Pope leads attack on 'inane apologia of evil'

On Good Friday at the Colosseum, as we report, Pope Benedict XVI leads The Way of the Cross. The text, written not by him but by Archbishop Angelo Comastri, can be read on Zenit here. But although most of it will be recited by a reader, it is safe to assume the Pope has given it his blessing. It shows clearly that there is another side to this Pope besides that revealed in Deus Caritas Est. (Irene Lancaster's well-informetake on that encyclical, published in the latest Tablet, can now be read here.) Some cynics might argue the rottweiler is unleashed and start going round saying: 'We told you so all along.' Ohers might feel tempted to dismiss it as a rant. Myself, I quite like it. It is always quite nice when a top cleric goes on a really top rant about the decadent narcissism of our world and doesn't mention the media, not even once. And if the Pope is not going to bang on about sin and remind us it still exists, then who is? Not Noel Edmonds, that's for sure. But more here and below on the story of how the Cosmic Ordering Service fulfilled Edmonds' heart's desires. A bishop's had a go at him too.

(Pictures taken from this site here.)

Here are some of the best bits of Comastri's text:

'Lord, we have lost our sense of sin! Today a slick campaign of propaganda is spreading an inane apologia of evil, a senseless cult of Satan, a mindless desire for transgression, a dishonest and frivolour freedom, exalting impulsiveness, immorality and selfishness as if they were new heights of sophistication. Lord Jesus, open our eyes: Let us see the filth around us and recognise it for what it is, so that a single tear of sorrow can restore us to purity of heart and the breath of true freedom.'

'Lord Jesus, our affluence is making us less human, our entertainment has become a drug, a source of alienation, and our society's incessant, tedious message is an invitation to die of selfishness.'

'Surely God is deeply pained by the attack on the family. Today we seem to be witnessing a kind of anti-Genesis, a counter-plan, a diabolical pride aimed at eliminating the family. There is a move to reinvent mankind, to modify the very grammar of life as planned and willed by God.'

'Lord Jesus, purity has everywhere fallen victim to a calculated conspiracy of silence: an impure silence! People have even come to believe a complete lie: that purity is somehow the enemy of love.'

Meanwhile, the Right Rev Carl Cooper, Bishop of St Davids in Wales, has in his Easter Message had a go at Noel Edmonds'  embrace of Cosmic Ordering. Barbel Mohr's book, The Cosmic Ordering Service, is based on the premise that you can order something from the Cosmos and have your wish granted. Edmonds believes the Cosmos has granted four of his six wishes already. Read more about it on Barbel's own homepage here. She had never heard of Edmonds but after he praised her book, it shot to the top of the Amazon best-sellers. I haven't read the book and I just can't bring myself to buy it off Amazon, even though I could claim the minimal cost back on exes.

But I have read Frazer's Golden Bough, or at least the abridged version which is long enough. I'll reproduce here a story he tells about the practice of 'sympathetic magic' in Prussia: 'In Prussia they say that if you cannot catch a thief, the next best thing you can do is to get hold of a garment which he may have shed in his flight; for if you beat it soundly, the thief will fall sick. This belief is firmly rooted in the popular mind. Some eighty or ninety years ago, in the neighbourhood of Berend, a man was detected trying to steal honey, and fled, leaving his coat behind him. When he heard that the enraged owner of the honey was mauling his lost coat, he was so alarmed that he took to his bed and died.' But of course the man who cast the curse believed his magic had worked, and in a sense it had.

And that's how it works, through the power of suggestion and the phenomenal power of the mind. The reason Noel got a house in the south of France when you 'wished' for one was because he could afford to buy one and could step on a plane to go out there.

It is astonishing how in our society we are turing back towards these primitive religious beliefs. It is a strange coincidence that Frazer opened his book by discussing the cult of Diana. One can only imagine what Frazer would say if he could see Edmonds now, a top television host walking around with squiggles of the stars and bunches of grapes drawn on his hands.

It can only end in tears. I'll leave the last word to a blogger, g reeper, on this weblog:  'told my grilfrend that i wished she jsut **** off and die. that was like two years ago. she's now dead nad i blame teh cosmos.'

Comments

[Alistair McBay]

To the contributor who asks "Is Creationism really taught in some English schools these days?", the answer is yes, and with Government approval.

The Prime Minister's city academy programme is one place where it happens, where a millionaire car salesman, Sir Peter Vardy, cum evangelical Christian has paid the Government £2m to control a couple of schools and the curriculum. Creationism is taught as fact in science classrooms. Visit http://www.emmanuel-schools.org.uk/

The Prime Minister was challenged on this in the House of Commons a couple of years ago, and said only of the situation that he welcomed "diversity" in our education system.

Next up is probably flat-earthism in geography and physics lessons

[Matt McDonald]

It's fascinating to read the comments here. Many objective opinions, but also many prejudiced opinions from those unable to recognize evil in the world. Whether you be Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or atheist you should, if you take a moment to be objective, recognize that he speaks the truth. Our world is extremely disordered. We kill the unborn human, and the born human with wanton abandon. We are attempting to use undeveloped humans (note that humans is the noun, undeveloped is just an adjective) as spare parts. We are deliberately blowing up innocent men women and children in attempting to further political goals. Divorce is rampant, unwanted pregnancies are epidemic. We use women and children (and increasingly men) as sex toys... the list goes on and on and on.

The Pope is addressing this with a loving yet firm message from the Gospel, the message is full of hope for those who are choose to have faith. Who can disregard reasonably it without at least trying to understand it?

[Robin Bather]

Is Creationism really taught in some English schools these days Alistair?
If so I am aghast.

In Mexico, my daughter's science teacher included Creationism in with Darwinism and evolution, as "another version which some agree with" and I went along and complained to the Head Teacher.
Science is science; belief systems if taught at all, belong in Religious Studies.
My daughter will be attending another school next year.

As you correctly state, your opinion is every bit as valid as the Pope's.

[Matthew]

Those parts of Comastri's text that you quote bring to mind The Fire Tablet
http://www.bahaiprayers.org/fire.htm

below is a part of the Fire Tablet

Coldness hath gripped all mankind: Where is the warmth of Thy love, O Fire of the worlds?

Calamity hath reached its height: Where are the signs of Thy succor, O Salvation of the worlds?

Darkness hath enveloped most of the peoples: Where is the brightness of Thy splendor, O Radiance of the worlds?

The necks of men are stretched out in malice: Where are the swords of Thy vengeance, O Destroyer of the worlds?

Abasement hath reached its lowest depth: Where are the emblems of Thy glory, O Glory of the worlds?

[Dr. Irene Lancaster]

Christianity has a very noble record of incorporating science and philosophy into its doctrine. The modern creed of Creationism is possibly a reaction to a soulless science, which disparages the sacred altogether. It may also be a reaction to a more compromising type of Christianity, which needs to be seen to be incorporating the latest philosophical and scientific ideas in such a way as to inspire the mass of Christians, and not just the elite.

All religions need to democratize their greatest learning, so that learning as well as prayer become paramount, and study is based on knowledge and skills and not just feelings and emotion.

But I only say this as a Jew looking in and may be wrong.

[Alistair McBay]

If religions and creeds based on the power of suggestion do not survive for long, then Christianity is well in to borrowed time, like other ancient religions which have died before it. Perhaps some evidence to support its claims might help to prolong it, but there's the rub, I guess!

And how does the teaching of creationism in Britain's schools support reason, logic, science and modernity, exactly?

[Dr. Irene Lancaster]

Catholicism is surely part of Christianity. As for the power of suggestion, I think you will find that religions and creeds based on this do not survive for long.

I think you may find that those religions which acknowledge the importance of reason, logic, science and medicine survive for longest, because they accept modernity. The countries where these religions hold sway tend also to be the countries which contribute a great deal to the world at large and whose populations have the highest levels of literacy and also greater rights for women, on the whole.

[Alistair McBay]

Ruth says "It is astonishing how in our society we are turning back towards these primitive religious beliefs."

Which ones? Catholicism? Christianity? Judaism? Would it be safe to say Islam without being accused of being Islamophobic?! Don't these "primitive religions" work too "through the power of suggestion and the phenomenal power of the mind," as Ruth claims for the new age cosmos-odering garbage?

Come on, Ruth, get real here!

[David Reavell]

Are we not to be trusted with the name of the person writing the open letter to the Lord Carey of Clifton?

Seemingly, it has not crossed the mind of the letter writer, that a very significant part of the Anglican Church - most certainly a majority, that seldom mentioned, even less considered group, are looking, seriously, for true leadership and a Leader.

If the good Lord Carey is willing to offer this much sought focus for thought and direction, again - for the majority, then may the Good Lord bless his work. If the minority, subsequently choose themselves to walk away, they are most certainly free to do so.

Timely, very much like those circumstances in The Holy Bible, described as existing, immediately following the resurrection.

There has to be faith in any leader, yes, including those here on on earth, and that leader of our church, has to reflect the teaching of scripture - ALL of scripture, including sin, repentance and means of our salvation.....otherwise?

[Gary Brizbwa]

Land o' Goshen, this is a pope who can pray! I am soooo tired of "Lord we just ask that you just..." This prayer, on the contrary, uses wonderfully precise vocabulary, and is almost over-romantic... but this is fitting for Good Friday.

Ruth, I dont think there is any contradiction between this prayer and Deus Caritas Est, where Benedict refers to the contemporary false exaltation of the body as a debasing intoxication directly contrary to both human and divine love: "Eros, reduced to pure 'sex', has become a commodity, a mere 'thing' to be bought and sold, or rather, man himself becomes a commodity. This is hardly man's great 'yes' to the body."

There are 14 stations of the cross (or 15?), and I want to track down the text of the other stations now.

[Joseph Dispenza]

This is beautifully reported, thank you...an inspiration, really.
My own thinking about the revelance of religion goes back and forth, but hearing these words from a spiritual leader gives me some hope that, without going into the cobwebs of dogma, the church can help to make a difference by bringing the human family out of dysfuction and back into balance.
I loved this article.
Joseph Dispenza, author of "God On Your Own: Finding a Spiritual Path Outside Religion."

[Jay]

Is this blog read mainly by teenagers?

Believe me as a gay man I was extremely critical of Catholicism in my teens/early twenties; thus it suprises me to see the same trite, childish arguments (the pope shouldn't talk about poverty because he lives in comfort in Rome, he shouldn't condemn sin 'cos there were paedophile priests etc...)rolled out. Based on this way of thinking Bono/Bob Geldof shouldn't have lifted a finger for Africa cos...you know...they're rich!!.
Working in the medical profession I deal with harsh reality of real lives that has made me in turn question my liberal beliefs (which unlike religious ones can be proved wrong here on Earth)as much as the Catholic one's of my youth.
This may sound wierd from a gay guy but I wish others could see the keen despair in people(especially children)caused by the cultish pursuit of self-gratification/promiscuity/divorce.
The Pope is onto something here, but many hold their liberal(quite possibly irrational) beliefs as dearly as any religion, closing their minds to new ideas.

[B. Martin]

If the Pope is going to preach about the evil in this world, he needs to start by cleaning his own "house", i.e. the chilling amount of child-molesting priests over the years who have destroyed childrens' lives and that of their families!

[Ursi Ursi Ursi]

Sic ipsissima verba Dei: «Ascendit [Heliseus] autem inde Bethel, cumque ascenderet per viam, pueri parvi egressi sunt de civitate, et inludebant ei dicentes 'ascende calve! ascende calve!'. Qui cum se respexisset vidit eos et maledixit eis in nomine Dõi; egressique sunt duo ursi de saltu, et laceraverunt ex eis ·xlvij· pueros. Abiit autem inde in montem Carmeli et inde reversus est Samariam.»

Cur non sic Papa noster modernus? Spectaculum verum esset! Vir ignavus. Fiant ursi, pro gloria Dei!

[Frank Blank]

I find it amusing to hear such criticism of the world from a man who sits on a gold encrusted throne while his followers starve in third world countries.

[navymom]

maybe the church should clean thier own house befor they cast stones at others.
befor you can spew what is right or wrong, make sure what you are standingin front of is pure. I was raised catholic, but i follow new age. The thought of all the shame the priest are bringing on the church was enough for me to question thier own ethics.

[Doug Thoms]

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

[Patrick Curry]

Re: The Pope Rails Against Sin and Evil

The Pope would be well advised to look for sin and evil among his clergy who have the unenviable reputation as serial child molestors. He should also look for sin and evil among the Catholic clerical leadership who for years have enabled the child molestors to re-offend without consequences. The Pope should heal his church first before telling the rest of us what we should do with our lives.

[Keith Downer]

With a few exceptions, the responses here to Archbishop Comastri's Easter text (at least, those that I can understand), appear to demonstrate a certain unwillingness to accept his view of the world today. Personally, I prefer a "fire and brimstone" approach from our religious leaders rather than an apologetic, wishy-washy, all-things-to-all-people message that characterises much of what we hear today from those involved in organised religion. Even Islam has no doubts about what it's objective is and how it is going to get there!
At last, from Rome of all places, we get a concise, unambiguous analysis of what is happening in the affluent world, how mankind is being manipulated into a false understanding of what is right and what is wrong and there is an implied need to establish a few checks and balances to review where we are headed.
You don't need a faith or a belief in an organised religion to be concerned about the erosion of standards and values that are vital to the continued well-being of any community, the erosion of human characteristics and behaviour that support the stature and spirit of mankind. Walk down to your street-corner, pick up any newspaper or turn on the television news; search out the statistics on crime, teenage abortion, drug usage or the breakdown of relationships; you would have to be stupid or in a coma to doubt the extent of deterioration of the human condition.
That is why you cannot dismiss Archbishop Comastri's Easter text; even if you dislike who is saying the words, how it is being said and in what context. What does it matter who holds the mirror up before us provided we take on board what we see, understand the implications and look to change the inevitable outcome of what is being reflected back to us.?

[Cathy in Seattle]

What's odd about the Pope's statement is that Jesus himself made the point that our earthly family wasn't what's important, it's our relationship to our "Heavenly Father".

Hasn't he read the New Testament?

Here's just one example:
Matthew
34
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword.
35
For I have come to set a man 'against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36
and one's enemies will be those of his household.'
37
"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
38
and whoever does not take up his cross 15 and follow after me is not worthy of me.

[tbs]

"Let us see the filth around us and recognise it for what it is, so that a single tear of sorrow can restore us to purity of heart and the breath of true freedom."

But enough about the pedophilia scandal in the Catholic priesthood...

[Bill Hutson]

To the ex-Catholic....where do non Catholic Christians think the Bible came from....FACT: the book was collated by the early (yes Catholic) Church at Church Councils (trent, carthage, hippo...called by popes...just like the Vatican Councils I and II)...it was at these early councils that the "inspired scriptures" were sorted out from uninspired scripture (Gospel of Timothy for example). Think about the process..and you then realize an authority was in place in the early church to decide on such matters of inclusion, collation, ordering of scriptures. God didn't give us a table of contents....the Catholic Church did.

Remember: 1 Timothy 3:15 (NIV)

15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

That is, the church is ...the pillar..foundation of truth..holding up the truth.

[RUKidn]

It appears that the pope is desperate & envious that the masses are embracing "entertainment" as their "drug" of choice instead of the church!
They're vying to get the junkies back in their favor.
RU-Kidn?

[Dr. Irene Lancaster]

John Galpin's views on the Dalai Lama are not wholly correct. Judaism has always stated that in cases where science and medical breakthroughs contradict religious views, science and medical breakthroughs should hold sway. This is not, however, the same thing as stating that science and medicine are always right. Judaism encourages you to be open and to work with scientists and other seekers after the welfare of humanity, whilst being conscious of the fact that we are not God Himself, but only His channel. But that itself gives us huge responsibilities.

The great mediaeval Jewish scholar, Abraham ibn Ezra, asked: what is an angel? His answer was that the angel is our brain, which God has placed inside us to mediate between Him and us and to act as a 'messenger' for God's great power of love and knowledge.

Abraham ibn Ezra lived in 12th century Spain, fled the forces of militant Islam and Christianity and died in England. He influenced a whole swathe of Church thinkers, including the Victorines.

Because Judaism is a holistic religion, dealing with all aspects of life, the Dalai Lama works a great deal with Jewish scientists, rabbis and lay people, from whom he has learned a great deal. He has also stated that in his youth he could see that Tibetan Buddhism had been stuck in a rut of rigidity and needed to learn from western science.

He reiterated his views on Judaism in a private meeting with my husband and myself during a visit to Britain a couple of years ago. During this meeting, he made it quite clear that he (and Buddhism generally) could learn a great deal from Judaism.

The grass always appears to be greener on the other side, but as with many things in life, very often the truth is there in front of you, if only you have the eyes to see it.

[Deli]

The Pope among other executives of the superstition business all claim to know what god wants. I am certain that they know as much about god as I do which amounts to absolutely nothing.

God is the immature man’s Santa Claus.

[Warren G. Harding]

The ONLY significant roadblock to economic globalization is "the family."

[Mike Keller]

I'm not a papist and don't like the Pope's German soldier background, but he's absolutely right about the state of the world - and pride (haughtiness) are at the root of the problem - the Scripture says "pride comes before the fall and a haughty spirit before destruction"

[Florida Drummer]

What I cannot stand about spokespersons for the Christian religion is that they some how think that their religion is the only one that counts. Yet, they cannot even prove that their religion and beliefs are correct just like any religion cannot.
In my mind these Christian "Conservatives" are no better then the Muslim fanatics who would like nothing better than to take over the world and kill off all the Christians because they both think that their religion is the only one that should exist when it is clear that God gave us many religions and gave us freedom of choice so we could choose our own paths. I do not need to part of an organized religion that leads you like sheep and just wants to take your money. Jesus was a liberal, a fact most of these Christian right fanatics will not admit and his teachings were ones of tolerance and love, not intolerance and hate as these fanatics are going around spreading lately just because they don't agree with other religious views.

[PamAlonia]

The Bible was primarily written as satire to undermine the god of destruction.

[C J Moore]

Yeah The Pope is right. The Evil on This planet is All the Believers of A Fantasy that see it as their GOD GIVEN RIGHT to attempt to control any mans vision or actions. Many Shall come in the name of the light Jesus was quoted as saying. Boy was he right!!

[John Carter]

Ruth,

Inspired by your example of forthright and sometimes controversial blogging I have dipped my toe in the water. I'd be grateful for any tips as an absolute beginner. I can tell you all about podcasting though!

http://churchinaspin.blogspot.com/

John

RG writes: Hi John, welcome to the blogosphere, I enjoyed the blog. Now you have some small idea what I've been working with for 19 years. Take a look at the latest Spectator, and the reporter's attempts to get comments from Lambeth palace and other episcopal spokespeople. It is utterly hilarious. Yesterday a new reporter at The Times asked me for some bishops' mobiles so she could get some comments on the woman who lay dead in her flat for two years. I could only give her one - bishop pete - who reliably gave her a comment. I think she thought I was being 'protective of my patch' when I couldn't give her another! Bp Pete, Tom Wright, Nick Baines and a few others are superb at dealing with the media, but for the rest, well, you've said it really. good luck, ruth

[Roger Mortimer]

"From the tyranny of the bishop of Rome and all his detestable enormities .... Good Lord deliver us."

From the 1549 & 1552 editions of the Anglican "Book of Common Prayer" - sadly omitted from later editions,

[Richard L. Fricker]

I find the Pope's (albetit not written by the Pope) message timely, and as the leader of one of the world's major religons in keeping with the crisis the world faces, inane war lead by Jewish, Muslim and Christian nut cases all of whom are certain they are the particular messenger of GOD, environmental destruction lead by corporations who feel they have a GOD given right to destroy the planet, and finally a moral decay seen not in the reporductive fight but in the willngness to destroy the rights of men and women everywhere for the sake of political,econmoic and moral self-imposed superority.
I just wonder, why is it when the pope speaks of such things the bashers fall out of the trees, have released both hands for self-gradifications, to bash someone who says---Stop and take a look at what you're doing to yourself.
I wish to win the lottery everyweek, then go to work, thanks Edmonds--Cosmos likes you best.
Richard L. Fricker
Tulsa

[John Galpin]

So, a modern slant on the medieval battle between religion and science. Then it was oppressing those that deny the Earth is the Centre of the Universe and now its genetics and inter alia evolution. Well, I think history gives us good reason to ignore pleas to subjugate our curiosity and logic to the wisdom of the invisible as propounded by an autocratic clergy. And just in case anyone thinks this is an anti catholic rant I would point out that a recent Archbishop of Canterbury was heard to demand that “ people have to submit themselves to the will of the church” re a synod debate at the time and many modern muslim scholars only allow interpretation of modern facts and data in line with their take on the Quoran, neither exactly models of open thinking. As far as I am aware, of religious leaders, only the Dalai Llama has said that if modern observations are inconsistent with ancient views on the order of things in the universe then it’s probably wise to listen to the science.

[Solange Miller]

Demographic Crisis in Europe
Mrs. Ruth Gledhill,
Demographics: http://www.geocities.com/demographic_crash
is a web. site about the POPULATION - BUST
that will affect a lot of countries
when the first BABYBOOMERS
reach retiring age around 2011.
Welcome for a visit.
Sincerely,
Solange Miller

[Tracy Starcher]

I am not a Catholic but, indeed, this is a timly (overdue actually) message. It is to bad it will not be heeded (only mocked). Even the author this article (the "Religion Correspondent") who uses the quotes to emphasize it is the Popes OPINION as if to say it is not the truth. If she is the "Religion Correspondent" then indeed Times Online shows it's colors. What a surprise, NOT. I am surprised the word sin was allowed or not in quotes - a word hated by the world. One does not have to wonder why.

[Fiona Pinto]

Excellent report on the Pope's words, better than the Guardian's Polly Toynbee's self-styled liberal (but actually ironically intolerant to those who want to go to faith schools) attack on faith schools a few days before Easter.

I'd like to see more coverage of how the Catholic Church's position against abortion and embryonic stem cell research is not only a philosophically sound ethical position to take (in line with universal declarations of human rights, treated as axiomatic by every civilised and secular society when it comes to the born but misapplied to the unborn), but is also backed up by the science - such that the Catholic Church strongly backs adult stem cells as a superior scientific ethical alernative to cancer-causing embryonic stem cells.

Only when there is proper coverage of the Church's rigorous support for ethical science and backing for adult stem cell research will people stop slandering the Church for being anti-science when in fact it is anything but. (see www.stemcellresearch.org)

In reply to the first comment by steve talbert, when he says:

"He made embryos develop over time so that a fully formed human wasn't complete until it could live unassissted outside the womb. I hope this means the Church is finally going to be pro-choice,"

That doesn't follow. Why should the embryo developing over time justify its destruction before birth? The developing of the newborn over time into an adult doesn't justify infanticide. Doesn't greater dependency and vulnerability merely make the protection of human rights more imperative than the unnecessary protection of the strong who can take care of themselves?

best wishes and happy Easter
Fiona

[steve talbert]

Thanks to God, finally the Church admits that they can no longer go on trying to stop God's plan for us. He made us all gay, straight and bi, and He made embryos develop over time so that a fully formed human wasn't complete until it could live unassissted outside the womb. I hope this means the Church is finally going to be pro-choice, pro-gay, and pro-family instead of worshipping the false prophets and false profits from the past 2000 years.

[Chris Jackson]

I was disappointed that the opportunity was lost to caption the picture of the Pope as "the inane apologia of evil that is in danger of destroying humanity".

So much can be said about this address, and the continuing desire of religion to hold back society and science, but it is often most fun just to pick apart what is being said conceptually (something which, if done properly and systematically, should cut huges swathes through religion).

So we are warned against the move to "modify the very grammar of life as planned and willed by God" and against "insane, risky and dangerous" ventures in attempting "to take God’s place without being God".

By this same logic, God has clearly intended us to suffer and die from horrendous illnesses and injuries. It surely then befits us not to treat such afflictions and to let God's merry plan continue unhindered. We can only but pray therefore that the Pope does not, say, get cancer as he would then no doubt refuse any form of treatment.

And to take it to minutae, left unhindered my hair will grow down to my backside and my beard would be large enough to house small birds. Surely by cutting our hair and shaving we are in essence playing God and, when the day of Judgment arises, all but those around in the 1960s-70s will be forming an orderly line in the cue for Hell (Cirles 1-10). (If you want to pop in for a chat, by the way, I am a lawyer so will be in the 7th Circle)

[kimbach, roger]

The Pope said: "our affluence is making us less human" ( Ruth Glendhill)
If the Pope is including himself then he could start by scrapping the extra and costly trimmings and opulence that surround him.
Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader who didn't need to surround himself with opulence to get the attention and respect of millions of people.
I heard recently that the Australian airline QANTAS is fitting out a aeroplane just to suit the pope for his visit to Australian in 2008.
Is it "less human" for one person to have huge amounts of money spent on making over an aeroplane just for a trip abroad while 1.2 billion of our fellowman are suffering from malnutrition.
Maybe religious preachers could do more about practicing what they preach. Travelling QANTAS first class is an extravagance.

Some people would call it evil - a bit rich at least for the representative on earth of a man who got about on a donkey to allow and or expect and aeroplane to be made over just for them.

[Bob Chapman]

The Pope is right: there is no sense of sin so there is no restraint on committing evil. With most christians living in a la carte faith, there will never be a stop to the sure onward march of the muslims.

[Guy Murray]

Very timely and critically important message for the entire world. It will not be well received by most in this generation. Thanks for this post. Great blog!

[Fr. Greg Blevins]

Essentially, our prayers come down to one of two options: either we pray, with Christ, "THY will, Father, not mine, be done" or we pray, "MY will be done".

[RFR]

Benedict is a modern Savanarola without the sincerity. May he meet the same end that Savanarola did.

[AmericanPapist]

You say: "It shows clearly that there is another side to this Pope besides that revealed in Deus Caritas Est."

Well, I would argue instead that these are TWO sides of the SAME coin for the Pope. Why? Look at the Zenit text, the very first words are these:

"In making the "Way of the Cross," we are struck by the certainty of two things: the destructive power of sin and the healing power of God's Love."

Why claim that Pope Benedict is ONLY talking about the "destructive power of sin" when ACTUALLY he is talking MOSTLY about "the healing power of God's Love"?

It would seem to me that YOUR portrayal of what the Pope is saying is what is one-sided in this situation. Thanks and Happy Easter.

[Joe Buckstrap]

The doctrine of Paulite Christianity, which is a doctrinal license to kill.

History offers an abundance of prima facie, circumstantial and physical evidence which supports this view.

See, http://www.nobeliefs.com/Hitler1.htm

[mary ann]

May God bless our Pope. I was expecting exactly this type of leadership from him, and by the grace of God he is providing it.

This pope is so insightful and to the point. His point about acting like God when we are not God is right on target.

Thanks Benedict for this reminder of the pridefulness of man.

[Wm. F. Hoffmann, III]

Dear Miss Ruth,

While I'm grateful for your reporting regarding the activities of the Roman Catholic Church, I suspect the truth escapes you as to the true identity of the Pope of Rome and of the RCC (in regards to biblical prophecy).

The statements of the Pope, in your recent article, are exceedingly hypocritical as he himself CLAIMS (proven by history) TO BE the 'Holy Father', a title deserving only of the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, i.e. God Himself. As it is written (in Zechariah), Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor, and, the middle verse of the holy bible (Psalm 118:8), It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Respectfully, Wm. F. Hoffmann, III
An ex-Roman Catholic saved by grace, through Christ Jesus alone...
Belize, Central America
E-mail: KJH@automated-data.com
or --- Yehoshua@automated-data.com

[gusdog]

The text below is from the Pope.

For once he has it right. He is talking about the "intrinsically disorder" celibate (that's a good one) hierarchy, right?

'Lord, we have lost our sense of sin! Today a slick campaign of propaganda is spreading an inane apologia of evil, a senseless cult of Satan, a mindless desire for transgression, a dishonest and frivolour freedom, exalting impulsiveness, immorality and selfishness as if they were new heights of sophistication. Lord Jesus, open our eyes: Let us see the filth around us and recognise it for what it is, so that a single tear of sorrow can restore us to purity of heart and the breath of true freedom.'