ut-oh he picked Benedict XVI? the end of the world is coming! Pope #111 on St. Malachy's list is given the phrase: “From the Glory of the Olive." Some say that this prediction of St. Malachy, refers to the Order of St. Benedict, because they have a well-known group within their order called the 'Olivetans.'
This is just reflective of ignorance. Being in that organization was not a choice, and don't you think the 60+ years that separate his involvement are meaningful?
Wow, I agree with Trader_Jorge on something! AggieRocket -- I think the non Catholics are the ones who think the Church is too conservative rather than the Catholics themselves. I've noticed that you tend to find a lot more criticism of the Church's more conservative views from non-Catholics than you do from people within the Church. I'm a pretty moderate, slightly liberal Catholic myself, but I don't mind having conservative Church leaders on the whole. As long as they aren't Pre-Vatican II reactionary-type Catholics, we can get along fine.
Perfect timing, right after the article containing quotes on the subject from his biography was posted.
Since he is German (from the area where I currently live) and I was born and raised catholic (left the church a few years ago), I have been quite familiar with him for a while. He has been extremely conservative with regard to many issues. I do not expect much "progress" from him with regard to abortion issues, celibacy, cooperation with other Christian denominations, etc. Not sure I am all too happy with this, I would have wished for some sort of reformation of the Catholic church. We'll see.
Quit scaring the class, flamingmoe. Give the full report! This is the second to last Pope. We die in 2012 when the Mayan calendar ends. W00T!
I think this selection is a clear signal that the church IS ready for reform. Ratzinger is 77 years old. This will be a short transitional papacy that will bridge the conservative era of John Paul to the progressives knocking on the Vatican door.
I did hear that too. He definitely counts as old...how old was JPII when he became Pope again? EDIT: Nevermind.....58
As a conservative Catholic I'm pretty pumped. Our campus is going crazy right now... Everyone is learning Bavarian songs and siging and...yeah well... SJC, what reformations do you seek? Are you looking for the church to change to you, or are you looking to have the church change you? Oh yeah, VAtican II was pretty spiffy. Max, the church gets along well with other religions. Email if you care for more twhy 77 at hotmail . com Oh yeah, the church ain't changing at all guys. JP II pretty much ensured that through his theology. Benedict will be one of the first to start enforcing. I'm happy.
I can't speak for SJC and I'm not looking to send this thread to D&D but I wish the church would change it's stance on contraception which may ease the plight of africans who are in the grips of an aids epidemic.
See I don't agree. That's not how to approach a problem, and yeah I don't want to send this to D&D, but the church has always, when moving in to a new place, been able to both adapt to local customs as well as bring the sacraments and true church teaching. JPII said the best way to cure the aids problem is through the sacrament of marriage, not the approval of premarital sex or unchaste behavior. Old fashioned yes. Sometimes there needs to be an older fashion.
I'm Catholic and lean more to the right than to the left, but this is my biggest complaint against the church. They've been preaching no sex before marriage for eons, and their teachings have continued to fail miserably. Now we have AIDS—an STD that can kill you; and it’s not a pleasant way to go. I can assure you that plenty of Catholics are dying of it as well. The Church’s stance on contraceptives is completely irresponsible! I'm sure there are those “pious” Catholics who believe these sinners are just getting what they deserve. If they’re right though, I don’t want a damn thing to do with their God.
Well, I think it's not working because people are ignoring what the church is saying, not because it's a bad solution. If people were to accept what the church says in this, the spread of aids would be seriously curbed. The Church doesn't usually like to change its teaching to fit the views of people at any one moment. I agree with easing the stance on birth control (only slightly), but I've done a lot of reading and discussion on the issue, and the church's reasoning is very sound.
