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Apr-19-2005 17:04

The Catholic Church now has a new pope!

Congrats to our new pope: Pope Benedict XVI!

He is 78, one of the oldest popes, and is from Germany. His name is Joseph Ratzinger.


HABEMUS PAPEM!
(Latin for: We have a pope!)

Apr-22-2005 07:24

Although I'm not sure what a frock has to do with anything (would you follow him if he wore different clothes), besides to try to shine a negative light, Catholic's believe that age and being celibate and of coarse being selected or chosen are very important.
I am not catholic either. However, I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (lds.org or mormon.com for references). Your welcome to have your options about my church and I’d love to talk to you about them. But your post does not show that you want a good dialog.
Sleuth needs respect from detective to detective and Jojo was celebrating a big event to him and probably others. It is something that will touch our personal life in someway.
If you want to make a statement, make it with respect for people and believes. It is possible and it will actually make people think about your personal beliefs.

Apr-22-2005 08:32

Personally, I do not look at the Pope to decide my morals, instead, I look at him as someone trying to bring all different countries and religions together in peace.

Pope John Paul II was especially known to travel to vast areas of the world. I only hope the new Pope tries to follow his example.

Apr-22-2005 11:23

I have no objection to Pope John Paul II or to Pope Benedict XVI who I am sure are both very reiligious men strong in faith, compassion and wisdom. The question is in fact a quote that at this point I cannot remember who by (it wasn't someone who was very famous) that was made several times, once during the debate about contraception and once when the Church of England debated the ordination of women.
The question is not to deride the practices of celibacy, the age or the attire of the individual. It seeks to point out that very often these individuals are out of touch with modern life. So long as they stick to promoting world peace and comdemning (I think that is spelled correctly) terrorism etec they are on solid ground. When they start commenting on contraception, homosexuality or random political issues (like industrial actions) they run the risk of making themselves look out of touch or even worse. (When in doubt look how often the last three Archbishops of Canterbury have spoken out on ill-advised topics and the attacks that were then levelled against them)
On a personal note, I was raised Church of England, High Church. However I have come to belief that while parish priests (or their equivalent) have a great many relevant duties, the higher orders of the church exist at greater and greater distance from the average church goer and therefore serve no useful purpose. In fact those who spend their time trying to explain the great theological debates only succeeed in making something very simple, very very complicated.
Jesus spent approximately twenty years of his life preaching that you could have a personal relationship with God and along comes Saul on the road to Damascus and a few decades later we have multiple churchs, with more layers than an onion.
A question for the Reverend: (or anyone else) Is it true that your church does not follow the Nicene Creed?

Apr-22-2005 11:49

Maybe think you help explain my views:
http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,791-1,00.html

Apr-22-2005 14:12

The being celibate part shows greater commitment to the role in my opinion. Yes, it may mean that he is slightly out of touch but I can't think of having such a vocation as would make me stay celibate and I am catholic.

Apr-22-2005 14:59

Historically speaking, the role of celibacy in Catholicism comes from the problem of succession. At that time, politics and religion were one and the wealthy families of Italy were all trying to get their young heir to be the next pope. This lead to a series of conflicts that ultimately ended with the ban on priests marrying, thus preventing clergy from establishing any politically-valid lineage. If I remember correctly, this was part of the Diet of Worms (pronounced Vorms, I believe). You will find that many of the decisions existing within Catholicism are centered around its days of political control, and thus the arguments from within the church about revisiting the rules.

Apr-22-2005 19:06

although all can add to post some are meant for discussion and some not so much so, I think this may have been meant as the later and if you want a debate or "open dialog" for those politcal, maybe be you should start a new one. So heres to thePOPE, jojo227, Madame Tbird,DaRu and R Sweets for staying on post topic and congtratulations to the The Catholic Church!!!!!!!!

Apr-22-2005 19:57

Hee hee! Jojo started a thread that developed tangents! Imagine that!

While I am happy for almost anything that makes Jojo happy, except say, his agency's winning a treasure we were going for....

I must admit, many people have strong emotional as well as thoughtful responses to religious issues, and the Catholic church equals controversy to many. So while some are celebrating the new Pope, others mourn the religious structure he represents. Makes sense to me. Why wouldn't the same differences of opinion be echoed in our little community that are in the greater world?

Still, there's something also to be said for not raining on someone's parade (well, not raining on it /too much/ ; ) so, congratulations to those celebrating.

Apr-22-2005 22:45

Even if the pope can't give an opinion on contraception or whatever from personal opinion, he can still talk about such issues from a biblical standpoint.

Apr-23-2005 12:56

hmmm, Wireshaper, not meaning to be difficult but you can derive from the Bible whatever meaning you want.
Doesn't it say to "turn the other cheek" and "take an eye for an eye"; a justification or ban on revenge? (if i'm wrong i apologise, never got around to reading it)
For those curious about the celebacy aspect just remember that the origins of nepotism are found in the Vatican!!!!
My only other comment on the matter is that Africa has the fastest growing Catholic following, plus one of the highest levels of AIDS and infant mortality. Perhaps if contraception were not so "evil" many hundred thousand lives could be saved?