Are you Catholic? Do you give a damn that the Pope is coming?

[Stoo82]

I think this example nicely illustrates the point that people (especially organisations, where collective decision-making is more prevalent) often follow the path of least resistance, and make life as easy for themselves as possible. Chamberlain did it, and the Vatican do it. They may well have said that Franco was a bloody nice chap, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they believed it, does it? It would hardly be the first or last time that they've told a few porkies to keep the peace.

I am somewhat bemused by this Pope and his rather right-wing approach to life. However, it's impossible to tell how much of that he was born with and how much is simply him fronting up for the hardliners within the Vatican.

I don't really have a problem with the Pope visiting these shores - we've certainly had plenty of leaders with worse histories in the past - or with the tax money being used to ferry him around. What I find most bemusing is the seeming wall-to-wall media coverage. As I understand it, there are an estimated 6m Roman Catholics in this country. That is approximately 10%. I appreciate that the visit of the Pope might be a big deal to them, but a large portion of the remaining 90% don't give a monkeys. Why is it getting such a ridiculous level of coverage?

A very resonable response.

Regarding media coverage is this not the first offical Papal visit to the UK? The visit in 1982 he invited himself (obviously he informed the right people and all the other stuff) but was not invited by the country.

 

[bhaexpress]

Why is it getting such a ridiculous level of coverage?

Because Catholicism is the biggest Christian sect in the World and he's the head honcho. It is annoying though.

Thing is, per capita what percentage of priests are paedophiles compared to other people ?

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

"Handing Over Czech lands to Hitler"? You have a mistaken impression of Chamberlain and GB's power in 1938. Chamberlain's comments regarding Czechoslovakia in 1938 were hardly something he or we could be proud of, but the reality was that ill-prepared as were were in 1939, we were even less ready in '38. We took our stand when it was both obvious we had to, and just possible that we could. GB made it clear which side it was on in the battle between good and evil; more than can be said for The Vatican.

So Chamberlain used other peoples from other nations lives as pawns to appease Hitler and act as a distraction.

That's worse than anything the Vatican did during the war.

 

[Dandyman]

The Daily Mash - QUEEN TO HAVE LUNCH WITH INSANE CRIMINAL

 

[crodonilson]

Papal Visit Terror Alert



Looks like he's not proving to be very pope-ular

 

[Philzo-93]

Papal Visit Terror Alert



Looks like he's not proving to be very pope-ular

Predictable and blatent to have happened anyway.

And that was an awful punt

 

[John Bumlick]

does the pope shit in the woods?

 

[ROKERITE]

So Chamberlain used other peoples from other nations lives as pawns to appease Hitler and act as a distraction.

That's worse than anything the Vatican did during the war.

I'm sorry but that is a ridiculous comment.

 

[8ace]

After meeting Susan Boyle and Michelle McManus the pope has forgiven Scottish priests for shagging boys.

 

[8ace]

After his evening meal with the local cardinals the pope passed round the under eights!

 

[John Bumlick]

I'm sorry but that is a ridiculous comment.

well, it was posted by Tyrone 'ridiculous comment' Biggums...

 

[Jim in the West]

Because Catholicism is the biggest Christian sect in the World and he's the head honcho. It is annoying though.

Thing is, per capita what percentage of priests are paedophiles compared to other people ?

I seem to remember reading about research into that very subject, which showed there was no greater proportion of paedophiles amongst priests than in society at large.

Having said that, my expectation of priests is that they should be an example to us all, so the proportion SHOULD be much lower.

 

[ATFC Seagull]

My point is that, as Pope, Herr Ratzinger, is responsible for the pastoral care of all Catholics, it means things like...oh I don't know, confessing your sins, showing contrition for your misdeeds, honesty...that sort of stuff.

His personal morality must be above question. Fair enough if he was "forced" to join the Hitler Youth, my point is that Traunstein (where he grew up) is not a typical German town.
There were several residents who refused to support the Nazis, some alive today, whose resistance caused them severe hardships. Hell, some of them even remember that Ratzingers Dad was an opponent of the Nazis...they also remember that Ratzinger juniour was pretty enthusiastic about Hitler and,whilst not an exceptionally gifted Nazi, he was happy to go along with them.

Ratzinger has consistently refused to honestly answer questions related to this period in his past, why did he not go to jail as others did, for conscientious objection to the regimé?

The guys entire history, in faith as well as in person, is typified by covering up, keeping the peace, not rocking the boat, not punishing pervert priests, not awknowleging his own role in all of this.

Like I say, I'm not the Popes PR man, I accept he is entitled to some skeletons in his cupboards, but he knows he can never fess up to any alliegiance to the third reich...What would the opponents of the Mother Church do with that!, but similarly he can't stand up there telling you, me or anyone else how to behave whilst not accepting his own flaws.

Morally, the Pope is bankrupt IMO.

P.S. You do like having the last word...you must be HELL to live with.

Go on then, you have it

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

I'm sorry but that is a ridiculous comment.

Go back to history classes, you're an E grade mark at present.

 

[franks brother]

I was gonna pop in the bookies and see what odds I'd get on him being assassinated.

 

[severnside gull]

How dare someone suggest that the Pope is coming!

The Pope is celibate and masturbation is a mortal sin.