So I Decided to Write Pope Francis a Letter

What would YOU say in a letter to Pope Francis?

I'm still stuck here on the couch from my beach accident that happened Fathers Day weekend and am unable to get up much, and also the ATS boards have been in their usual summer doldrums, so I decided that I would do something different and write a letter to Pope Francis. I'm sure that the letter itself won't get to him and that his staff will be the ones to write back, but I still thought I'd go ahead and do it.

Most of what Pope Francis has been doing are things I really like. When he speaks out about acceptance and love ... when he speaks about not judging others and how everyone should help lift up everyone else ... I really like that. I like that he's trying to clean things up and root out corruption. I like that his first order of business was to go after those who covered for pedophiles in the church. But I admit I'm not too keen on his thoughts on world economics and some of his statements about a one world economy make me more than nervous.

I wrote and told him what I liked about his message of love and acceptance, and I added a footnote that I would appreciate a final and unquestionable verdict from the Church on the Garabandal hoax (it's long overdue and now that Lomingino has died there is no excuse for the church to delay any longer).

What would you say in a letter to Pope Francis?
For those interested in actually really writing .. here is the addresss
(don't forget an international airmail stamp)

His Holiness Pope Francis
Apostolic Palace
Vatican City State 00120

I am told that when a person writes to the pope, they get a response back from the Vatican with a prayer card and a medal blessed by the pope. Kind of like when kids write to the White House they get back a picture of the President and a (form) letter on official White House stationary. (our daughter wrote Laura Bush when she was young and told Mrs. Bush about our dog. The letter back from 'Laura Bush' talked about the Bush family dog Barney).

Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you recover soon and are able to enjoy the summer. I like this Pope. My entire fathers side of the family, whom I adore are off the boat Irish Catholics. My brother and I were christened Catholic but never had anything to do with the Church after. I was raised in liberal Baptist and Methodist churches until I decided I wasn't Christian. My mother's side lives in the deep south, hellfire and brimstone preachin' and visiting their churches turned my stomach and had a lot to do with me realizing Christianity wasn't for me. The hypocrisy of both the Catholic Church and upside down inside out Southern Christianity was too much for me to logically continue, how could one being be interpreted so many ways? Couldn't be right... seems a Godly being would command enough authority to make sure he was followed properly. To be blunt, it seemed most followers were following Satan. (I dunno why I'm writing all this).

Anyway, this Pope... seems like a true Christian to me, what I think this being called Jesus would want taught. I would tell him that I'm glad he is such a strong advocate for the poor (Jesus loved them), that he's attacking poverty at it's source, the elite and the politicians of the world. I'd tell him I'm glad he's raiding the coffers, that I think it's pretty damn cool that he goes out at night giving alms. I'd tell him I'm glad he's addressed the sexual abuse horror and that bearing down harder would restore faith for millions.

He's made me wonder if I can go back, if there's enlightenment for me through Catholicism but ultimately, I think not... I still don't feel like God is a being just some impossible to define connective energy, mostly love and collective subconsciousness I guess. I think this Pope is close to that though he defines it in Catholic terms and I like that.

Dear Pope can I please have a golden cross because I will melt it down, flog it and build something worth while instead of parading a golden cross about.
Oh and while your at it continue dismantling the rubbish in the CC because that needs to be done.
Keep up the good work Pope love BM xxx.


PS.

Hope the golf game is still on for next Tuesday and don't forget you owe me a gallon of Holy Beer for that bet .

originally posted by: FlyersFan
What would you say in a letter to Pope Francis?

I would ask him to lift a curse which was placed on my (and many others') family name.

"I curse their head and all the hairs of their head; I curse their face, their brain (innermost thoughts), their mouth, their nose, their tongue, their teeth, their forehead, their shoulders, their breast, their heart, their stomach, their back, their womb, their arms, their leggs, their hands, their feet, and every part of their body, from the top of their head to the soles of their feet, before and behind, within and without."

"I curse them going and I curse them riding; I curse them standing and I curse them sitting; I curse them eating and I curse them drinking; I curse them rising, and I curse them lying; I curse them at home, I curse them away from home; I curse them within the house, I curse them outside of the house; I curse their wives, their children, and their servants who participate in their deeds. I (bring ill wishes upon) their crops, their cattle, their wool, their sheep, their horses, their swine, their geese, their hens, and all their livestock. I (bring ill wishes upon) their halls, their chambers, their kitchens, their stanchions, their barns, their cowsheds, their barnyards, their cabbage patches, their plows, their harrows, and the goods and houses that are necessary for their sustenance and welfare."

"May all the malevolent wishes and curses ever known, since the beginning of the world, to this hour, light on them. May the malediction of God, that fell upon Lucifer and all his fellows, that cast them from the high Heaven to the deep hell, light upon them."

"May the fire and the sword that stopped Adam from the gates of Paradise, stop them from the glory of Heaven, until they forebear, and make amends."

"May the evil that fell upon cursed Cain, when he slew his brother Abel, needlessly, fall on them for the needless slaughter that they commit daily."

"May the malediction that fell upon all the world, man and beast, and all that ever took life, when all were drowned by the flood of Noah, except Noah and his ark, fall upon them and drown them, man and beast, and make this realm free of them, for their wicked sins."

"May the thunder and lightning which rained down upon Sodom and Gomorra and all the lands surrounding them, and burned them for their vile sins, rain down upon them and burn them for their open sins. May the evil and confusion that fell on the Gigantis for their opression and pride in building the Tower of Babylon, confound them and all their works, for their open callous disregard and opression."

"May all the plagues that fell upon Pharoah and his people of Egypt, their lands, crops and cattle, fall upon them, their equipment, their places, their lands, their crops and livestock."

"May the waters of the Tweed and other waters which they use, drown them, as the Red Sea drowned King Pharoah and the people of Egypt, preserving God's people of Israel."

"May the earth open, split and cleave, and swallow them straight to hell, as it swallowed cursed Dathan and Abiron, who disobeyed Moses and the command of God."

"May the wild fire that reduced Thore and his followers to two-hundred-fifty in number, and others from 14,000 to 7,000 at anys, usurping against Moses and Aaron, servants of God, suddenly burn and consume them daily, for opposing the commands of God and Holy Church."

"May the malediction that suddenly fell upon fair Absolom, riding through the wood against his father, King David, when the branches of a tree knocked him from his horse and hanged him by the hair, fall upon these untrue Scotsmen and hang them the same way, that all the world may see."

"May the malediction that fell upon Nebuchadnezzar's lieutenant, Olifernus, making war and savagery upon true christian men; the malediction that fell upon Judas, Pilate, Herod, and the Jews that crucified Our Lord; and all the plagues and troubles that fell on the city of Jerusalem therefore, and upon Simon Magus for his treachery, bloody Nero, Ditius Magcensius, Olibrius, Julianus Apostita and the rest of the cruel tyrants who slew and murdered Christ's holy servants, fall upon them for their cruel tyranny and murder of Christian people."

"And may all the vengeance that ever was taken since the world began, for open sins, and all the plagues and pestilence that ever fell on man or beast, fall on them for their openly evil ways, senseless slaughter and shedding of innocent blood."

"I sever and part them from the church of God, and deliver them immediately to the devil of hell, as the Apostle Paul delivered Corinth. I bar the entrance of all places they come to, for divine service and ministration of the sacraments of holy church, except the sacrament of infant baptism, only; and I forbid all churchmen to hear their confession or to absolve them of their sins, until they are first humbled / subjugated by this curse."


"I forbid all christian men or women to have any company with them, eating, drinking, speaking, praying, lying, going, standing, or in any other deed-doing, under the pain of deadly sin."

"I discharge all bonds, acts, contracts, oaths, made to them by any persons, out of loyalty, kindness, or personal duty, so long as they sustain this cursing, by which no man will be bound to them, and this will be binding on all men."

"I take from them, and cast down all the good deeds that ever they did, or shall do, until they rise from this cursing."

"I declare them excluded from all matins, masses, evening prayers, funerals or other prayers, on book or bead (rosary); of all pigrimages and alms deeds done, or to be done in holy church or be christian people, while this curse is in effect."

"And, finally, I condemn them perpetually to the deep pit of hell, there to remain with Lucifer and all his fellows, and their bodies to the gallows of Burrow moor, first to be hanged, then ripped and torn by dogs, swine, and other wild beasts, abominable to all the world. And their candle (light of their life) goes from your sight, as may their souls go from the face of God, and their good reputation from the world, until they forebear their open sins, aforesaid, and rise from this terrible cursing and make satisfaction and penance."

www.bbc.co.uk...

A pretty cool curse, hey? It was aimed at the reiving clans of the Scottish-English border. Apparently, the curse hasn't been lifted, and as such, is still in effect on those descendents of the reiver clans.

Hope you get better soon, by the way.

a reply to: daaskapital

Curses aren't real. Also your quote from the Gospel of Barnabas. That's a middle age forgery. Likely by Muslims. Don't be gullible.

originally posted by: soaringhawk
a reply to: daaskapital

Curses aren't real. Also your quote from the Gospel of Barnabas. That's a middle age forgery. Likely by Muslims. Don't be gullible.

Jeez, i bet you are fun at parties...

I don't care as to whether or not curses are real. I was saying/implying that if i were to write to the pope, i would enquire about the curse, as it is interesting.

As for the Gospel of Barnabas, have you ever heard of humour? It's in my signature, because i thought the extract to be amusing. Not because i believe in the book's authenticity...

Hi Flyers

I don't know if you remember ? But we had a great conversation about the previous pope, in which you taught me much for which I am grateful to this day.

The Catholic church is probably my most resented religion, but that's my personal feelings. I do however appreciate just how powerful the institution is and the potential power of the Pope.

Having said that I really like this guy, he seems to hold the true message of Christianity closer to his heart than most previous popes.

What would I say ? That's a toughie

Something along these lines

Your Holiness
Although I steer well away from organised religion, I feel compelled to congratulate you on a job well done so far. You have single handedly shown that humility is an important part of life. That to help others is a blessing in itself, and your message of acceptance is inspiring, may it be taken up by the world regardless of race, creed, colour, sexual orientation or preferred animal avatar (I might leave the last one out).

Rarely in life am I inspired by a religious figurehead but there is some different about you, and I like it.

You seem a purer, fresher Pope, still a long way from my ideal but a massive step in the right direction for mankind. By the way the Jews might fight you (Figuratively speaking) about converting the aliens, good luck with that one !

I just don't get why three religions fight over the same God, the same prophets, and the same end results. Anyhow good luck and my best wishes for your successful conclusion of your ideals.

Tony

In fact I'm printing that off and sending it now

Animal avatar included, even the Pope needs a laugh

Cody

ETA: Sent

a reply to: soaringhawk
Play nice.

Would you care to actually address the topic?
If you would write a letter to the pope, what would you say?

originally posted by: cody599
In fact I'm printing that off and sending it now

Don't forget the international airmail stamp.

You'll probably get something back in a few months ... on Vatican letterhead ... a holy card or a medal blessed by the pope. That kind of thing. Betchya.

a reply to: FlyersFan

Don't be surprised to see me on the balcony with the Pope soon Flyers

I've sent said letter It'll be interesting to see my wife's face if I receive something back from Vatican City, she's a staunch Catholic and knows very well my views LOL.

Watch this space, oh and the balcony

Cody

Well, it's been a month since I wrote. I have not heard back yet but I'm sure that's because he's a busy guy. Seriously though, I'm sure it'll take a while for the Vatican to get their form letters back out to people who write. I'm sure a lot of mail gets sent there.

So Pope Francis is supposed to come to Philadelphia September 2015. He'll be 1/2 an hour up the road (I-95) from us. I don't know if he'll be doing an outdoor mass at Lincoln Financial Field or something like that. We'll see as we get closer.

Anyways, just checking in. Nothing back from the Vatican yet.
I'm expecting something like a form letter and a blessed card/medal or something.

I didn't know of that letter, congratulations!

In fact I wrote so many advices for pope and cardinals in this forum, although not intended to be directly a such, that it might be pretty much enough.

Still, may be it is a good idea to say some things here too. Not as a letter to be sent to the pope by mail, but as a post-letter to be read by his secretary may be.

First of all, I have a great esteem of pope Francis since his election. Latin American pope was needed and the Church fathers gave it to the faithful. Francis-Bergoglio is sure the extraordinary man chosen for the extraordinary times, as it was St.John Paul 2.

His intention to open up the church to the marginalized, poor and outcast of society should be applauded by both catholics and others, even by atheists who care for the common good.

Perhaps he could be more fast in the reforming of the church's own structures. Perhaps a greater representation of the world inside Rome is needed. Something he already did with the latest consistory. Still, that is just the beginning.

Cardinalate, as we know, is a newer institution, and included at the time lay people and is not restricted to women as well. It is ill understood role that the cardinals elect only popes. They advice popes and help them in difficult situations. To assume the Roman people know everything under the sun, is not very wise. They should bring in the best of the best, even if not only religious, if they want to morally lead the world.

It is very important in line with the prophecy of Malachi. Will there be a next pope at al? If pope Francis doesn't want to play the tragic role of Petrus Romanus, he should do every effort now, when he is in his strength both physical and moral, to assure smooth transition and election of a new successor of Peter at the time when his health goes down or when God calls him. He doesn't look to be of those who think everything on earth will end up with him or in this decade.

In the worst scenario, he should think of continuation of the Holy Roman Church (Or SRE) EVEN IN CONDITIONS OF NUCLEAR WINTER and other unimaginable circumstances, underground. How about in conditions of interstellar travel and aliens? This should have been discussed freely online by now, and responsible figures from the SRE should have taken private positions. We see that is not the case, and after each word of pope Francis or a Jesuit astronomer there is the deepest silence possible.

Unlike on moral issues that stirred such a storm on a synod that should naturally prepare Vatican 3 and Nicaea 2. If the divorced etc questions were of the greatest importance, for the clergy, couldn't they send emails everyday between themselves, or participate in forum like or skype conference beforehand, and don't play the circus before the 1 bln faithful who expected something better? Because not all of them are divorced but surely all of them have even bigger problems. 2 years is a fairly enough time.

I wonder do the catholic hi prelates care of the humanity and Christ's Church in it, after 100 years or not? Do they think the status quo today will withstand even another 50 years, and should it be preserved at all cost? Do they have a vision beyond the natural limits of their lifetimes, and why did they accept the highest appointments by this or previous pontiff if they would look after some interests but not after principles dating back from the apostles?

Going back to the roots and reread of the Gospels is the only imperative today for a Church that has 2000 years history and wants to have as much or more in the future. At least those educated people must know the Second Coming date is nowhere written in stone.

Are they afraid of the AI (artificial intelligence) as Bill Gates and Hawking both claimed so? Any position on that real problem for more and more young people who are much more attached to electronics than to anyone else human around themselves? It is a final time the hi prelates turn their attention to the real problems and stop with their own struggles for things not quite well understood by the common Christians.

I'd wish pope Francis more health, more moral strength at home and more friendships with his political partners abroad.