Pope says only God is flawless, imperfect people need forgiveness

Published: 2007-05-30

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Only God is thoroughly flawless and holy; imperfect people are constantly in need of forgiveness, Pope Benedict XVI said. Christians, even great theologians, need to be humble and accept both their own weaknesses and the weaknesses of the church, "because only God is really completely holy. We, instead, constantly need forgiveness," the pope said at his May 30 weekly general audience. More than 32,000 pilgrims from all over the world gathered in St. Peter's Square for the audience. The pope continued his catechesis on the Fathers of the Church and early church teachers by focusing on Tertullian, a second-century theologian and apologist born in Carthage, an ancient city in North Africa. Through his many writings, Tertullian refuted accusations pagan authorities launched against the early Christians, and explained and defended Christian teachings and traditions, the pope said. He said the North African theologian reaffirmed that Christianity upholds peace as a "rule of life" and that "a Christian cannot hate, not even his own enemies."

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