Oh, Fuck....

[TheRocketSurgeon]

One wonders how much is being spent to protect his sorry ass.

That's what I was thinking when the news was on yesterday. Then, he keeps making attempts to make himself look like such a humble person. The part where he got picked up in a Fiat (I'm sure they spent quite a bit filling it with armor and bullet proof glass), I was thinking to myself, more wasted money. He could have just gotten in one of the presidential limos, but nooooo, the pope must constantly put on this humble show for everyone while the media buys or acts like they buy into that bullshit. Meanwhile, back at home, he lives in a disgustingly rich palace. HE TAKES BUS! Give that man a fucking medal!

Actually, no. Another of his first acts was to get rid of the palatial Papal residence and move into a small (by any standards) apartment in the Vatican, usually reserved for lesser clergy who work there.

He frequently goes out into the public without the bulletproof protections (not that he's stupid enough to not have bodyguards, like any famous personage likely to be a target).

He broke the tradition of previous Popes who washed the Bishops' feet, the way Jesus washed the disciples' feet, by going into a local prison and washing the feet of the prisoners.

I don't think this guy's behavior is a show, except as deliberate choices to set an example for the rest of the Catholics. I think he really bothered to read the life of Christ as humbling himself, and is doing his best from the ridiculous seat of power that is the Papacy to bring it back down a notch. I applaud him for his efforts.

There's plenty about the Catholic church to criticize, and we should. But let's not build strawmen, and let's give credit where credit is due.

---

Addendum: I have little doubt that he was aware of the molestation scandals. But being aware of it and being in a position to do something about it are not necessarily the same thing. If you're aware of evidence that he knew about it in his own district and did nothing, that would be evidence I would very much like to see. If it is shown, then I will heap upon him the scorn and derision he deserves, but not before.

[Faith No More]

Except now he is in a position to do something about it. If he really wants to impress, he will release the Vatican records to the public and allow an outside inquiry. Anything else seems like lip service to me.

[Minimalist]

Here's an article which points to the bullshittery that is pope frank.

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2...y-marriage

Why US Bishops Aren't Embracing Pope Francis' Climate Push

The pope wants to fight global warming, but many Catholic Church officials are preoccupied with abortion and gay marriage.

This isn't the first time we see him stake out a  moderate position only to have, a day or two later, some vatican spokesman turn around and "explain" what the pope meant so that the powers-that-be don't have to get their skirts in a twist.   By then the headline writers have moved on in our 40-second attention span world.

You are right.  He pulls an occasional public relations stunt and the press gets all wet in the pants over him.  But real action?  I'd like to see some.

[TheRocketSurgeon]

It's hard for many Americans (myself included) to remember that, on the global stage, we're more right-wing than anywhere else in Christendom other than Uganda. US Bishops might be Catholic, but they're still steeped in American conservative culture, by and large, and that includes homophobia and the abortion wars, as well as the religion of capitalism.

[vorlon13]

It's my understanding the US has a very high annulment rate (for Catholics) compared to some other Catholic countries. Weird the rate isn't the same everywhere isn't it ??

Same church, same dogma, same God, shouldn't annulments be pretty similar regardless of location ?? or is the church doing something hinky ?? {GASP!!}

[TheRocketSurgeon]

It's my understanding the US has a very high annulment rate (for Catholics) compared to some other Catholic countries.  Weird the rate isn't the same everywhere isn't it ??

Same church, same dogma, same God, shouldn't annulments be pretty similar regardless of location ??    or is the church doing something hinky ??  {GASP!!}

My dear sir, you're not suggesting that churches "bend" a little bit, based on the local culture, are you?

I am appalled, sir. Appalled!

[brewer]

Caught a couple of bits on the news today. Parade: Girls were screaming, I was confused (Beiber, Lennon?). Communion: Forgot how much ritual that they have. Nuns had quite the glossal reaction. Could have sworn I saw Andrew Zimmern.

[Mermaid]

The guy has so much power over so many people, it's incredible. I'll take his comparatively liberal self any day.

I would be murderously angry if he came to our city and caused it to be closed down for three days because roads are closed off so people are unable to go to work. A friend of mine works at a hospital in Philadelphia and she has to stay there for the weekend because she would not otherwise be able to get to work. FOR WHAT!? One guy? It's ridiculous.

[Minimalist]

It's hard for many Americans (myself included) to remember that, on the global stage, we're more right-wing than anywhere else in Christendom other than Uganda. US Bishops might be Catholic, but they're still steeped in American conservative culture, by and large, and that includes homophobia and the abortion wars, as well as the religion of capitalism.

Aye.  That much is true.

Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.
Mahatma Gandhi

[Regina]

I noticed that, it's so weird America being the anomaly. It's a predominantly "Protestant" country but it actually behaves more like a predominantly Catholic country. Historically most of the Protestant countries have tended to be relatively more secular, and certainly are today.

It's even more ironic when you consider that secularism was supposed to be one of the core principles the country was built on in the early years (and I think still the only Western country without "God" in the constitution). That went downhill fast...