Pope

Just heard the Pope has been given last rites. A few extra prayers wouldn't hurt.
Gal

 

Hey Gal, I was just reading about that, I'm not Catholic, but I do have a lot of respect for the things he's done. Really a remarkable person.

 

I am not Catholic either, but he has done some remarkable things.
Gal

 

The face of death is everywhere today. First Terri, then the Pope. I'll be praying but I don't exactly know what I'd be praying for - the Pope's recovery or what. I'm a non-practicing Catholic but yeah, he's been amazing.

 

yeah, the pope is recovering though, we held a special mass today (im catholic) for both terri shaivo and pope john paul II.

 

Not to bring up the blatantly obvious but things do run in '3's'. With terri passing away and the pope looking like he may be next....one can only wonder....

I haven't said a rosary in about 20 years.....except for last night....my wife thought I had lost it......

 

Have you ever considered the fact that maybe death for the pope isn't such a bad thing?

Everyone is so selfish. "I'm Catholic, he's MY pope!" "I'm praying that he'll live to suffer another six months!" "Maybe if we pray hard enough, he'll live forever!"

Give it a rest! The dude is OLD and in BAD shape. What if you were in that position and because of some stupid rule, you were forced to work untill the day you died, no matter how decrepit you were? At the very least, let him retire and die in private. Thats got to be embarressing as hell to be in that kind of shape and have your sufferring broadcasted all over the news every night, right after the American Idol results. I would'nt want anyone to see me like that, let alone the whole world!

I am Catholic, but this is rediculous. Yeah he did a lot of great things, but his time is up! Everybody dies, and he's had a good run. He's old, and this is what happens when you get old.

If you want to pray for him, pray that his suffering ends and that he might die in a somewhat dignified manner!


Steve

 

Though it is expected that, once elected, the Pope will remain in office until his death, he can retire of his free will if he wants to. In fact several have over the many years of the Catholic Church.

According to Canon Law:

"If it should happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that he makes the resignation freely and that it be duly manifested, but not that it be accepted by anyone" (Canon 332, No. 2).

 

From a personal point of view i know of nothing good that has come from institutionalised religion. It is merely a way to control people, and evoke emotional responses from people who have never met people like the Pope, so as to form a mass reaction in a collective consciousness. This in turn will generate revenue for the institution.

Think of the hundreds of thousands of people who die every day from homelessness, or casualties of wars and economics, none of which they have a say in. Who mourns for them? Thousands die of famine and institutions like the Vatican could solve this, as could USA UK France and Canada in one fell swoop, but refuse to. Look at the budget for the Iraq war.... an illegal war launched against a sovereign country and a civilian population. That money could wipe out homelessness and famine.

The pope has lived a long and eventful life, and don’t get me wrong, im not saying he has done no good in the world, as that is obviously not true, but when he eventually passes, why not resolve to help make the world we live in a better place for us as a species, rather than the few at the top of institutions such as the catholic church. "The Pope" as a person is not the same as "The Pope” as an asset, speaking in financial terms. You guys must remember this

The Kingdom of God is within you, inside you, and all about you, not in buildings of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood and it is there, lift a stone and you will find it.

 

WOW, that is quite a little tirade....i didn't say I wanted him to live for another six months nor did I say forever....i merely mentioned the fact that i said a rosary in his behalf.....

 

The things running in 3's, number 2 Mitch Hedberg. I kinda hope it is some sick Andy Kaufmanesque April 1st prank...
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/headline/features/3112640

 

It's true, and to someone who honestly believes that we must not mourn death, easier to accept. But it's hard not to care when we're updated every second of his health's decline. I get scared of even opening yahoo.com for fear the news of his death will pop, but isn't that what would really happen any minute now?

Not possible, though the best idea. It's like GWBush asking unconcerned people not to meddle with his decisions. Should be, but will never happen.

 

Barexam Hi there!

Just so you know.. i wasnt saying dont care... like you say, its hard not to. What baffles me is that we are encouraged to care about one such as him, who is dieing from old age with the knowledge that hes off to meet his maker, and is therefore (assuming his faith holds out) happy to be off and away, and yet we as a collective allow and do very little as nations to care for those who have no "God", have not lived full lives, and worry that their next drink may infect them with sicknesses so easilly cured over in the western world.

Money comes before human life time and again. This can never be right. But no one in a position of power will stick their neck out and say that they will rectify this. We as a people (ie humans) spend so much time segregating ourselves into countries, religions, races and creeds, that we forget we all belong in the same genus.

To allow a person to die of say Diarrhea over here in the uk, in usa or hundreds of other places would be classed as gross negligence. But.... we allow this to happen elsewhere. Surely this is STILL gross negligence, as the people dieing are the same as us. If you look at the news, every channel is covering the Pope, why not one national station cover it, and the money the others would have spent, send aid to places which need it?

I know, its not an ideal world... but whats worrying is, if we wanted it to be, it could be. I dont know much about the Pope as a person but im sure ethically his sentiments would echo my own.

Alistair

 

Alistair understand what this means:I need mercy not sacrifice.

 

I don't thnk so. I heard the news on Breur Unleashed on sirius. Sad, I really dug his comedy. Brueer had the replay of when him and his wife we on the show last night.

 

"Several" is a bit of a stretch. In the 2000 years the Catholic Church has been in existence, six popes have resigned, the last one in 1415. (Pontian in 235, Silverius in 537, John XVIII in 1009, Benedict IX in 1045, Celestine V in 1294 and Gregory XII in 1415) It's not like there's heavy precedent to give up the job.

(I know it's not relevant as he has now passed away, but I wanted to clarify that bit.)