As I understand it

there was nothing of real consequence in the leaks (other than to show what everyone already knows about the machinations of the political organism known as the Vatican).

Pope's butler arrested in "VatiLeaks" probe

My comments aren't just about the Pope, but I suppose anyone that this happens to.

In this sort of case it's likely not done to show criminal behaviour, actions or intentions, but simply to embarass and titillate. And to make money. Money is always involved. So I really can't express any support for these people who do this sort of thing. If someone did this to my correspondence I'd consider it theft as well...

(Not that anyone would care about my written correspondence anyway, and email, no matter how private it is intended to be, can only be considered a public thing - anyone who believes different is kidding themselves.)

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If any saints deserve it...

...these two do.

Regina Coeli: Jesus sends His Spirit to the Church

"...Pope Benedict announced that on October 7, at the beginning of the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, he would proclaim St. John of Avila and St. Hildegard of Bingen as Doctors of the Church."

A rare honour, as both of these saints have had profound effects on the theology and life of the Church, this has been long in coming...

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A very good question

if you think about it from the perspective of a Communist leader who has been cut off, at least physically, from the closest 'democratic' neighbour for all these years.

Fidel Castro to Pope Benedict: “What does a pope do?”

In fact, I think a lot of Catholics would be able to pose the very same question, as illiterate of Church teachings and structure as they are...

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Amen!

Noisy world is enemy of prayer, says Pope Benedict

I've posted on this so many times that it's almost like the Pope has decided to agree with me!

Thanks Pope Benedict. It's nice to have the Church approve of my opinions now and again...

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Blogging the Pope

Calumny and Lies (I Tell You!)

A Combermere, Ontario, Madonna House priest discusses the writings of Pope Benedict XVI.

I know one thing, Pope Benedict XVI is a wonderfully articulate, clear and understandable writer who can hold a reader tightly in subjects that, from most writers, would be dry and, possibly, bore one to tears. He is a marvelous writer who has a clear idea of who his audience is - academic, religious, theologian, student, or lay person - and writes so well that his words grasp you from start to finish...

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Ah...

Consistory near: Vatican orders new cardinal's rings

...Vatican gossip about Vatican politics...

(In deference to the current Pope's love of all things traditional in the Church, I've chosen to go beyond the usual 'red hat' image for this post all the way to a very formal, old style image of a Cardinal's traditional hat, complete with tassels. No, don't thank me.)

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Thank you

Pope Benedict XVI attacks Christmas consumerism at Mass

People who see the Pope and the Papacy in black and white don't really see the good that is said and done that they actually agree with if they were to admit it. To liberal Catholics he's a conservative roadblock for the renewal of the Church, yet this sort of thing is just what they, and many others, are wanting to hear in our Church. There's much gray (or grey, depending where you live) in each person's beliefs and actions. The Vicar of Christ is no different...

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Thank you

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Pope says focus on Jesus, not pre-Christmas distractions

Even though we, as Christians and Catholics, know what we should be focussing on, we need people like the Pope to remind us, I think...

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Founded on truth which can't be ignored

but applied with love and charity...

No Communion for Outlaws. But the Pope Is Studying Two Exceptions

"The ban on Eucharistic communion for divorced and remarried Catholics is increasingly contested and disobeyed. Benedict XVI is standing firm. But he is republishing an essay from 1998 that opens two loopholes, the second entrusted to conscience"

Heh. Outlaws. This is what happens when things are translated on the intertubes...

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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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Good for him!

Pontiff Lauds Efforts to End Death Penalty: Notes Human Dignity of Prisoners

Despite the horrific things some of the people who have been given death sentences have done, I remain pro-life, and to me that means these people too. I certainly don't have the right to take their lives from them, nor should a government or anyone else...

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Ignoring you? Yes, likely so.

Pope Benedict XVI urged to reopen Swiss Guards murder investigation  

"It is one of the Vatican's darkest and most inscrutable mysteries – a young soldier in the Swiss Guard, the Pope's personal body guard, guns down the corps' commander and his wife before turning the pistol on himself. "

It's easy to be ignored by the Vatican, they've been ignoring things for centuries. What this article makes me miss the most is my tinfoil hat graphic. All the conspiracy theories! Incredible!

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On the other hand

Pope John Paul II is being fast-tracked towards sainthood...

Pope won't take part in common prayers

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Leaving more work

(and power) for the Vatican bureaurocrats?

'Ad limina' change means not all bishops meet privately with pope


Just wonderin'...

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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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He has a very good point

Press Distorts Papal Trip Before It Begins

The media is predicting the Pope's reception in the various countries, and perhaps more creating a response than reporting a response.

" So begins the news coverage prior to the Pope’s trip. I don’t have a problem with journalists reporting facts, but when they’re reporting (or rather predicting) facts before anything has even happened, I do take issue with the reporting. Isn’t it interesting how you can have so many seemingly diverse publications all singing the same note"

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Pope speaks of God's presence during 'times of darkness'

"In time of desolation, we should never make any change, but remain firm and constant in the resolution and decision which guided us the day before the desolation, or the decision to which we adhered in the preceding consolation. For just as in consolation the Good Spirit guides and counsels us, so in desolation the evil spirit guides and counsels. Following his counsels we can never find the way to a right decision." - St. Ignatius

Something I've always tried to remember (and so seldom been able to put into practice).

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Of course!

Do you agree with Umberto Eco, that Apple is Catholic and PC Protestant? It looks as though Pope Benedict might…

"It all makes sense to me: but I’m a simple soul"

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There are so many arguments

on both sides of this issue...

Catholic Clergy Protest Pope’s Visit, and Its Price Tag

"The priests, along with dozens of left-leaning groups demanding a secular state and young people who occupied many of Spain’s main squares for months to protest the government’s handling of the economy, are planning at least one major protest march on Wednesday. "

The most important thing I would remind the clergy about is what usually happens when a secular state comes about, right OR left. History, even in Spain, proves it out. Clergy die. The secular states that come about due to 'revolution' of one sort or another are not friends of the Church or it's members and representatives.

Having said that and speaking as a Franciscan, yes, despite the effect on young people, the price tag is scandalous!

Mind you, far more money is taken in at movie theatres across the country in one weekend when a new movie is released...

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I don't know

Personally, I'm not too sure how honoured I'd be with commemorative toilet paper. Just my opinion.

Toilet paper in Vatican colours on sale ahead of papal visit

Perhaps if they're used as streamers in the parade (if there is one) he may think highly of them, I'm not sure. It's not that they're utilitarian, it's what they're used for that makes them utilitarian...

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