The Pope's Encyclical - coming to a Thursday near you...

What is that video! lol

I didn't know about this, so I will keep an eye out for his Papal Letter. A lot of people follow the pontiff in matters of faith, so he will have an influence, people can't just say who cares. over a billion care, so I will sit up an listen to what he tells them.

a reply to: Kali74

I can't wait to read it and more so to how Catholics in the world react, 1.4 billion people isn't small.

Maybe it will separate the wheat from the chaff? :-)

I'm looking forward to Mr. Santorum's response (among others) - not that he didn't try to head the Pope off at the pass

I can't wait either. It's getting harder and harder for certain people to look and sound credible

a reply to: zazzafrazz

What is that video! lol

I know - right? :-)

I hope you're right - I hope a billion do actually care

a reply to: Spiramirabilis

Santorum's been cast to the outside of his own party.
I'd be lying if I said that doesn't make me smile.

a reply to: Kali74

:-)

Me too

I think it's odd that he doesn't abandon Catholicism for the gentlemen's club he so obviously admires and seems to prefer

Religious institutions are paradoxial. Some belief system's architecture are fundamentally based on rigid mathematics and science cadence. For example, Judeo-eccentric religions use formulaic archetype and subscription, stemming from heavy overtones of quintessiential geometry. Much of the fabric veiled in esoteric codices, to which is simplified through parable for mass consumption.

The schism in the Vatican, is merely a "coming out". The Jesuits have always been tributaries to acedemia. The new Pope is championing the cause. In case you think I'm spinning evidence, here's a link:

Jesuit scientists

In effect, scientists ARE handling the science, they just happen to parade around in different couture.

I wish I could share your optimism, Spi.

Maybe it's the existential mood that has swept over me the last few days, but I doubt his position will make any difference. Not for posterity, not for the planet.

The love of money and the power it brings -- the hunger for it trumps everything.

a reply to: ladyinwaiting

I'm sorry Lady - I wish you didn't feel that way. I wish I could say I don't understand, but I do

Just so you know, my optimism is occasionally contrived - out of necessity. I have to focus on certain things in order to avoid giving in to dread

On the other hand - I do have genuine hope. But, it really will take most of us to believe change is possible. We're going to have to sacrifice. Life is going to change. But, I know we're capable of more than we believe is possible

Chin up

:-)

a reply to: trifecta

Do u know what they were called before Jesuits, we waited a long time to come back.

"The Pope how many divisions does he have?" Josef Stalin 1944

originally posted by: Spiramirabilis
What do you think kids? Friend or foe? Game changer - or same ole same ole?

Of course he will say nothing about priests abusing children - they must try and keep that covered up!

a reply to: hellobruce

He's actually doing a lot to deal with pedophile priests and the secrecy/protection of archdiocese etc...

originally posted by: Kali74
a reply to: hellobruce

He's actually doing a lot to deal with pedophile priests and the secrecy/protection of archdiocese etc...

Like promoting them to a high position, like the "Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy" those who kept moving and supported pedophile priests....

If he really wants to help the environment, he'll try to change the church teaching on BIRTH CONTROL. The world is overpopulated. If he just talks about how we need more money put into green, or if he talks about how we should have economic redistribution, or if he talks about how there should be a world tax to help the environment ... then he's just spewing the typical NWO-socialist political crap but doing it under the guise of religion.

Change the doctrine about birth control. That's something within his sandbox that he could try to do. It would be hard, because it's a doctrine and doctrines can't change (whereas disciplines CAN change) ... but that's what he should work on ... in his sandbox.

originally posted by: Gothmog

Which ones have Phds and in what science ?

The per capita Dr.Phil's in the Vatican likely exceeds any other city in the world.

Don't have stats for that, but I'd wager a nickel or two.

You should check out the Pontifical Academy of Sciences - close to 100 Nobel Laureats. Or maybe you'd be interested in the Vatican Observatory?

Or maybe you just want to throw stones?

Dunno.

I appreciate what this Pope has said about the immorality of homosexual 'marriage,' the murderous terror of abortion, the primacy of the traditional family, and I look forward to this encyclical.

a reply to: hellobruce

I think it's complicated and I don't really know all the ins and outs of the accusations against him or how legit they are or aren't. What I do know is that he was never well liked in the Church because he is tight with money and always went after financial corruption, well before Francis was Pope... which is why Francis created the office and appointed him which many within the upper echelon were not happy about.

a reply to: Seamrog

He hasn't said that gay marriage is immoral, he is standing by the tradition of man and woman though, unfortunately. If states would guarantee equal status of legal unions, gay people wouldn't even be asking for marriage.

originally posted by: Kali74
He hasn't said that gay marriage is immoral, ..

To his credit, while he was a cardinal in South America, he pushed for civil unions for homosexuals. He couldn't go full out and push for marriage equality because it's against church teaching. But he did what he could within the confines of his faith and tried to get same sex civil unions approved and de-stigmatized.

a reply to: FlyersFan

Yes. I don't think Catholicism will ever accept gay marriage and they don't have to even if it would be nice... if a religion wants to state that marriage is between a man and a woman, has never really been the issue anyway, it's the fact that many religions/religious leaders/the faithful have fought to deny equality... Francis is changing that.

7. "CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION
The world that God created has been entrusted to all of us. Our stewardship of the earth is a form of participation in God’s act of creating and sustaining the world. In our use of creation, we must be guided by a concern for generations to come. We show our respect for the Creator by our care for creation."

(Source: US Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Taking care of creation is one of the 7 themes of Catholic Social teaching. But it's the last one on the list. *wink*

I am a devout Roman Catholic, and I do NOT believe in man-made global warming. This belief was a conclusion based on reason, and my advanced education in the physical sciences. My Catholic faith also allows much leeway on certain issues and It's ok to disagree with a pope, ask St Paul.

BUT, Pope Francis is my Holy Father, also the vicar of Christ, successor to Saint Peter, The leader of Christ's Church in the present age, lead by The Holy Spirit.

I will wait, read his letter, and may or may not comment on it. I happen to think, as usual, this letter will be much "deeper" than most are anticipating. Much deeper than the ice caps melting or not.

I will still be a devout Roman Catholic on Friday.

FF.....The world is NOT overpopulated, and contraception is inherently evil. A tool of Satan. Don't believe everything you read. The secular world is full of lies.

a reply to: Spiramirabilis