Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 4/24/2005

Question
Thank you for your previous help.

With the recent election of the Pope, my non-Catholic friends have been bringing up papal history and have been asking about the corrupt popes of the middle ages.  I understand that even though there have been bad Popes, they are still infallible and have never led the Church into error.  The question is, even though they were infallible, why weren't they kicked out anyway and replaced with someone who would lead a good example? Some of these guys were married and had tons of kids.  What is your take on this?  Is there some doctrine, that once a pope is elected, it is for good until he dies?

Also in light of the election, i'm a little confused on what doctrine is.  All the talk about women in the priesthood, married clergy and contraception makes me wonder if these issues are infallible doctrines of the church or if they are just policies that can be changed anytime by a Pope.  

Thanks for your time.

Answer
                        Peace

Dear Lisa
 When we say the pope is infallible, we do not mean he can't sin. We mean when he teaches on faith or morals, can not error when he teaches in a special way. He has to be addressing the whole Church, on Faith and Morals, makes it clear he is declaring binding on the Whole Church. It is never new doctrine but confirmation of a doctrine the Church has always taught. The Pope or bishops never get new
doctrine.Doctrine is what is believed. Displine is acts done. Why were removed by the cardinals, they dont have the power or authority to. I think they were not granted that power, because it could easily be abused for political reasons.
   Who can recieve the sacrament of Holy Orders,is both in a sense. Doctrine says woman can not.  As for married men that a matter of displine, so that can change. Its not a matter of believe, its a matter how we witness by acts to doctrines we believe. Contraception use is matter of doctrine because we believe it is wrong to use it. Like we believe it always wrong to murder.

                  your servant but His First
                              george