth hurts! Protestanism has 30,000 denominations. Bastard childs of Martin Luther.

What good have Protestants brought? Gay rights? Gay marriages? Abortion?

Hal, Washington, DC

The only "True" Church is that which follows Christ. Christ was holy and lived right. Just take a look at RCC's leaders and its followers. While condemning sin, they practice it. Pedophiles, forced celibates, drunkards, fornicators ... i was Catholic once and I know the kind of people who are members. The real Church is marked by people that like as Christ lived. Papal succession is a myth. The RCC is the most corrupt organization on the face of the earth from the top down, not the Church of living God.

Kim Zuber, Chaska, MN

It is a shame that the Pope does not spend more time reading the Word of God, Martin Luther got some of it right Salvation is by Grace Alone thru Faith Alone, but he held on to many of the corrupt traditions of the catholic church. Salvation is exclusive, and the Church is exclusive, Thru the Redemming Blood of Jesus Christ, in His Death and Resurrection, for there is no other name under heaven given amoung men by which we must be save than the name of Jesus (Acts4:12). No church, and no pope can provide a substitute. Peter was only a pebble apon the ROCK which is CHRIST, (as the Greek reads) as Paul later states in his epistle 1Cor3:11.

Mark Frans, Florence, Kentucky, USA

Looks to me as if the Christians are as together as the Sunnis and Shiites.

Jim Tilley, Woronora Heights/Sydney , NSW Australia

Hilarious comment by the RC church considering that there is no biblical justification at all for the existence of the RC church and its institutions. 2000 years of making up rules to justify its wealth and power !

Luther, London, UK

So an 80 year old German vicar doesn't approve of my lifestyle. I think I'll still manage to sleep at night.

Anthony Charlton, Swindon,

do not worship graven imiges
do not worship the dead or bits of them
do not pray to saints,his mother or any person
obey ALL the ten commandments

SO, IF YOU DO ANY OF THE ABOVE YOU ARE A R.CATH.

if you do none of the above you are probebly a true deciple for JESUS CHRIST and a true christian.

SIMPLE IS IT NOT ????

paul robert, nottinghan, england

I do not share his view. I am a Catholic and I believe being a Christian and, as the Commandment has taught us. Love thy neighbours as thyself.
I see no reference in the Bible about the division of Churches. All were followers of Christ.

Steven PHUA, Kuala Belait, Kuala Belait. Brunei

If Crest toothpaste has a campaign that says "If It's Not Crest, It's Not Toothpaste", nobody gets their knickers in a twist.

The Pope is simply striving to create brand identity.

Richard, Boston, US

Whats the problem? The prostastans know that the catholic church thinks that they are not the true church so why such out cry because the pope says they are not the true church many popes have said the same thing. Im glad our holy father has step up and told the prostestants either you are with jesus or you agains him.

Rick, Houston,

If it IS Roman Catholic then it isn't biblical. The Bible says that salvation can ONLY come through Jesus Christ, yet the Catholics say that this is through Mary -- something the Bible makes absolutely no mention of. The New Testament does not mention a pope, but says that we are ALL priests, and that we all have access to God. Both the Pope and the worship of Mary are not biblical. The Church is based upon the Bible, upon the New Testament. Surely the Roman Catholic church isn't the proper church? If the pope can use Bible references to prove his point then perhaps he'll have more success... or perhaps he could re-write the Bible? Perhaps we could all re-write our own Bibles to suit?

Chris, Suffolk, UK

I find it amusing reading all of the comments above. This Pope is one of the most brilliant humans that every walked the planet. People have no comprehension of the amount of study, research, reading thought.....that this man has poored into the faith. Who are we to dare criticize a man of this background? You can comment on the Pope's statements after you have spent your entire life doing the research.

As always, those that condemn the Catholic faith need to first understand it.

ralph, charlotte nc, us

You do wonder how much of this statement is based on actual belief and how much is an attempt to get other denominations' believers' dollars/pounds/euros into their collection plates...

How long until we get adverts based on the old Pepsi ones: "in blind tests 8 out of 10 believers said they preferred Roman Catholicism"? None so blind, eh?

Chris Jackson, London,

Weird.....

I simply cannot find "Roman Catholic Church" in my Bible.....

I see the word 'catholic' used once - meaning 'a group of believers'.....

weren't we warned much about 'teachings of men'?

rory, Highlands Ranch, CO

A German catholic standing in front of a large cross proclaiming “Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Papa”

Something there rings a bell!!

William Prince, Beijing, China

As one of the developed world's overwhelming majority of non-believers, barely-believers and non-attendees this sort of thing just bewilders and amuses me. And it's the thin end of the wedge: if this sort of antiquated attitude is happening now just wait till the world's problems become truly horrendous. The proclamations of sin, repentance, celestial punishment and all the other terrfying expressions of age-old religious authoritarianism will be deafening from church and mosque alike. The Roman Catholic Church in particular is panic-striken about the loss of its First World constituency and would dearly love to turn the clock back 600 years

Chris Thomas, Oxford,

Having taken some time to read the incedible comments posted on here by people, mostly Americans', who have so obviously been indoctrinated into believing that only their brand of religion qualifies as a church it reinforces my adherance to my own protestant doctrines. How dare you bleat such drivel about other peoples faith.

Spend more time in silent reflection and prayer looking for your own salvation. Perhaps when you can call yourselves Christian you will learn some humility.

Dave, Edinburgh, Scotland

Thank God I am not a Christian.

JB Winterburn, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Such Tweedledee/Tweedledum parrying between the Roman Catholic Church and the other Christian groups over who is the most faithful follower of the Christian myth makes me respond with the trite, "A pox on both your houses." I believe that many agnostics like myself couldn't care less who wins this internecine bickering.

Marshall H. Pinnix, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I believe the person who said this had more authority than the pope

John , Tiverton, UK

The rock upon which, the claim is made, the church is based. "Tu es Pierre et sur cette pierre.." only makes sense in the french language. It is meaningless in Latin and Greek and would not have been used at the time it was supposed to have been.

stan harwood, Southend on Sea , Essex

hy boys, the pope makes his job. Why not?
Anawyay, thanks catholicism you have Westminster Abbey in London, built between 1045 and 1050.

antonio, lucca, italy

Perhaps this explains why so many former catholics have turned (perhaps best described as an exodus, no pun intended) to other forms of belief in Mexico and Costa Rica where I've taken note of the large numbers that have left the RC to become Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, etc. ...

Is not as though I agree with the above mentioned forms of belief but to point out what is happening where the RC was once the mandated religion.

Perhaps a fatwah by the muslims is next.

Henry, Sambaqui , Brazil

Much is being made of the fact that the Pope was a member of the Hitler Youth. Please remember that in those frightening times children had little choice but to join. My grandmother, who was six, was forced to join the Hitler Youth when Hitler invaded Alsace Lorraine. They also changed her name to Johanna from Yvette and she was not allowed to speak French. Understandably, given her age, she found this terrifying. Forcing a child to do these things does not make that child a Nazi.

Emily, London, UK

I think it's pretentious to have a leader from a Church completely disregard the opinion of the other. The Church of England was created by a despot womanizer that felt compelled to do it to satisfy himself. That's hardly something to brag about. True, the Roman Catholic Church as an institution has had terrible lapses in judgment over the years, but give me one man-made institution that has been around for millennia which has been perfect? There aren't any. That, however, is no excuse and Pope John Paul made great strides to repair broken ties with other religions and peoples. The Catholic Church does not shy away from what it believes and neither should other denominations. But, that should not preclude us from forming stronger bonds between ourselves.

Julio Lainez, Reston, VA, USA

I 'm gathering information regarding the true church of Christ and the more I dig into church history, the more I realize that the RCC is the only true church. An advise to anyone who makes ignorant comments about the RCC and the declarations of the Pope concerning the true church: Dig deep into early church history and read the Church Fathers. I'm studying and researching and the only doubt that I still have is the link between Peter and the Pope and the evidence regarding the origins of the Papacy.

Adrian, Newport, UK

Blasphemy. I don't recall Jesus saying anything about the Catholic Church being ordained by God as the true church. Infact, Jesus was Jewish no? doesnt make sense. No man can fogive any other man of his sins!
Besides, the defects in the Catholic church stems right to the ten commandments. The Sabbath is a Saturday, always was, always will be. Along comes the pope, "lets make it a Sunday". Look it up if you dont believe me. Anyone show me in the bible where God said, "oh ok, human you can change MY day of rest to a Sunday, i dont mind!" Greatest trick the devil pulled was tricking the world that he doesnt exist.

Timothy, Jerusalem,

I recommend reading Hans Kung's THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
for an excellent account of how that denomination set about acquiring absolute power in the Middle Ages, not only over bishops, but over European kings as well, taking as their model the absolutism of the Roman emperors. The RC Church from then on became totalitarian and will brook no deviation from its declared positions. The concept of Papal Infallability is but one manifestation of this.

John D. Mallinson, Laconia, USA

Quite the worst people i have met in life have put themselves forward as being very religious (mostly Christians). The best people i have met have never mentioned religion, but through their actions and the way they conduct their lives have demonstrated an admirable degree of humanity and integrity.

ADScott, Bangkok, Thailand

The truth is the Pope is not Christian!

Tim, Liverpool,

I wonder if the Pope, amongst many others, have ever looked up what the word "Catholic" means in a dictionary?

MR, PARIS,

I would submit that when the pope ceases leading people into idolatry by worshipping Mary, ceases the heresy of transubstantiation, and begins to obey Jesus' command "Call no man father on the earth, you have one Father in heaven", along with many other such examples of error, that only then will the roman institiution begin to have credibility as having part of Jesus Christ. Until then, it is apostate and antichrist.

Concerned4Truth, Tyler,

This man is dangerous as are religious fanatics. It is
little to do with Christianity - more to do with exercising power
and control over the masses. It is a clear case of exercising
undue influence to maintain the stranglehold of the Roman Catholic Church - nothing to do with truth.

John, Telford,

This is one POPE that needs to be watched very carefully!!!

Harry Constable, Henderson, Ky

These breakaway denominations, as all the myriad varying different protestant splinters are, are the reason that the their new found beliefs don't work.Not one of them read from the same hymn sheet.As for all this lutheran hogwash;just another who didn't like the rules,like henry the viii, john knox and all all others who have made their own little churches.It's time to get real. You may not have too long to wake up and return to the one true faith.

John Constantine, Glasgow, Scotland

Pope Ratso has a point. The Catholic Church should be viewed in a completely different way to these pallid protestant churches. I mean, when have the Anglicans ever put millions of people to the inquisition for their faith, or promoted continent-wide religious pogroms and festivals of death. I can't remember the Methodists conspiring in child abuse on a global scale, or betraying its own members because it didn't like their political leanings. And what church has as interesting a track record of defending the rights of Nazi war criminals? Or even employing them as their figurehead! Nope, the Catholics are definitely out their on their own, a special case, absolutely unique.

Paul, Brighton,

It just goes to show you that Martin Luther is as right today as he was in 1521. The Catholic church is the Antichrist, assuming all heavenly powers to itself.

Ad, Hamburg, Germany

"Simon, i shall call you Peter, for Peter is a rock and upon this rock i will build my Church". Seems pretty open and shut to me. "I will give you keys, both spiritual and temporal, for whatever you decide on Earth, so shall it be in Heaven"

JL, Alloa,

So much for infallability when speaking ex cathedra on matters of faith and morality. For a 'Church' whose roots go back centuries, it's not surprizing that it may be out of touch with the contemporary reality of today.

Edward B (Woody) Ryder, Greenlawn, USA/NY

Why is ANYONE surprised??? He's the POPE, for crying out loud.
Doesn't anyone read history? Oy vey and please pass the sacramental whine!

web jones, jackson, Mississippi, USA

Other churches have the same view. Ask the radical Muslims. They call non-Muslims infidel right? Born-again Christians and other denominations claim to have the sole destiny to salvation? What's the difference then/ Everybody is claiming to be such then why is the world whining with the Catholic Church's statements?

Rommel Lopez, Manila, Philippines

There is no God,
Just us.

There is no Heaven, or hell,
Just here.

There is no eternity,
Just now.

Live life to the full,
It’s all you get.

Peter, Newbury, UK

To profess belief in "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church" and then make a personal statement on the Times website to declare embarassment and disapproval of the community you claim to be part of is inherently hypocritical.

This is in fact the same apostles creed used throughout the Holy Caltholic Church - not just the Roman Catholic Church.

We are more alike than different, but we are followers of Christ not of committee produced Dogma.

Have faith brother. There are too many on here that appear to believe the "childlike" state required to enter the Kingdom is one of petulant tantrum....

Harry Wragg, Glasgow, UK

Spoken like a Hitler loving German- but then the Popes have colluded with the Germans & Italian fascists & the Mafia and conspired against all others, They have forced people
to think in only one way from Galileo to Leonardo etc etc for 400 years- beware the lying Catholics who hide paedophile priests!

Frank Kydd, Wilmington, De

We have to remember the difference between churches and religion. What was important to Jesus was the message (religion) and what is important to church leaders is power and influence (politics).
It is difficult to believe that this Pope actually understands the teachings of Jesus when he wears designer footwear.

John, York, UK

What a load of bigots religious people are !!!

Maggie Millington, Brittany, France

"The whole religious complexion of the modern world is due to the absence from Jerusalem of a lunatic asylum"
Havelock Ellis 1859 - 1939

Ian Hill, Stanmore, England

To Colin of Hythe: Yes!
The ignorance of these comments and prejudice directed against the Church is not altogether surprising: her founder faced the same.

Ted, Rome,

I have been worshping in a Church of England church which is closer to my house for 5 years but now I have found lots of changes, which I really do not accept it. Whe God appeared to Moses he told him to remove his footwear, because Moses was standing on his holy place, which belongs to God, now in my church, the priest allows the people to go on the alter and receive communion by standing. Why do we need to have changes? We should be examples for the younger generations and teach them ,this is how you worship at church and this is the way you receive communion. I strongly disagree the changes take plance in torder of service.

Jo, southall, middlesex

What's all the fuss about? Religions are primitive superstitious nonsense anyway.

Gerry Watts, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

I seem to recall Jesus was Jewish.

Peter, London,

Hey, what about Orthodox Christians!! Have you forgotten about us? Russians, Greek, Bulgarians, Serbs, Romanians...millions and millions of people!! This is ridiculous....

tanya, Belgrade, Serbia

James Stubbs, I do not disagree with his right to an opinion, just his right to create conflict by jabbering about things that a man of his senior years should know to keep shtum about.

Mike, Moscow, Russia,

To be honest Ratty, who asked you anyway? You are an irrelevance upon your own continent and the sooner that Africa and South America ignore you the better.

Mike, Moscow, Russia,

It clearly surprises many that the Catholic Church did not, has not, and will not ever, change the constant teaching of the Church Christ Himself founded about itself. This document merely clarifies what all the Councils of the Church, including Vatican II, taught ad always will teach. It is up to the Orthodox Churches and the myriad protestant groups to re-examine their divine origin (or in the case of the latter, the lack of divine origin) of their communities in relation to the truth. Instead of screaming about it, and talking nonsense - as so many of these posts always do - why not examine the teachings of the Catholic Church, the absolutely clear Biblical and historical proofs for it, and then comment???

Benedict Carter, Moscow, Russia

All a big stuff of nonsense.

"religion is the opiate of the masses"

Therefore, highly addictive, causes euphoric feelings in the individual but is ultimately poisonous to both the individual and civilised society as a whole.

Robert, London, England

"Upon this rock I will build my Church" said Christ. The Catholic Church and Faith go back before Protestantism to Christ and the Apostles. You cannot be in the Church of Christ and follow Martin Luther in his church, or any other man-made religion.

Barbara, Terry, Montana

Tough call eh?

Meet the call for multi culturalism, or back to the basics of 'I'm right and you're wrong.' A few weeks ago the Pope also re introduced a prayer calling for Jews to be converted. It had been taken out of the liturgy.

A connection with God is something people all over the world really value and consider to be a primary part of their lives. It's that spirituality that inspires moral behavior, good deeds and honest self appraisal.

No one should claim an exclusive right to God. It is sad to see the Pope encouraging sectarianism within the realms of spirituality.

For the prophetic vision of justice and peace to truly materialize, there may be no bolt of lightening or thunder from heaven. That quiet, revolution of the mind and soul, will have to in some part come from ourselves. It's a shame to start the 21st Century and feel there's still such a long way to go.

Adam Ross, Tel Aviv, Israel

Here we go again with religion taking us back to the dark ages.
This is the same Catholic church that cut the eyelids of parents so that they were forced to watch their own children being tortured.
This is the same church responsible tor untold suffering through history.
This is the same church that through repression has been responsible for multitudes of paedophile priests.
Jesus taught us about the brotherhood of man,to love your neighbour as yourself and not to judge.
The Catholic church has distorted his teachings.
The Gnostic gospels such as those found in the Dead sea scrolls are far closer to the word of God.
the current Pope is as dangerous to civilisation as the Ayatollahs in Iran.
Once again organised religion is showing itself to be the true poison of mankind.

J Currie, London, UK

Thank God for Henry the Eighth...

Michael, London , UK

Well, I am proud to be Catholic. At least this Pope has the guts to be honest, however un-PC that may appear to be. If I didn't consider the Catholic Church to be the truest church in terms of christian doctrine, I would not be Catholic! In terms of believing in the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist; body, blood, soul and divinity, the Catholics are the only ones who teach that. I think that's what he's talking about at heart. and Catholic theology and understanding of the human spirit goes far deeper than any of the other Christian churches. Read Aquinas or Augustine or Merton. It's true that there have been, tremendous scandals in the Church, and horrible missteps by various Popes. But there is still ONE Catholic Church, and approximately 4,000 various Protestant and Christian Churches since Luther broke away. However well-meant, his action had a tremendous splintering effect. The Catholic teachings are incredibly beautiful if you really study them.

Richard, Broomfield, CO

These dudes are heavyweight thinkers. Don't underestimate them---priests that is. A lot of heavy thinking goes on about this stuff.

Tom, Chicago,

I am not embarrassed to be a Catholic, to paraphrase janet from Ohio. The Catholic faith is the ONLY and I do mean ONLY church that can trace its beginnings directly to Jesus Christ. No other church can say such a thing. None. And for people such as the Rev David Phillips, of the General Secretary of the Church Society, to say that this is not true Biblically or historically is either a falsehood or out of ignorance.

Finally, for anybody to say this is going to bring us back to an age of torture and persecutions is just so much hyperbole.

To the Pope, I say, thank you!

George Raymond, Los Angeles, CA

If our friend Benedict believes that the HIV/AIDS virus can penetrate a condom he can effortlessly believe that his version of Christianity is totally beyond reproach and there is no discussion.

michael floyd, ogden dunes indiana , usa

Everyone is missing the point here - Jesus Christ instituted the Catholic Church at the last supper. This is evident by him offeriing the world his body and blood on that night for the first time.

Also, he made St. Peter "the rock upon which he would build his church", i.e. the first Pontiff. Therefore, Jesus arranged that set-up, not mere human beings - something constantly overlooked by critics.

And, of course, other churches do lack elements which would align them with the Catholic Church - they do not believe they are receiving Jesus himself when taking communion. Therefore, how, despite holding such a critical difference (most important issue) in perspective, can reasonably-minded individuals expect Christian unity?

The Catholic Church has not changed the fundamentals in 2,000 years and until other Christian faiths accept the truth it speaks there will never be unity.

All people who strive to be Christian are good though.

Joe, Glasgow,

The church shouldnt be about left footers or protestants its about people who believe in a being that is special or beliefs. So POPE guy whoever the hell you are whatever!!!!!! You dont have a right to say that its what ever people want to believe and my family are christian ANGLO catholic

Piper, sale, cheshire

As a linguist, and a Catholic, I suggest we look at the original meaning of the word "Catholic". It doesn't occur anywhere in the Bible, although the Epistles of St. Paul give a clue to its original meaning. Each Epistle is addressed to a specific, local, Greek-speaking community of Jews who had converted to Christianity. So the "Catholic" Church, conversely, originally referred to the sum total of these individual, local, Christian communities.

The "Roman" Catholic Church grew from the practical convenience of using the capital city, and the universal language, of the Roman Empire as tools of administration. But this was a late development in the Early Church: the New Testament itself was written in Greek - a cultural legacy of the Alexandrian Empire - since the Romans as rulers were very much new-comers at the time of Christ. The very word "Catholic" is taken from the Greek for "universal", and indeed there are scholars who argue that Jesus and His disciples preached in Greek.

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

A belief in god(s) is ok - but these people seem unable to resist the dogmatic approach. Ultimately this is a good thing - we need to see all formal religions exposed as ridiculous. We should laugh at these old windbags in the same way that laughing at the absurdity of terrorism is our best defence against its atrocities. Tolerance - rather than respect - is the only sensible response to all nonsensical religious expousals.

Fred Flintstone, Boulderville, Berkshire

I dispair at those who say that the catholic church is the oldest faith and goes back to way back when. The Jewish faith is older and still going, as is the Zoroastrian faith etc. Yes Christianity has aspects of the Torah and the Jewish faith but it is a seperate religious movement from Judaism. And guess what...every single one of the individual religious movements think that they are right and every other faith is wrong.

And from my study of medieveal history after looking at the great schism when there were 3 popes at the one time and all of them claiming to be the true holy father.....how do we know that this one is the "right" one? The papacy is full of politics not so much faith. The pope was decided by the arguments of the ruling Roman families not by god and it is silly to claim otherwise when the sources of the time tell us so. And it would be foolish to think otherwise now. Forget god, the cardinals are not going to elect someone THEY dont approve of.

Samantha McFarlane, St Andrews,

A very disappointing statement.

Speaking as a Protestant but as a Christian, while I do not agree with much that is Catholic, I would never suggest that they are not a Church.

I would neither even be so vitriolic about those of other faiths. I see this as a rather naive own goal by the pope.

edwardingle, chesham,

I could see this, but only with Christopher Hitchens as pope.

Arthur Sullivan, Chicago, USA

It could be argued than any religious organisation is the church of man and his interpretation of God.

imj, Abu Dhabi, UAE

What a wonderful time to be a Catholic! The pope has issued some *very* nuanced and well-thought out documents in recent days, including the "Motu Proprio" allowing the OPTION of the Latin Mass by those who prefer it without restriction (and by no means replacing the current Mass). To those outside of the Catholic Church, this may seem like a move backwards. What it is, in fact, is a "reform of the reform" to CONTINUE the *needed* changes to the liturgy from Vatican II. This reform includes reaffirming certain theological points, improving the current English translation (no, the vernacular isn't going anywhere!), and correcting a major problem of the Vatican II Mass - the loss of reverence for the sacrament. The point of this document was, in reality, to clarify a confusing section of a document called Lumen Gentium to those within the Catholic Church. It states NOTHING new. The Catholic belief is just the same today as it was yesterday; it was not altered in any way by the pope.

Dr. Jennings, Tuscaloosa, AL

As an atheist, I welcome Pope Benedict’s openness about his position, which reminds us that some religions are a hotbed for conflicts and need to be constantly monitored. The PC ideology prevalent in the media and among politicians those last decades wanted us to believe that all believers of abrahamic religions, including their leaders, had suddenly turned Unitarians. But those religions, in contrast with most oriental faiths which tend to be pantheistic and avoid conflict between different practices, are properly satanistic (as in “Satan, the ennemy”). Many among their flock are people who will always see the world as “us against the others, our true god against their false idols, our purity against their impurity” and so forth.

Kevin, Taipei,

"I and other will pray for you. The Catholic Church may not be perfect, but it is the only Church that can be traced back to the time of Christ, no other Church can trace their origins back that far in time. "

Jesus was a Jew and the Catholic Church has a creation long after his death. It rose to great power and with that power abuse of it's position including discrimination of women, the mass murder of the crusades and cover up of crimes including child abuse.

During all this the doctrines and teaching were manipulated by the politics of the time and people who chose to think persecuted and killed as heretics.

I pray for you

Mark Innes, Aberdeen, Scotland

The Catholic Church has never taught that the Pope is the Head of the Church. The Catechism teaches that Christ is Head of the Church, and the Pope is His Vicar or Rep. on Earth. This has always been the teaching. Scripturally we have the plain words of Mt 16:13-28. The Epistle of Clement (3rd from Peter) to the Corinthians (97 AD) is in the very language of the Popes through history. There was a special “Chamber of the Popes” in the catacombs, 2nd & 3rd Centuries. Search tradwiki, New Advent, etc for full details. They are there to be read by any of goodwill. The Catholic Church is not a human organisation, although it has all-too-human staff. “We carry a treasure in earthen vessels”. Christ established a Church, not Churches, and He told us to “make disciples of all nations”. The Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ in a real sense. It is not a sports club. “Will you also go away?" [Jn 6:67]. Thank you, Pope Benedict, for saying these things clearly.

Micheál, Cork, Ireland

In late fourteenth and early fifteenth century Spain, faced by mass conversions to Christianity as a result of pogroms in 1391 and preaching campaigns, a number of leading Jewish Rabbis made the point raised here by Rev. Phillips.
The Rabbis claimed, based on their reading of the New Testament, that there is no evidence that Peter was told to appoint a successor, thus, the institution of the papacy is based on a fallacy. The Rabbis were hoping to persuade their Jewish contemporaries not to convert.
It seems that little has really changed over the ages. Religious truths are perceived by their adherents to be exclusive, and true dialogue will only happen when religous leaders are willing to entertain and admit a measure of doubt about whether they really know how to interpret divine revelation. Only then will religious leaders be able to come together in true dialogue for the betterment of humanity.
I have my doubts that this will happen anytime soon.

Harvey Hames, Beersheba, Israel

Peter of LA The Pope said one true church not 26000 different cults (as the Lutherans themselves call them). Every time I turn around in Texas a "new "church opens up with a different spin on the gospel.
No one said anything about hell. You are right Luther would be turning in his grave. He did his best to suppress Calvinism in his lifetime. Jesus prayed in the garden Father, may they be one, even as we are one, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me… I desire that they…may be with me where I am… St. John 17:20-26

Over 300 Protestant Ministers ( many with PHDs)have joined the Cathoic church in the last decade. These men are very bright. What could possess themto give up their livehoods to rejoin Rome?

These new catholics are conservative. & they quote the bible chpater and verse as to why they became catholics.

Peter, dallas, tx

Although nothing new has been said here, it's sad that years of ongoing "dialog" haven't resulted in any measurable fruit. (For example, the reinstatement of the Vulgate Mass, an olive branch to the schismatic Lefebre group, was met with "thanks but....") Of course, Catholics recognize the merits of the devotion found in other faiths, but we believe the fullness of Truth is found in the Catholic faith. It IS THE CHURCH started by Jesus Christ Himself, with unbroken apostolic succession. And Christ did not want all these divisions. It's the toughest church to live in, but the best church to die in. Yes, it's a monarchy, which is difficult for those in a democracy to accept. But I suspect that heaven will not be a democracy. Sometimes the Truth is difficult to accept. But an honest evaluation, leads to an obvious conclusion. When you hear about Medjugorje, listen carefully!!!!

Ken, Portland, USA Oregon

Don't be ashamed, I'm Protestant and this doesn't bother me in the least. In fact I love the honesty I like him as Pope I think he is an educated man. People today are so afraid of offending other people in todays world that instead of the truth we say things we really don't mean. So I will be just as honest with my faith, In my church we don't believe you go to a man to ask to be absolved of our sin. We believe you go right to Jesus with your sin, bring it right to the cross. Confess to Jesus your sin, ask him to forgive you, repent before him, asked to be cleansed by his blood, this is the way to be right with God. No ritual or deed or action or ceremony or works can save us,- Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Only through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God the Son will set you free.
God Bless

Scott, Toronto, On

As a Catholic Christian, I am deeply disheartened by this serious set back to the unity of the Church. Whilst I also appreciate the frankness of the document it highlights to me that the Catholic leadership is not fully commited to the unity of Christ's Church. Clearly Catholic leadership must be more sensitive & considerate of our Protestant and Orthodox brothers & sisters if we are to unite.

The Catholic Church has indeed had a shamefull past, some of which the late Pope John Paull II has apologised publicly for however it has also contributed - more than any other organisation, to survival of Christianity as a faith in the last 2000 years. Such orthodoxy as is displayed in the tone of this Church document is typical of it's commitment to preservation
of Church teachings & in my opinion one of the reasons Christianity still exists.

Having said this I strongly beleive that we will have Church unity one day as it is in my prayers & the prayers of many Christians.

Andrew, Melbourne, Australia

If one reviews the history of the Roman Church, it becomes obvious that this Pope is correct. All of the break-away churches were the result of protestations against the Roman Catholic Church. That's why they call themselves "Protestants" isn't it? So, is this Pope not telling the truth? Of course he is. So, what is so offensive ? That a church was founded by a murderer in the form of Henry VIII ? Is that offensive, or is it the truth? All of the other protestant denominations have formed splinter groups from their 'original' group. How many kinds of Lutherans have we got? How many kinds of Baptists have we got?
Get the picture?
This Pope is correct in his observation and characterization of the issue. Where is he wrong?
Lets hear it.

H. W. Winstanley, Marshall, MI USA

I am not religious, but I do respect others' rights to believe in whatever they wish, so long as it does not harm anyone.. 'Religion' or rather,the politicisation of religion, causes wars/disharmony more often than bringing people together.

Ratzinger was a member of Hitler Youth, but he was a child at the time. He has not learnt through the suffering of his fellow man, that alienating people because of their ideology is not the way to bring peace to the world.

That which what Freud (among others), termed 'otherness' continues. Projecting ones insecurities/hatred onto other people continues. Until this is addressed, and people learn to accept that one can be a good person with/without religion (as one can also be a bad person with/without religion), then conflict will continue.

My 'heritage' is Jewish, Moslem and Christian. I was brought up to accept others beliefs and that people can and do live together harmoniously, irrespective of 'religion'/race.

Selma, Bristol, UK

People who want to see this piece of news as evil/ arrogant or whatnot are blinding themselves from any other interpretation. A pity, because it is honest and well-meant. It is not arrogant, but explaining, why people do willingly and of their own volition belong to the Roman Catholic Church: because they believe it to be the best, the one most true to Christianity.
But many people have a hatred for the Church, many people want to think of it in terms of medieval popery - wake up, it's the 21st century, the Church has healed those wounds a long time ago. Its purpose and founding ideal is not to opress innocent people and powermonger. (One of the comments here claiming "It is power politics at its most corrupt." also says the reason for Third World poverty is "because the Pope says they cannot use contraceptives." The blind hate blazing through those lines is at once laughably pathetic and sad...)
Love, tolerance (not talking about positive discrimination)- to the Church aswell please.

Adam Prentis, Kladno, Czech Republic

William Cardinal Levada quoted the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), Decree Unitatis redintegratio:
"It follows that these separated churches and Communities, though we believe they suffer from defects, are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation. In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of salvation, whose value derives from that fullness of grace and of truth which has been entrusted to the Catholic Church"

Christ "established here on earth only one Church , that from its beginning and throughout the centuries has always existed and will always exist, and in which alone are found all the elements that Christ himself instituted. "This one Church of Christ, which we confess in the Creed as one, holy, catholic and apostolic […]. This Church, constituted and organised in this world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the successor of Peter.

O'Reilly, Dublin,

What'ts the big deal? I would expect any person of any faith to have a strong enough conviction that their faith is the true one - whether objectively it is or not. Otherwise why does it matter if you are a part of it or not? Why not just join any church?

Should we have problems if Jews believe theirs to be the only way, or Muslims, or Protestants etc... I've met plenty of people from these backgrounds which firmly believe this.

The question is whether they are tolerant enough to let people of other faiths practice what they believe -- without coercion or intimidation.

At the end of the day, we should all be able to simply and objectively say that although we may have reasons or evidence for our beliefs a common denominator is that none of us can prove absolutely that our faith is fact -- otherwise it wouldn't take faith!

Nothing says we can't have reasonable differences of opinion and still be respectful to one another -- but that choice is ours.

geoff, Perth, Australia

If you are a Roman Catholic how can you criticise the Pope.

Matthew, Sacramento, CA

Oh dear oh dear - and I thought the world had grown out of these petty 'my god is better than your god' arguments in the Middle Ages, if not before.

Surely it cannot be helpful to make such divisive statements at a time when it is plain to see that inter-religious rivalries are a fundamental cause of many of the world's troubles right now?

Isn't it time for all those who hold a faith of any type to hold up their hands and say 'Pax'?

For my part, I'll continue to expect my life after death to be pretty much the same as my life before I was born. I don't know about you, but I don't remember much about that.

Anything else is just fairy stories.

Mike, Corsham, England

I do agree that anyone who studies church history, understand that there was not such a Catholic church when the Christian church was born. There are not proves that Peter went to Rome, never mind that he established a church there.
We agree that Catholic Church had an early origin; however its hunger of power, money, and its tyranny and arrogance and heresy that brought the Reformation. So, they should be thankful the Reformation occurred.
In conclusion, Jesus didn’t set up a “Roman Catholic Church”, neither a Pope. According to the Scripture The only person that represent Christ on Earth is the Holy Spirit.
The Catholic church is an empty shell! And the Pope knows it.

N J Smith, Widnes, UK

It's kind of funny when you look at the BIGGER picture, wink*

WorldWatcher, wilkes,

It's about time someone has the guts to state the truth, instead of worrying about the politically correct police. How can any church founded after Matt 16:18 be a church? Pope Benedict the XVI is a Saint.

Proud, once again, to be catholic, Pueblo, Colorado

Yeow.

I thought there was some talk about movement toward the Catholic and Orthodox Churches eventual reunification lately. This struck me, an Orthodox Christian, as unlikely. And it did so due to the issue of the Catholics (by this I mean the big wigs in the Vatican) never being capable of giving up the primacy of Rome or the Pope. This story, sadly, proves my instinct was correct. The Catholic Church is burning bridges with its own adherents (advocating a return to Latin liturgies) and now the rest of Christiandom. Again.

Robert Lee Wolfe, Reading, PA

All this religious claptrap is (dangerously) defective.

Phil, Hong Kong,

This Pope is incredible he thinks to be still at the times when
he was a young man in Nazist Germany and nobody was qualified to have different ideas than the boss Adolf Hitler.
Times have changed for good luck dear Pope and nobody has the right to say I am the only who knows everything and you all keep silent.

Roberto Castellano, Salsomaggiore, Italy

I do not need the Catholic "Church" or the Pope for me to have Salvation. Imagine how much more good they could do if they focused on drawing others to Salvation instead of the hyper-focus they seem to have on validating themselves as the one and only. The Catholic church repels rather than draws people to Salvation.

Beth, Alpharetta, GA USA

My Church is the right Church,

no mine is, no mine....

Just listen to yourselves....

If you are so sure you are right, why do you need to convince everyone else?

God botherers the world over are just one big pain in the backside. I don't care whose fictitious God is the right one. Keep it to yourselves. Just think how smug you'll feel on the day of judgement!

Mark, Birmingham, UK

'' trodat, dublin, ireland ''

Considering that in Brazil middle class Catholics are giving up their church in droves to join Protestant churches.

China has the fastest growing Protestant community with 50.000 new churches i'd say yes in 100 years there will be Protestants in abundance.

js, Bellshill, Scotland

Bert,
You completely ignore the fact that he called him Petros which means "rock". He was not referring to himself as the rock, he was referring to Peter (Petros) as the rock upon which he would build his church.

Larry, Farmington Hills, USA/Michigan

I don't remember jesus starting a church, but when you have a declining role in the world, you have to say something..

ben barr, cornwall, pei,ca

The pope is just a pope.I'm not sursprised, but fortunately it doesn't matter much to me. To be honest it doesn't matter to me at all.

Jolanta, Bialystok, Poland

What can you expect from Ratzinger or from Benidict the something as he is now called. As former Inquisitor general, that is head of the unholy iinquisition. or as it is now called the Defence of the Faith. As the protestant churches were never more than an off-shoot of the roman church, the church in Rome was never more than an off-shoot of the eastern or orthordox church. In every thought and deed, a lie from ratcatcher/Ratzinger/benidict. a prime example of papal fallibillity.

Denver Watt, Osakad, Japan

What happened to religious tolerance? How can you reason with people who have their heads in the sand!

Nield, Vrignin,

Anyone else noticed the Pope's really scary eyes?

Dazzler, London, UK

Did Jesus actually mention vatican as his sole eternal representative & do other christians who believe in Jesus but do not adhere to the pope considered heretics & subsequently in hell? If those are his views on other fellow christians, what are his views on non christians such as jews, muslims & budhists & more others?
The current pope seems interested in repeating history but learnt nothing from it.

sherif, Cairo, Egypt

Janet,

Sorry to hear that you have a lack of understanding of your faith. This is old news, just clarified. The Church has never deviated from this stance in the 500 years since the Protestant reformation.

Matt, PA, USA

Silly man. The Roman church has a history of power politics and achieved a long but temporary supremacy in what is now the UK by some deviousness at the Synod of Whitby. The Culdee church in Scotland arrived from Asia Minor and not via Rome

peter, singapore,

Constatine abolished the practice of paganism and gave their "church" to the "Christians" of Rome.

They took the pagan idols and named them after the apostles. Which is idol worship.

The catholics believe a man (Priest) can absolve you of your sins if you confess them to him. Jesus said, "I am the truth, the way and the life. NO ONE may come unto the Father but by me". This practice of confession to a man was begun to gather information used to manipulate and control people.

This is in addition to other malpractices of this so called church.

Catholics are the true church? If your referring to the church of satan, you may be right.

Alan, Frankfort, KY

"As a catholic convert I was initially struck by Jesus saying, 'You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church.' There is only one church, the Catholic church, other Christians might not like it but that is the biblical truth."

...

Could you run that by me again? So Peter says he'll build a church on a rock and this means the Catholic church is the only one? Que? Perhaps a leetle questioning of what the priests are telling you might help? This sounds like pure regurgitation to me.

starling, Lancaster,

Who really cares about the squabbles of small minded religious bigots?

Maybe a little bit more love and understanding, and alot less religious indoctrination would make the world a better place!

Paul Singh, London, United Kingdom

Just another classic example of divisions being created by 'my version of the fairy tale is better than yours'. Thankfully in this instance they probably won't start lobbing bombs at each other unlike in other parts of the world (or for much of christianity's history).

james mitchell, London, UK

I would be interested in reading the whole document to get the contex t right. This wouldn't be the first time that the media has taken a componet of the theological debate in a paper from the vatican out of context.

Any move towards Christian Unity is going to involve some significant challenges and some intense soul searching by all Christian churches.

Tom Upton, Rockhampton, Australia

The latin mass the pope has reinstituted goes back to a time when the average person was not allowed to know the words of the bible. His asertion that only catholics are proper christians is another step backwards.

Dan, jacksonville, florida

What a wonderful time to be a Catholic! The pope has issued some *very* nuanced and well-thought out documents in recent days, including the "Motu Proprio" allowing the OPTION of the Latin Mass by those who prefer it without restriction (and by no means replacing the current Mass). To those outside of the Catholic Church, this may seem like a move backwards. What it is, in fact, is a "reform of the reform" to CONTINUE the *needed* changes to the liturgy from Vatican II. This reform includes reaffirming certain theological points, improving the current English translation (no, the vernacular isn't going anywhere!), and correcting a major problem of the Vatican II Mass - the loss of reverence for the sacrament. The point of this document was, in reality, to clarify a confusing section of a document called Lumen Gentium to those within the Catholic Church. It states NOTHING new. The Catholic belief is just the same today as it was yesterday; it was not altered in any way by the pope.

Dr. Jennings, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA

No surprises. The Roman Church is built upon the foundation of fable merged by continuing political expediencies dating back to Constantine and its history is infamous. For instance where is the proof that Peter ever went to Rome or that there is a need for celibacy when the Bible is clear that Peter was a Married man!! ? Reader, return to reading your Bible the only source of Truth.

G Whitehouse, Dudley , West Midlands

You are Peter the rock and on this rock I'll build my church said the Lord to St Peter. He didn't mention a specific Church name. So even as a catholic I believe that any Church that preach God words according to the Lord Jesus Christ teachings is worth to be called Church.

Thierry Boukanga, London, United Kingdome

How is it, that despite the bible clearly stating that we are all one in Christ, that it is only by faith in Jesus Christ we are saved, and the fact that all Christian churches (regardless of denomination) believe in the same holy trinity, that the Catholic church feel that all other denominations are wrong? I have always been taught that Christians are to love one another and that God will love whoever comes to Him, however they come to Him. This document is exactly why so many people dismiss Christianity. Jesus called for us to love our neighbours and live in harmony, and yet here is a a church leader, known all over the world, saying that some Christian churches are not 'proper Churches', deliberately creating conflict in a group of people that should be united. I may only be 20 and I know, not as wise as many, but I fail to understand how Christians can act like this. This is surely not what Jesus intended for His church.

Heather, Colchester, UK

I find this extremely 'backward' - we worship the same God - do we all have to do it in exactly the same way? Goes against what Jesus taught us too - that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. This makes me so angry and disappointed. I am married to a Catholic and yet I have been told by certain catholic ministers that my marriage is not recognised by the catholic church as we had married in an anglican one. How ridiculous is that? I married in the eyes of God, in God's house and I find it hurtful that these people are so intolerant. Ahhhhhh and they wonder why the no. of worshippers are diminishing!

Martha de Monclin, Paris, France

As a priest, raised in the Catholic tradition of Anglicanism and with many friends within the Roman Catholic Church who have no difficulty with that tradition, and as someone committed prayerfully to the reunion of the Church of England with our Roman Catholic brethren, I find this statement very insensitive not just to Anglicans but also to the Orthodox faithful. One can see where the Curia are coming from, not least because of the divisions within Anglicanism over certain issues. This statement could, one fears, hasten the splintering of Anglicanism even more.

Father David Lawrence-March, Bedford,

Is Herr Raztinger an Al-Qaeda plant? Osama Bin Laden couldn't have come up with a better plan to discredit Christianity than this pope. The Roman Catholic Church has been responsible for the loss of more souls during the last 2000 years than any other religious denomination and its leaders have apparently learned nothing during that time.

Tam Earl-Aine, Cheltenham,

I cannot believe in this day and age of scientific verification that such a discussion is worth printing. Come on - yes - all "good & intelligent" folk believe in a moral order and kindness to all people and living creatures - as did the figure of Jesus Christ - however that is the only real religion.

John Field, Rome, Italy

It might be noted that the greatest wound the Orthodox church suffererd was Rome turning its back on her eastern brothers during the years of Islamic expansionism that led to the calamities of the Armenia genocide, the loss of Constantinople and the Balkans problems that ignited the first world war and many more recent conflicts.

This is a sad thing because previously Pope Benedict has said quite a lot that has been really quite sensible.

Edward Andrew Green, Upminster, England

It's pity that the Roman Church was made in the image of the Roman Empire with a cross stuck on the top. It matters not what the Pope does or says as it's all a giant fraud anyway.

Mike, Cambridge, UK

This Vatican intervention is at best ill timed. The Catholic Church has had so many appalling scandals of abuse etc that to many reasonable minds it is in no moral position to assert such authority.

Ed, London,

Christians themselves are a branch of The Olive Tree planted with Abraham's Covenant.....The Pontifex Maximus is simply the Head of the State Church of The Roman Empire and may God bless him...but he is not The Risen Christ, the Head of the Christian Church in its congregations

Voyager, Oxford, England

When Jesus said"Upon this rock I will build my church He was not referring to Peter but to the statement that Peter had just made"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God" The "rock" inGreek refers to the statement , Peter's name signifies a small stone, not a rock. Unfortunately the pope and millions of Roman Catholics are deceived and misled.

Chris Jeffreys, Banstead, UK

Well done Pope for upholding the ecumenical principles of the Roman Catholic Church. You have confirmed what I learnt at catechism to become a Roman Catholic. That is the rest of the churches apart from the Roman Catholic Church are Lucifer Churches. (What a laugh!). That is they are not proper churches. The Roman Catholic Church does not have to abandon or dilute its ecumenical principles or identity just for the sake of unity. After all Martin Luther protested and the Anglican Church was formed out of adultery. Keep up the Good Work Ratzinger.

Casanova, London, England

HILARIOUS!!!
One dark age cult accusing another of being "un-real".
This is better than the comedy channel.

William Rein, Chelsea, SW3,

Well they would say that wouldn't they. That is what lies behind the whole problems of the Catholic church.

The whole idea of worshipping a mere mortal, as Catholics are encouraged to do,doesn't he (The Pope) just get in the way of worshipping the Trinity, God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit. Isn't one of the whole points of being a Christian, inclusivity, ie everyone is welcome in whoever they are and in whatever way they want to come close to God.

If Christians can bicker amongst themselves as they seem to love to do, doesn't it just allow fundamentallist Moslems muscle in and gain the upper hand.

AMC, Burford, England

I have been raised and educated as a Roman Catholic, but the sharp right wing turn of the Church during the last few years, as show in this document, is making me very interested in the Episcopal Church just down the street.

Neal , Minneapolis,

You have to laugh! Even when they talk to the same invisible friend they can't agree what he says or who he likes the best.

Andy, Notts,

The Pope rocks. If any of man's institutions survive it'll be the Church: in a world of ever-changing values and increasing moral relativism, it remains a constant. People who are in need of spiritual sustenance will always find it's unchanging, undiluted, unfashionable message a source of hope and consolation..

Marcus, Glasgow,

Some Catholics follow the Pope. Most Protestants follow Christ. Catholics are absolved of their sins by confessing to priests, protestants confess to God and repent, the blood of Jesus then cleanses them. Nothing can separate believers from the love of God, not the Pope, nor anyone else.

sue , Morro Bay, CA

This isn't saying anything new, it's just a reaffirmation of Church doctrine going back 2,000 years. Most Catholics knew this was the position of the Church, or should have anyway.

The Church may indeed become smaller and more hardcore but that isn't taking it back in time. Only 40 years ago the Churches were full and people believed in it. That is no longer the case, in large part because the Church hasn't believed in itself for a long time. The pope is trying to stem the tide with such actions but it may be too late at this point to stop the exodus.

Art, Vermont, USA

This Pope seems to be competing with George Bush to make the most stupid, insensitive comments; he will likely do as much for the Catholic Church as W. has done for the USA. Next I suppose he might reverse the apology to the Jews for the Catholic church's support for the Nazis in WW2, or the rape of the children by the priests.

You would think that the head of a church would consider humility a virtue, especially with this church's history, but not this man. It is little wonder that so many Catholics are leaving their church.

greg panke, Orangeville, Canada

The Catholic Church is the one true church. Deal with it. I know it may hurt your pride and ego, but it is the truth. The Anglican religion is a joke and everybody knows it.

scott white, shrewsbury, MA, USA

The rantings of a reactionary priest who wears a funny hat. Typical of so many faiths that pray to a bearded wise guy in the sky. Our way is the true way. An institution with a history of slaughtering those that didn't agree with them has no moral or theological high ground. Was it no Henry II who said somethiong to the effect, "Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?"

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

spot on janet! when i can see that roman catholics can hold the high moral ground then we can talk.

tsar, sydney, australia

The guy obviously has a small town view more suited to a Yahoo chatroom than to the head of a church.

Tom, Perth,

was Jesus a Roman Catholic,
neither am i but i am a christian

bob, bridgend, wales uk

I have always felt there to be something inherently wrong with the Catholic Church, evil even. Christ is the authority not the Catholic church. One does not need robes, rules and rituals nor be bound by them. Priests can not forgive sin only Jesus Christ can do that. To have a personal relationship with the Son and to meet with other believers is enough.

John, London,

i thought we had enough to contend with-
do you think we might see the 'RC' joining forces with that other lot who bomb and cut throats etc etc
Still musn't be too harsh -they (RC's) have recently said that a baby which dies before being christened can enter the kingdom of god after all- a massive change of policy here ( a recognition of the babys NON-intentional death wish perhaps?)
hope someone told God about the change of policy>>>>.

mike, oxford, england

Where in the bible does it mention the Pope? At least they are honest, they want to unite Christianity by insisting everyone be a Roman Catholic and abide by the Pope. They also want to bring the three major monotheistic religions together. So do they expect Muslims to stop believing in Mohamed? Oh well the Catholic faith is dieing while protestant Church's grow so i uess why should we care what this dotering old fool says anyway!

Reece, Melbourne, Australia

I think that the only way for a Catholic to form an opinion on this matter, and any other for that matter, is to read and pray the actual text. Have you read the document or just read this article? Have you taken the time to understand the context in which the pope is saying this? At first glance it seems very agressive and closed minded, but don't be too closed minded yourself to try to understand what is really being said.

Melissa, Denver, Co

the pope needs to get saved.

judy, Orlando, Fl

Janet,

I feel your confusion.

Surely when one's religion embarasses one it is time to question religion itself (we don't change religion lile political parties) and then, for me, faith itself....
Is it a human reflect to long for meaning and future survival, and perhaps a greater love?
I personally cannot believe there is no grand creator for this wonderful existance, but that may be the limitations of my brain, but it is a truism for me that I can view other people and life in a better frame of mind post-religion.

best regards

Jack, london, uk

Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus - No salvation outside of the Church. This has always been Church dogma and still is. I'm starting to love this Pope more and more. The Holy Father is right, the Holy Roman Catholic Church is the Church founded by Christ and contains the fullness of the truth. However, that is not to say that the Protestants and Orthodox do not contain some truth. The Catholics have the whole map, the other Christian denominations have only part of it, some more than others.

Roger, Los Angeles, California, USA

Just another shocking statement from the Roman Catholic Church. If its not them trying to cover up child abuse in some of their parishes, then its to insult other Christian religons. The new Pope is making statements akin to the 17th Century.

G, Glasgow, UK

The Pope is an old fool. Some of my relatives, who were stubborn and doctrinaire while young, only got worse as they got older. Besides, what has he got to lose? The more others hate him, the more his guys will love him. Life goes on. And then, who gives a fig what the old chap thinks? I don't.

Alcibiades, Chicago, Illinois

Believe in God or not, who cares?
Be Christian or a non-Christian, who cares?
Be a Catholic or a Protestant, who cares?
It's your life and it's your soul (if you think you have one, and if you don't think you have one, who cares?)
Meanwhile kindly leave the rest of us alone so that we can worship in peace and if you want to join us, great, but if you don't, who cares?

PeterB, Lincoln,

Someone should ask the Pope, if the early church was doing such a good job under Peter, why did God strike down Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus and personally teach him for three years? God had Paul rescue the church from its early teachings, otherwise Christianity would just be a Jewish cult with Jewish laws.
Paul withstood Peter to his face and corrected him. The belief that the Pope is infallible is not scripture.

Deborah, Denver, Colorado

Colin, Hythe, UK --- Was Jesus a Roman Catholic?

Actually he was a Jew, but to Roman Catholics he is the Son of God and the founder of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. All are welcome.

Peregrinus, Toronto, Canada

True ecumenism can only be meaningful when all sides declare their postion honestly, without fudge. Well done Catholicism. Now let us have true Anglicanism and orthodoxy stated. Then let dialogue commence. Humanism leads to anarchy.

W Fawkes, Whitby, England

Pope Benedictus XVI is a simbol of arrogancy and intolerance! He should study the Bible and see how far his Roman Catholic Church is from God's Word!

Pastor Humberto de Lima
Brazil

Humberto de Lima, Fagundes, Brazil

Yeah, those other Christian denominations are crazy! Encouraging their people to (gasp!) read the Bible, and (horrors, no job security for priests!) have a personal relationship with Christ. I'm sure it says in the Bible somewhere salvation comes to only those following the dogma of the old guy wearing the beanie, who lives apart from the rest of the world in his own little "country" in the lap lf luxury......the way Jesus modeled it.......

Janine, Ohio, USA

As a businessperson, I can absolutely understand what the Pope is doing. Any church is to a greater or lesser degree, a commercial venture and as such, it cannot exist without a cash flow from its followers. Just like any business venture, it is vital to differentiate your organization from the others to retain and hopefully increase your client base.

Fundamental to this product differentiation, is the “one true Church of Christ” feature of the Roman Catholic Church. There are plenty of less demanding or more comfortable religions available to any one seeking to belong to an organized religion. For many followers, this concept helps justify the other less user-friendly features of the Church. As a result, it is necessary from time to time to remind everyone of this part of the Roman Catholic belief system.

It is not an attack on other Churches, but rather a necessary sales tool. At the end of the day, it’s part of the Pope’s job to get customers through the doors.

Mark, Ottawa, Canada

The problem with Catholics is that they believe their own propaganda to be true. Most obvious is the lie that the "original" church is that of Rome.

If anyone actually took the time to read some early church history they would know that it is the GREEK church that is the original. The Church and Bishop of Rome were marginal players and often not even present at some of the ecclesiastical councils that began to lay the foundations of the Christian Church as a body rather than disparate groups of Christians all of whom believed slightly differently things.

Only after the POLITICAL decision to split the Roman Empire into East and West did the Church of Rome gain prominance as the head of the Church in the western half of the Empire. Nothing theological about that, pure politics.

This is an easily checkable historical fact. Go look for yourselves.

Nick Saywell, Zagreb, Croatia

I am a Jewish Believer in Christ Jesus. True Bible believing Christians are those who accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and are born again through the Holy Spirit to a new life with Christ. The true Biblical Church is the Body of these Christians. There is no Apostolic succession as the Roman Catholic church teaches because the title Apostle was bestowed only on the twelve disciples of Christ (and also later on Paul) as they were the ones who personally saw Christ and witnessed His works. The disciples of John and other Apostles cannot be called Apostles because they did not personally see Christ. Also, Catholics incorrectly interpret Peter to be rock of the church. Christ Himself is the Rock of the Church. There are two different rocks are talked about in Matthew, 16:18. For further information, please visit www.bereanbeacon.org.

The Roman Catholic church is an apostasy church, and Catholics unless having personal relationship with Christ are not saved.

Alla Deronja, Milwaukee, WI, USA,

Church, get a grip! The Bible tells us that Jesus is coming back for his bride - the church. And what a mess we're in!

Roman catholics believe they are the only true church of Christ, while other Christians worry that their RC friends are in serious trouble because they pray to Mary.

Pentecostal Christians have a pop at traditional churches for being "boring" and "not relevant". And traditional churches slate pentecostals for taking liberties with selected verses of the Bible.

Please - no more holy wars! Why can't we be open to discuss Biblical truths and be prepared to change our views? I'm having to do a mini version of this in my own life. Having moved from the charismatic/pentecostal movement to the Anglican church, I'm trying to work out what the Bible actually teaches as opposed to my understanding of it via a talented but maybe misguided communicator. It calls for a bit of humility on my part. Something I think ALL churches need right now.

Hazel, Sydney, Australia

In other words, convert or be damned. This is the same intolerant attitude espoused by al-Qaeda. As an agnostic I don't hate religion, but I hate these people who claim that they have a monopoly on virtue just because they use a gold cross and mumble a few words in Latin, warping the peaceful, inclusive message of Christ.

John, Newcastle,

The truth hurts.Well said Benny

jim brown, belfast, ireland

I thought the Christians' bible taught them that the meek are to inherit the earth, not the powerful. Seems Ratzinger thinks that only his lot are worthy. (I'm sure his "God" is very proud of him!)

John Smith, Manchester, UK

Matthew in Sacremento, Scotland is far from a presbyterian country. Church of Scotland (scottish version of CofE) is the biggest religion followed by catholicism.

Anyway doesn't the CofE exist because Henry VIII kept getting rid of wives rather than born out of some great Lutherian ideal?
If true then the pope has every right to question it's validity.

Robert, Glasgow, Scotland

Now that the pope has cleared up the most pressing issue of the day, perhaps he can now use his divine powers to solve the fringe issues such as global warming, feeding the third world, clothing the poor, curing the sick and tidying up the mess in any one of the war zones around the world.

Fool, Edinburgh,

A church full of old men who cares.

Seamus O Dwyer, London,

As a catholic I exepct the Pope to do His best, till the end of his days to use His influence to give increasing value to the sacrifice of Jesus. That is let people feel united by something, leaving in peace and forgiveness.
Theological distinctions, even if historically well based, should not be in the Pope vocabulary.
Are we going to take examples from the 'complex' discussion on faith supremacy within Islam?

Gino, Milano, Italy

The Rev David Phillips refers to "the ludicrous idea that the Pope is in some special way the successor of the apostle Peter and the supreme earthly leader of the Church." Ludicrous ideas abound on all sides of the religious divide. The reason that differences like this will never be resolved is because these ideas cannot be put to proof. This is what makes religion so divisive. It is just as ludicrous to say "the Pope is St. Peter's successor" as it is to say "Jesus is the Son of God" as it is to say "I am Santa Claus". Biblical scholars may point to doctrine for evidence that the Pope is (or isn't) St. Peter's successor but that misses the point entirely. We really need to question who comes up with this drivel in the first place, and why they do so. It's rich for proponents of faith-based religion to dismiss each others' ideas as ludicrous.

Jamie Trinidad, Gibraltar,

Love to hear what Dr Billy Graham has to say about this.

joseph, Melaka, Malaysia

I am a Catholic and I believe Christianity was started originally in Rome by St Peter. Since then the "Church" has been taken forward from Rome.

However, as life goes forward, there are always changes and "break aways", hence the Church of England which started with Henry VIII and the many protestants who started their own churches. As far as I can tell, though, Christianity started with Jesus Christ, was then passed on to St Peter and the Apostles and then carried on from there.

I think that if you believe in Jesus Christ and his teaching, then that is what is important. If you follow the 10 commandments, live a "Christian" life, then that is what is important.

It is more important to me that people believe in Jesus Christ than whether they are Roman Catholic or Protestant.

Liz Bussey, London, UK

I am a Lutheran pastor who values the catholicity of the Church in spite of Benedict's outdated ideas. When "Dominus Iesus" was issued, I started blessing myself in the Orthodox rather than the Roman way. Now I shall have to find another way to indicate my disgust at this display of triumphalism. The pope is a well-educated bigot. John XXIII would be horrified!

Arthur, Blythewood, USA/South Carolina

Is this the proper church that did it's utmost to cover up the foul abuse of children across the world by their trusted priests? Being a delightfully happy and successfully lapsed Catholic, I loved the comment from Maynard, Juniata, NE, who says that her relationship is with Jesus, not the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church, and namely the Pope may be current baton holder from the times of Peter, but they are human and as such have been warped and corrupted in order to survive through greed and power. This Pope is a true disgrace. I do not go to church anymore and certainly do not believe in the concept of 'worship'. But I believe in God; I am a very good father and a very warm, loving, merciful, and generous person. If God prefers to have morally hypocritical men like the Pope or men who use his name to go to war, to sit by side and kiss his feet, then I am in trouble. To be honest I truly believe that it is I who will be sat there smiling.

David J, Sheffield, England

I find myself being drawn increasingly towards Buddhism . . .

Chris Long, Thirsk, England

As with all these military 'churches' the only subject of interest is POWER, pure and simple.

The differences between them are so small and trivial. Freud called it the 'narcissism of trivial differences.'

'Blessed are the meek...' (Sermon on the Mount)

Brian Vallance, LEFKIMMI, Greece

And it came to pass that on the first day, man made God in his own image.

Richard K. Hite, Galena, OH

God bless Rev Phillips.

Joanne , Regina, Canada

The Pope has the right to believe what he wants. So does everyone else, Catholic or otherwise. What I don't believe he has the right to do is to publically denounce other faiths.

It just demonstrates the ongoing Papal issues with control and power.

After all isn't religion supposed to be about faith in a divine power and not the control of one man in his palace.

lisa, london,

All religions through out hundreds of years have resisted ant progress, now we've got one trying to take us back, every thing revolves round the earth remember!

collin, Croydon,

Perhaps this is a last-ditch desparate attempt to bring back errant fold members by appealing to their egos, that they are somehow "better" than others around them. I think the coup de grace that will triumph eventually concerns a recent television programme on the Mormons, who maintain a huge registry of us all. It appears that as names of the deceased arrive for the records from everywhere, some names are taken to a site and re-baptized as Mormons!

I do hope that humanity demonstrates its critical eye to this pronouncement and dismisses it heartily. It is a completely worthless statement in my opinion.
To hang on to the Good in life is all that matters, and is the basic common ground to all major religions. Arrogance of this kind is not acceptable in the wake of past histories.

C Murphy, Lachine Quebec, Canada

Mr Ratzinger (the old man also known as Pope). Who do you think you are claiming you are above other all others. No person is above any other. Pitty to those who believe you.

Panayiotis Christofi, London, UK

Some pagans became jews who became catholic who became protestant etc etc.

No one religion is right for everbody and not everbody needs religion but wars have been fought in order that a religion can be forced upon the vanquished. Which is not very humanitarian, although clearly it is relgious thing to do.
Crusades here we come...........

Nathan, Essex,

This whole business of proving and explaining the Roman Catholic Church as the only true church is always irritating and, above all, said.

Why would such an important figure as Pope and the whole RC institution behind him, still feel, after almost 1000 years after the Schism, the need for that? Maybe because the truth is that, back in the 11th century, it was the Rome and the Roman Patriarch (the Pope) who decided to be not the first among the equal, but The First One, which is not how the Christian Church was organised and working at the time. It was the Rome’s decision to break the unity of the Christian Church and break away from the all other Patriarchates – in short, the Roman Catholic Church IS the schismatic church.

Z, Belgrade, Serbia

Why are people surpirsed at this statement from the pope. Benedict is simply stating orthodox Roman Catholic teaching that has never changed. He is much more consistent than the last few popes. As a Protestant I believe that Rome is a false church and the popes are anti-christ. Look at history and the pronouncements of the popes and you will find that it is a false church. Soli Deo Gloria!

Stephen Welch, Halifax, Canada

There is a simple test for true Christianity - the teachings of Jesus and his immediate successors the Apostles as found in the New Testament (which is not to ignore the Old Testament as that points to Jesus from its very beginning). Any "Church" which lessens the message of the Gospel as found in the New Testament, either by adding to it or taking away is to varying degrees heretical. By this measure Catholicism as a system is heretical; the latest Papal decree simply confirms this.

As to those matters of historical evidence for Roman primacy, until the 10th century Rome had a leading, but not ruling role. In the 10th century as part of the politicisation of the role, forged documents were used to establish primacy leading over time to the schism with the orthodox church. Infallibility is a doctrine developed around the Reformation (I believe at the council of Trent), and various other central doctrines have a late inclusion within the Roman faith.

Donald, Bridgend, Wales

How dare the RC church say this.

The Catholic church was dirived from a mixture of greek, hebrew and pagan beliefs as the hebrews were gaining popularity at the time. Constantine in 325 A.D. and the council of nicea watered down and moulded the bible to what it is today. An example of catholic control - They decided that christmas day should be on december 25th, this was done to squash the pagan festival of the sun god.

The roman catholic church has caused more deaths since it's conception than both world wars. This church has always been a repressive organisation and has a control freak attitude to religous ideology. It supresses many christian truths and doesn't allow free thinking.

The pope has now shown his true colours and has shown the RC church to be what it has always been - condescending and power hungry.

Neal, Reading, England

Matthew 7:3

Peter, London,

The pope is right and he is the chief of the only true church which is the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church. All the others, including Islam, are splinters. People cannot chose religion as they chose the flavor of their orage juice in the supermarket. It doesn't work that way.

Fabio C, London, UK

I am constantly amazed by religion and those that hide behind it. Who on earth do these people think they are...they are born human and somehow become utterly brainwashed into believing something written in a book, by which they think it is acceptable to preach to others. It is all imagination and yet still people follow it...madness. I could understannd if religion bought world peace but history has proved quite the opposite.

Henry, Treviso,

In the words of the great Harry Hill................FIGHT !!!!!!

Stevo, London,

That Rev David Phillips - what a wise man! Can't cover it better than that! Well, except maybe to add that Martin Luther might feel quite at home. Return to 1517: Starting All Over Again.

Marcia, New London, USA

Just confirms that the earth is flat and Rome is sitting on the wrong side of it

GOPAL, essex, UK

Literally, thank God for Pope Benedict XVI. In an age when appeasement rules, we need someone who will stand up for the Truth. Just because you don't accept something as true, doesn't make it any less so. Some truths need to be reaffirmed time and again, lest people try to adapt the truth to suit their own sinfulness

For everyone who is Christian outside the Catholic faith, you are nearly there. You have, at some points, the truths of the faith. You just need to take the last step of faith and become a member of the One, Holy, Catholic Apostolic Church. The Church established by Christ on earth. The authority of Truth is with the Catholic Church

I shall keep you all, christian communities, non believers and cafeteria catholics, in my prayers.

Jay, St Albans, UK

Is he mad?

Brainwashed?

I'm sorry, but don't we have enough issues of seperation by race, political beliefs, country of birth without this lunatic telling millions of "followers" that they are second best!

Yet another reason for even balanced induviduals to shun the church.

Alex, Newcastle, UK

I fell sorry for the millions of good catholic people who have to tolerate a man with such distorted views as their leader

Robert, Belfast,

What would Jesus Christ say about this ?
Perhaps the Pope should read the Bible.

Peter West, Leicester, England

I am proud to be a Catholic, the Catholic Church says what is needed to be said it defends life and the family. It does not like many of the Protestant Churches bow to popular demand. This is why the Church of England is such a mess. It is only interested in seeking the Truth.

Unfortunately leaving it just to your conscience is a recipe for self interest and disaster. Faith needs to be based in the bible, teaching of the Church and a history of Salvation. Not a modern 'Pick and Mix'. The Pope is saying what needs to be said!

Samuel, London, England

alan in cologne - george bush already seeked the approval of his baptist God for the way he has behaved so far.
He also relies on his baptist voters to keep him in power.

I can only dream one day he's down on his knees praying for forgiveness, not because he's converted to Catholicism but because he realises the errors of his ways.

Patrick, Glasgow,

So the Church of Rome no longer says the Orthodox Church is a sister Church, as it did recently. So can those Orthodox who have been snuggling up to the Catholics - not least in Vienna - now stop it.

dave shileds, London, Britain

Thank God for this Pope. Thank God! The truth at last!

Allan, Bellevue, WA USA

the whole pinnacle of the Catholic Church rests upon the Pope, a term which means "father," and be simply renounced by reading the words of our own dear Lord as sated in Matt. 23;9: "Call no man FATHER on earth." Any Catholic who would leave could stand on that alone in the Court of Heaven and say with his leaving the so called "Church": "Were you kidding with this remark? I took it literally and...left."

Zane, Pittsburgh , USA, PA

When the 20thC started about 5% of humanity could read and write. The precentage has changed and, surprise, surprise, so has the church membership - in an almost directly inverse proportion. The pristhood became redundant when printing presses were invented and became totally irrelevant when public education started to take off.
I realise that "God exists" is a personal belief and cannot be proven. Neither can it be disproven. I don't need a church to authorise me to talk to Him.

KR, Stockport,

As a 62 year old recently lapsed Catholic, who was involved for the greater part of my life in the church, all I can say is that John Paul II made the biggest blunder in annointing Cardinal Ratzinger as his chosen heir. As for the cardinals who chose Ratzinger they are either overjoyed or rueing the blunder that they committed. In a world as polarized as today's, that the Pope should virtually call a halt to ecumenical dialogue by this statement, is a tragedy of monumental proportions. But then one could hardly expect anything different from one who is a theorist, never having had to mix with the common catholic.

Elwan Lobo-Pires, Mississauga, Canada / Ontario

the roman church has never been part of the real church, ie, Holy Spirit filled with Jesus as it's head. So, no big shock to hear this announcement by the vatican.

jim, corbett, oregon

I've got it! Let God decide! Get the Vatican to arrange a massive naval fleet to invade some protestant country and if they win then we'll know that God loves the Catholics most (even if the New Testament IS diametrically opposed to virtually every tenet of their faith) Hurrah!

James, Monteria, Colombia

A Protestant denomination can't trace it's roots back through a line of bishops to the original 12 Apostles. Well, as a Catholic, I could trace my roots back to a time when there were two Popes fighting, and killing, one in Rome and the other in France, for control of the universal Catholic church. I could trace it back to days of selling indulgences to "get out of jail (Purgatory)-free"
I could trace it back to the days when Popes and bishops married, and had children outside the bounds of sacred Matrimony. I could trace it back to the days of "killing" in Jesus name with a bright red cross on their shields. But that was okay, the victims were lowly Muslims. Believe me, the list goes on and on and on and on. But, you know what, throughout it all, the heart of our Father remains the same. "Father, let them be one, as You and I are One." Sounds like a relationship is what He was asking for, and will someday see; not rules, regulations and church laws.

Tom, Waterford, US

"You shall not make yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the waters under the earth.
5'You shall not bow down to them or serve them."

I guess praying to "mary" or a supposed "saint" and having a crucifix is some how ok.

"6Jesus said: I am the Way; I am Truth and Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
7If you know me, you will know my Father too."

If this is true and it is in the Bible. Then how can you pray to someone else to intercede for you? Only Roman Paganism, dressed up as Christianity in name only, can require such works when Jesus is offering you grace. Read your Bible and understand.

"during the last times some will desert the faith and pay attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines that come from devils...they forbid marriage and prohibit foods which God created to be accepted with thanksgiving by all who believe and who know the truth...Have nothing to do with godless myths"

Read and Pray.

Mike, Flint, MI, USA

laura from the states: your great!

its true, protestant is not a real church, in one hundred years will it exist? i dont think so, but roman catholicism, i'm pretty sure it'll be here for some time to come.

trodat, dublin, ireland

Is it not time to move on from middle earth style mythological god worship? There was no Mayan Sun God.. The Egyptian cats were not gods... Zeus did not exist.. and neither does the great bearded one in the sky!!!

Imagine!

Leigh, Cardiff,

The Pope hereby proves himself increasingly irrelevant. No one is listening, but he doesn't seem to notice.

Bob Grosch, Redding, CA

To those that think Jesus was saying that Peter was the "Rock" that the chuch would be built upon you need to go back and study the original writings.
MATTHEW 16
13] When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
[14] And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
[15] He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
[16] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
[17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
[18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

This discussion between Christ and Peter is Jesus telling Peter that He, Christ is the Rock the Church will be built upon.

Bert, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Some Protestants even define "Christian" differently to exclude some or all Catholics. Clearly we need a word to describe what Catholics are but Protestants are not . "Church" will do just fine.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

Is the Pope now the Grand Ayatollah of Christian world? I am a former Roman Catholic (strong Catholic family, educated in Catholic schools, etc.) who now observes the many religions (and their practices) of the world. Interesting, to say the least. Frightening, to say the most. Do I believe in a Supreme Being? Most certainly. I wonder how He/She/It looks at this world. Guess I won't know till I have gone to the other side (yes, I do believe in a hereafter and it often looks much better than the here now). I shall continue to observe and listen to what the next "great leader of whatever" shall say and do. Bless of all!!!

Carolyne, East Greenwich, RI/USA

The present RC church bases many of its doctrines and practices on the medieval period -the cult of Mary, transubstantiation etc. - nothing to do with JC's original teachings. If (Saint) Peter had ended up in London instead of Rome what then?

Lets remeber the RC Church's other gifts to the world: The Inquisition, The Cathar Massacres, and in modern times child abuse and cover ups.

These guys are seriously troubled.

Jim Easby, Sheffield, U.K.

All religions were invented and "developed" by human beings.

This latest comment from the Vatican just underlines that there will always be tensions between religious groups/sects as they seek to dominate. History is full of examples of the conflict , persecution and suffering caused by our religious "leaders" . There is only one way out...ditch following religions and focus on humanism..

Thanks for the reminder, Vatican City!

Roger, Porthmadog, Wales UK

Was Jesus a Roman Catholic?

Colin, Hythe, UK

He is wrong!
The church of the flying spaghetti monster is the ONLY real church. There can only be ONE!

Stefan, Southampton, UK

Some of the most disgraceful people in history have been popes (e.g. the Borgias & Medici popes). Frankly, I wouldn't be showing off about this 'holy lineage' of popes since St Peter.

G Clifford, Florence, Italy

Vaclav Havel, roughly translated:
"Embrace people who seek the truth, and run from those who have found it"

Tim C, Isle of Wight, UK

I suggest Christians or non-Christians, atheist or not do more readings. I found The God's Delusion (Richard Dawkins), Dawkin's Delusion (Alister McGrath), and American Fascists (Chris Hedges) are good books which provide insights (although Dawkins, well, he's a little too extreme) so we wouldn't repeating same mistakes done by religion or idea fanatics.

I once heard a Buddhist monk said: Religion is just a brand, what makes a person religious is not the religion he/she believes, instead his/her spiritual, moral and discipline cultivation that makes one a religious person or not.

caekay, KL, malaysia

"Gott ist tot" - Nietzsche.

"God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.
How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers?"

And how did we kill him? By idiotic battles of religiosity, such as these petty squabbles over any so-called "true faith" or "true church" - at a time when the world needs hope the most.

Andrew S, Plymouth, UK

No, my church is bigger than your church !

Carol, Cheshire, UK

two bald men arguing over a non-existent comb.

(Sorry, forgot you're not allowed to be satirical about bald men, or the bears will get you!)

AndyC, Rowlands Castle,

Perhaps the being who supposedly created the entire universe should get a better advertising agent.

All this squabbling about how he should be worshipped.

Europe was torn apart by such questions for hundreds of years, and the world is under threat by another band of upstarts who claim *they* know how this elusive being wants to be serviced.

I do wish you'd all stop squabbling and do something a little more useful, such as just trying to live a useful and decent life without clamouring for control over other people or bickering about what type of form of adulation the big fairies in the sky require of you.

Andy, London,

What about the Totem Pole in my back garden? Is that not a real religion either? Have I been worshipping at it all these years in vain?

eric , harrogate, uk

I am always concerned by the warped logic, whereby religions which preach one god can then proceed to claim that they are the only true religion. If there is one god, then surely all peoples are "children" of that god, irrespective of race or creed, and no form of worship can have precedence over any other.
The attitude being adopted by the Catholic Church is, in fact, no different from the fundamentalist attitude we are so ready to decry in other religions. In truth, it is a sorry world we live in, where Christian values of love and tolerance are rejected by the very Church which claims, above all, to be the one true religion.

Al, Bristol, UK

An ex member of the Hitler Youth telling me that I'm not saved?

See you in Hell!

Paul, Bedford,

Last time I checked, Jesus was born Jewish...

Sarah, St. Peter's, Rome

There are two issues here, frequently confused: religion and faith.

Religion implies adherence to a system. Faith implies a personal connection with God (whoever "God" may be).

Logically, therefore, if you adhere to a religion, it is this system that provides you with your connection to God and, in fact, describes your God for you. This is inherently limiting for the individual, but it does afford enormous power to the middleman.

Kathryn, Vienna, Austria

Did they pick this man up somewhere in the middle ages?

starling, Lancaster,

I'm not surprised of the Pope's opinion. I've studied The book pf Revelation. The chapters 13-17 indicate a false church,
sits on the 7 hills in Roman. This system will be jointed with the anti-Christ. This system has a cruel history, the leader of this system will declare himself God.
Looks like the Bible is true.

Joyce Scott, Westampton, USA/NJ

I can't see how a religion who's main figure head is a former member of THE HITLER YOUTH can be taken at all seriously.

The world has more important battles to overcome without this old pointless argument rearing it's ugly giggoted head.

shelley, London,

He's german, he can't help himself!!!!

Kaz, poole,

Oh my goodness! The head of the Catholic Church is--gasp!--a Catholic.

He believes in the primacy of--wonder of wonders!--the Catholic Church. When Catholics (and I am happy to be one) aver in the Nicene Creed "I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church" (their church, why would it be any other?) they can be sure that the Pope believes in same thing.

Unbelieveable. Stop the presses. This is big news.

Mary Shelley, London, UK

I am more proud than ever to be Catholic. Since Martin Luther the Protestant Religion has not been "Christian" at all. Since Henry the VII the Anglican Religion started down their own path and finally the Eastern Orthodox Church Has been in Schism for hundreds of years. It is fantastic that this "Liberal" Pope has publicly spoken out on this. Sadly until these self declared churches realize their errors there will be no unity. The Catholic Church is the one True and Apostolic Church of Christ and all others are nothing but twisted distortions of Christ's Truth. As Christ Said you are either with him or against him there is NO middle ground.

Henry, Conroe, TX, USA

What a bitter old man. This, and his involvement in helping hide pedophile priests from the law make me wonder whether this man is really a Christian.
If so, I'm glad I'm not.

Tim, Toronto, Canada

Don't be ridiculous! There can only be I ONE faith. We have seen multiplication by division but of doesn't work as is evidenced by the current weakened Christianity that cannot stand in any united fashion to push the greatest themes of Christianity to a vacuous world -- love and forgiveness. The world has become deaf to Jesus' message and the reason for his birth and death.

Pope Benedict is right. The other Christian faiths need to examine how they came about and deal with it! No pouting but an honest appraisal. Only then can unity come about. This is not an opportunity for democatic, political correctness. THAT is selling out.

Robin Willcourt, Newport Beach, California

To paraphrase: "If your cross ain't my cross, it's the wrong cross."

Looks like the Roman Catholics got themselves a George Bush the Younger.

DanO, Mount Vernon, USA

The only true 'church' would be the one that follows the biblical precepts. Strictly speaking, Christianity is Jewish!
Interestingly enough, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is the only Christian one that abides by the biblical dietary laws.

Dov, Addlestone,

I particularly enjoyed: "That is, dialogue cannot be an occasion to accommodate or soften what you understand yourself to be.”

As the proverbial bright schoolchild knows, dialogue cannot be anything else.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

hahahaha, next the Pope's going to tell you he wan't a Nazi!

Brian, London, UK

The document says that the Church of Christ is present and operative in all Christian bodies, though it subsists fully only in the RCC. Why does no one take up the positive note? It certainly corrects the sectarianism of triumphalist Catholics who still speak of the other churches as sectarian or heretical.

Joseph S. O'Leary, Tokyo, Japan

Did I read somewhere that Pope Benedict had some connections with the Nazi Youth.If it is true ,I am not surprised that ,he is believing in supremacy of one brand of faith over the others.(That was also the belief of the Nazis racially)The whole debate proves how fallible and unchristian the Papcy is .What would the pale Galilean who washed the feet of HIS discples say ?

Nigel jay, melbourne, vic.Australia

Please, Please...someone ask Rome where the Nazi's evading capture at the end of WWII got their false passports from??? Then please ask me why there was a silent consent to the slave trade by Rome??? God is the way, i agree...but Rome is not God...Rome is not clean of sin. If Jeasus and God are important to you, then go with God. Amen.

Jeff Lee, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Can you believe this. You would think that with the wars that have been caused by such fundamentalist comments - the Troubles in Northern Ireland, terror campaigns in New York and London (Islam against Western beliefs), this Pope would have the wit to recognise there is room in the world for more faiths than the Catholic Church. People find their own way to God and no-one has the right to say that is wrong. Being Christain and having faith isn't about a particular way to worship - its believing in a higher power and trying to live like a good Christain as opposed to being a judgemental crackpot who feels that the only way is his way.

Lainey, London,

Maybe now all the heretics and jews will see the errors of their ways ;)

Andy, Dublin,

"the GREEK word for "munch, or gnaw" was used,"

The Bible was written in Arameic (and boy, are there loads of translation errors)

Anyway, the pope should be glad there are any Christians at all, Catholic or otherwise.

starling, Lancaster,

If the pope actually read the New Testament once in a while he might find Matthew 23 v8 - 12 quite illuminating:

8 "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Strange how he never seems to comment on that bit!

david, London, UK

Jon O'Neil is spot on. All Catholics of a certain age were taught that The Roman Catholic Church is the only true Christian Church. All the others were set up by dissenters to R C teachings. Add the Latin Mass being allowed again and we have a Pope who is a true Catholic, unlike so many of his recent predecessors. Good for you Holy Father.

Jack Gamon, Sussex, England, England

Are the Vatican's finances in trouble-sounds to me like the Pope wants to screw some more money out of the poor (like it has always done) by making us "illegals believers" come over to his church,-the Vatican is an obscenely wealthy organisation-would Jesus have let them keep all their fabulous wealth instead of distributing it to the poor? I think not.
Roman Catholics should be trying to open up communications with Muslims rather than stabbing its own allies in the back-God help us all.

Mike Brown, Bath, UK

But can your Protestant / Lutheran / Anglican Pastors / Preachers and Bishops trace their 'offices' back to Christ in an 'unbroken' line?

My point is that only the Roman Catholic and Orthodox 'Churches' can.

Chris Jenkins, Heidelberg, Germany

the catholic church has been criticised lately because they have been allowing people to pick and choose which parts of the bible they adhere too. i am not a catholic but i think the pope has done the right thing in standing up for his church and not diluting his beliefs so as not to offend other churches. this should give catholics a stronger belief in their pope. and i seriously doubt that the original document translates into something as petty as "if its not roman catholic then its not a proper church." the media is trying to turn a document cementing the catholic churches position into a petty argument between bigots.

Linda, Ireland,

Now, a shout out to all denominations, faiths, religions and atheists:

Stop debating man's opinion. Stop following everything that appears/claims to be of devine origin. Start asking yourself relevant questions about who we are and what we are supposed to be doing here.

If there are a set of questions it is worth seeking answers to then surely it wil be those as you will be walking around with them for the rest of your life.

Explore all. Sift everything.

Also read Acts 17:27 and John 14:6.

Enjoy.

Berne, London, UK

I am really disappointed with the pope.
Rather than the churches- here I am referring to Christians, Moslems and any other religion- working on figuring out why we as humans has ended up with different religions and working out to clear those differences and uniting everyone under one religion, we keep pointing fingers at each other as well as claiming to be the only right religion.
I won`t be surprise if more religions are born by the pope taking such a stand.
WE ARE ALL LOST, including the pope

Gilbert, Münich, Germany

Oh dear: so non christian faiths are on an equal footing with Protestants and the Orthodox, not sister churches at all - its back to 1870 and the pope declaring himself infallible and to have jurisdiction over all the bishops in his communion.
Happily Anglicans and Orthodox have stuck to the ancient pattern of bishops and not got into the novelties of Rome with its exotic conscience stretching excersises adopted by Conrad Black and now St Anthony of Sedgefield, pbh.

Hildebrand, Banbury, UK

Bring back the Inquisition! That's the next step isn't it?

Helen, London,

Roger from Baguio, where in the world did you get your figures that contraceptive causes the poverty in third world countries? Have you been to Hindu India or to animist Africa? Were contraceptives the cause of their poverty and hunger? Get your facts straight first.

Rommel Lopez, Manila, Philippines

The spectacle of Catholics and Protestants engaging in a "I'm far holier than thou" debate is quite amusing for any believer in Christ who chooses to stay away from churches, "proper" or not.
Somehow, the debate sounds a bit like the standard conservative vs labour performances available at you nearest theatre.

I. Rodriguez, London,

The Church of England is the Estabished Catholic Church in England, albeit with protestant beleifs. We replaced an Italian Pope with our head of state and since then have evolved like all robust organizations.

Other countries are as follows. Irish Republic-Roman Catholic; Scotland-Presbeterian; France-Roman Catholic; Italy-Roman Catholic; USA-Free for All. Eastern Europe-Orthodox. As Christians we should focus on our national church, rather than trying to find a christian sect that maches our predjudices. Its not a good argument to define an organization by the perieved deficiencies of the others.

Matthew, Sacramento, CA

Tony and George W have kept saying to the Shias and Sunnis of Iraq: get your act together and live together peacefully.

Perhaps the same advice should be directed to the Pope (and the rest on this site).

Pete, London,

There is a simple test for true Christianity - the teachings of Jesus and his immediate successors the Apostles as found in the New Testament (which is not to ignore the Old Testament as that points to Jesus from its very beginning). Any "Church" which lessens the message of the Gospel as found in the New Testament, either by adding to it or taking away is to varying degrees heretical. By this measure Catholicism as a system is heretical; the latest Papal decree simply confirms this.

Donald, Bridgend, Wales

The Pope can argue this point all he likes, but dissent like this is to the very great detriment of all the Christian denominations.

Perhaps this serves as another reminder of the just how irrelevant these arguments are to the people? Or maybe this just highlights the very clear truth that all religions are equally self-serving and worthless?

William, London, UK

I Believe in One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church...",

The catholic refers to the true church, not to the Church of Rome. The Chuch of Rome does not have primacy over either the Church of England or the orthodox Church. Wars have been fought over this issue and this is just how it is.

Matthew, Sacramento, CA

Might he also say that Islam is not a true 'church' either?

Peter, Norwich, UK

Who cares.....................

Mind you, I always understood that Christianity was about teaching love, understanding and forgiveness.

At the end of the day, there is only one authority one has to answer to and he doesn't care where you come from or what "church" or golf club you belong to! Oh, and he doesn't live surrounded by earthly riches and piousness.

What a load of nonsense!

James, London,

Peter, LA - "Conclusion: Unless we are Roman Catholic, we are condemned to eternal damnation - Protestants, Jews, etc."

That's blatant nonsense. The Church has constantly reaffirmed since Vatican II that non-Catholics do not automatically go to hell. This document does not deal with the question of which individuals are saved/damned at all - it simply looks at the ecclesiological dimension of non-Catholic churches and denominations.

Kensy, Nottingham,

now its clear why T Blair wants to join

first G Bush now Ratzinger worship, and the UK let him have ten years

voters shame on you

jbzola, ascot, berks

Why is The Times publishing so much about so-called "Faith" and "Church" at the moment? This is the twenty first century! Who cares what the Pope says? It's irrelevant.

Mike, Madrid, Spain

Yet another statement which proves Boenhoffer's statement that ' the church comes between man and his God.'
The truth is that none of us knows, or will ever know until we reach the other side, what is the true faith.
Simply worship your God. He will hear you.

David Drury, York, England

It is good that the Pope spoke out openly of what Jesus said to Simon Peter: "You are Kephas and on this Kephas I will build my Church". Jesus has so built his Church on the Rock which is St Peter and Peter as the first Pope started in Jerusalem, then Antioch and ended up in Rome to pass on this Rock to his successors as Vicar of Christ. Jesus also said only to Peter and not to the other Apostles to encourage his brothers and sisters in their Faith. Consequently we can only live in this Encouragement of Jesus under the Successor of St Peter.

Tom Krosing, Wembley, UK

As a catholic convert I was initially struck by Jesus saying, 'You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church.' There is only one church, the Catholic church, other Christians might not like it but that is the biblical truth.

andy , UK,

Poor old duck, he's getting senile.

Maggie Millington, Brittany, France

If you disagree with Catholic teaching, then you are claiming to be right or that what is right/true cannot be known; which would then be the 'truth' i.e. you are asserting what you believe to be true. Please allow the Holy See the same freedom.
Chirstus Vincit.

James Stubbs, COVENTRY, U.K.

What a wacko that Pope is!! He's a funny guy - thinks he's infallible - who does he think he is? God?

Andy Iddon, London, UK

Oh damn! This means a load of christians are going to be joining me in Hell.

Charles Darwin, Madrid, Spain

In the middle age the Catholic Church was corrupted and left their christian doctrine becaue their interest change to money and power, this can be read at any library. Therefore they lost their "status", and anyway there are not historical facts that can prove the uniqueness of the Catholic church never mind that the Pope is the successor of the apostle Peter and the supreme earthly leader of the Church.
The Pope is just suffering because the Catholic church is an empty shell.

N F, Runcorn,

The Roman Catholic Church is 'wounded' and has 'defects' and is not a 'proper' church which is why people started new churches which are not ROMAN i.e. based on the corruption that entered the church when it was nationalised by Constantine and modelled itself on Roman institutions instead of on the body of Christ.

William Haines, Northwood, UK

Who said that all the hardliners are muslims!! 99.9% of all wars imvolve religion and it looks like the Pope wants to try for 100%.
Give me strenght!

Rodger Slape, London, England

I don't know what all the fuss is about. Everyone knows that the one true church is the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and may His Noodly Appendage touch you all.

Yarrrr!

Russ, Reading, UK

Jesus is the head of the Christian Church, not the Pope. What proof do Catholics have that the current Pope (or any of the previous popes) have actually asked Jesus into their hearts and are true Christians?

One of my concerns about the Catholic Church is that the people who attend are born into the Catholic Church and many don't ever make their own personal commitment to Jesus, just go to church/take mass/confession, etc., because it is a tradition.

Dawn Dorrington, Saffron Walden, England

Isn't it time the rational view prevailed that actually ALL religion is made up, every one as absurd and fantastical as the next? Maybe then we could concentrate on working together on making the human world a sustainable, healthy and fair place, instead of indoctrinating our children into whatever fantasy we happen to believe in (having been indoctrinated ourselves). We could stop setting ourselves apart from, or, even worse, against others, on the basis of which part of the world we happened to be born in, and therefore which fantasy tales about deities and their so-called representatives on earth we were led to believe.. I strongly recommend reading A C Grayling's Against All Gods before deciding to bring your children up in your particular version of the "truth"..

Inge, Wellingborough, UK

I was christened in the Methodist Church but now go to a Catholic Church [my wife is a Catholic]. The Pope doesn't help making comments like this.

Ian Payne, LICHFIELD, STAFFS

I am sorry to read the reactions of Janet but the real score here in the discussion is to lay out once and for all what the Catholic Church really is. Ecumenism was espoused by the Council Fathers of Vatican II to "seek the lost sheep" not as a compromise of faith in order to accommodate those who have doctrinal or moral issues against the Church. This teaching is echoed by early Church Fathers and saints in their writings. It is high time that the Pope issues this document so questions about the true identity of the church after Vatican II be put into light. The Church has the mission to seek those who are lost not to compromise its dogma.

Rommel Lopez, Manila, Philippines

Lovely ! It must be right, the Pope after all is infallible. Why? ... well because he says so. The only awe and wonder is that there seem to be people around who still believe this drivel.

Geoff, Melbourne, Australia

Faith is a matter that is personal to the believer and however much we may disagree with another's belief, it is between them and God. I believe the Pope is wrong. He should leave me and my fellow Protestants to God and we should return the favour concerning his belief..

At least I feel fairly confident there will be no crusade on this issue.

William, Melbourne, Australia

Perhaps not a very tactful thing to say outright, but I think it's naive to think that any religion doesn't think like this about other faiths - the whole point of a faith is that you believe in it wholly so by default all other religions in your eyes are in some way wrong... pretty obvious but not very helpful when trying to live with other faiths in harmony. Focus should be on common goals not dogmatic statements which add fuel to the fire of religious hatred.

Katherine, Llandudno,

I am not a religious man,but if I were I would despair of these churchmen.
What on earth do they think their saviour is making of all this?

Michael J Rigby, Chorley Lancashire, England

This is the same thing all churches accept as true of them self, other wise they would be in union with each other. We must remember the bible does not state that there are thirty thousand churches not twenty two Churches only one Church, which ever that maybe. (1T im 3:15 - “the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth ") (the = one (one church))

Reynaldo, Miami, Florida

"If ye be lukewarm..."

Martin, Wyoming,

Janet,

I and other will pray for you. The Catholic Church may not be perfect, but it is the only Church that can be traced back to the time of Christ, no other Church can trace their origins back that far in time.

God Bless,

Ken, Minnesota, USA

Ken, Hermantown, USA / MN

Yippee!!!!!!! about time the Vatican expresed this.....
Maybe we can now dismantle the deforms of the Second Vatican Council
It is good that we start bee n rpoud again of a strong church and a strong faith, without compromising our teachings ...nobody else does.....why should Catholics be required to do so?
If you disagree, then join another faith .....

Barbara, NYC, USA

I am not religious but this just sums up the medieval power mad Papal attitude. It is power politics at its most corrupt. It is no different to the backward Papal attitude to contraception. Millions are in poverty in catholic dominated third world countires and why? Because the Pope says they cannot use contraceptives. Just like in Europe, people will stop going to catholic churches and join other more enlightened progressive churches. Wake up Mr. Pope and enter the modern world before you have no-one left to give communion too.

Roger, Baguio City, Philippines

There never was any point to ecumenical dialogue. This article simply emphasises it. You can believe or not believe whatever you like but the fact remains that the history of the Catholic Church is not attractive. It is a statement of enormous arrogance to assert that it is "the one true Church of Christ."

Michael Dunn, Newport Pagnell,

This sounds a lot like "One people, one church, one Pope"... Wait a minute, didn't another guy with funny facial hair say something similar about 60 years ago? I think it was in German... Hold on a second, wasn't this Pope a groupie for that same guy?

Dan, Cordoba,

Imagine no religion.............

David Donaldson, Renfrewshire,

Well, Joey, it is a pretty arrogant statement you have made now. Will you try to kill me like the Pope of Martin Luther's time tried to kill him? You may be the head of the church you belong to, living for free in a beautiful palace paid for by Catholics all around the world. You, however, are not the head of my church. Jesus Christ is the head of my church. THAT is the one true church. I receive forgiveness and absolution from HIM, NOT YOU.

Kevin Thompson, Fort Collins, colorado

At last, a World leader who is not gaged by political correctness.

Some teachings are not negotiable.

Jon O'Neil, Liverpool, UK

Does anyone really care what this old guy has to say?? I think not. Church attendances have been falling for years across the board as people become more educated and are able to decide for themselves if the bible teachings are truth or fiction.

Lets be perfectly honest here, the main function of the Catholic church is to steal money from the poor, end of story.

GMO, Glasgow, UK

Now I understand why Tony wants to convert - to the only really truly proper church. When will George W. follow, I wonder. I can just imagine them both, down on their knees together, asking god whether to drop bombs on Tehran, making it "legitimate" so to speak. And perhaps even confessing their guilt afterwards and obtaining forgiveness for Iraq (so that their consciences are clear).

alan, cologne,

I grew up Catholic and even spent 3 yrs as a Youth Minister in the Catholic faith. I have left the Catholics. I am now in a relationship with Jesus Christ as my Savior, and read the Bible. I am in a fellowship with other Bible-believing people and am very happy and secure in my salvation. If the Pope does not believe that I will see him in heaven, so be it---JESUS DOES! I believe there are saved Catholics. The only important theology is the establishment of a personal relationship with Christ and the declaration the I am a sinner needing the Savior (the One and ONLY). He saved me by GRACE--not by being in the right group (the Catholics).

Maynard, Juniata, NE

I'm glad. It's about time the Pope be proud of his Church!

Laramie, Tulsa, OK

Long live Torquemada.

As an agnostic I look on this as a retrograde step. I can appreciate the tenets of christianity, the mores relating to dealing with other members of society. But to start spouting the opinion that "only our view is acceptable" creates alienation.

Do you want catholiscism to become the new fundementalism or do you want to grow your creed as the basis of humamisn?

Jon Dawkins, Bristol, UK

The Pope is right, he and only he, is the sucessor of Peter, so he is the chief of the true Church. All the others are splinters from the Catholic Church due to political reasons. The Church of England, for instance: The Church of England came to be because Henry VIII wanted to divorce and the Catholic Church did'nt allow that, so he started his own Church. How can you have that as a proper Church? Not to mention the others. People want to chose religion as they chose the flavor of their orange juice in the supermarket. It dosen't work like that.

Fabio C, London, UK

The very word POPE is not in the Bible and therefore Biblically Improper. So why should we care what a mere man with a title that is not Biblical thinks about true believers that have been born again? One priest said if you go to any other church then a Catholic church your going to hell. Only Jesus Christ can get a person out of hell and no church or Pope can. Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again for our sins.

I attend another denomination and I am not waiting to be validated by a person with an improper non-biblical title.

Robert De Corah, Dubuque, IA

I am still proud to be a Catholic, and if you understand the meaning behind a document like this you will not say such things. The Pope sees a legitimate Church through many vessels, one being Apostolic Succession, which only Catholics and Orthodox have. Protestant seperation from the church leads them to only have a reference in the bible, which includes limited stories of the life and existence of Jesus, the Trinity, etc. I personally (as a Catholic) believe this in my heart, however I wish we could be less pushy, in an age when full ecumenism is soooo needed against modernization. I do not think this is a lust for power at all.

Holden, Laguna Niguel, California

I was raised Catholic along side the beliefs of my parents and family. Even though I have considered myself non-denominational in my adult years, I was always proud to have been raised with Catholic beliefs. This unfortunately has ended today, as I find myself disgusted by the attitudes of Supremacy.. not primacy, that the Vatican and Catholic leaders are displaying. I had always hoped to introduce my future children to Catholicism in their formative years as a foundation to allow them to make their own decisions in their adulthood. With the changes and incredulous statements and beliefs that are being displayed as of late, I find myself changing my thoughts and gearing towards more of buddist beliefs of tolerance and acceptance, which the Catholic leaders obviously no longer believe in.

Yani , Tampa, Florida

I guess the crux of it is that if you don't accept the Pope as your leader, then the Church you are in is illegitimate.

This is most offensive and insincere considering the Roman Catholic Church keeps telling us that it wants to reach out to other Christian and Non-Christian faiths.

I would say that the Catholic Church is "not proper" for issuing this provocative article not the Christian churches.

Niki Saliba, Melbourne, Australia

Anyone who studies church history, understands that modern day Romanism is, in fact, nothing more than the counter reformation movement. Before the Reformation, Marionism was nothing more than a monastic movement, the eucharist was only received by the priest, and the invocation of saints was considered purely a matter of personal preference. Roman Catholics should be thankful the Reformation occured. It was the Reformation, not Rome, that brought about Bible study by layity. It was the Reformation, not Rome, that brought Christian education to the common man. It was the Reformation, not Rome, that returned Christianity to the Apostolic faith. What of Rome? It was the tyranny and arrogance of Rome that brought about the Reformation. It was Rome that silenced or censored the Augustinian and Franciscan movements because much of the Reform movement was influenced by Augustin and Francis. Rome has never renounced the anathemas given by the council of Trent. This is nothing new.

Timothy, St. Louis, Missouri

Jesus didn't set up a " Roman Catholic Church", He called people to follow him and in the New Testament, these groups of people were called "church".
The word catholic is often used to refer to RC churches, whereas the term Roman Catholic should always be used to describe this denomination, which is just ONE of many Christian groups of people.

Brian, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

I thank God I am a Christian...who happens to be a Protestant.

Perhaps the Pope can figure out why Protestants refuse to join the Catholic Church.

Marie, Midway Park, NC, USA

The position of the pope on the second-class status of all churches except the one he leads, leaves me with only one way to make room in my heart for individual Catholic believers: love and respect them while remaining ever skeptical about the hierarchy that attempts to control every facet of their lives. Fortunately, the attitude of the pope has not and will not be greeted with enthusiasm by all of his flock, clerical, lay or religious.

George Venable Beury, Louisville, Kentucky,

I think that good leaders should try to make their messages fit with the times. Protestant versus Catholic rivalry, and all the rest of it, is old news; and for this pope to be bringing it up (or scraping at old wounds) in the context of the distrust that exists in our post 9-11 world is not very clever...not very clever, indeed.

He seems obviously to lack the John Paul world view.

Terry, Montreal, Canada

To which I say... 'So What.' Should anyone be suprised that the Catholic Church is still the Catholic Church. It is a significantly better position then during the Cath/Prot wars. Catholics will still be catholic, Protestants will still be protestants. The differences are severe... but at least they are willing to work together on some issues.

Unity is over rated.

Nicholas, Dallas, Texas

The Roman Catholic Church IS the true Church, all others are 'off shoots', 'break away' or denominations.

Connie, Billings, USA

Jesus said "if they are not against me then they are with me" referring to others preaching in his name. He preached inclusiveness, not division. This latest statement is so sad.

Paul, Udonthani, Thailand

Glad I left the priesthood of the RC Church and became an Anglican (Episcopal) priest. What Ben is saying is another nail in the coffin of the Christian spirit of Vatican II, wherein other Christian churches were deemed to actually HAVE the Holy Spirit. So now I guess the Holy Spirit that resides in other churches is a defective version of the real Holy Spirit.

Fr. Pete Wright, Redlands, USA/CA

The early Christians set a bad example for everyone. They prayed in other tounges, engaged in prophesy, laid hands on the sick, cast out demons and met in services in the catacombs. They stuck together even until death and crucifiction. They acted like they were in love with God as a result of a supernatural experience through the Holy Spirit as a result of Christ's death of redemption.

Those inproper Christians never did get it right with their early Church practices!

Mark, Houston, USA

It is good to hear that Rome is finally being honest. Long live Pope Benedict!

Sean, Gimli, Canada

Surely the rules of the true church, as defined by God cannot be up for debate?

JB, Romford, UK

he's only a man, the pope that is. He has continued a life of strict learning and devotion to sacriments which we as disciples of the true God hold personal to ourselves in this universal community. Keep him in prayers if this remark of his passion, his suffering to know and give his best as a man in a position of much attention and responsibility has struck a blow to your dicipline. Live true to your own intimate relationship with Jesus


w.a. peace

william, st. joseph,

This is nothing new. The RC Church has long held this position. What is amusing (sad?) is that the Eastern Orthodox Church holds exactly the same position in relation to Rome but they claim in contrast to Rome that Rome is in fact the one who is wounded (actually they often use much nastier language) in that it holds a host of erroneous teachings, notably, the present understanding of papal primacy with the doctrine of papal infallibility. Thus one is faced with the ecclesiological equivalent of a sort of mirror teaching in both churches or, to be less generous, the ecclesiological equivalent of each child besting the other by saying that they said something first.

Brandon Gallaher, Oxford,

Well we see the Papists for what they are and Tony will be happy with their mendacity when he swims up the Tiber. Let us move beyond our current spats an build a strong Anglican Church again!

PATRICK J DICKEY, MM, SAN FRANCISCO, California

I would like to ask all the "embarrassed Catholics" a question: What is your faith? To be a Roman Catholic is not enough to visit a church once in a while. To be a true believer It is to follow the principles and dogmas of one's religion - the Catholic Church as in my case. The principles of the Roman Catholic Church did not change nor have they hardened with the election of the Pope Benedict. During each Mass all Roman Catholics recite in loud voices: "...I Believe in One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church...", so why then do some of us who call ourself Catholics say they are embarrassed to acknowledge the same outside walls of our sanctuaries?

Jay, Ohio, USA

Janusz Kozak, Painesville, USA/Ohio

The definition of being 'in the Church' means to hold faith with all that you profess in your creed. It must be inclusive of all the points otherwise it holds no meaning, and one runs the risk of being hypocritical and contradictory in the eyes of observers -- picking and choosing what you believe in individually diminishes the body (the community) you chose to be part of. To profess belief in "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church" and then make a personal statement on the Times website to declare embarassment and disapproval of the community you claim to be part of is inherently hypocritical. Instead of a knee-jerk reaction to the negative responses your Church received here, shouldn't a fair response be to stand your ground with your community first, look deeper into the reasons why it would make an 'unpopular' move like this? Unless you have full faith in Anglicanism, you shouldn't have to take at face value that the Catholic Church has a "lust for power"!

Jack, London, UK

The new Pope certainly seems to be doing everything he can to convince people on the margins that the Catholic Church is irrelevant and out of touch with the common people. How on earth does he think that bringing back a latin mass and stridently asserting the absolute authority of the Pople over all Christiains is going to re-invigorate enthusiasm in a dying religion. While they sit in the Vatican ruminating over philosophy people suffer, die from Aids and starve throughout an overpopulated world in response to which the Church steadfastly asserts "No Condoms and lets peform mass in a language incomprehensible to anyone but priests" - hopeless.

Manny, Tokyo, Japan

Perhaps the Bishop of Rome should re-read the Joint Declaration on Justification with the Lutheran church, which he signed as a representative of the Roman Catholic Church , as well as re-read statements he has made concerning the Lutheran church ... never once stated that he didn't think we were a proper church. There is nothing in Scripture that names any church.

Marlene Koenig, alexandria, VA, USA

So the Pope to bumbled into that oldest Protestant perception--that Rome is greedy and grasping for power.

As a Protestant, there is a lot I could say in return, but I it would be little more than Martin Luther said 400 years ago, and I am sure that the Vatican has numerous copies of his works on hand.

Steve, San Jose, California, USA

While the position of the Church as articulated within this document is somewhat blunt, I would agree that a point of clarity is required on the subject. Clearly, there are reasons why the various denominations are not united. This document outlines the RC stance and perspective on the validity of other institutions. It is a narrow definition, but valid from an RC perspective.

JM, San Francisco, California

The pope is NOT the head of the church! Jesus Christ is the head of the church. 1 Colossians 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church.

Linda Rivera, New York , USA

na na na na na...my belief in fairies is better than your belief in fairies.

So they feel the need to believe in a single 'god', which is the same single 'god' as people of other Abrahamic faiths, where the principle differences between those faiths are in the 'how to believe' part, differences borne out of different interpretations. In other aspects of life we might call the same concentration on the process instead of the subject 'nit-picking' and treat it with the contempt it deserves. Stand back looking in and seeing this focus on process, it does suggest the catholic church is more interested in control rather than enriching peoples lives.

jch, new plymouth, nz

Janet,

How can you be embarassed to be Catholic for this reason? The Pope merely affirmed the Church's teaching since the time of St. Ignatius (who, I believe, was the disciple of Polycarp who was the disciple of the Apostle John--not very far removed). Do you even know your own faith or what you profess to be your faith?

True faith is always subject to ridicule. You won't be popular. Accept that. Sitting their and naively and unanalytically thinking that the Church can just abrogate magisterial (and infallible) teachings shows an incredible ignorance on your part with respect to the Church. If the Church changed its stance here, it would cease to be the Church, and would just be another Protestant denomination among the 2000 others (not an exaggerated number).

Sojourner, Houston, TX, USA

As a protestant, I have absolutely no interest in the Pope's opinion. Why should his opinion matter?

Elissa, Illinois, USA

The Pope is being honest in saying what all right thinking Catholics believe.

Brian O Cinneide, DURBAN, South Africa

Though there are many demoninations that stray from true Christian teaching, I still believe that anyone who believes in God and Jesus Christ - and who strives to follow those beliefs - are Christians. I grew up in a Baptist family and find some the the practices of the Catholic church to be odd, such as not allowing priests to have families of their own, but I wouldn't besmirch their faith like the pope has done.

Gary Stanley, Silver Spring, MD

I am saddened by such self-serving exclusivism by the Pope. It takes us back to the reasons for the Reformation! Scripture makes no such assertion that would support "the primacy of the Pope". This blasphemous at worst and certainly negates the preeminance of Christ proclaimed by Paul in Col. 1:18.

Brad, Seattle, Wash

Just shows why it is almost impossible to remain a pracising Catholic. The medium is more important than the message. Do you really think Christ would think it was more important to belong to one brand of Christianity than to live by his teachings?

Maria, Sydney, Australia

The Catholic Church is what it is-the one christian church with a lineage all the way back to Christ.Although other Christian churches have different identities the Catholic Church doesn't say you must be a catholic to attain salvation.It says it believes it is the best way. Come on now, Did you really expect anything different ??

Does this mean that Jews and non catholic christians cannot attain salvation? Absolutely not!!
Individuals must decide what faith best brings them to their goal of salvation,as indeed, all Christian faiths are NOT alike!

David,Oxford,USA

D Hopper, Oxford, AL

Presumably 'proper', which you somewhat inconsistently place in quotes at some points but not at others, is a translation of the Latin 'proprius'. If so, your use of the English 'proper' is not just a mistranslation, it is also misreporting.

'Proprius' is used as an intensifier in Latin in conjunction with a noun of some form. The nearest equivalent in English is 'own' as in, say, 'our own church'; but even this does not give the exact sense. Compare 'amour propre', which is not the same as self-love.

Fred O'Hanlon

Fred O'Hanlon, Dunfermline, Scotland

I'm joining Saint Christopher (Hitchens) and I will only go to church for weddings and funerals.

And as for baptism, I agree with that Oxonian atheist that children should wait until they're grown up before doing all of that mumbo jumbo religious business,

Terry, Montreal, Canada

Catholicism's beliefs (based on the Bible) are that Jesus said to Peter that he is the rock on which Christ's church is to be built and that what he allows on earth will be allowed in Heaven. These form the basis as to why, in the Catholic faith, Roman Catholicsm is the one true Church of Christ and that the leader of the Roman Catholic Church has 'powers' vested in him. The document is a statement of the Vatican's understanding and beliefs of their Catholic faith. I do not believe that it is meant as an attack on the other churches. Fr. Augustine's comments clarifies the intent of the document very well that each participant is fully aware of their own identity. The Pope is merely holding to the Catholic faith, to what has been taught for almost as long as the Catholic Church has existed. And I guess, to understand why such steadfastness (possibly seen as antagonistic and stubborn) in the Pope, one would have to understand the Catholic beliefs, faith and traditions.

Kate, Singapore,

I am an integral part of the Body of Christ as a born again believer in Jesus Christ.

I am NOT a member of the Church of Rome, but that in NO WAY diminishes my part in the Body of Christ, i.e. the Church.

The Church of Christ (not to be confused by a denomination by that same name) is not just the church of Rome. The Body of Christ is far more than Rome. The true Universal Church is far more than Rome.

As a member of the Body of Christ, I don't need Rome.

Darren, Tampa, USA/FL

Janet may be embarassed, but I am not. Any honest look at the Bible and history easily proves that collectively, Christians up until Luther believed "the Pope is in some special way the successor of the apostle Peter and the supreme earthly leader of the Church. " Be honest about the whole of history and the whole of the Bible. Don't look for ways to rip apart and divide; hate motivates these things. Rather, consider that these seemingly wild claims made by the Catholic Church might actually be true.

The Church does not claim to be perfect, and neither does the Pope. "Infallibility" is not "impeccability". Infallibility refers to decrees regarding faith and morals. There have been some absolutely horrible popes, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit, none of them were able to violate the concept of papal infallibility.

Consider this: On those rare occassions when demonic possessions do occur, nobody says, "Oh, my goodness! Go get an Episcopalian priest or street preacher!"

Martin in Texas, Rowlett, TX

As a Protestant this thing would, in the past, have made me pretty angry. However now I see it differently. I see it as an opportunity for those in the Catholic Church to question by what authority the Catholic Church calls itself THE church.
It's time to get out your Bibles and see.
For now all I will add is this: It's all about Jesus. Not a church, not a pope. It's not about preachers, not about a building.
Just you. And Him.

Mary, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Is it so unacceptable for the Pope to emphasize the primacy of the Catholic Church (a historical fact)?

Tang Yongxiong, singapore,

As a Christian, I am a member of the Body of Christ, but I am not a member of the Church of Rome nor would I ever want to be. The history of the "church" of Rome is one of immorality, murder, intrique, power grabs, torture of Christians that would not buy into their lies, & from what I've read about some of the Popes many of them were not Christian but in name only. In my opinion, the claims of the church of Rome as to papal supremacy is a fraud perpetrated by Rome to secure & maintain power. Much of their traditions contradict the Word of God (Bible). They appear to engage in Mary worship & Mary, who was a blessed woman, was a sinner nonetheless. After Jesus, she had other children; hence no longer a virgin. Mary can't save you.

The church is Rome is NOT the Body of Christ regardless the lie that it alone has ‘full identity’ w/ the Church of Christ. The true Church of Christ is far more than Rome. The Body of Christ is comprised of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior.

Darren, Tampa, USA/FL

"And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven." (Matthew 23:9)

Jesus warned his disciples against submitting to an authority that usurps the Fatherhood of God. The pope supposes to be the sole avenue through which God speaks to His children, yet the scriptures plainly declare "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 3:5). When the pope departs from the truth of God's word, God's children must depart from the pope.

Paratus, East Coast, USA

The PB16 is right. The Catholic Church has 2000 years of administering christianity. All the others pale in comparison and have not developed the maturity of capability that the Catholic Church has developed. If they ever do, then they will just be mirroring the Catholic Church. I hear the teachings of a lot of different christian sects (non-Catholics) and they are either emphasizing doctrine that is either not important or blowing out of proportion side facts that railroad the layity down spiritual dead ends.

If you read the early Catholic Church documents, you start to see similarities between the early Catholic Church and almost all of the christian sects today. If these christian sects ever do develop a capability maturity comparable to the Catholic Church, it would be because they've leveraged all of the Catholic Church's literature and will eventually only differ ever so slightly from the Church. The differences. as they stand now, are miniscule.

Joe, San Francisco, California

The Pope next to return to the full authority of the scriptures. Then, he will stop worshiping Mary and praying to other saints. Re-read Foxe's Christian Martyrs. The English were burned at the stake because they refused to believe that at communion the wine and bread became Christ's real blood and real body. Holding onto that Catholic dogma is the real heresey.

Jim Lowe, centralia, usa/washington

Dear Pope,
I dont think your church is the proper Christian Church because you do not teach your people to obey the 10 Commandments.

wilma , Brisbane, Australia

Those who wish to follow may follow Benedict. Those who wish to study God's will and respond personally to it must, apparently, part company with him.

Dean, Atlanta, GA, USA

I can see where there would be some outcry regarding this...but let's take it for what it is. This is the head of a religious group asserting their own exclusivity and identity. Unfortunately, we live in such a backwards world that there is an expectation that even our religious leaders should practice their beliefs in a politically correct way. I would be more stunned if the Pope came out and said "all paths lead to God"...because such a statement would deem his particular position as being unnecessary.

Sunil, Bradenton, FL, USA

Hundreds of years and nothing changes. 'We are the real ones. If you're not with us, you're not a real christian.'
Luther is turning in his grave.

Steve Light , Winnipeg, Canada

Funny, I thought the Protestants broke from the Catholic Church because it wasn't so much a church focusing on the word of God and Jesus anymore, but instead sold indulgences, had inquisitions, etc.

Proud to Be a Lutheran, Houston, Texas, USA

From the Montreal Gazette:

"Pope Benedict reasserted the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says other Christian communities are either defective or not true churches and Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation."

Conclusion:

Unless we are Roman Catholic, we are condemned to eternal damnation - Protestants, Jews, etc. This position of the Roman Catholic Church should come as no surprise to anyone, after all just look at the Church's 2000 years of bloody history.

Tony Blair will fit quite nicely within this decrepit institution.

Peter, Los Angeles, USA / California

I love the Catholic Church! its not about power.
Jesus said to Peter, "You are rock, on this Rock I will build my Church." Peter is mentioned as the leader often. The Pope follows that Apostolic succession. Jesus said in John, "My flesh is true food, my blood is true drink." "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall have life everlasting." the GREEK word for "munch, or gnaw" was used, its NOT symbolic. Many walked away. He didn't stop them. He turned to the disciples, asking, "Will you too go?
and PETER said, "Lord to whom shall we go?"
Yes.. the Catholic Church is the fullness of Truth.. its others who "walked away" as he puts it and they fail to acknowledge the Rock ..the Chair of Peter.
Take the time to LEARN Catholicism.PRAY before the Blessed Sacrament, and understand the Pope Benedict is very accurate in what he is saying.
He said he'd rather see a smaller catholic church than one filled with lukewarm "anything goes" pew sitters.

The Pope is right!

Laura, Texas,

I am embarassed to be Catholic. I feel as if a major part of my ongoing and increasingly difficult decision to remain in the Church has been excised. The Pope is going to take the Church back to a time when it was populate by only a hard-core, self-congratulatory few. I guess that will mean fewer parishes to keep open and more donations per capita.

Janet, Ohio, USA