New Pope!

davidjam

Well does anyone care about the fact that we Cathos have a new Papa?

I'm pleased. Ratzinger is a great philosopher, theologian and incredibly intelligent man. Oh yeah, and a gentle and good soul.

Long live Benedict XVI! 🙂

pohopo

Looks like he will continue the positions of Paul. At 78 though he probably will not be in office as long.

Kudose

Although Ratzinger was probably the best choice of cardinals to choose from, I feel that he was most likely a way to buy time until another JPII comes along.

I dont really have a religion, but JPII was the friggin man.

Weedpacket

Originally posted by Kudose
Although Ratzinger was probably the best choice of cardinals to choose from, I feel that he was most likely a way to buy time until another JPII comes along.

I agree; he's the oldest new Pope in yonks, so even God willing he's unlikely to be around as long. It does look like the cardinals were looking more for continuity at this point than any sort of new direction.

Sort of marking time while waiting for something. And if there's one thing the Catholic Church is capable of, it's long-term planning.

"Farewell John Paul, farewell John Paul - but what about George and Ringo?"

vaaaska

I've very christian but totally not Catholic - I have never understood anything a person wanted to tell me (whining) about the power of the catholic church.

And with that, I just don't get the Pope stuff. Sure, it's a huge tradition, but does it really mean much to any of y'all? Does the Pope really set some agenda that you guide your lives by?

Perhaps I'll be damned for saying this (although I don't believe in hell either), but I think music is much more powerful spiritual force than religion.

vaaaska

Originally posted by Weedpacket
And if there's one thing the Catholic Church is capable of, it's long-term planning.

You don't have one of these Catholic financial management firms dealing with your retirement fund do you? 😉

Jason_Batten

Originally posted by davidjam
Well does anyone care about the fact that we Cathos have a new Papa?

I can honestly say no.

I found it utterly digusting the way the paraded the DEAD ROTTING CORPSE of the old one around the planet.

Charles getting married, now that was must watch TV! *cough :rolleyes:

I hate the media with a passion :glare:

davidjam

Originally posted by vaaaska
...I just don't get the Pope stuff. Sure, it's a huge tradition, but does it really mean much to any of y'all? Does the Pope really set some agenda that you guide your lives by?...

The "agenda" as you call it really is 99% established from scripture and tradition. The pope is merely a spiritual leader. And yes, he has the authority to unfold the other 1% as necessary.

But, heh, Vaska at least you have some religion. I'm not really that religious myself, more guided by the 12 steps than anything... but the Holy Father is, well, the Holy Father and if your Catholic that might mean something, if not it won't mean nuttin!

Peace brother! 🙂

ZibingsCoder

I am pretty happy about it. He will be a good Pope, though not around for very long probably.

I'm Episcopalien ("Same religion, half the guilt" - Robin Williams), so the new Pope means a good deal to me as well.

I think the most interesting comment I've heard was when someone explained to me how this new Pope was the last Pope before the Anti-Pope, and subsequently the end of the world. Interesting...wonder how many people said that about Pope John Paul II?

Kudose

Originally posted by ZibingsCoder
...this new Pope was the last Pope before the Anti-Pope, and subsequently the end of the world...

You officially confused me.

davidjam

Originally posted by ZibingsCoder
...I think the most interesting comment I've heard was when someone explained to me how this new Pope was the last Pope before the Anti-Pope, and subsequently the end of the world...

I think that came from a book called "Catholic Prophesy" about a particular visionary who said that the second pope after John Paul would be the anti-christ. The theory is if the anti-christ comes then the true one would follow shortly after which would be the final judgement, end of time, etc. Rather scarry I must say. +++

vaaaska

panic

ACK!!! I MUST QUOTE MYSELF!!!

Originally posted by vaaaska
I'm very christian

I didn't mean it that way!!! I mean, I'm christian as I grew up in the states, but that's it. Nothing more...ack...don't get me mixed up with the red states!!!

Jason_Batten

I got the perfect idea!

Queer eye for the new pope

Think of the masses which will tune in to see that Fox exclusive!

Maybe we can get MTV to PIMP his ride too?

Pope Survivor?

Maybe they should have had Pope Idol to pick the new pope :bemused:

These ideas are gold!

Kudose

Nostradamus (sp?) predicted kinda the same thing.

So...if that's true, then the Catholics shortend our life span by electing an old timer.

davidjam

Originally posted by vaaaska
panic

ACK!!! I MUST QUOTE MYSELF!!!

I didn't mean it that way!!! I mean, I'm christian as I grew up in the states, but that's it. Nothing more...ack...don't get me mixed up with the red states!!!

Why panic man? Afraid someone might come along and tickle your inner christian?

What's funny is that I totally despise evangelism and am totally not "red" (well unless you figure in my communist tendancies!).

Kudose

What's funny is that people think they can get away with stuff like that.

Do people honestly believe that St. Peter is gonna be cool with semi-believers?

"Oh, I see you half-ass believed in God. I guess that's good enough."

davidjam

waaaaaiiittt a minute here! Each person stands before God alone and no one -- I mean not one person on this planet -- has the right or ability to judge everything that went into that persons inner pilgramage -- it is completely personal. So I have to say I don't go along with that last post at all.

Kudose

Okay, I'll admit that I could be wrong.

But from what church I did attend and cartoons I watched when I was a kid, I was always under the impression that St. Peter had to let you through the pearly gates before you were to be judged.

Granted cartoons aren't good examples, but haven't you seen the cartoons and movies that depict this? (i.e. Tom n Jerry cartoon, Bill n Ted movie)

Kinda like God's secretary.

ahundiak

Originally posted by davidjam
The pope is merely a spiritual leader.

The pope is much more than a mere spiritual leader. On matters of church doctrine, the pope is infallible. Catholics know this to be true because the pope said so himself about 130 years ago.