-
Eugenic Abortion 2.0
May 23, 2013 | 67 comments
-
Obama’s Assault on the First Amendment
May 22, 2013 | 154 comments
-
Obama’s Far Left Hand
May 15, 2013 | 133 comments
-
The Left’s Captive Mind
May 8, 2013 | 85 comments
-
A Sportscaster Comes Out As Christian
May 1, 2013 | 291 comments
Special Report
The Reluctant Pope
He served out of duty, not ambition.
On Benedict XVI’s papal coat of arms appears a beast of burden (a bear with a pack-saddle), a symbol of the reluctance and dutifulness with which Benedict served in the Vatican. In fact, he had once asked Pope John Paul II if he could leave Rome and return to Germany. But the pope asked him to stay and continue to serve as the Church’s head of doctrine.
After John Paul II’s death, Benedict emerged as the indispensable man, without the least bit of angling for that role. He didn’t seek the papacy; it simply fell upon him. He had hoped the college of cardinals would select someone else. But his acute intellect, grasp of the Church’s crisis, and closeness to John Paul II made him the obvious choice.
Given this background, his resignation appears more understandable. He entered the papacy humbly and now leaves it humbly. His resignation is a great loss for the Church and the world. He represented the unity of reason and faith at a moment when the world was fast losing both. Between the West’s culture of abortion and the East’s culture of jihad, he stood as the civilizational center for life.
The media verdicts so far on his supposedly inconsequential and failed pontificate have been useless, reflecting nothing more than the progressive prejudices of reporters and pundits. Long after their spiteful articles have yellowed, his encyclicals will be read.
The truth is that they didn’t like him from the start, treating the elevation of a believing Catholic to the papacy as somehow “controversial.” Bill Keller, the former executive editor of the New York Times, once blurted out that “the struggle within the church is interesting as part of a larger struggle within the human race, between the forces of tolerance and absolutism.” That is the only prism through which the media ever saw Benedict: he fell on the wrong side of the progressive “struggle” and so became a target for endless media bias.
All the coming coverage of the papal election, sure to be absurdly ill-informed and tedious, will turn on that same standard. Candidates who appear sympathetic to the “forces of tolerance” will receive glowing coverage for weeks while the Church is lectured about the need to “modernize” and avoid a “contentious” pope. Modern liberals simply can’t rest until the Church elects a liberal pope. Hijacking the Church for their own ideological purposes has long been their goal. They dream of a pope giving his imprimatur to the sexual revolution and socialism. Then at last the “forces of absolutism” will have been defeated!
By absolutism, the Kellers ultimately mean God. That’s the absolute authority they seek to overthrow. They numbered Benedict among their historical enemies for refusing to join them in removing God from religion. He wouldn’t swallow the secularist acids they dish up as “dialogue” and so he had to be dismissed.
But historians decades from now will take his pontificate seriously. It stands as an important step toward the restoration of order and orthodoxy within the Church after many years of scandal and foolishness. While plenty of dysfunction is still on display, Benedict did what he could to curb it. Contrary to the media’s spinning, he inherited these crises; he didn’t create them.
Indeed, the moments in his pontificate that the media has worked hardest to try and trivialize and discredit will hold up the best: his battles with the “dictatorship of relativism,” his promotion of wider use of the traditional Latin Mass, his reinstitution of the ban on the ordination of homosexuals to the priesthood, his historic overture to disaffected Anglicans, his voluminous stream of speeches and writings that aimed at repairing the catechetical collapse within the Church; his insistence on the “non-negotiable” character of the natural moral law in shaping politics and culture.
He threw out an anchor to stop the doctrinal and disciplinary drift within the Church, which future generations will appreciate even if this one doesn’t. The pressure on modern popes, both from outside and inside the Church, to pander to the permissive society is enormous. He resisted that pressure, understanding that if the Church mirrors the morality and philosophy of the world she becomes just one more force for evil and delusion in it.
He was a reluctant pope but a conscientious one, whose legacy, like that of his namesake, will be to have scattered seeds of recovery along the dark fields of Europe and the world.
Photo: UPI
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (131) | Leave a comment
More Articles by George Neumayr
More Articles From Special Report
http://spectator.org/archives/2013/02/12/the-reluctant-pope
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- The End of the Castros?
- Razing Reagan
- Downton’s Class System — and Ours
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
H/T to National Review Online
ADVERTISEMENT
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 6:38AM
I have nothing personal against the Pope. He seems like a nice person. But he's done a poor job at "Defending the Faith" of Catholicism, and he's done even less for Christianity.
The Catholic Church is embroiled in schisms and controversies that will NOT end until such time as a Pope with real courage and Faith in God - NOT in Catholic dogma or institutional loyalty - steps forward and says "ENOUGH!"
On the one side of the grand schism are the left-wing Liberal Catholics who despise their faith and everything it represents, and who refuse to follow the lead of Rome yet persist in their belief that they are still Catholics. They are a pernicious, destructive force, and Catholicism would do itself a major service by excommunicating them - including notable politicians - en masse. They should be refused any sacraments until such time as they repent. But this never happens. Instead, sympathetic leftwing clergy in the Church talk constantly about "inclusion" and "modernization," as if somehow the Word of God needs to be constantly upgraded.
These people are destructive fools, and they are destroying Catholicism.
On the other side is the ongoing sexual abuse and pedophile priest scandal, which will continue to erode the Catholic Church until someone in a high position steps forward, exposes the rot, and wipes the slate clean.
Of course, none of this would matter if Catholics followed the Bible instead of a man-made institution like the Papacy. But that's for another day...
Jack in Wi| 2.12.13 @ 6:48AM
The Church has always had sinners and turmoil. It was founded by God to bring his people home to heaven. Jesus had Judas. The Church has given the world The Holy Bible, The idea of univeral brotherhood of all men, the idea of God's redemtive mercy, Sacred Tradition, the University, The Hospital, modern science which comes from the Church's monastaries and universities. It is simply the Truth. It has survived thousands of persecutions, and many million of martyrs. It has outlived thousands of civil governments. It has been on the ropes many times and kept going. God is not a Republican.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.12.13 @ 7:33AM
"God is not a Republican"
I think God transcends politics, and feels no need to identify with a party label.
He Is What Is.
On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that Satan is registered as a Democrat (at least twice in Chicago), in no small part so that he can get a vote in the primary.
Bob Grant| 2.12.13 @ 10:13AM
So, you're sayin' Satan is an obama poll official?
Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.12.13 @ 1:25PM
I'm not sure about the poll official role, but I am willing to bet that ACORN turned in his registration form(s).
C. Vernon Crisler | 2.12.13 @ 10:29AM
For Jackboot in WI, God is not a Republican; he's an anti-semite.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 11:47AM
And, so is Jesus.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 1:37PM
Is it too much to ask of the Catholic Church, to elect a Pope who DOESN'T have one foot in the Grave, when he walks out of that Ultimate Smoke Filled Backroom?
Would it Kill'em to get a guy who ISN'T wearing an Adult Diaper? Who can eat Solid Food? And, doesn't shake all over the place when he walks?
I'm not a Catholic, but I recognize the Significance of the Pope, in Christendom. He's the Face of the Catholic Church, and God's Representative on Earth. (according to Catholics)
Is it really a Good Thing that God's Representative is seen as Frail and Weak, at a time in History when the Forces of Darkness are preparing for All Out War against the Forces of Light?
I don't think so.
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 3:22PM
Tim
We prefer old, smart guys with wisdom, like Churchill, Ike, and Reagan, not young stupid guys like Clinton and Obama.
It is more important to be mentally strong and wise like John Paul and Benedict. They have both written good books and encyclicals.
The are frail and weak only physically. Look at the role played by John Paul with the Polish labor union Solidarity and the Polish Catholic Church, along with Reagan and Thatcher, to defeat the Evil Empire, or as the Village Idiots prefer: the workers' paradise.
Al Adab| 2.12.13 @ 3:30PM
W:
Peter Cardinal Turkson, and wouldn't that fulfill Malachys' 112th Peter the Roman.
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 3:57PM
Al Adab
We will have a black Pope if it is Arinze or Turkson. But unless they are viewed by the MSM as a "progressive" they will not really be black.
It is interesting that in many of the small villages in Ireland, Italy, Spain and other European countries the parochial priest is from Africa because of the decline in vocations in Europe and the rise in Africa.
Arinze would be interesting since he is from the Ibo tribe in Nigeria which has always been in conflict with the Muslim tribes in northern Nigeria. He has first hand knowledge of the religon of peace.
Al Adab| 2.12.13 @ 4:40PM
That is why Arinze would be such a powerful choice. Still, the Turkson choice opens other doors. They of course need not choose a Cardinal or perhaps an anonymous (in the heart) one from the Moslem world would be powerful. How the msm would treat those selections could be something.
For fun read Murphys' Vicar of Christ about an American Supreme court justice who, widowed, joins a monastery and is called out to become Pope.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 5:17PM
Just what the world need.
Another First Black whatever.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 5:14PM
One can have Wisdom, without being Infirm.
I'm not a Catholic, but I recognize the Significance of the Pope, in Christendom. He's the Face of the Catholic Church, and God's Representative on Earth. (according to Catholics)
Is it really a Good Thing that God's Representative is seen as Frail and Weak, at a time in History when the Forces of Darkness are preparing for All Out War against the Forces of Light?
Do you understand what I'm saying, here?
Bin Laden decided to attack us on our own soil, once he decided we were a Weak Horse.
The same applies, here.
I'm not dissing the Pope.
I'm making an Observation.
Geez.
Everybody's so sensitive.
I rely on FACTS.
Not Emotions.
That's why I never bet on a New York Giants game.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 5:16PM
And, John Paul was still Physically Strong when he took on the Soviets, in Poland.
Recusant| 2.12.13 @ 9:58PM
I understand what you mean, and yet, remember that Pope John Paul II was a spry 58 when he was elected,yet the years wear down all men.
Even so, neither youth nor strength of arms will win this battle. But this is to be expected, for Catholics worship a God, who for the most momentous three hours of all human history, had not the strength to even scratch his own nose. As "little Christs", it is in our weakness that we will find strength (2Cor 12:9).
Let the forces of darkness come with all their reckless rage and abandon! They only hasten their fall.
Bob Grant| 2.12.13 @ 9:47AM
D.R.
Are you Catholic?
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 10:34AM
I was, for 32 years.
Now I'm not. My eyes were opened to the truth.
Bob Grant| 2.12.13 @ 10:48AM
About the Church or Christianity?
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 12:02PM
Both.
In this case, "the Truth" meaning that they are not synonymous, although too many assume that they are.
Bob Grant| 2.12.13 @ 10:57AM
Opened to the truth? I suppose that means you were closed to the truth for 32 years?
What are you saying?
Are you saying the Catholic Church prevented you from becoming a true Christian?
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 11:49AM
No.
He's saying that he was Molested as an Alter Boy, but liked it so much, that he couldn't bring himself to go to the authorities, and now it's too late, because the Statute of Limitations has run out.
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 12:03PM
You need a life.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 1:37PM
And you could use some Friends.
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 12:03PM
Yes.
Bingo!
You win the prize!
Bob Grant| 2.12.13 @ 12:20PM
OK. It get it Right. YOU had a bad experience with the Catholic Church and as a result, it's become a symbol of everything wrong with religion, to the point of being Anti-Christian.
It get it.
Now, if you could specifically (and succinctly) tell me what's your beef with the Catholic Church.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 1:38PM
I already told you.
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 9:29PM
No.
I did not have a "bad experience" with the Catholic Church.
You don't "get it." Neither does L'il Timmy.
I came to understand that the Catholic Church teaches and preaches false doctrine.
It's as simple as that.
C. Vernon Crisler | 2.12.13 @ 10:31AM
As a Protestant, I don't really much care who is Pope or not. However, to the extent a Pope stands for basic natural laws and objective morality, and excels in scholarship while protecting his denomination from liberalism, relativism, or nihilism, then he deserves our respect regardless of our denomination affiliation.
Ryan| 2.12.13 @ 1:09PM
On top of which, he's the general representative of Christianity to the world. We all have a stake in the Pope being a good leader.
Paranoia Agent| 2.12.13 @ 12:29PM
Of course, for another day, since the protestant deformation cannot stand up to ten minutes of honest, thoughtful scrutiny.
Ask yourself one question: which came first, the Christian Church or the Christian Scriptures?
C. Vernon Crisler | 2.12.13 @ 12:46PM
I think Catholics have enough problems in their own denomination to clean up before they can credibly bash the Reformation or Protestants.
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 3:25PM
Who here is bashing Protestants and the Reformation? By your logic you cannot criticize anyone unless you are without fault or sin?
Ryan| 2.12.13 @ 12:57PM
Scripture is the "codification," as it were, of right theology and practice of the early Church, and bears the standard. You're trying to give an argument that whichever is "first" must have primacy. That's not necessarily the case. The early Church barely had its act together (Paul's letters are examples of this), and could barely enunciate the divinity of Christ for 300 years.
Occam's Tool| 2.12.13 @ 1:10PM
I know of one Pope the brilliance of whom a lapsed Catholic like Dr. Right and a Jew like me can agree on...
That's the one and only Pope of the Church of "Pretty Women, Shades, and Pain"...Roy Orbison. RIP, Roy.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 3:14PM
Doctor Right| 2.11.13 @ 10:01AM
How's that Popey-changey thing working out for you?
(There's nothing in the Bible about the Pope...any Pope. History does not depend on the comings and goings of a guy in a long robe and a funny hat.)
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 3:17PM
Doctor Right| 2.11.13 @ 3:29PM
And you, apparently, make excuses for child molesters, and for the people who cover-up their crimes.
Now, let's see you try to engage in a hypothetical exercise whereby somehow, someway, pedophilia is just peachy, OK?
Ready...set...GO!
...Waiting.
...Still waiting.
...crickets...
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 3:18PM
But, he doesn't have anything against the Catholic Church.
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 9:35PM
Nope. I don't. You want to stay a Catholic then go ahead; it's a free country.
Catholics are incapable of understanding how anyone who is a Christian could actually have. Theological argument that runs counter to Catholicism. Their brains can't accept it, so they assume that the person must have had a "bad experience'" when in fact, they've simply opened their eyes.
CJW| 2.13.13 @ 1:33AM
You are right. One billion people just cannot understand or accept whatever it is you believe so they are all wrong and you are right. What do shrinks call it when you believe everybody is wrong and you are right?
It is telling that you respond to any mention of the word Catholic the same as Jack responds to the word Jews or Israel. Same mentality. Jack believes he is right and everybody else is wrong, same as you. But that is your business and I do not care what you believe in, it does not bother or affect me, unlike the Catholic religion which evidently bothers you.
Jack in Wi| 2.12.13 @ 6:39AM
Pope Benedict is a humble servant of God. He has devoted his Papacy to renewal and peace. While he has reached out to other religions, he has always preached what he believed to be the Truth unashamedly. He was against the violence of abortion and of war. He preached the Gospel of Jesus, which is Peace and love of brother. Blessed are the Peacemakers. Pope Benedict stood up for real Christian morals in a dying world. Europe and America are dying out because they have forgotten God and family come first. The Church was born in turmoil. It has always been thus for 2000 years. It will be that way till the end. For the Kingdom of Jesus is not of this world.
Appleby| 2.12.13 @ 6:42AM
I became a Catholic because of Pope Benedict XVI. He restored my belief that the Catholic church was more than Clown Masses and rock music and pandering to try to pick up the rapidly dwindling 18-24 year old demographic and get rid of the old people who "cling to their guns and their religion." I have always loved the Latin Mass, and the local Oratory where it is held every week had to shift the service to a later time because our union-operated subway system refuses to start before 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, the time the Latin Mass was held. Over 2,000 years of continuity in the Church has been strongly defended by this Pope and I hope the next one can do as well. God bless you, Your Holiness. Keep in touch.
MelvinNC| 2.12.13 @ 7:40AM
Ahh yes the Latin Mass. The most beautiful, ancient language that I have had the pleasure to listen to. I must declare two beings saved my sorry butt from the fiery pits of Hell. My misses and the Catholic Church.
God, shook his head in disbelief when my then girlfriend took me to mass with her. I was quite inebriated at the time, very joviel and when it came time to receive the blood and body of Christ and to my rotten luck the church went momentarily silent I blurted out, "These Catholics can't be all bad, they having wine and crackers." I had the biggest grin that I could muster. Now that I think back Padre looked as if he wanted to throw the chalice at me.
Thirty years later I still proclaim to my wife that I did nothing wrong. I figured out that God does love foolish men, because he took pity on my miserable soul.
Being a 54 year old retired Marine, while I was on the treadmill at our local gym, that old guy brought tears to my eyes. You know the feeling of utter helplessness of trying to easing that man's burdens. I just wanted to tell him. "Please brother, let me help you."
Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.12.13 @ 7:51AM
Understanding Semper Fidelis can sometimes allow one to understand and heed the call Adeste Fidelis.
MelvinNC| 2.12.13 @ 8:13AM
Well said Albert, well said.
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 9:07AM
Well said, Albert.
BTW, I am reading Ben Shapiro's "Primetime Propaganda, The True Hollywood Story of How the Left took Over your TV." It discusses the writers and creators of the shows such as MASH, Soap, All in the Family, etc. The same writers and creators seemed involved in all of these types of shows. I believe you would like it.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.12.13 @ 9:09AM
I will keep my eye out for it.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 12:03PM
Why do I think that Jack In Wi. is gonna have a Field Day with that one?
He might've even written part of it.
You've gotta admit to an over representation of (shall we say) Non Gentiles, throughout the Left. And, I'm not talking about the Rank and File.
I'm talking about The Left's PANTHEON OF HEROES, and its Leaders of today.
You can't deny it.
You're not gonna like this one, but I'm just a Messenger: They're not called: The ACLJew, for nuthin.
I love the Israelis.
It's the Jews over here, that are part of the problem.
Again: It ain't pretty. But I calls'em like I sees'em.
And I sees pretty good.
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 12:04PM
Can you see your own bloated, over-bearing stupidity?
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 1:46PM
I can see yours.
But then, like I said before................
I sees pretty good.
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 9:39PM
You can't even see your shoes.
Bob Grant| 2.12.13 @ 12:28PM
TLP, your comments are like chum in the water. Fishin' for a response from Jackin Wi?
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 1:44PM
I spoke the Truth.
Jack HATES the Israelis.
I don't Hate anybody.
I just pointed out a Fact of Life.
75% of the Jews in this Country Voted for the Anti-Christ.
How is that even possible?
You tell me.
Occam's Tool| 2.12.13 @ 1:12PM
On the other hand, there's Righty Jews like, well, like me.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 1:40PM
I know that.
They're not who I'm talking about.
Occam's Tool| 2.13.13 @ 12:43AM
I tend to agree with you about American Jews versus Israelis. I just can't stand the heat anymore, which is why I live in the Great White North.
CJW| 2.13.13 @ 1:35AM
I see you are up too, just got in from a dinner/meeting.
David T| 2.12.13 @ 10:42AM
Appleby--After years of wandering in the wilderness of the Episcopal Church, I, too, found my home in the Catholic Church. It was Benedict XVI who showed me the way. I now attend Latin Mass at a beautiful, 100 year-old church that was vacant for many years and has now been restored to its former glory. I take that as a metaphor for the Church as a whole, thanks in large part to the work of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.
Joellen| 2.12.13 @ 7:26AM
Pope Benedict was a reluctuant Pope and that is why he truly was a man of GOD.
Yes our Church has been infiltrated, just like the rest of the world by a communist element that swears to destroy it, just like they intend to destroy the USA. Read the communist manefesto if you doubt this. They knew that the Catholic Church was the one true defense against their evil.
Who is the most vocal against the evils of contraception and abortion?
Who stays true to GOD's law that marraige is sacred only between one man and one woman
and that strenght lies in the family unit?
In fact, IF the Catholic Church falls, then unless GOD intervenes, it is over for all the world. Remember though, that was man's choice, not the Church and its true doctrine that JESUS CHRIST established.
You are right about the left wing schisms within our Church, and I cant and wont defend the homosexual element that came into the Church to defiled it.
However, Satan is in THIS world, and that includes the Church, so the battle continues, as it has from the day Satan defied GOD in heaven.
Once again, I recommend all to go on to
ChurchMilitant.TV to get a full account on the battle between good and evil in and out of the Church.
No one here expects the world to respect or be tolerant to those who follow GOD's TRUTH and HIS Commandments and the media proves it with their incessant banter of a "more tolerant pope".
Yeah, that will solve all the worlds problems (SARCASM).
Al Adab| 2.12.13 @ 8:35AM
Peter the Roman
Peter Turkson
Things will get interesting.
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 8:49AM
Joellen
The usual suspects who criticize the Catholic Church about pedophilia are not interested in the well being of the children. They use it only to attack the Church for their personal reasons, usually bigotry and a dogmatic belief that only they are right.
If they were really concerned about the abused children you would think they would include in their rants the sexual abuse by the clergy of all other religions, and the sexual abuse by professionals such as therapists of the patients they treat. I was involved in successful claims against psychiatrists having sex with patients, renegade Boy Scout "leaders" abusing children, and some others, but these sexual abuse matters, which equal or are more prevalent, do not fit the agenda of attacking the Church.
Nobody defends pedophilia. As to left wing politics unfortunately that is affects all religion but only the Catholic Church must throw out the lefties. Of course it is easier to focus on the Catholic Church because of it organized structure with a Pope, cardinals, bishops, and priests.
Does anyone criticize the Jewish religion because of the lefties such as Schumer, Franken,WassermanSchulz, etc.? Or the Mormon Church for Harry Reid? Or the Baptists for Clinton? Or the born-again for Jimmy Carter? No, and there is no reason to blame the religion because of these lefties who are the same as Pelosi, Biden, Kennedys, etc. Our country has a sizable lefty population that cuts across all religions.
Joellen| 2.12.13 @ 9:01AM
CJW, well said my brother in CHRIST.
TRUTH is TRUTH, and either we see it or we are blind to it.
You and I both know NOT to defend the indefensible, however, we also know to fight and protect what is right and good.
We do not go to Mass for the Priest, no they are instruments of GOD.
We stay with the Catholic Church for the sacraments that JESUS himself gave us. The gifts of Baptism, Confession, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders & Ointment of the Sick. Again, the Priest are instruments of the HOLY SPIRIT.
JESUS said to Peter, You are the Rock of my Church, yet even Peter who walked with JESUS was weak. This is the world, imperfect.
So CJW, one day we will meet - either here or in Heaven. Either way, I am blessed to know another warrior of CHRIST. Stay strong my brother, cause your strenght gives others strenght.
Bob Grant| 2.12.13 @ 10:10AM
Well Said, Joellen!
A beautiful description of the Catholic Church.
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 10:41AM
Actually, the Bible doesn't say anything about "Holy Orders," "Holy Eucharist," or "Confirmation" so it's a bit of a stretch to say that "JESUS himself gave us [them]" because there's absolutely no proof for that assertion.
The Bible DOES discuss the importance of Baptism, but nowhere in the Bible is there a single description of infant baptism; it's simply not there. Baptism occurs when one accepts Christ as his/her Savior; since infants cannot make that rational decision, they do not need to be Baptized.
Jesus DID say (Matthew 16:18) the following:
"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
However, this oft misquoted and misinterpreted statement does not provide any justification for the Papacy (Peter was never a Pope), or the current structure of the Catholic Church.
Catholics will reply that this is part of the "Faith and traditions," which is all well and good, but it should not in any way be confused with anything Jesus said or commanded.
Jack in Wi| 2.12.13 @ 11:49AM
The Bible came out of the traditional works of Scripture, read at the Mass and other Catholic services. The Bible is only one of many tools that the Church gave the world in their efforts to spread the gospel. The Church has also given the world the idea of universal brotherhood, the idea of the redemptive mercy of God, the University, the Hospital, mass charity to the poor, great art, architecture, theology, philosophy and modern science which comes from the Church's monastaries and universities. I don't how you bible thumpers can use as the only sourse of your inspiration and devotion the book in which every word was put there by the Catholic Church. The Church has always been biblicly centered. The whole Mass comes from the Bible. Dr. Wrong: You would not know the truth, if it hit you in the face. Christ gave us the Church and the Church gave us the Bible. How do you the Church has endured for 2000 years if it didn't have God behind it?
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 12:11PM
No, the Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God.
It is NOT just another "traditional work of scripture."
It also was not "given" to the world by the Catholic Church. That's a bald-faced lie that flies in the face of history. The books of the Bible were written hundreds of years before the Catholic Church even existed.
The fact that a few Wizards of Smart in the RCC reviewed the ancient scriptures and decided that they were accurate is irrelevant; they were already revered, or else they wouldn't have been reviewed. NONE of the Books of either the Old or New Testament was written by a Catholic, so your claim is nonsensical.
Also nonsensical is your claim that "the whole Mass" comes from the Bible. Really??? Which part? Chapter and verse, please???
The problem with you Catholics is that you know so little about the Bible, and even less about your own "church" and it's apostate origins.
Christianity has endured for >2,000 years because it is THE TRUTH. Catholicism can't even decide which doctrines to keep and which ones to jettison. They can't even rein in their own congregants when they proclaim false and unscriptural beliefs.
Jack...you don't even know what you don't know.
Paranoia Agent| 2.12.13 @ 12:35PM
Where in the Bible does it say that it is the inerrant, inspired Word of God, to the exclusion of all else.
Because I can tell you where it says exactly the opposite. I ask again: what came first, the Christian Church or the Christian Scriptures?
Ryan| 2.12.13 @ 1:07PM
2 Tim 3:15-17 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 3:31PM
Ryan
That does not say Scripture ONLY which is a debate has been going on for years with thousands of books and articles on either side. It is not settled by this quotation.
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 9:44PM
WRONG:
Revelation 22:18-19
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book" Rev. 22:18-19.
CJW| 2.13.13 @ 1:20AM
You just proved the point that you are interpreting as you see fit. Unless you are the final authority on interpreting the Bible.
Paranoia Agent| 2.13.13 @ 2:37PM
It also does not say "literal" or "inerrant." Or even "necessary," does it?
Paranoia Agent| 2.13.13 @ 2:36PM
For every what??? Every . . . GOOD WORK???
Don't miss II Thess. 2/15: "Stand firm, then, brothers, and keep the traditions that we taught you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."
Gee, an unwritten TRADITION which is on equal footing with a written one? Hmm.....
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 2:16PM
He just doesn't like the "Pointy Hat".
Ryan| 2.12.13 @ 3:42PM
True...but the other problem is what other standard is there? Tradition changes, and even has something somewhat contradictory to what was written down. There's not much - if anything - in scripture which points to tradition as authoritative.
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 4:16PM
Ryan
It seems there are only two choices, either each person decides what Scripture means or there is one final authority. It is obvious that different persons come to different opinions on the meaning as witnessed by the thousands of Protestant denominations, and the bitter debates.
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 9:47PM
That's an absurd choice.
Either each man decides for himself OR they accept a "final authority"???
Ok...which "final authority"???
Different persons and denominations do come to different conclusions precisely because they don't use the Bible as THE final authority.
CJW| 2.13.13 @ 1:22AM
It is an absurd choice because that is the choice forced by any person that insists his interpretion is correct and all others are WRONG as you do.
CJW| 2.13.13 @ 2:06AM
That is analogous to saying the Constitutiion is the final authority on the Consitution. Do you know how many court decisions exist on interpreting the Constitution because of disagreements? Anything written is subject to interpretation ranging from intelligent interpretation to Bubba asking for the definition of "is."
Jack in Wi| 2.12.13 @ 4:18PM
Every book that is the Bible was aproved by a council of the Catholic Church. The final version of the Canon was signed off on by the Pope at the time. The first 50 copies of the Bible were paid for by the Roman Emperor, a huge expense. There were many different versions of the Gospels and Paul's letters. The Church had the authority given it by Jesus Himself to put this book together. The councils of the Church also decided which books of the Old Testament to include. They went with the Greek Septuagint which is quoted may times by Jesus and the Apostles. Which of the 35,000 Protestant sects do you belong to Dr. Wrong? Why are they right and the people who put the Bible together with God's authority wrong? If the Bible is the inerent word of God, why did Luther and other Protestants change it?
Doctor Right| 2.12.13 @ 9:49PM
"Approved" does not mean "written," Jack.
And those books were revered LONG before the Council of Nicea.
I don't belong to ANY sect. I'm NOT a Protestant. I am a Christian. I don't subscribe to any man-made creed or catechism.
Jack in Wi| 2.12.13 @ 10:41PM
You are yet another Pope of his own church. The real Church has been around for 2000 years. How long will yours be here? The Bible is not the inerent Book of God but the inspired by God, work of men. They had the God given authority to write this book and edit what went into it. God gave the Church the authority on earth to spread the Good News. The Bible is only part of the tools that the Church has used in that great mission. Long before there was any Bible there was the Church. The Church also lovingly copied and preserved this great work for 1200 years before there were any Protestants.
Occam's Tool| 2.13.13 @ 12:48AM
No, long before there was the Church there was the Word of G-d. The Torah well predated the Church, Jack.
I'd cheerfully argue your perversion of the Christian faith which does not resemble any branch of Christianity I learned about at Texas Christian, but I do think your timing issue is required to be opposed, period.
In short, go back to what you do best, Jack---polishing the knobs of jihadists.
Now, I do want to point out that I am not getting any further in the way of Dr. R and the Catholics on religious issues. NOT my call. But any chance to slap around an ignoramus from the North's Mississippi is fine in my book.
CJW| 2.13.13 @ 1:49AM
There really is nothing to get in the way of. He sincerely believes in what he believes in and believes he is right , and Catholics sincerely believe what they believe and believe they are right.
But if he made fun of Rabbis wearing funny hats and long beards , as he does about the Pope, or Jews wearing sidelocks then what?
Or if he tells you your Jewish beliefs are wrong and his are right, which he must logically believe because he sincerely believes his beliefs are right thus it follows that yours must be wrong, then what?
Occam's Tool| 2.22.13 @ 12:10AM
CJW: he has told me my views are wrong and his are right.
My response was to say that that discussion is meaningless to me, as he cares about the preservation of both my people and my children, and everything else is relegated far behind to me. Then I called him a "Righteous Among the nations." (As he and TLP both are.)
How you going to maintain a heated argument with someone who adores you? Eh?
Von Mises Jr| 2.12.13 @ 9:52AM
If the liberals cared about sexual abuse of children, they would call for Menendez to resign.
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 10:47AM
If liberals, or anyone, really cared about children, they would oppose abortion since it is the killing of an unborn child. And they would oppose all policies that have led to the breakup and weakening of the family.
StephenF| 2.12.13 @ 1:11PM
Love ChurchMilitant.TV.
The left's pontificating (pun intended) is always amusing to me when it comes to their delusion that have some influence over the selection of a pope and the direction the Church should take.
PJ| 2.12.13 @ 7:40AM
I'm not too sure what I think about the pope's abdication. On the one hand I generally do agree with George's Neumayr's essay.
On the other hand, 1 of the factors that made JPII, Benedict's predecessor, great was that he showed publicaly his complete humanity from his youthful middle age when he was elected way back in 1978 to his slow humble road to decrepit old age & disease. His life taught us how to live true & well according to God's laws. His life also showed us that all human beings are important to God no matter what condition their lives may be in.
I wonder if there was a little bit of pride &/or a little lack of faith in the Holy Spirit that factored into Pope Benedict's decision. (That's OK to have these qualities; It just shows that he's human.)
No matter what the reasons are for his retiring, history will show that Pope Benedict will be a great pope too.
JP| 2.12.13 @ 8:37AM
Pope Benedict was present at the Second Vatican Council. Here was a practicing theologian throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He was inside the Vatican during the reign of JPII. Pope Benedict witnessed up close and personal the effects old age and disease can have on pontiffs. The Church during the last 40 years suffered from the lack of pastoral leadership due to pontiffs who were either too ill or too old (or both).
Tradition has it that Pope Gregory the Great turned down the Chair of Peter a number of times before he finally accepted to vote. Allegedly he was so old and frail that he spent his entire pontificate in bed. Expectations since then are that ever Pope should trudge on despite how ill or old they are. Pope Benedict's humility has show us that even Pope's are human. God does move in mysterious ways. And in Pope Benedict's case, humility is the great lesson. If he can teach us anything, it is the virture of Christian humility.
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 8:52AM
We have had Supreme Court justices stay on when they should have retired because they were not able to function, such as the ultra liberal Justice Douglas.
Peppermint Tea | 2.12.13 @ 9:03AM
Speaking of Absolutism and Tolerance, last night I watched "The Perfect Family" on netflix, where the main character's daughter announces she is lesbian and expecting, her son abandons his wife for a girlfriend (they didn't show the abandoned wife children lest the audience would sympathize), and her husband leaves her because he doesn't like the pretending. Kathleen Turner did a good job making the character UNlikeable, even though I was on her side. She was busy with acts of service and seeking absolution for her earlier sin of aborting her 3rd child.
The best line in the film, to me, was when her inlaw told her she was able to deal with the lesbian daughter after consolation with a radical priest who advises that "We all do our best" in life; and the Turner character asks, "What does that even mean?"
If I had been the parent, I might have said to both the daughter and the son, "God didn't give his commandments to restrict you, He gave them to show you how to be happy. We haven't been good parents because of the alcoholism, but I've held the family together these past 30 years and you have been better for it. Your pretend relationships with girlfriends will crumble and your children will suffer, and you will lose your capacity to love."
I'm not Catholic, but I hope Pope Benedict was saying something like that.
Von Mises Jr| 2.12.13 @ 10:02AM
The Catholic Church has faced tyranny from socialist and despots before as in the early twentieth century where in Mexico Priest and other Christians were hung from telephone poles along the train tracks. The Mexican government's response was to not hang Christians where they are so visible.
And the Church not only faces European socialism, but ObamaCare. With the Supreme Court ruling ObamaCare a tax, it would seem that they current dockets will revolve around exemptions rather than an the constitutionality. But if it is funded indirectly, it solves nothing with regard to the First Amendment. I pray for a vigorous new Pope that will simply shut down all medical facilities in the U.S. and let the socialist that passed this abortion deal with it NOW before it becomes imbedded.
Michele San Pietro| 2.12.13 @ 10:30AM
It was really a courageous decision. No Pope had abdicated (that's the correct word in my opinion, since a resignation is always handed in to somebody) for the past seven centuries. As an ardent catholic, I admit the Church needs to be modernized and renewed. Benedict XVI has really made an important step toward achieving both goals.
spike59| 2.12.13 @ 12:09PM
I'm curious-in what way do you see the Catholic Church needing to be 'modernized?'
Bob Grant| 2.12.13 @ 12:59PM
Spike,
The devil is in the details.
John II| 2.12.13 @ 1:03PM
Truth be known, the Church doesn't need to be modernized; modernity with its attendant culture of death needs to be Christianized.
Whoa--not bad. I wonder if I might spend my retirement making a living as a writer of slogans. Then I could buy lots and lots of presents for the grandkids.
And now back to "Revenge of the Creature" (1955), second in the Creature trilogy and a parable in which a humanoid amphibian lashes out against a world which has removed him from his comfort zone. Dr. Right, call your office.
Occam's Tool| 2.12.13 @ 1:18PM
JohnII: "Revenge of the Creature" has been MSTied. You NEED to get it in that version. Further, it was Clint Eastwood's first film---he plays Agar's lab attendant who misplaces a mouse.
Personally, I think it is one of the most sexist pictures of all time. I love it, therefore.
Finally, I am ready for you to explode with jealousy on this one: I have a "Creature from the Black Lagoon" poster SIGNED by the actor who played the Creature in my TV room at home. It's nearby my ORIGINAL 1950s Ed Wood Poster of "The Sinister Urge." Mi casa su casa, my friend.
John II| 2.12.13 @ 2:03PM
Oh. That would be Ben Chapman, if you mean the (6'5") actor who played the Creature out of the water--or Ricou Browning, if you mean the scuba diving stunt man who played the Creature in the water. I was only 10 when I first saw "Creature from the Black Lagoon," but I distinctly remember an article in a 1954 issue of Popular Mechanics going into a lot of cool detail about how Universal made the flick.
I'm properly awed, but not jealous, Occie. And you'd better hang onto your laptop for this one: Several years ago, for my 55th birthday (I think), my kids pooled their resources and bought me an original poster of "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars" (1938), second in the trilogy of Flash Gordon serials. [Steady now.] . . . The poster is autographed by Buster Crabbe.
Occam's Tool| 2.22.13 @ 12:05AM
Ricou signed it. And damn, Buster Crabbe and an ORIGINAL POSTER! I am in awe. And green with jealousy. :-)
PatrickO| 2.12.13 @ 10:57AM
Bless you, George Neumayr. You gave us the essayist's equivalent of the 440-foot home run, and as far as I can tell, you're right on all counts about Pope Benedict XVI.
RCV| 2.12.13 @ 1:21PM
Remember the days when Margie and Tim would have filled the comment section of a piece like this?
Very nice job, Mr. Neumayr.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.12.13 @ 1:34PM
While the answer to your question is "Yes", I would correct it to Margie and Tim* (or Clint, for those who remember his 2011-2012 cyber self).
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 1:50PM
So, you're agreeing with your "Favourite Lefty"?
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 2:00PM
And, I'm pretty sure that Mr. Shapiro's Book will back up everything I've written.
If Facts are gonna be a problem, when discussing important issues, because it Offends one Group or another.
Then, what are we doing, here?
I treat everyone the same.
Stupid Blacks, Stupid Whites, Stupid Jews, Stupid Muslims, and Stupid Christians.
I'm All In for My Country. And, if some people wanna twist my words into something they're not?
So be it.
It won't be the first time.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.12.13 @ 2:56PM
Truly there seems to be no shortage of stupid people doing stupid things (regardless of faith, race, etc.).
Nonetheless, while the Obamas of this world have courted and won the stupid as a bloc vote, don't forget that there's a whole bunch of people who think they're smart (and post certificates with gold seals attesting to that on their walls, and titles before and after their names to confirm it) who voted for him as well.
As Forrest Gump famously said "Stupid is as stupid does".
Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.12.13 @ 2:47PM
Yes, I am agreeing with RCV that I remember the days of Margie and Clint/ Tim* arguing over their competing versions of Catholicism and Christianity. I felt it important to distinguish (for the novices who have only been around, say, since registration in May of 2012) for those who might think Clint (Tim*, before he was banned under that name), or Tim (as he was called by RCV) might be someone else named Tim.
John II| 2.12.13 @ 2:53PM
That reminds me of the asinine controversy over the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. The whole scholarly discussion reduces to a contention something like: "Shakespeare's plays weren't written by Shakespeare; they were written by someone else with the same name!"
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 3:34PM
John II
Quit holding out on us, who did write the plays?
John II| 2.12.13 @ 4:13PM
I already told you: some guy who wasn't William Shakespeare but had the same name.
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 4:17PM
Thanks. Are you writing Obama's speech for tonite?
Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.12.13 @ 4:40PM
My theory is that a visitor from the middle east (like Morgan Freeman in the early 1990s version of Robin Hood), Sheik Supir is the true author.
Obama had tasked Arne Duncan, as part of his cabinet-wide campaign for Muslim outreach, to encourage the study of the works of the Bard as another example of the glorious spread of education and enlightenment that accompanied the expansion of Islam.
Since Duncan couldn't find a member of the teachers' unions who had actually read Shakespeare, the plan has yet to reach fruition.
John II| 2.12.13 @ 5:22PM
Am I the only one who still remembers Ramsey Clark primly abasing his culture before the mullahs in Tehran and averring that "your Omar Khayyam puts our Shakespeare to shame"?
The mullahs apparently didn't know who the hell he was talking about--but they did seem to enjoy the abasement.
Let's see, the Professor was 18 years old when that happened, so he cameth not upon the public scene without a prior grounding in the asininity of his elders.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.12.13 @ 6:23PM
There is a law enforcement official of whom I am aware, born around 1980, who has the given name of Khomeini.
Had his skin been a lighter hue, I might have suspected that Ramsey Clark was his father.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 3:26PM
I don't get it.
Ryan| 2.12.13 @ 3:43PM
I think I enjoyed more the time when Margie and Dr Right - who often took VERY similar theological stances - started disagreeing and all but called each other a heretic.
John II| 2.12.13 @ 2:12PM
Hey guys! Check this link I just received from one of my sons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=06UP2qHCxWg
Cardinal Arinze, by the way, is on the short list for becoming the next Pope.
And check the sidebar with the video of Dr. Carson annoying our jackass President.
Boy, when it rains, it pours.
Al Adab| 2.12.13 @ 3:35PM
John II:
Peter cardinal Turkson and then think of St. Malachy and his 112th Pope, Peter the Roman.
CJW| 2.12.13 @ 4:00PM
Al Adab
The end of the world?
John II| 2.12.13 @ 4:12PM
Oh. Well, no offense, Alie, but even if the Church had not rejected the alleged predictions of St. Malachy as instances of vaticinnia ex eventu and such, I just can't work up any interest in that sort of thing.
I see better reason to take Christ's sermon in Matthew 24 seriously, albeit more or less with a shrug. We are not given to know such things--and, come to think of it, who cares?
What we ARE supposed to do, each of us, is to live our daily lives as if we're going to die the next moment--or, if you will, as if the end times are upon us. From the perspective of sub specie aeternitatis, so to speak, the end times are always upon us.
You can keep Peter the Roman if it pleases you, but I'll happily take Peter Cardinal Turkson for my next Pope. If it so comes to pass next month, he'll be the first Pontiff younger than I. Maybe that's why I lean more toward Cardinal Arinze, who's reassuringly a decade older than I.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 2.12.13 @ 4:33PM
I used to complain that when they started appointing judges younger than me, that things were going to get bad.
I believe it has now been validated that once I started getting Presidents younger than me (Obama), the world was going to be much worse off.
John II| 2.12.13 @ 5:09PM
Ditto. Except, for me, Bubba was the first younger one, and it's been downhill ever since.
gene| 2.12.13 @ 4:08PM
The Prophecies of St. Malachy run out when this Pontiff resigns. Malachy made pronouncements/predictions on Pontiffs for Centuries culminating with the last, "Peter the Roman" who will reside over the Church during terrible times and then there will be judgment. I do not know if St Malachy was a real prophet or just off the beam. I do know it will be disconcerting if his replacement takes the name "Peter". Very disconcerting.
Intelligent Design| 2.12.13 @ 5:45PM
Is the pope "resigning" from Catholicism, or just giving up office? :) I'll bet his retirement benefits are gold-plated.
TLP| 2.12.13 @ 6:12PM
And I bet that a lot of bicycles, belonging to a lot of Missing Paperboys, are hidden inside your garage.
Rich D| 2.13.13 @ 1:47PM
Jack in Wi| 2.12.13 @ 4:18PM: "Which of the 35,000 Protestant sects do you belong to Dr. Wrong?"
---
Ah, the myth that won't die. Where did you get that number? Can you support it?
Paranoia Agent| 2.13.13 @ 2:14PM
Correct us then. How many are there?
Paranoia Agent| 2.13.13 @ 2:29PM
Here, maybe I can help:
There are about 9,000 Protestant Christian denominations in the world according to the World Christian Encyclopedia, published by Oxford University Press. The largest are:
Denomination Estimated Members Estimated Denominations
Lutherans 61 million 253
Baptistic-Pentecostal / Keswick 49 million 396
Baptists 48 million 322
Reformed / Presbyterian 44 million 300
Methodists 23 million 123
United church 22 million 54
Lutheran / Reformed united 15 million 24
Adventist groups 11 million 218
====
One hardly need say that doesn't even begin to include every storefront "church" run by an elderly crackpot with a dimestore divinity degree. I also notice it doesn't even include the Anglican churches. But the grand total is hardly the point. All these 9 or 10 thousand or however many all read the same book of Scriptures, and come to wildly divergent ideas on very basic theological questions, many of which were debated and resolved very early in Church history, such as the nature of the Trinity and of Christ. Don't you think God would have done a better job leaving word of Himself behind?
PS -- when Christ ascended to Heaven, He didn't leave a copy of the KJV with His words in red at His feet.
Rich D| 2.14.13 @ 12:28AM
Read for yourself:
http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=2218
There are other critiques of this work.
Now, bear in mind that a denomination is comprised of churches organized under a governing hierarchy, so independent churches do not count.
Also, most Protestant churches will subscribe to the Nicene and Apostle's Creeds. You can't really separate them as having different basic beliefs except on a few doctrinal matters such as infant baptism and what, if any, effect it has on salvation. Most of the rest is adiaphora and has to do with governance and liturgy, and not salvation. One can't count non-Christian groups like unitarians, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses, nor the Salvation Army.
Denominations do not necessarily mean differences in theology. Is there a difference between the CCAP in Malawi and the PCUSA?
What about the many RC sects mentioned? And why do I have to do the heavy lifting for someone making such an outlandish claim? If you would think about the possible permutations of basic Christian beliefs regarding election, baptism, and salvation that still preserve the Trinity and Godship/Lordship of Christ, you can't come up with such a number.
Paranoia Agent| 2.13.13 @ 2:13PM
Yeah, it's really kind of funny. Martin Luther thought one Pope was one Pope too many, so he made every man his own pope!
Rich D| 2.14.13 @ 12:29AM
Your comment is kind of silly.