Wonderful!

Two Former Popes to Be Made Saints

I was certainly expecting a second miracle to be approved for Pope John Paul II, fulfilling the requirements for canonization, but I am truly happy to see that Pope Francis has skipped that requirement for Pope John XXIII. I've always considered him to be a saint, unofficially, but I'm certainly happy to see that Pope Francis believes so as well. He made such an impact on the Church and the world!

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For any of you

Catholics who worry abut donating your organs...

Donor card or not, the pope's organs are going nowhere

"Pope Benedict's body will belong to the Catholic church when he dies, say Vatican officials"

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I'm not certain

that 'power' is one of his over-riding concerns...

Bill Gates more powerful than Pope, Forbes says

Yeah, and the Beatles were more popular than God. Who really cares?

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Of course,

the issue of the death of the current Pope is still open, so searching out contenders is a little premature...

A papal contender grabs the spotlight
 

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My opinion?

Media say Pope may resign in April

First of all, I am anything but a 'Vatican insider', so my opinion is just that, my opinion. Secondly, the media has a tendency to blow things out of proportion and get things incredibly wrong, and they certainly don't let that stand in the way of a sensational story.

Having said that, I find it hard to believe that a Pope who holds so strongly to the traditions of the Church and the Papacy would be the first Pope in modern times (if ever, I'm not a papal historian either) to 'retire' before death. Pope Benedict XVI has always followed the more traditional route and the retirement of a pope is not the traditional route, so while he holds the papacy in great regard, as he does everything in the Church, I can't see him retiring unless it becomes a critical necessity. He may look at his predecessor and friend, Pope John Paul II, and think that if he is able to maintain the position despite his health problems, then he can as well (though he does acknowledge the extreme holiness of his predecessor).

Time will tell. My current opinion? Oink, flap, oink, flap...

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Interesting

How great thou stolen art: Deputies save historic portrait


Priceless in terms of history, perhaps, and only priceless to certain people...

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A step forward

Pope May Launch Internet News Portal Next Week

No longer will it take decades for news to travel by horseback and sailing ships to the remote monasteries of the isolated Irish coast...

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Good for her!

New Jersey nun fighting to clear Pius XII’s name

Most of the claims that Pope Pius XII didn't do anything for the Jews in Rome seem to come from academics despite the support he has from most other people, including the Jewish community. I think this is just another one of those academic attempts to make a name for themselves and their pet project, and is in line with the current anti-Catholic sentiment in vogue with many people today...

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Those who should have known the truth

did know the truth...

Padre Pio Had a Protector in the Pope: Author Looks at Unpublished Documents on Capuchin Saint

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I think

that he was a very, very special person, the likes of whom we see in public life so seldom.

Postulator: No Difference in Public, Private Wojtyła

"Says John Paul II Believed a Pope's 1st Task Is Prayer"

I can't imagine the pressure that's on a person in a role like this. I think there are many people who are similar, spiritually, to Pope John Paul II, but I think popes, in order to handle the pressure of the position itself, would almost have to be like him.

So, he's right. Like everyone else's 1st task, his first task has to be prayer.

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The basic points are correct

Historical Thursday: Cadaver Synod

If you want some wonderful reading you should try a well-documented history of the papacy. The scandals and bizarre behaviour are incredible. It's one case where the truth is stranger than fiction.

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The Vatican

is really down-playing the whole incident, and, truly, it probably was an innocuous event...

Maltese causes commotion at Vatican

The people sitting in front of him don't look too disturbed.

The website linked to appears to be completely in Maltese, so don't expect to learn much about him or his followers...

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I think that

the concern of the U.S. and other countries over Wikileaks is far beyond any legitimate concern.

US Government Interested In Pius XII’s Wartime Role, Wikileaks Cables Show

The fear seems to be over embarrassment rather than the release of any truly harmful information. The U.S. has interest in many things that don't really concern them as a country. They are very nosy about what goes on in other countries, historically and currently. What they should really be concerned about is their own behaviour. Information has shown that they knew about the concentration camps fairly early in the war, and they did nothing. In fact, they were isolationist and didn't get involved in the war until they were directly attacked by Japan.

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It doesn't matter what they find

The criticism of Pope Pius XII isn't about what he did or didn't do for the Jews. It's all about hating Catholics. Our world hasn't come very far since the heyday of the KKK...

Future Pope Pius XII asked bishops to work to save synagogues

The critics would never admit it, though. Even though prejudice and bigotry against Catholics is the last acceptable prejudice, it's still not seen as such in circles that want to be taken seriously the public. One must cloak it in the garb of academia...

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Perhaps

Time sounds just a little too optimistic (and enthusiastic?)...


Is Liberal Catholicism Dead?

I think that that sector of American Catholicism might feel a bit put upon, but I don't think it will die that easily...

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Amen!


One thing I will really be happy about...



Alas, once all the possible 'proofs' are gone for this interpretation, there will be another one. People live for this sort of thing...

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They sure are

getting wackier by the day...

Hitchens, Dawkins try for Pope's arrest during U.K. visit

It's hard to admire the intellectual abilities of these individuals when they seem to be getting nuttier and nuttier...

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Another good defense...

Proof that all media isn't bad.

(Early Warning System: SWMBO, don't read this article. Remember your blood pressure. Thank you.)

On sexual abuse scandal, the pope gets a bad rap

Now, if people would just stop making excuses, valid or not, and start discussing it fairly, it might accomplish more. In our diocese our Bishop has requested that all pastors deal with this issue in their sermons, and, where applicable, apologize to the faithful for the inaction and wrong action of some bishops. It's met with a good response...

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The last acceptable prejudice

When the media does things for their own sake rather than the sake of the truth...


Thank You Sir, May I Have Another?

Malicious libel by the media, just to sell their news...

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This will be

a never-ending controversy...


Vatican under pressure as wartime pope is moved closer to sainthood

"Pope Benedict XVI is facing criticism after he put a controversial wartime predecessor one step closer to sainthood. Jewish groups say Pope Pius XII did not do enough to save Jewish lives during the Second World War."

Pope Pius XII has his supporters, including many Jewish supporters, and his detractors, which include many Jewish people. Who gets to decide what anyone did was 'enough' or not? Who is in charge of the 'enough' quotas?

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