Bad Popes in History: Does Their Guilt Mean You Should Abandon Catholicism?

 

The history of the Catholic Church includes remarkable leaders, saints, and reformers, but it also includes a number of “bad popes” — those who acted in ways that were immoral, corrupt, or deeply unworthy of their office. This fact often raises the question: should Catholics renounce their faith because of the bad actions of some popes? To address this, we must look at how the Church understands the role of the pope, the foundation of Catholic faith, and how scripture, tradition, and history provide a framework for understanding the Church even amid failures.

1. Scriptural Foundation and the Nature of the Church

The Catholic Church’s foundation is based on the belief that Jesus Christ established the Church and entrusted Peter and his successors with a special role (Matthew 16:18-19: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”). Catholic teaching holds that the Church is both divine and human. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, the Church is “at once holy and always in need of purification” (CCC 827). This means that, while it seeks holiness, it includes human members capable of sin.

The Apostle Paul also acknowledges the reality of human weakness in leadership. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, he describes the gospel as a “treasure in jars of clay,” indicating that while the message is divine, it is carried by imperfect human beings. Thus, the Catholic Church believes that the institution itself, rooted in Christ’s promises, remains faithful to its mission, even if some leaders fail morally.

2. Historical Examples of “Bad Popes”

There is no question that some popes have behaved poorly. Notorious examples include:

• Pope Stephen VI (896-897): Known for the “Cadaver Synod,” he ordered the body of his predecessor, Pope Formosus, to be exhumed and put on trial in a bizarre spectacle.
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• Pope John XII (955-964): His papacy was marked by scandalous behavior, including accusations of immoral and violent acts.
• Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503): Perhaps the most infamous Renaissance pope, Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) was known for nepotism, corruption, and fathering children while pope.

However, Catholic teaching does not require the pope to be sinless; it requires him to protect and teach the faith faithfully. As St. Thomas Aquinas noted, the moral life of a pope does not alter the validity of his office or the truth of his teachings on faith and morals. This distinction is vital for understanding how the Church views “bad popes.” Dr. Eamon Duffy, a noted historian of the papacy, points out that even morally flawed popes did not change the core teachings of the Church.

3. Church Councils and Saints on Scandal and Faithfulness

Throughout Church history, saints, theologians, and councils have acknowledged scandals in the Church and have offered guidance to remain steadfast despite failures among leaders.

• St. Catherine of Siena: In the 14th century, during the Avignon Papacy and times of corruption, she called for reform with great boldness, but she never abandoned her faith in the Church. Instead, she emphasized fidelity to Christ and sought reform within.

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• The Council of Trent (1545-1563): One of the primary goals of the Council was to address corruption and moral laxity within the Church, especially among the clergy. Instead of renouncing the Church, the Council reinforced key doctrines and undertook significant reforms. As Dr. John O’Malley, a historian on Church councils, states, the Council of Trent helped reform the clergy without undermining the Church’s foundational beliefs.

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4. Apostolic Fathers and Early Church Tradition

The early Church fathers also warned about bad leaders and how the faithful should respond.

• St. Cyprian of Carthage: Writing in the 3rd century, St. Cyprian cautioned against abandoning the Church even in times of scandal. He famously said, “He cannot have God for his father who has not the Church for his mother,” urging Christians to remain united with the Church, despite any corruption that might arise within its ranks.

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• St. Augustine: Augustine confronted the Donatists, who claimed that the validity of the sacraments depended on the holiness of the priest. Augustine argued that sacraments derive their power from Christ, not the moral state of the clergy. This teaching reassures Catholics that their faith is rooted in Christ’s work, not in the personal integrity of every leader.

5. Theological and Ethical Perspectives on Faith Amid Scandal

Theologians and ethicists address whether personal failures among leaders should cause people to abandon their faith:

• Catholic theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar argued that the Church’s holiness comes from Christ, not from its individual members. He noted that even amid sin, the Church remains the “bride of Christ.”
• Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a fierce critic of church corruption, emphasized faithfulness to Christ, even within flawed institutions, reminding Christians to seek reform rather than abandon the community of faith.

6. The Infallibility of the Papacy and Church Doctrine

Catholic teaching on papal infallibility, defined by the First Vatican Council in 1870, is often misunderstood. Infallibility applies only when the pope makes a formal declaration on faith or morals, ex cathedra (from the chair of St. Peter). It does not mean that every action or statement made by a pope is infallible. This doctrine reassures Catholics that despite human failings, the core teachings of the Church are protected by the Holy Spirit.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 891) explains that infallibility is not a blanket endorsement of all papal actions but a protection of doctrinal truth. This distinction allows Catholics to recognize the difference between faith in Church teachings and the moral behavior of individual popes.

7. Objective Historical Perspectives

Historians and scholars outside the Church have also examined the role of the “bad popes” and what their actions mean for Catholic belief.

• Dr. Eamon Duffy and Dr. Jaroslav Pelikan, respected historians of Christianity, emphasize that while individual popes sometimes acted scandalously, the institution as a whole has retained a remarkable continuity in doctrine. They argue that faith is based on the Church’s teachings and Christ’s promises, not on the personal holiness of each leader.

• Rodney Stark, a sociologist of religion, has observed that most major religions encounter moral failures among their leaders but notes that Catholicism’s continuity in teaching and practice, even amid scandal, suggests an institutional resilience that cannot be undermined by individual moral failures.

8. Scripture and Tradition’s Guidance on Perseverance

The New Testament addresses the challenge of faith amid human failure. In Matthew 23:2-3, Jesus warns His followers about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, saying, “The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do.” This passage highlights that while leaders may falter morally, their teaching office remains significant.

The Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 12:1-2) urges Christians to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the “founder and perfecter of our faith,” rather than being deterred by human weakness. This aligns with Catholic teaching that while individual leaders may fail, the faith itself remains centered on Christ.

Conclusion

While the history of the papacy includes some morally unworthy leaders, Catholics are not called to renounce their faith because of them. The Church is a divine institution sustained by Christ’s promises and the Holy Spirit, with a mission that transcends the failures of its members. Church teachings, as reinforced by scripture, the saints, councils, and theological reflection, emphasize that faith in the Church is rooted in Christ, not in the personal sanctity of each pope.

In the words of St. John Chrysostom, “The road to hell is paved with the skulls of erring priests, with bishops as their signposts.” This vivid reminder encourages Catholics to seek holiness and reform, but it does not suggest abandoning the faith. Instead, Catholics are called to trust in the Church’s divine foundation, striving for reform and renewal, as they rely on the promises of Christ, who declared, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).