No I do not suppose he will last long. Ratsinger huh? Very popular with the Establishment but not so with the Lay. An “aristocratic” pope after the more common touch of John Paul II. Wonder how he will work out and given that he may last only another year or so will it matter?
Not surprisingly as a German he is known for his dogmatic approach. Wonder what Gunther Grass would have to say about this? Time for a new novel Gunther?
[quote=“fred smith”]Wonder how he will work out?
[/quote]
He doesn’t strike me as one who goes to the gym much.
BroonAerobics
they should have a “Pontiff-off”
Last man standing becomes the Pope. The competition could be physical, it could be intellectual or religious debate, maybe even a rap-off.
On a unrelated note, they should try electing someone outside of Europe. It’s a big world out there, surely there is some cardinal/bishop worthy of the popery/potpourri.
As long as he can restrain himself from dashing off with a grim look whenever he spots a bunch of closely spaced trees.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhh,
RATZINGER ??? Ratzinger??? Oh my God. I guess God will finally leave the catholic church now and become a protestant.
Ratzinger, was considered to be a very strange man by many Germans. Very, very strange, the kind of woman-hater and dreaming of the good old days of the holy inquisition.
Okay, now he is pope, so we all have to love him.
But why a German? If they choose a non-Italian it is usually for some political concept. But what is to be done in Germany? Inquisition-Torture chamber for Fisher? Is Fred involved in this cunning plan?
ratzincerely,
Bob
I thought it was interesting that the commentators on TV were so impressed that he managed to smile when he made his appearance on the balcony. Apparently they felt that this constituted a major PR achievement on his part… 
Hmm…this guy may be a good choice…keep things hoppin’ in the Ol’ VC.
He also says that he was taken, against his will, into the Nazi Youth. He was drafted in 1943 into the German Army, and deserted in April of 1945.
[quote] Cardinal Ratzinger Orders Kerry Communion Ban
Phil Brennan, NewsMax.com, Wednessday, July 7, 2004
In a private memorandum, top Vatican prelate Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger told American bishops that Communion must be denied to Catholic politicians who support legal abortion.
While never mentioning Sen. John Kerry by name, the memo implicitly aims at the pro-choice Catholic Massachusetts senator and presidential candidate.
Ratzinger’s ban is broad and includes all other pro-abortion Catholic politicians who are defying the church’s ban on abortion.
According the Culture of Life Foundation, which obtained a copy of the confidential document, the Cardinal began by stressing the serious nature of receiving Communion and the need for each person to make
I do not know much about Ratzinger but I do like his opposition to moral relativism. That message is something I can agree with. I am especially pleased that a German would be speaking so publicly about the need to avoid moral relativism. Now, that is a lesson and a message that the whole country should heed. Ja? Ja wohl!
A big step backward. The Church has been falling behind social trends for several centuries now, and the naming of an inflexible traditionalist is going to exacerbate that.
moral relativism
Is that like saying “war is bad, except when we do it”?
Ah Richardm:
Yes, I believe that you are a good example of a moral relativist. Let us see… can anyone see any difference between the Taliban and Bush? Saddam and Bush? hell even Putin and Bush? what about Chirac and Bush? but how many nations has Bush invaded? Two. Let us reexamine those nations and see if they deserved to be invaded. Well, what do you think? I know this might be tough for you… that is why it is called moral relativism. Now do you get it?
A warm reception by the UK press
[quote=“fred smith”]Ah Richardm:
Yes, I believe that you are a good example of a moral relativist. Let us see… can anyone see any difference between the Taliban and Bush? Saddam and Bush? hell even Putin and Bush? what about Chirac and Bush? but how many nations has Bush invaded? Two. Let us reexamine those nations and see if they deserved to be invaded. Well, what do you think? I know this might be tough for you… that is why it is called moral relativism. Now do you get it?[/quote]
I think I get it, I just thought you said it was bad.
OK, I’m a beginner.
I’ll go to church again just as soon as the first female pope gets in.
News just in…
[quote]Kerry: Ratzinger Papal Election is ‘No Mandate’
by Scott Ott
b[/b] – America’s leading Roman Catholic politician today greeted the news of German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s election to the papacy with a warning that Pope Benedict XVI has “no mandate other than an obligation to heal the wounds of the church and bring people together in the spirit of diversity.”
“This is not a time for narrow ideologues, or dogmatists,” said Sen. John Kerry, D-MA. “I’m praying that the new Holy Father – despite his reputation as God’s Rottweiller – will realize his duty to be a big-tent guy. And he should never take what is an article of faith for him, personally, and try to impose it on others.”
Mr. Kerry said that, even though his favorite candidate didn’t win the papal election, the Massachusetts Democrat will continue to play an influential role in shaping Catholic doctrine and practice.
scrappleface.com/[/quote]
Christ, the pest posting I have seen on this forum for ages and of course she will be a protestant.
Christ, the pest posting I have seen on this forum for ages and of course she will be a protestant.[/quote]
Is that best or pest. I’ll go with either and yes a green female with the orange males really could smarten them all up. You might not want to be in Belfast at the time.
Christ, the best posting I have seen on this forum for ages and of course she will be a protestant.[/quote]
Is that best or pest. I’ll go with either and yes a green female with the orange males really could smarten them all up. You might not want to be in Belfast at the time.[/quote]
Green, Female. I take the liberty to make a humble suggestion Anette Lu
Is anyone else bothered by the fact the new Pope was a member of the Hitler Youth?