Why? Look at the liturgical and doctrinal debacle in the west caused in no small measure by the Papacy and its claims. You rant about this constantly. Why should we want any of that?
Said another way, why would God expect us to adhere to a visible principle of unity that demanded acceptance of consistent doctrinal and liturgical abuses?
Because we don't tell you to submit to a pope when there isn't one; or at least, if we say "submission to the Roman Pontiff is necessary", it is clear that we mean it in the sense that it is necessary actually when there is a pope, and when there is not this submission is to the laws of the Holy See and union with it. That's why your question is silly. It is on the level of saying "Why should we believe there is one God when you say there are three persons?" To ask such a question in such a way reflects badly in the questioner.
Why would you ask the Eastern Orthodox to submit to the Pope when you yourself declare the Chair of St Peter empty?
This is a really very stupid question.
Why? Look at the liturgical and doctrinal debacle in the west caused in no small measure by the Papacy and its claims. You rant about this constantly. Why should we want any of that?
Said another way, why would God expect us to adhere to a visible principle of unity that demanded acceptance of consistent doctrinal and liturgical abuses?
You really don't get it, do you?
The ones that demanded acceptance of abuses were not true Popes. So God does not expect us to adhere to them. He expects us to reject them.
So who adjudicates who and who is not a true Pope? And how would you resolve? Do you rely on a process from the Council of Constance?
Because we don't tell you to submit to a pope when there isn't one; or at least, if we say "submission to the Roman Pontiff is necessary", it is clear that we mean it in the sense that it is necessary actually when there is a pope, and when there is not this submission is to the laws of the Holy See and union with it. That's why your question is silly. It is on the level of saying "Why should we believe there is one God when you say there are three persons?" To ask such a question in such a way reflects badly in the questioner.