MetaFilter posts tagged with vatican and pope

Is Pope Francis a Fraud?

Glibpaxman — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:52:50 -0800

After a right-wing coup crushed the reforms of Vatican II, one scholar says the last two popes are illegitimate. It comes near the end of a thousand-year history of the Vatican’s global rise to power, ambiguous flourishing and rapid decline. It also comes after 40 years of internal counterrevolution under the previous two popes, during which a group of hardcore right-wing cardinals have consolidated power in the Curia and stamped out nearly all traces of the 1960s liberal reform agenda of Pope John XXIII and Vatican II. A handful of intellectuals, both inside and outside the church, quietly believe that means Pope Francis isn’t a legitimate pope at all.

The butler did it

aqsakal — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 04:16:18 -0800

It’s a good story because of the Vatican’s proverbial secrecy and intrigue and because of its ambiguity between its role as an international political and economic power and its claim to spiritual and ethical leadership. Mix that with the pedophile priest scandals (none in the Vatican itself so far but plenty of accusations of cover-ups) and not surprisingly, there is good copy for all. James Walston, who teaches at the American University in Rome, writes a blog which regularly provides illuminating insight into the confusing byways of Italian politics. This week he proved equally adept in untangling the story behind a trial opening in the Vatican, concluding that it will still be a trial worth following closely for what is said and for what is not said.
The BBC's veteran Vatican-watcher David Willey also has a helpful take on the mysterious leak.

Not again, please....

aqsakal — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:47:38 -0800

After the rumoured murder of John Paul I and the attempts on the life of John Paul II, and following an old, old tradition, an Italian daily has now published a restricted document purporting to warn Benedict XVI of a plot to kill him before the end of this year.

Irish stew. Papal hide the pickle.

markkraft — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:56:36 -0800

Irish PM condemns Vatican interference in sex abuse cases. Enda Kenny, the new Taoiseach of Ireland, has scathingly criticized the Vatican, citing the Cloyne Report and a recently-leaked Vatican letter intended to prevent sex abuse cases from going public, despite their public policy of reporting all abuse claims to the authorities. (Similar claims of the Vatican not reporting recent child abuse cases have also been made in the US.) Ireland's Minister for Justice has cited an extensive list of The Church's failures to comply with their policies, and is supporting legislation to make it a crime not to report child abuse claims. The Vatican's envoy was asked to report to Parliament and explain The Church's position on this matter quickly, with the implied threat that they might be forced to testify. Today, the Church, citing "surprise and disappointment at certain excessive reactions" has recalled their envoy. "(This) should be interpreted as an expression of the desire of the Holy See for serious and effective collaboration with the (Irish) Government."

Merry Christmas from the Vatican

rodmandirect — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 08:15:56 -0800

Pope’s child porn 'normal' claim sparks outrage among victims. Pope Benedict XVI said this week that as recently as the 1970's, pedophilia was "theorised as something fully in conformity with man and even with children,” but conceded that in 2010 it's gotten pretty bad, and brought "humiliation" on the church. Understandingly, victims feel differently.

Papal gymnasticis

illy — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:42:22 -0800

Papal gymnastics. Just your typical day at the Vatican. Topless muscle-bound gymnasts perform for the Pope, appreciative cardinals and waving nuns. Make your own jokes.

Missionary Position: Facing West

zarq — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:50:00 -0800

Pope Benedict XVI has announced the establishment of a new Vatican department dedicated to tackling what he called 'a grave crisis in the sense of the Christian faith and the role of the Church." The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelisation will (per Archbishop Vincent Nichols,) focus on countries "in which, even though the Christian Gospel has shaped an entire culture," secularism now reigns, in what the Pope termed an "eclipse of a sense of God." Editorial: "Catholicism, the religion that gave the world the idea of the missionary, is struggling on its historic home turf." This council is part of a larger reshuffling of the Vatican hierarchy, which may support the Pope's ongoing anti- abortion and gay marriage efforts: The first President of the new Evangelical Council will be Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, a Vatican bioethics official, whose controversial front page statement in the L’Osservatore Romano newspaper last year condoned the abortion of twins in a nine year-old Brazilian rape victim. At the time, Fisichella headed the institution that helps frame the Catholic church's "pro-life" doctrines, The Pontifical Academy for Life. A Canadian theologian and anti-abortion hardliner, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, will now head the Vatican’s powerful Congregation for Bishops, which evaluates the nomination of bishops and sets the tone for the Catholic Church hierarchy worldwide. “The head of the Congregation of Bishops is a very important nomination; it determines the ruling class of the Catholic Church for the next 20 years,” said Andrea Tornielli, a Vatican expert with the Italian daily newspaper Il Giornale. The appointment is particularly important in light of the abuse scandal, which has called into question the actions of bishops around the world. Victims have accused bishops of covering up abuse or not acting swiftly to discipline priests who have abused minors.
Ouellet has been outspoken against abort ion (calling it a 'moral crime', unjustified even in cases of rape) and gay marriage.

John Paul II Superstar

aqsakal — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 02:21:26 -0800

Pope John Paul II, the musical: Two priests, two dancers and a team of young actors are bringing John Paul II to the stage this month, with a musical version of the pope's life and work. The musical - called Non Abbiate Paure (Don't be Afraid) - maps out the key developments in the life of Karol Wojtyla, who led the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005, through acting, dance, music and singing. The earliest scenes look at his life as a youth in Poland, when he enjoyed a passion for football, languages and acting, followed by the years under Nazi occupation, when he held down a variety of tough labouring jobs. Wojtyla entered a seminary not long after the death of his father, the last surviving member of his immediate family, where be began secretly studying to be a priest.

The Benedict Condom

aqsakal — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 02:34:10 -0800

The Benedict Condom: The British Government has apologised to the Pope over official documents that mocked his forthcoming visit to the UK by suggesting he should bless a gay marriage and even launch Papal-branded condoms. Reportedly a "junior official" at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office circulated a list of suggestions for events to make the visit newsworthy, according to the Daily Telegraph. Other suggestions included spending the night in a council flat in Bradford, doing forward rolls with children to promote healthy living, and even performing a duet with the Queen. Our (hapless) Man in the Vatican has crossed the Tiber to offer apologies, and one senior FCO official was found responsible and has been transferred to other duties. The BBC comments: "How serious and far-reaching the effect of the document is depends partly on how the Church itself responds." On recent form, this may not be a very optimistic view. Unsurprisingly, the news has not appeared on the website of the UK Embassy to the Holy See. As a former junior FCO official in another lifetime, I am dying to know who was responsible...

Two popes, two

omegar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:35:12 -0800

"Ratzinger is an Evolutionist, which by definition makes one an athiest", is one of the reasons that this website, in which the "true" catholic faith (different [?] from the other catholic faith) is promoted, gives as to claiming Benedict XVI isn't the true pope. And to make their point they have elected a "real" pope themselves: Pope Pius XIII His real name? Lucian Pulvermacher (wikipedia) (previously) But, How can they elect a pope when they have one in the Vatican? you ask? Well, according to the FAQ, which is a tad outdated: "John Paul II is NOT the Pope and never was. Neither were the 3 other imposters, John XXIII, Paul VI or John Paul I." Of course, having two popes isn't news at all for the catholic church. There have been antipopes (wikipedia), a second pope unrecognized by the Vatican, intermitently for almost 1900 years now. Once there were even three popes at the same time, couresy of the Western Schism (wikipedia). (via)

Catholic Church goes green

stbalbach — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 08:53:55 -0800

The Catholic Church is traditionally not seen as a progressive institution, but when it comes to global warming, Vatican City is aiming to become the worlds first fully carbon-neutral state, and the Pope is expected to use his first address to the United Nations next April to deliver a powerful warning over climate change in a move to adopt protection of the environment as a "moral" cause for the Catholic Church and its billion-strong following.

Papal Beep

chuckdarwin — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 08:23:17 -0800

The Vatican's new document - "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road" - contains 10 Commandments for Drivers.

Editor of Jesuit Magazine Leaves After Complaints

matteo — Mon, 09 May 2005 12:51:06 -0800

Articles of Faith "By inviting articles that covered different sides of disputed issues, Father Reese helped make America Magazine a forum for intelligent discussion of questions facing the Catholic Church and the country today." Thomas J. Reese's policy -- to present both sides of the discussion -- apparentlly "did not sit well with Vatican authorities". Reese, a Jesuit and a political scientist, had made a point of publishing both sides of the debate on a range of subjects, some of them quite delicate for a Catholic magazine -- gay priests, stem-cell research, the responsibility of Catholic politicians confronting laws on abortion and same-sex unions and a Vatican document (the Dominus Iesus declaration) which outlined the idea that divine truth is most fully revealed in Christianity and the Catholic Church in particular.
Reese, who had described last month the Vatican as behaving like the cranky owner of a good restaurant, resigned yesterday as editor of the magazine. More inside.

benedictXVI.com

riffola — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 21:24:32 -0800

BenedictXVI.com registered a few weeks ago by our very own rcade. He hedged his bets by registering six domains in all, and now is being called out for popesquatting.

Pope Michael Has Many Computer Problems

eustacescrubb — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 03:52:28 -0800

The real Vatican is in Kansas. "On July 16, 1990 the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church elected David Bawden as Pope Michael, ending an almost 32 year long interegnum."

The caring pope

mathowie — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 11:54:58 -0800

Another Worlds AIDS Day, another statement from the Vatican saying you should never use a condom. [via rc3]

The Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture

treywhit — Sun, 16 Feb 2003 19:05:04 -0800

The Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture releases a document on the surging interest in New Age thought (e.g., Zen Buddhism). They advise that Harry Potter is okay but that Deepak Chopra might be someone to be wary of. Evidently the Age of Aquarius isn't coming so that peace will guide the planets. Bummer. That might be nice.

swift — Wed, 31 Jul 2002 15:00:31 -0800

Today in Mexico, Pope removes chin from chest to canonize the first Indian saint.

Patron saint for Internet users?

billder — Sun, 12 May 2002 18:14:05 -0800

Patron saint for Internet users? The Pope has given the Internet his blessing (thanks!) and there's talk he is searching for a patron saint for Internet users. Who would you nominate for patron saint of the Internet? St. Berners-Lee of CERN? St. Metcalfe of Ethernet?

Inside the Vatican

Voyageman — Tue, 20 Nov 2001 07:16:52 -0800

Inside the Vatican Having heard, watched, and read so much about Islam in the past ten weeks, this may be a much welcomed digression.

THE Pope will host the European premiere of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

tiaka — Fri, 02 Mar 2001 09:52:07 -0800

THE Pope will host the European premiere of 2001: A Space Odyssey. I'm guessing my thoughts on 2001 aren't all that different from the pope's, but I'm mostly an atheist. How do you view the monolith? And also, here's a list of pope's favorite films. Andrei Rublev is my overall 4th favorite film, the Sacrifice and Decalogue are in my 20's.

lagado — Wed, 24 Jan 2001 03:57:27 -0800

Pope John Paul II has been busy protecting his conservative legacy by appointing a record number of new cardinals. This expanded group of cardinals will vote for the next pontiff and so a continuation of the Church's present course on abortion and birth control is quite likely.
Still, it's a little known fact that the Vatican actually ceased to the home of the true Catholic Church on October 9th, 1959 and that John Paul II is, in fact, a heretical anti-pope.

Vatican's lines too long?

Brilliantcrank — Fri, 05 Jan 2001 15:29:29 -0800

Vatican's lines too long? The Pope has just closed the door to the bronze Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica for the next 25 years. I have heard of crowd control but give me a break, can the lines really be that bad?

tdecius — Mon, 18 Oct 1999 12:49:50 -0800

I went to Catholic high school for two years, and being the incredibly geeky type, I wondered, given the Pope is the Bishop of Rome, how he ran the whole church and his provincial diocese. This site is a good snippet that answers the question, for those people like me who have academic interests in theology.