Update: This was posted before the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, who is very conservative and probably not a fan of pink smoke. The BBC has described Ratzinger as:
While many theologians strive for a Catholic Church that is more open and in touch with the world around it, Ratzinger's mission is to stamp out dissent, and curb the "wild excesses" of this more tolerant era.
He wields the tools of his office with steely efficiency. By influencing diocese budgets, bishops' transfers and even excommunications, what an opponent calls "symbolic violence", Ratzinger has clamped down on the more radical contingent of the Church.
He has even claimed the prime position of the Church of Rome over other Christian Churches. Although he has apologised for this, he has never been so contrite about excluding liberation theologians, more progressive priests or those in favour of the ordination of women.
Personally charming, quick-witted and fluent in four languages, the Cardinal is a convincing orator. Jesuit Father Thomas Reese calls him "a delightful dialogue partner", but adds that most of the Cardinal's fellow clergy would be too worried about the prospect of excommunication to enjoy talking to him.
9 comments:
I guess the big question is what kind of change really is needed? Is a "change" needed?
On a side note, I'm getting a kick out of all the people who have single-handedly ended communism.
I mean, just last year, didn't Reagan singlehandedly end communism?
And now, JPII and the Vatican took down communism!
Will every conservative who was alive when the Berlin wall came down get credit for ending communism upon his death?
Will the market receive credit for the fall of communism upon its death? Oh wait...
No offense to Steve, but I think the Catholic Church's problems in the Western world may now get a lot worse before they get better...
non introibis ad altare dei in Latine? cur non? lingua spiritis sancti tibi non est? non intellego, vir malus!
abi in malum rem!!!
Kyle, feel free to correct my grammar if needed :)
Does anybody else think he looks like Palpatine? I mean, come on . . . .
The Catholic church isn't the only one stuck in archaic languages. While preparing for a Seder, my Christian wife commented on the huge amount of Hebrew prayer. While Reform Jewish services have incorporated more English, traditional prayers are still in Hebrew.
So I guess J'Nath doesn't keep a blog? How unfortunate. :0(
Can I just say that I heart weird religious conservatives? The ones that like to say, "All the Church's problems, especially x can be traced back to
a) losing the Latin Mass
b) the ordination of women
c) those moderates in the Convention
d) brand x Bible translation
e) liberalism
f) any mixture of the above
P.S. Garrett, I was drafted yesterday to sing Elvis songs in Latin in the library lobby. Because we do that here. ;0)
do you remember when j'nath had that email list where he detailed every moment of his life? i think it was like freshman year of college. that was the most strangely addicting series of emails i ever received.
a j'nath blog. we can only anticipate such a grace :0)
Pope Sidious... wow... that analogy could lead to hundred of comments of fun...
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