Perhaps you’ve heard terms like “Papists” or “Romanists” used to describe Catholics? Although these derogatory terms are not as common today as they were in the past, each indicate a failure to understand the role of the pope, the scope of his power, and his purpose and necessity as the earthly leader of the Catholic Church.

Sometimes people think that the pope has absolute power over the Church, including everything she believes, or that Catholics believe he’s a man with a kind of divine status who receives messages from God. Others think the pope rules as a dictator over the faithful. However, all of that is incorrect.

Objective: In this course, students will learn about the first pope and what the role of a pope in the Church is. Students will learn the meaning of papal infallibilty and what it takes for papal in falliblity to occur.

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Course curriculum

  • 01

    Defending the Faith - Purpose of the Papacy and Papal Infallibility - Part 1 - The Necessity, Scope, and Purpose of The Papacy

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Purpose of the Papacy and Papal Infallibility - Part 1 - The Necessity, Scope, and Purpose of The Papacy - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - Purpose of the Papacy and Papal Infallibility - Part 1 - The Necessity, Scope, and Purpose of The Papacy - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/27/21)

    • Purpose of the Papacy and Papal Infallibility - Part 1 - The Necessity, Scope, and Purpose of The Papacy - QUIZ
  • 02

    Defending the Faith - Purpose of the Papacy and Papal Infallibility - Part 2 - The Infallibility of The Pope

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Purpose of the Papacy and Papal Infallibility - Part 2 - The Infallibility of The Pope - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - Purpose of the Papacy and Papal Infallibility - Part 2 - The Infallibility of The Pope - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/28/21)

    • Purpose of the Papacy and Papal Infallibility - Part 2 - The Infallibility of The Pope - QUIZ

Reviews - See what others are saying about this course

Godwin Friday Edibo

5 star rating

“This is a good course, and it teaches the young Catholics to know more about their faith, practice it, defend it, and live it. It also deepens our knowledge!”

“This is a good course, and it teaches the young Catholics to know more about their faith, practice it, defend it, and live it. It also deepens our knowledge!”

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Daniel Fernandes

5 star rating

“Excellent! Loved the course and it answers a lot of my questions.”

“Excellent! Loved the course and it answers a lot of my questions.”

→Read Less

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Professor of Theology, Department Chair