It may be a pity that we dn't refer to these other chaps as pope but the fact is that the Bishop of Rome is the head of the one united universal catholic church whose authority comes directly from St. Peter (on which rock Jesus built the church). Those other guys may have authority, but only the Bishop of Rome has this particular kind of authority. We may not like the direction Benny or his predecessors have gone, but their authority within the Christian structure (including orthodox or protestants or what have you) is unassailable. As well, it is the authority that over 1 billion seem to recognize. I'm not saying this is necessarily a good thing, but its hard to get around these fundamental aspects of Christianity. We might just as well call for a revision of the Bible so that it includes Coptic gospels and other works that were, for one reason or another, dropped from the original, such as the gospel of Thomas. After all, it wasn't until Nicaea that the roster of material in the current version was solidified. Which begs the question what qualifies for God's word and was it God's word before it was dropped from the Bible but not after? And on whose say-so?

That it is a difficulty does not make it a problem as opposed to a simplicity. Fortunately, I trace my particular heritage through Columba and Iona not to mention my chief in Norway in 1250 who blew out of town upon the royal requirement to accept the state's version of the faith. Once again looking forward to the burning wheel come Halloween.

"That it is a difficulty does not make it a problem as opposed to a simplicity."

Sometimes I think you are you trying to tell me that I'm not always as clear as I think I am?

I shaved my head - looks better with the moustache.