Vatican Affairs and Events

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Well now, isn't it interesting that the Pope is saying that commercial interest in sport is not the best thing?  He is quite right, of course.  If there are no big prizes and contracts for the winners, what's the point of risking your life and reputation by doping?

[AkemiAzula 280]

Sport shouldn't be commercial in the first place. As for doping naturally this becomes endemic with increased commercialism of sport. I think sportsmen should be amateur, not career sportsmen. Then again career politicians also seem rather silly and prone to corruption.

 

Then again I suggested that government should be the only business so feel free to consider my opinions insane lol

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Pope suggest less inward thinking and more outreach for the Church.

 

Let's see how much he wants to emulate St. Francis of Assisi.  He has a lot of collected wealth at his disposal and none can really say no to the absolute ruler of the Vatican State.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Time Magazine Man of the Year: The Pope.

 

For being a breath of fresh air in a stodgy old outfit.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Fair call.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

The Church hasn't had a problem solving cases like this in the past.

 

The normal practice was to excommunicate the offender and turn him/her over to the secular arm for disposition.  In the really bad old days this was followed almost immediately by condemnation and burning at the stake.  I think in today's world, a trial and lengthy prison sentence on conviction would be more along the current lines.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Follow up: Benedict's toll of child molesting priests.

 

Of course, there doesn't seem to be a collected statistic on the fate of those removed after any Church protection was removed.  I suppose there will be some who will pursue this vengefully to its logical conclusion.  Personally, I'd help collect faggots for the fire.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

And the reforms continue ...

 

I'll bet there is a large number of power-hungry clergy who are looking for shelter these days.  Go forth and minister to the poor and disadvantaged?  Didn't St. Francis do likewise?

 

Besides ignoring all the trappings of office, how long before many of them are for sale to support the mission?  What would someone bid for the Pieta?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Women in the Catholic Church.

 

Francis urges women to take more active roles in the social life of parishes and of the Church.  However, he remains firmly in the "women can't be priests" camp and I agree.  They lack one essential ingredient, male genes and equipment.  None of the apostles nor Jesus were women, and while there seems to be no specific prohibition, priestesses smack of paganism.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

The beat goes on.

 

Note that the advisory council includes several lay members.  I hope at least one of them is a forensic accountant.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Pope Francis stand on clerical child abuse.

 

 

"I feel compelled to personally take on all the evil that some priests — quite a few in number, (although) obviously not compared to the number of all priests — to personally ask for forgiveness for the damage they have done for having sexually abused children," he told members of members of the International Catholic Child Bureau.

 

"The Church is aware of this ... personal, moral damage carried out by men of the Church, and we will not take one step backward with regards to how we will deal with this problem, and to the sanctions that must be imposed.

 

"On the contrary, we have to be even stronger. Because you cannot interfere with children," Francis said.

 

Everyone should remember that the Church moves very slowly, but surely in all matters.  This announcement moves faster than the Curia has moved their fat behinds ever before.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Sex abuse commission follow up.

 

Some "head in the sand" prelates had better watch out.  They could find themselves facing the Holy Office.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Herding cats is very difficult, but possible.

'Do not, as some bloated preachers, show me the thorny way to heaven whilst themselves the primrose path to perdition do tread' - Wm. Shakespeare

Pope Francis is probably a fighting a losing battle against the establishment, but he is right.  His patron, Francis of Assisi, was most certainly not afraid to tackle such abuses.

The curia had better watch out.  I don't know if Cardinal priests can be unmade but there are some who are definitely heading into retirement in mountain top monasteries that have vows of poverty and silence.