Problems in Papacy, According To Strossmayer

I was reading the pamphlet, “Bishop Strossmayer’s Speech in the Vatican Council of 1870” last night which made me realized something. The full name of this Bishop is Joseph Georg Strossmayer, and he was the Bishop of Diakovar, Croatia-Slovonia (a province of Yugoslavia).

And did you know what Strossmayer had revealed on his speech to the Vatican Council of 1870?

1. No trace of the Papacy:

“Now, having read the whole New Testament, I declare before God, with my hand raised to that great crucifix, that I have found no trace of the papacy as it exists at this moment. … Finding no trace of the papacy in the days of the apostles, I said to myself, I shall find what I am in search of in the annals of the church. Well, I say it frankly – I have sought for a pope in the first four centuries, and I have not found him.” (pp. 4, 10)

2. Some Popes have erred:

“Well, venerable brethren, here history raises its voice to assure us that some popes have erred. You may protest against it or deny it, as you please, but I will prove it. Pope Victor (192) first approved of Montanism, and then condemned it. Marcellinus (296-303) was an idolater. He entered into the temple of Vesta, and offered incense to the goddess. You will say that it was an act of weakness; but I answer, a vicar of Christ dies rather than become an Apostate. Liberius (358) consented to the condemnation of Athanasius, and made a profession of Arianism, that he might be recalled from his exile and reinstated in his see. Honorius (625) adhered to Monothelithism: Father Gratry has proved it to demonstration. Gregory I (758-90) calls any one Anti-Christ who takes the name of Universal Bishop, and contrariwise Boniface III (607-8) made the parricide Emperor Phocas confer that title upon him. Paschal II, (1088 – 99) and Eugenius III (1145-53) authorized dueling: Julius II (1509) and Pius IV (1560) forbade it. Eugenius IV (1431-39) approved of the Council of Basle and the restitution of the chalice to the Church of Bohemia; Pius II (1458) revoked the consension. Hadrian II (867-872) declared civil marriages to be valid; Pius IV (1800-23) condemned them. Sixtus V (1585-90) published an edition of the Bible, and by a bull recommended it to be read; Pius IV, condemned the reading of it. Clement XIV (1700-21) abolished the order of the Jesuits, permitted by Paul III, and Pius VII resstablished it.” (pp. 16-17)