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I'm Starting to Like This New Pope

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by rimrocker, Oct 22, 2013.

  1. BamBam

    BamBam Member

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    There's a new Pope...:confused:
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  2. pirc1

    pirc1 Member

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    He is definitely the anti-Christ.:p

    Pope Francis Orders German Roman Catholic prelate known as the “luxury bishop” to leave his diocese


    https://johnib.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/pope-francis-orders-german-roman-catholic-prelate-known-as-the-luxury-bishop-to-leave-his-diocese/

    VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis has ordered the German Roman Catholic prelate known as the “luxury bishop” for spending some 31 million euros ($42.70 million) on a residence to leave his diocese for an unspecified period, the Vatican said on Wednesday.

    The move, just short of a resignation, was taken against Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst of Limburg two days after he met the pope to discuss the scandal in the German Church at a time when the pontiff is stressing the importance of humility and serving the poor.

    (Reporting By Philip Pullella)

    Tebartz-van Elst's residence and his private chapel are pictured in Limburg

    The residence of Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, Bishop of Limburg, in Limburg, Germany. Bishop Tebartz-van Elst is accused of wasting money to refurbish and rebuild the residence for more than 31-million euros. Reuters photo
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    (AP) Pope expels German ‘luxury bishop’ from diocese
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    By NICOLE WINFIELD and DANIELA PETROFF
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    Associated Press
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    VATICAN CITY
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    Pope Francis temporarily expelled a German bishop from his diocese on Wednesday because of a scandal over a 31-million-euro project to build a new residence complex, but refused popular calls to remove him permanently.
    The Vatican didn’t say how long Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst would spend away from the diocese of Limburg and gave no information on where he would go or what he would do. It said his fate would ultimately be decided by the outcome of a church commission investigation into the expenditures.
    Bishop of Limburg Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst walks out of the cathedral in Limburg an der Lahn, central Germany, on August 30, 2013
    Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst
    It said Limburg’s vicar general, the Rev. Wolfgang Roesch, who had been due to take up his duties on Jan. 1, would start immediately and would run the diocese during Tebartz-van Elst’s absence.

    At the center of the controversy is the 31-million-euro ($42 million) price tag for the construction of a new bishop’s residence complex and related renovations. Tebartz-van Elst has said the bill was actually for 10 projects and there were additional costs because of regulations on buildings under historical protection.

    The Limburg scandal has been front-page news for weeks in the country where Martin Luther launched the Reformation five centuries ago in response to what he said were excesses and abuses within the church. The perceived lack of financial transparency has also struck a chord since a church tax in Germany brings in billions of euros a year to the German church.

    The head of the German bishops’ conference, Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, had been particularly blunt in his criticism of the expenditures and the credibility problem it was causing the church. He has said the church commission would investigate the costs of the renovation, the financing and how decisions about the restoration evolved. Canon lawyers are to determine if Tebartz-van Elst violated church law regarding the use of church money, he said.

    The decision on the expulsion was taken after Francis met in the past week with Zollitsch and Tebartz-van Elst.

    The Vatican stressed that Francis took the decision based on continuous and “objective” information, suggesting that the Vatican wasn’t being swayed by the popular outcry over the scandal. At the same time, though, Francis has made clear he expects his bishops to live simply, setting as an example his own humble lifestyle.

    In a statement, the Vatican said the situation in the diocese had become such that Tebartz-van Elst “at the current time cannot exercise his episcopal ministry.”

    Pending the results of the commission of inquiry, “the Holy See considers it opportune to authorize (Tebartz-van Elst) a period of time away from the diocese,” the statement said.

    A bishop being sent away from his diocese is very much in keeping with the church’s legal tradition of making a public reparation for a scandal done to the church. While the circumstances were vastly different, the Vatican earlier this year sent a Scottish cardinal away from his diocese after he admitted to sexual misconduct.

    Germany’s main lay Catholic group, the Central Committee of German Catholics, praised the decision as creating “the necessary space to clear up completely and firmly the events in Limburg,” said the group’s head Alois Glueck.

    “Pope Francis’ decision offers the chance of a first step toward a new beginning in the Limburg diocese, because the situation can become an increasing burden for the faithful there and in all of Germany over recent weeks,” Glueck said.

    The German government, which last week called the situation “very difficult” and said it hoped for a solution that would give confidence to the faithful, refused to comment Wednesday on the Vatican’s decision. A spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel, Georg Streiter, said it was “an internal church matter.”

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  3. rocketsjudoka

    rocketsjudoka Member

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    I agree Pope Francis has shown a refreshing embrace of humility and tolerance and has been leading by example. I am not ready though to praise him fully as the Church still hasn't come to terms with it's most pressing issue of how it deals with sexuality both within and outside the institution. The Church still needs to come clean regarding covering up and protecting sex offenders within the institution. It also needs to come to terms with sex in the modern era regarding contraception, homosexuality and also celibacy within the institution.
     
  4. MadMax

    MadMax Member

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    Yeah, I figured he would have wrapped all of that up already. :)
     
  5. Rashmon

    Rashmon Member

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  6. smr6

    smr6 Member

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    This guy has been great so far. He has been a great representative for Christianity around the world. This is a guy who actually practices what he preaches and lives the message he sends.
     
  7. pirc1

    pirc1 Member

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    Easily the best pope last few centuries.
     
  8. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"
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    I see what you did there... Every time you make a condom reference in a Pope thread, Traditional Catholic God cries one tear of anger.
     
    2 people like this.
  9. gifford1967

    gifford1967 Member
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    Are there churches that preach smokers, drinkers, and gamblers shouldn't be able to get married?

    I must have missed that.
     
  10. CrazyDave

    CrazyDave Member

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    Definitely a change for the better from Vatican City, it would seem. I don't know about anointing him the bestest quite yet, but at least his message and example seem to be taking the church in a positive direction. I agree with rocketjudoka that there's a lot to be done, but so far he seems off to a good start.

    Normally I wouldn't give your schtick the time of day, but the irony of the OP with you and your typical messaging is palatable, first responder no less. Thanks for chiming in exactly when and where you should not in such a fantastic way. You've truly outdone yourself.


    Interesting post... feeding a troll with trolling. Do trolls feed on their own?
     
  11. esteban

    esteban Member

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    I have no schtick Crazy Dave, just a pissed off American who happened to be a proud Catholic. I have watched Barry and his libtard minions destroying this country for the past 5 years.

    Spartacus is returning this week on Starz to fuel my rage.... I'm ready to do battle against you libtards one more time.


    I AM SPARTACUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  12. Nook

    Nook Member

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    YOU ARE DUMBASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    2 people like this.
  13. Invisible Fan

    Invisible Fan Member

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    Topic about Jesus that gets flame baited by a personality who claims he's a Christian.

    Just ignore the hate monger. There's enough bickering in plenty other topics to feed
     
  14. rage

    rage Member

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    It's not wrong to think smoking and drinking and gambling as sins. Most if not everyone of us at least think they are vices .

    Homosexuality is not in the same class.
     
  15. Dubious

    Dubious Member

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