The two men are both celebrated as saints despite the fact that one had been Pope for five years and the other hand been anti-pope for 18 years. Even though a legitimately elected Pope sat on the see of Peter, Hippolytus elected anti-Pope by a schismatic group that believe the church was too lenient.
A disagreement arose in those early centuries regarding the treatment of Catholics who committed serious sins like adultery and murder or who apostatized during the persecutions. Should they be admitted back to the flock, back to the sacraments, if they show sincere repentance? Hippolytus and his camp said no. Hippolytus garnered enough support that they formed a sort of splinter church claiming to be the true Church. Jesus warned us about this sort of sinful division, as did Paul and Peter, and the rest of the holy scruptures, but they formed the splinter church anyway with Hippolytus claiming the title and authority of Pope even then a duly elected Pope was in office.
Well, in 235, the new Roman emperor Maximinus launched a violent campaign against all Christian leaders. Pope Pontian was arrested, and the emperor didn’t care who was pope or anti-Pope, Hippoloytus was arrested too. Both were exiled to work in the mines of Sardinia.
Amidst the suffering and hardship of the mines, Hippolytus renounced his schism and papal claim and was reconciled to the Church by Pontian. Both men later succumbed to the harsh conditions, and their remains were transported for burial in Rome, where they were recognized as martyrs and saints of the Church.
People make mistakes. Intellectually. Theologically. Morally. They can sever themselves from the Church. Just because you have a lot of support. Just because you find a group who supports your error doesn’t make you right. Just because a fervent group names you Pope, like Hippolytus doesn’t make you so.
As Catholics we must submit to legitimate authority. We must not allow our pride to lead us out of communion with the one true Church with the Pope as her head. There are schismatic groups of former Catholics, several in Cleveland. They claim to know better than the bishop, and know better than the Pope, and know better than faith articulated in the Catechism, they think themselves above legitimately enacted church law. But as long as they remain in schism, their salvation is at risk.
And there are many who, while not in formal schism, hold error as truth, and allow that error to direct their lives, and they spread that error and lead others away from communion. There are weeds among the wheat, and the Lord will deal with them too at their judgment. With them, as with all of us, the Lord will be merciful and just.
But while on earth, we have a duty to maintain Communion with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Through the intercession of St. Pontian and Hippolytus and all the saints, may the Lord preserve us in that communion for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the Pope and all the clergy may be steadfast in preaching the fullness of the Gospel, especially in the face of worldly pressures and persecutions.
That through the intercession of the martyrs Pontian and Hippolytus, lapsed Catholics will be moved to return to the Sacraments.
That the imprisoned may know the grace of conversion and the consolation of the Spirit.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.
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