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The Spectacle Blog
As wheels touched down on tarmac, Pope Benedict must have thought his prayers had been answered. On his first state visit to the vaterland, the Roman pontiff was welcomed into Berlin’s Tegel airport with full red-carpet honors and a 21-gun salute. German President Christian Wulff and Chancellor Angela Merkel received him.
First impressions can be deceiving. Given recent criticisms, such a welcome was no foregone conclusion. Grim mutterings in the days and week leading up to his first official state visit, suggested many Germans enjoyed, at best, dimmed enthusiasm. Members of the German press have openly question whether the Holy See still deserves their respect. And having traipsed the red carpet straight to the Bundestag, Benedict was forced pass thousands of demonstrators on his way to address a German parliament conspicuously absent some 100 lawmakers who decided to boycott the speech. It’s hard to imagine Pope John Paul II experiencing such a stale welcome in Warsaw.
Six years ago, when Benedict, née Joseph Ratzinger, was chosen to chair the Vatican, Germans euphorically celebrated this favorite son — the first Deutchlander elected to the papacy in nearly 500 years. But times have changed and this muffled greeting might have been expected. The pope’s visit to Germany was expected to be difficult, given swirling abuse scandals and gathering indifference to the Catholic faith and religion, in general.
Now, with German officials contesting his address on grounds of a desecration of the separation between church and state, Benedict has been accused of disregarding labor rights, women rights, and “sexual self-determination” as part of his push for an increasingly conservative line.
His criticism remains highest among Catholics. In muted concurrence, a record 181,000 Catholics left the German Church last year, nearly double the number that departed in 2009.
It provokes the question: what can be done to repair the faith and patch the solvency of the Church? Certain tenets are sacrosanct, but forward thinking and better communication must be emphasized. Undoubtedly, the biggest problem facing Catholics (myself, included) is a gathering disillusion with what can only be perceived as a slow sink into the morass of widespread sexual degeneracy.
This is unacceptable, and for the sake of the faith and us Catholics who hold out hope for a brighter tomorrow, Pope Benedict must view his trip home as a crucial bellwether of the health of his church.
View all comments (38) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Reid Smith
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/09/22/has-benedict-learned-you-can-n
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Occam's Tool| 9.22.11 @ 2:30PM
Europe is dying of self-inflicted wounds; highest among them is the Spiritual, which is the source of all others.
One thing you did not touch on, Mr. Reid, which clearly is part of the background of booing and disrespect: the fastest Growing Religious Religious Faith in this otherwise largely secular country (Germany) was founded on lack of respect for other faiths, and rewards violence in that pursuit---Islam.
Joseph| 9.22.11 @ 5:47PM
Occam,
Did you get my reply yesterday?
Have you read this thread?
You really want your children to believe this?
Margie| 9.22.11 @ 8:06PM
Occam's a grown man with a conscience.
And so are you, So-Con. (Joseph).
Each man or woman must choose just exactly which master they will serve.
And there's only two.
You know who they are.
Joseph| 9.22.11 @ 11:20PM
Occam
This is part of the reply.
Joseph| 9.21.11 @ 5:30PM
Occam
Thank you for your reply.
On the subject of Israel as a border state?? I don't recall saying anything about that...maybe I'm getting old, or you have me confused with another.
On the subject of Margie, we will agree to disagree. She acts like a Mullah because she believes she is 100% correct on theology, and calls everyone who disagrees a liar, punk, papist. You know nobody is 100% correct. I don't know how you can read her posts to Nick and RCV and others who did not call her Mullah and she called Nick and RCV, punks, liars, blah. Maybe she has seen too many Clint Eastwood movies and thinks Punk is normal speech.
She regularly uses the word Papist as a pejorative to all she suspects as Catholics. Would you like the word N_____. or K____?
Today she is attacking Ken, whom I don't know, but seems like a decent man.
Listen, you like her, she is your friend and you are supportive and loyal. Good qualities for you.
I am not lecturing but from you posts you say you are in the mental health field, then help her. There is no way on God's earth I believe you want your children to talk like her. Please read her comments on the Evolution article by Hal Golebach last Friday. She does not disagree politely with anyone.
But I will continue to respond to her, as you do to Clint, if she continues with her nonsense. We should not humor her bigotry.
I've read some of your stuff. You seem decent and well informed. I agree with most of your politcs, and also wish you the best.
Margie| 9.23.11 @ 2:37PM
"She acts like a Mullah because she believes she is 100% correct on theology, and calls everyone who disagrees a liar, punk, papist."
More lies.
I don't have a theology, unlike you, Papist.
And by the way, for those who do not know what a Papist is, they are liars.
Why?
Number one is because they replace the Word of God with their own teachings, and HATE Bible believing Christians.
But as I said, I have no theology~ and ALL genuine Christians' "theology" is the Bible.
Papists follow the Pope. That is what it means.
The Pope is a fraud. He knows he's a fraud, and needs to repent.
Christians follow the Word of God, as written in the Bible.
The Bible has no Popes, and Catholicism is a CULT. It is NOT in agreement with the Word of God.
I call punks punks if that's what they are acting like. And that is what YOU are acting like, "Joseph" (So-Con) the coward.
Your trying to turn Occam and others against me, along with Ken, the other liar and bully, will not work.
Or maybe it will! but God will be YOUR Judge if you succeed, won't He?
Joseph| 9.23.11 @ 7:28PM
Hey idiot Mullah.
I'm not Socon, whoever that is.
You have a legion of fans out here.
Buzz off BIGOT PUNK.
Margie| 9.23.11 @ 10:56PM
You just can't face reality, can you.
I'll "buzz off" as soon as you do, Joey.
Joseph| 9.24.11 @ 7:39AM
What would an obsessed bigot like you know about reality.
Margie| 9.24.11 @ 2:44PM
First of all BIGOT against the Word of GOD:
I revere the the Word of God.
Therefore I KNOW reality.
Now, get lost.
Joseph the Papist| 9.24.11 @ 6:14PM
I don't take orders from a Mullah.
Want to put it to vote here how many want you to leave, or get lost punk, terms you understand. We can both leave.
Margie| 9.22.11 @ 2:47PM
"Everyone transgressing and not abiding
in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.
The one abiding in the doctrine of Christ,
this one has the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you and does not
bear this doctrine, do not receive him into
the house, and do not speak a greeting to
him." 1 Jn. 1:9 & 10.
Flossie| 9.22.11 @ 3:56PM
Minor quibble: Presumably the Holy Father was né (masculine) not née (feminine).
Clint| 9.22.11 @ 4:31PM
Pope Benedict XVI,
"To serve right and fight against the dominion of wrong is and remains the fundamental task of the politician," he said in an address that met with a standing ovation as well as a boycott by dozens of leftist lawmakers.
The pope said growing positivism, the rule of logic and the rejection of metaphysics, was diminishing humanity and encouraging "extremist and radical movements" to fill a vacuum left in Western culture."
Margie| 9.22.11 @ 4:41PM
"After this I saw another Angel coming down from heaven, having great authority; and the earth was made bright with His splendor.
And He called out with a mighty voice, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! It has become a dwelling place of demons, a haunt of every foul spirit, a haunt of every foul and hateful bird;
for all nations have drunk the wine of her impure passion, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich with the wealth of her wantonness."
Then I heard another voice from Heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;
for her sins are heaped high as Heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
Render to her as she herself has rendered, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double draught for her in the cup she mixed.
As she glorified herself and played the wanton, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning. Since in her heart she says, 'A queen I sit, I am no widow, mourning I shall never see,'
so shall her plagues come in a single day, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she shall be burned with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who judges her."
And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and were wanton with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning;
they will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, "Alas! alas! thou great city, thou mighty city, Babylon! In one hour has thy judgment come."
And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo any more,
cargo of gold, silver, jewels and pearls, fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet, all kinds of scented wood, all articles of ivory, all articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble,
cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.
"The fruit for which thy soul longed has gone from thee, and all thy dainties and thy splendor are lost to thee, never to be found again!"
The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,
"Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, bedecked with gold, with jewels, and with pearls!
In one hour all this wealth has been laid waste." And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, "What city was like the great city?"
And they threw dust on their heads, as they wept and mourned, crying out, "Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! In one hour she has been laid waste.
Rejoice over her, O Heaven, O Saints and Apostles and Prophets, for God has given Judgment for you against her!"
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So shall Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and shall be found no more;
and the sound of harpers and minstrels, of flute players and trumpeters, shall be heard in thee no more; and a craftsman of any craft shall be found in thee no more; and the sound of the millstone shall be heard in thee no more;
and the light of a lamp shall shine in thee no more; and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall be heard in thee no more; for thy merchants were the great men of the earth, and all nations were deceived by thy sorcery.
And in her was found the blood of Prophets and of Saints, and of all who have been slain on earth." Rev. 18:1-24.
Clint| 9.22.11 @ 5:58PM
Today's Meeting Of " Anti-Catholics R Us " Featured
Apocalyptic Crank Lady Margie, Whose Topic Was " The Catholic Church Is The Whore Of Babylon."
Next Week's Speaker Will Be Victor, The Crippled Russkie, Speaking On The Topic: Anti-Catholics Are Misunderstood Victims, Like Commies."
A Fun Time Will Be Had By All.
Margie| 9.22.11 @ 6:16PM
Hell is not fun, and it won't be for you, scumbag.
Clint| 9.22.11 @ 6:22PM
Margie's, Satan's Nasty Niece.
Satan| 9.23.11 @ 7:58PM
Great Margie!!!!
You are the best!!!
Margie| 9.22.11 @ 4:59PM
There is only one Holy Father, He is in Heaven, and His Son is coming soon.
"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing My recompense, to repay every one for what he has done." Rev. 22:12.
Read it and weep pedophile Priests and protectors of same, and all liars who bear false witness against the saints of God!
Clint| 9.22.11 @ 6:04PM
" Catholics call the pope "Holy Father" not as an acknowledgement of his personal state of soul but as an expression of respect for his office as successor to Peter and head of the Church on earth. His is a holy office."
But then, You Already Knew That Nasty Ass Fixated Lapsed Catholic/Anti-Catholic Bigot Margie.
See A Religious Counselor & A Psychiatrist.
Margie| 9.22.11 @ 6:18PM
So says the deceitful Papist punk, Clint. I am sure your fellow Papist Ken (Old Tex) agrees with you.
But God;s Truth triumphs over all LIARS:
"And call no one your father on earth,
for One is your Father, the One in Heaven.
10 Neither be called leaders, for One is
your Leader, the Christ.: Mt. 23:9 & 10.
Are you disobeying Christ's command, snake?
Clint| 9.22.11 @ 6:24PM
I Believe Ken Isn't A Catholic.
But You Don't Allow That To Stop Your Zany Crazed Nasty Ass Pennsy Pig Bigot Agenda, Margie.
Margie| 9.22.11 @ 7:26PM
Oh, he is one of you, my friend.
Clint.| 9.22.11 @ 7:58PM
Tell It To Ken & Quit Sneaky-Ass Badmouthing Him Behind His Back, Head Case Pennsy Bigot Pig Margie.
Margie| 9.22.11 @ 8:07PM
You must be blind.
Idiot.
Margie| 9.22.11 @ 7:29PM
p.s. It's your ungodly Religion that is bigoted.
It has trained you well.
Trained you and your ilk well to reject the Words of God as written in the Scriptures, and replace them with the false teachings of your cult.
You need to repent of YOUR hatred for God's Truth, and start following Christ instead of the Pope.
""Everyone transgressing and not abiding
in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.
The one abiding in the doctrine of Christ,
this one has the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you and does not
bear this doctrine, do not receive him into
the house, and do not speak a greeting to
him." 1 Jn. 1:9 & 10.
Bob Grant| 9.22.11 @ 8:25PM
What are the specific issues with the Catholic Church?
The liturgy is based solely on the bible.
The daily readings are directly from the bible.
Peter, The Rock, etc.
victor| 9.22.11 @ 9:49PM
We've had this discussion before.
Catholicism is NOT based on Scripture.
If it were, its members wouldn't see fit to disparage and crucify Bible believing Christians.
Clint.| 9.22.11 @ 8:01PM
Your A White Trash Pennsy Bigot Pig,Using Your Phoney Religion Of Margie To Front Your Nasty Ass Bigotry & Attack Other People's Religions.
See A Religious Counselor & A Psychiatrist.
Margie| 9.22.11 @ 8:09PM
That's always your reaction towards the Words of God, along with your pals who follow the fraud on Earth who goes by the name of "Pope."
Thanks for proving my point.
Bob Grant| 9.22.11 @ 8:26PM
How about we save all of this vitriol for the muslims.
victor| 9.22.11 @ 9:50PM
How about you ask that same question of your fellow Cultists, I mean Catholics.
BobRN| 9.22.11 @ 5:25PM
I'm curious, Mr. Reid: exactly who is slowly sinking "into the morass of widespread sexual degeneracy"? The Catholic Church, or Catholic individuals and secularists who have rejected the Church's teaching on sexuality in favor of a "if it feels good, I have a right to do it and have my behavior affirmed as morally good by you" position?
The crimes of Catholics over the centuries are many and heinous (so much so, in fact, I'm regularly amazed that people still feel the need to make things up). That having been acknowledged, it might do the truth a bit of good if those in the media reported on the response of those in the Church, including Benedict, who have sought to vigorously reform the Church on this matter, and not without considerable success. In the U. S., for instance, efforts at reform have reduced the number of accusations against priests and others working for the Church from hundreds a year in the 60s and 70s to an average of less than ten per year over the last decade. Isn't fewer children being abused the definition of successful reform? The reforms of the Church in the U. S. are being considered for adoption by the Church in other countries. Who is not considering such successful reforms? Nearly every other institution where this is a serious problem, and more often than not a much greater problem than in the Catholic Church.
There are those who are somewhat suspicious of the motives of governments in Ireland and Germany, for example, so eager to point the finger of blame at the Church. The suspicion is that their actions are intended, at least partly, as cover for the government's own dismal record on the matter. The record of state employees in state schools and other institutions on the abuse of children is no secret, or it wouldn't be if those in the media decided to report on them. Even the United Nations isn't spared, as widespread, credible accusations against UN workers in third world countries who trade aid for sexual favors have surfaced though, again, barely reported on by the media.
I hope you're able to save some of your capacity to be disillusioned for your country, your public schools system, your military, your health care professionals, etc... and those critics of the Church who are quick to condemn sexual deviancy in the Church while they relish in the muck themselves.
Then, if you have any energy left, commit yourself to reforming the Church, first and foremost by a personal commitment to a holy life. In times like these, the Church doesn't need only critics among her flock. She needs saints.
Derek Leaberry| 9.22.11 @ 5:25PM
Ever try the Latin Mass, Mr. Smith? I attend the Latin Mass in northern Virginia. Devout families with plenty of children. No Catholic malaise at St. Athanasius.
Mary| 9.22.11 @ 8:45PM
I find it hard to believe that this trip is a bellweather for the health of the Church. WYD earlier in the month, Britain last year, other trips show that outside the German speaking world, not only does Benedict have a congregation, it is a joyful one. The question that dissenting and disillusioned Catholics must answer is this - do you believe in Jesus Christ? If so, do you believe he founded the Church? If so, why do you despair?
BobRN| 9.22.11 @ 10:54PM
Excellant post, Mary.
These pundits who get paid to offer their opinions are too quik to jump onto the "Catholicism is dying" bandwagon. The reason being that that's their own position, and they can't imagine that others experience the faith differently. It's like all the journalists in the newsroom at the NY Times after Bush 2 was elected who couldn't understand how it happened since they personally didn't know anyone who voted for him.
98% of journalists regularly poll to the hard-core secular left. These professional opinionators, then, don't know anyone who goes to church, never mind who finds true joy in the faith, so they find it hard to believe that anyone does. As well, since they're only fluent in newspeak, and since newspeak on the Catholic Church has been dominated by the abuse scandal over the last decade, they assume that everyone's experience of Catholic faith is dominated by the abuse scandal, as if that's all anyone thinks about, talks about, worries about, etc...
These people remain fixated on the abuse scandal (except when it comes to reporting on the success of the reforms), because they just can't conceive of Catholic life that isn't obsessed with such.
victor| 9.22.11 @ 9:52PM
Jesus did NOT found the Catholic church.
He founded Christianity, and it happened at Pentecost.
Read your Bible.
Jesus is LORD. The Popery is a FRAUD.
BobRN| 9.23.11 @ 2:09PM
Apparently, the press in Germany isn't nearly as fixated on the pope as irrelevent meme. While the NY Times focused almost exclusively on the protesters and their complaints about the Church's teachings on abortion, women priests, etc... Der Spiegel, the German newspaper, mentioned the "bit of protest," but also mentioned that the Holy Father received a standing ovation from Parliament and focused much of their coverage on Benedict's message.