Pope speaks on proper role of theological debate

Magic words: "and guided by the magisterium". So as long as you debate what the Church wants you to debate about and stay "within the Magisterium" you're ok. Well Too bad Abalard had to Castrate himself to be able to do that...I guess anyone now would be asked to do the same.. Scary thought. Lends a new feeling about being fee or encouraged to debate?? Sneeky guy this Pope.

Abelard did not "castrate" himself. He was castrated by Heloise' relatives. However, it is true that any real theological "dialogue" in the Roman Catholic Church does demand castration of one's intellectual faculties. Lordy! how could anyone attempt to examine the sacramental nature of the priesthood? When, for instance, did the hierarchy aquire all charism? How also does the ordination of a "man" constitute "him" holy? What stops a bishop from accidentally making another bishop when he lays hands on a "man"? And, these are not deep theological questions. What if one should try to understand that one who calls himself infallible may or may not be so. For if he is not infallible he surely could be wrong when he says he is? Besides, when was infallibility ever the charism that came to the rescue when the people of God were in great need of guidance regarding the Truth. Did not such occur only after all the infighting and very un-Christlike actions were already over?
Iron Will

Iron Will wrote:

Abelard did not "castrate" himself. He was castrated by Heloise' relatives. However, it is true that any real theological "dialogue" in the Roman Catholic Church does demand castration of one's intellectual faculties. Lordy! how could anyone attempt to examine the sacramental nature of the priesthood? When, for instance, did the hierarchy aquire all charism? How also does the ordination of a "man" constitute "him" holy? What stops a bishop from accidentally making another bishop when he lays hands on a "man"? And, these are not deep theological questions. What if one should try to understand that one who calls himself infallible may or may not be so. For if he is not infallible he surely could be wrong when he says he is? Besides, when was infallibility ever the charism that came to the rescue when the people of God were in great need of guidance regarding the Truth. Did not such occur only after all the infighting and very un-Christlike actions were already over?
Iron Will

Well you got one thing right-those are not deep theological questions.

And just how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
Only the magisterium knows...

"Debate on theological issues is healthy, the Holy Father said, as long as it is informed by faith and guided by the magisterium."

With such restrictions why have a debate in the first place?

Ye Olde Fart wrote:

"Debate on theological issues is healthy, the Holy Father said, as long as it is informed by faith and guided by the magisterium."
With such restrictions why have a debate in the first place?

Agree.

Debate is all right as long as, at the end of the day, you see it our way.
/signed/
Benedict XVI

Ye Olde Fart wrote:

"Debate on theological issues is healthy, the Holy Father said, as long as it is informed by faith and guided by the magisterium."
With such restrictions why have a debate in the first place?

Every debate has a framework. Even protestants frame their discussions of this sort.

…finally accepted the authority of the magisterium…

'You will be assimilated.'

…"died in full communion with the Church.

"That, and 50¢…"