Pope Benedict XVI 'to resign' on Feb. 28

[ronpaulfollower999]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9862194/Pope-Benedict-XVI-to-resign.html?fb

[ronpaulfollower999]

Time for the final pope?

[WarAnonymous]

Time for the final pope?

???

[ghengis86]

WTF?

[WarAnonymous]

the final pope?

[A Son of Liberty]

Whoa. This is very uncommon. Most recent example is Pope Gregory XII, in the year 1415.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_resignation

[A Son of Liberty]

the final pope?

Peter the Roman.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecy_of_the_Popes

[WarAnonymous]

Peter the Roman.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecy_of_the_Popes

Oh from what I remember reading right when Benedict assumed the role that he was the last. Anyhow, thanks for clarifying that guess the great fall is coming. YAY!

[Restore America Now]

Crazy. This should get interesting.

[A Son of Liberty]

No problem - grain of salt, and all. ;)

It will be interesting to hear the reason Benedict is resigning. From that wiki link above, there have only been 3 others to resign in over 1000 years of papal history.

[WarAnonymous]

No problem - grain of salt, and all. ;)

It will be interesting to hear the reason Benedict is resigning. From that wiki link above, there have only been 3 others to resign in over 1000 years of papal history.

Yeah, absolutely. I didn't expect to hear that news.

[liberalnurse]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324880504578297543433266804.html

[liberalnurse]

I read that he feels he doesn't have the energy to continue? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324880504578297543433266804.html

[A Son of Liberty]

I read that he feels he doesn't have the energy to continue? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324880504578297543433266804.html

Not a chance this is the actual reason he's resigning. Not a chance.

[tasteless]

Wow, this is a bit of a shock.

[ronpaulfollower999]

//

[ronpaulfollower999]

???

http://www.wnd.com/2012/04/will-the-next-pope-be-the-last/

[beaven]

"There is no room in this world for retired popes." -Pope John Paul II

[ronpaulfollower999]

"Peter the Roman, who will Nourish the sheep in many tribulations; when they are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The end." This will be the 112th pope since the "prophecy" was made, which makes the "112 keeps appearing in the media (http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message2107222/pg1)" thread at GLP more interesting. Then there is paddypower.com (http://www.paddypower.com/bet/current-affairs/the-next-pope) which gives 4/1 odds for Peter being the name of the next pope, just like in the "prophecy".

[A Son of Liberty]

I'm a skeptic regarding the prophesy, but I wouldn't think that the next pope has to take the name Peter for it to be fulfilled.

In fact, I'm sure whoever is elected will be aware or made aware of the prophesy and will explicitly not take that name.

[ronpaulfollower999]

I'm a skeptic regarding the prophesy, but I wouldn't think that the next pope has to take the name Peter for it to be fulfilled.

In fact, I'm sure whoever is elected will be aware or made aware of the prophesy and will explicitly not take that name.

Oh, I am too. I just find it entertaining. :p


Cardinal Peter Turkson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Turkson)

[WarAnonymous]

Wait.... I get 4-1 odds??? So can I offer him 50/50 if he takes the name Peter?

[pacelli]

Is he going to join the rest of the Hitler youth in south america?


The Vatican blundered into a fresh public relations fiasco on Tuesday after seeking to rewrite the biography of Pope Benedict XVI by denying that he was ever a member of the Hitler Youth.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/5314338/Dont-mention-the-Popes-Hitler-Youth-past-says-the-Vatican.html

http://arkcode.com/images/the_hitler_youth_pope_500x395.jpg

[fisharmor]

Is he going to join the rest of the Hitler youth in south america?

Now, I'm not a Roman Catholic, in fact I was raised to be incredibly suspicious of them.
And I don't know you, either.
But there's one thing I'm sure of... that if Benedict was authorized to make transatlantic flights, and if he were to answer this personally, whatever intellect you possess would amount to that of a retarded kindergartener in contrast to his.

As would mine also.

The man is not just smart. He has a gifted intellect. And whatever reasons there may be (I'm personally inclined to believe the health reason) I'm sure they are well founded.


I do believe that he has done more to change the conversation within the Roman church than people will credit him for for some time yet. Perhaps he has faith that a younger pope will harvest what seeds he has sewn.

[A Son of Liberty]

Yeah, I'm really resistant to the idea that it is about health. On another forum, a poster theorized that it could be Alzheimer's, which would be somewhat credible.

But if the religion is truly followed, the election of a pope via the conclave of Cardinals should be considered ordained by God. To resign, then, is to effectively reject that which God has ordained - again, according to the religion.

I'm a lapsed Catholic and by no means a papal historian, but the first pope to "legitimately" resign (Celestine in 1294), first had to issue a papal decree that a pope may resign. And there has only been one other resignation since then. It is a vast understatement to say that within the Catholic Church, this is no small matter.

[RockEnds]

The Magdalene Laundries are getting some attention this week also.

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Magdalene-Laundries-survivors-to-tell-Enda-Kenny-they-want-a-full-state-apology-190659111.html

http://world.time.com/2013/02/07/the-magdalene-laundries-irish-report-exposes-a-national-shame/

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/heart-without-compromise-children-and-children-wit/2013/feb/7/sinead-oconnor-reveals-her-abuse-catholic-magdalan/

[moostraks]

Yeah, I'm really resistant to the idea that it is about health. On another forum, a poster theorized that it could be Alzheimer's, which would be somewhat credible.

But if the religion is truly followed, the election of a pope via the conclave of Cardinals should be considered ordained by God. To resign, then, is to effectively reject that which God has ordained - again, according to the religion.

I'm a lapsed Catholic and by no means a papal historian, but the first pope to "legitimately" resign (Celestine in 1294), first had to issue a papal decree that a pope may resign. And there has only been one other resignation since then. It is a vast understatement to say that within the Catholic Church, this is no small matter.

Having a problem buying the official story as well. The alzheimer's theory does present an interesting possibility. At least it offers an alternative explanation that is not of some nefarious doing by those who want to usher in a nwo.

[tasteless]

Having a problem buying the official story as well. The alzheimer's theory does present an interesting possibility. At least it offers an alternative explanation that is not of some nefarious doing by those who want to usher in a nwo.

Mental deterioration seems like a plausible reason, considering last year there was a big controversy when a priest said something pretty stupid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Groeschel):


Groeschel made controversial comments in a 2012 interview published by the National Catholic Register on August 27 related to the sexual abuse of children by priests: "Suppose you have a man having a nervous breakdown, and a youngster comes after him. A lot of the cases, the youngster — 14, 16, 18 — is the seducer." On August 30 he issued a statement:

I apologize for my comments. I did not intend to blame the victim. A priest (or anyone else) who abuses a minor is always wrong and is always responsible. My mind and my way of expressing myself are not as clear as they used to be. I have spent my life trying to help others the best that I could. I deeply regret any harm I have caused to anyone.

The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal organization also apologized for Groeschel's remarks, noting that they were out of character for him and stemmed from infirmities due to his 2004 car accident and a recent stroke. On September 3, EWTN announced that Groeschel had resigned from his position as host of Sunday Night Prime and that other members of his order would serve as the show's host.

Perhaps he might be trying to avoid a similar fate? But who knows what goes on inside the Vatican.

[John F Kennedy III]

Will they replace him with another Nazi?

[John F Kennedy III]

Is he going to join the rest of the Hitler youth in south america?



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/5314338/Dont-mention-the-Popes-Hitler-Youth-past-says-the-Vatican.html

http://arkcode.com/images/the_hitler_youth_pope_500x395.jpg


+rep

[UtahApocalypse]

Popez have been half dead and not resigned. This is fishy

[RockEnds]

I'm having the official story as well. He's barely giving two weeks' notice. If he was a hotel clerk, I could see it, but the Pope?

[vita3]

HBO just started running a documentary on deaf children in Milwaukee that were molested by a Priest. Maxima Mea Culpa,also mentions Ratzinger as, being the coordinater of information for every molestation case.

Hbo first showed this 3 days ago.

[beaven]

"There is no room in this world for a retired pope." -JP2

[A Son of Liberty]

I'm not defending the pope, but membership in the Hitler Youth was compulsory, and I believe he was a 16 year old boy at the time.

Again, NOT defending him, but that would not have been a very easy time to get through...

[fr33]

Didn't he say before that he thought popes should resign before their health completely deteriorates? I think I remember him saying that not too long after becoming pope but I could be wrong.

[vita3]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2111478/

Maxima Mea Culpa:Silence in the House of God

HBO started showing this Feb 4th

As I mentioned before Ratzinger is shown unfavorably as the the collecter of information for all molestation cases World Wide

HBO has 30 million subscribers, have to believe this put some serious heat on the man.

[RockEnds]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2111478/

Maxima Mea Culpa:Silence in the House of God

HBO started showing this Feb 4th

As I mentioned before Ratzinger is shown unfavorably as the the collecter of information for all molestation cases World Wide

HBO has 30 million subscribers, have to believe this put some serious heat on the man.

That isn't really new information, though. Maybe it's coming to light to a greater degree, but that information has been out there the entire time he's been Pope.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/apr/24/children.childprotection

[vita3]

That's true, but that info going into 30 million homes a few times a week is a new level of awareness.

[No Free Beer]

who cares?

[fr33]

who cares?

Probably a lot of people. Not me though.

[S.Shorland]

Quite amazing news.Thanks for telling me.

[cindy25]

this could have an impact on 2016, as well as foreign policy.

I just hope the new pope is not Hispanic. have nothing against Hispanics but a Hispanic pope could give Rubio an advantage

[jtstellar]

Probably a lot of people. Not me though.

when is there ever not enough people? who cares.

[armstrong]

yea,,,,

[jclay2]

Either this Benedict XVI is an extremely humble and upstanding individual or he malested some alter boy. Not really sure which it is right now.

[ronpaulfollower999]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=6biNg2cwi0I

[ronpaulfollower999]

Peter Turkson has Alpha and Omega on his coat of arms

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Coat_of_arms_of_Peter_Turkson.svg/454px-Coat_of_arms_of_Peter_Turkson.svg.png

[Lucille]

Reform of the international financial system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Turkson#Reform_of_the_international_financia l_system)

In response to the global economic crisis started in 2008, Cardinal Turkson together with bishop Mario Toso elaborated a proposal to reform the international financial system by creating a Global Public Authority and a Global Bank that consider the interest of all developing countries. The document of 40 pages was officially presented in October 2011 and criticizes the actual structure of International Monetary Fund and other institutions.

Vatican calls for One World Government. Really.
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/vatican-calls-for-one-world-government-really/

[FindLiberty]

Popes all seem to age rapidly; it must be a Hell of a lot of responsibility, controlling all those people and all...

Does he then automatically get immunity from persecution?

[Petar]

Damn, bye bye Pope Palpatine.

[A Son of Liberty]

That is Cardinal PETER Turkson, by the way...

;)

[pahs1994]

Hmmm so two popes will be alive at the same time? wont this new pope be considered an anti pope? not that any of this matters too much but i am a catholic and have been interested in how the conclave works and the popes list prophesy.

[Sola_Fide]

"The Pope is Antichrist, and his seat is that of Satan himself". -John Knox

[A Son of Liberty]

The historic significance of this really can't be overstated. In some 1500 years, only 3 popes have ever resigned, and of those only one didn't resign over corruption or conflict, and that was in 1296.

I'm just not buying the "health" explanation at this point. This kind of thing just does not happen. Given that the election of the pope is, according to the Catholic religion, ordained by God, and he is God's representative on earth (again, according to the faith), this amounts to the open rejection of what God has ordained. That wouldn't seem to me to be the kind of thing cast aside over one's health.

I don't know if it's the abuse scandal, or if there is something else, but I'd be stunned if this pope resigned because he "didn't feel up to it".

[cindy25]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecy_of_the_Popes

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_turkson_pka_en.html

[RockEnds]

The historic significance of this really can't be overstated. In some 1500 years, only 3 popes have ever resigned, and of those only one didn't resign over corruption or conflict, and that was in 1296.

I'm just not buying the "health" explanation at this point. This kind of thing just does not happen. Given that the election of the pope is, according to the Catholic religion, ordained by God, and he is God's representative on earth (again, according to the faith), this amounts to the open rejection of what God has ordained. That wouldn't seem to me to be the kind of thing cast aside over one's health.

I don't know if it's the abuse scandal, or if there is something else, but I'd be stunned if this pope resigned because he "didn't feel up to it".

I agree. I'm not Catholic, but I know this hasn't happened since before the Protestant Revolution, and that was more than a few years back. Whatever the reason for the resignation, it's bigger than the Vatican. The Irish Laundries really isn't my first guess, but I have been aware of the effort to bring the matter to light, and the UN is involved in the investigation. Anonymous dead bodies, slavery, sex abuse, child trafficking, it's not a pretty scandal. Although, just as the cover up of sex abuse is not new information, neither are the laundries. They are making headlines right now, however, and several of the stories in the Irish papers are now dead links this morning.

[vita3]

Either this Benedict XVI is an extremely humble and upstanding individual or he malested some alter boy. Not really sure which it is right now.

He may have never molested any childern, but it looks like he was the no#1 gatekeeper, stopping Justice/actions for those priests that did.

[Confederate]

Didn't he say before that he thought popes should resign before their health completely deteriorates? I think I remember him saying that not too long after becoming pope but I could be wrong.

Yes, he said that shortly after he became Pope.

[Confederate]

who cares?

1+ billion people, including 65 million Americans who are Catholic.

[jdmyprez_deo_vindice]

I don't know why exactly but this news gives me an uneasy feeling.

[devil21]

Having a problem buying the official story as well. The alzheimer's theory does present an interesting possibility. At least it offers an alternative explanation that is not of some nefarious doing by those who want to usher in a nwo.

John Paul was drooling on himself, nodding off during ceremonies and all that but was still Pope till the day he died. I guess I dont see a history of mental deterioration as a reason to step down.

[Confederate]

John Paul was drooling on himself, nodding off during ceremonies and all that but was still Pope till the day he died. I guess I dont see a history of mental deterioration as a reason to step down.

JPII should have retired when it was obvious his illness was affecting his carrying out of his duties.

[vita3]

My parents went to Rome this summer & from their pictures you could tell he was really getting on in age. (Didn't look healthy)

That said I think the primary reason for his leaving is his inactions w/ molestation cases.

[pcosmar]

Pope Benedict XVI has announced he will resign on February 28th, saying he no longer had the strength to fulfill the duties of his office.

Popes pooped.

[Confederate]

I hope the next Pope is much more conservative and continues with Benedict's re-introduction of the Tridentine Mass.

[SpreadOfLiberty]

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/340318/next-pope-last-pope-father-dwight-longenecker

[fr33]

I hope the next pope is not another one world government type. I know some Catholics that didn't care much for Benedict.

[ronpaulfollower999]

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/340318/next-pope-last-pope-father-dwight-longenecker

That wasn't very reassuring. I still have my bets hedged, just in case.

[pahs1994]

http://www.paddypower.com/bet/current-affairs/the-next-pope

Well the Odd's makers are already weighing in lol. I'm kind of surprised the highest ranked Italian is #5

Edit: LoL they got Bono at 1000:1

http://mariaassumptaseminary.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/1_0_6395531.jpg
http://a1.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/132/088bd4adbbe740fbb211f438f656f49c/l.jpg

[AFPVet]

What is the significance of this? I do know that in the time of Christs' return, there will be false prophets....

[Nirvikalpa]

The Catholic Church has had it coming to them for years... so much corruption.

[KingRobbStark]

When he resigns, does his connection to god vanish? Will he still have a guest pass? Kinda like an internet connection. Lets just hope the new pope doesn't change the password.

[Confederate]

When he resigns, does his connection to god vanish? Will he still have a guest pass? Kinda like an internet connection. Lets just hope the new pope doesn't change the password.

That's not how the Papacy works.

[Henry Rogue]

A new pope will be selected by the Conclave, a group of 203 Cardinals who are the Church's most senior members, of which 120 have the right to vote for the new pope.

Any baptised male Catholic can be selected as pope, however it is traditionally given to a cardinal.

Voting is held in the Sistine Chapel, and a new pope is announced by white smoke pouring from the Vatican's chimney.
Hey, I'm thinking about running for Pope. Could use some Grass Roots support. I'm definitly against a one world government. Wife doesn't like my odds and she's not Catholic.:D

[fr33]

Hey, I'm thinking about running for Pope. Could use some Grass Roots support. I'm definitly against a one world government. Wife doesn't like my odds and she's not Catholic.:D

First lets get a moneybomb going and remember to show up at the next meeting!

[Henry Rogue]

First lets get a moneybomb going and remember to show up at the next meeting!
That might be a poor allocation of resources.:o

[Maximus]

Q: Have you thought of resigning?

A: When the danger is great one must not run away. For that reason, now [2010] is certainly not the time to resign. Precisely at a time like this one must stand fast and endure the difficult situation. That is my view. One can resign at a peaceful moment or when one simply cannot go on. But one must not run away from the danger and say that someone else should do it.

Q: Is it possible then to imagine a situation in which you consider a resignation by the Pope appropriate?

A: Yes. If a Pope clearly recognizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically, and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has the right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.


— From Light of the World, Benedict XVI’s 2010 interview with Peter Seewald

[Maximus]

This short article by Scott Hahn looking into the pope's visit to pay respects to Pope St. Celestine V adds some context as well: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/yimcatholic/2013/02/because-i-was-blind-and-could-not-see.html

Most people really have no idea how demanding the papal schedule is, there are countless audiences both private and public, traveling, running a 1 billion person institution. He's 85, slowing down, and he knows he just can't do it anymore.

In this day and age where medical advances can keep people alive a very long time, this is an incredibly important precedent for future papacies. Pope John Paul II was using his decline as a teaching moment, but Pope Benedict knows that he has nothing to teach by declining as John Paul did. He requested to resign twice before he was elected pope. He's been wanting to retire for a very long time. He deserves it.

[Confederate]

Tom Woods wrote:


Pope Benedict XVI to Resign (http://www.tomwoods.com/blog/pope-benedict-xvi-to-resign/)

I was extremely surprised to learn this morning that Pope Benedict XVI, 85, has decided to renounce the papal chair on the grounds of advancing age and deteriorating health. In my opinion he has been the best pope since Pius XII. That’s not to say I have agreed with him across the board, as you may note here. But his restoration of the classical Latin liturgy (which was always about far more than mere language) places him at the front rank of modern churchmen, most of whom are aesthetically and liturgically tone deaf.

In a piece I wrote for The American Conservative, unfortunately not available online, I explained the significance to the non-Catholic world of Benedict’s liturgical restoration. A great many non-Catholics in 1971 signed a petition urging the retention of the Church’s traditional liturgy, for good reason: it inspired a great proportion of the artistic and musical corpus of the West.

Here I explained why Benedict allowed the pre-1962 liturgy to coexist with full rights alongside the modernized liturgy, and here I give an overview for beginners.

Continue Reading: http://www.tomwoods.com/blog/pope-benedict-xvi-to-resign/

[Antischism]

Time for a black pope!

http://www.therightperspective.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/black-pope.jpg

http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/2083581/81705069.gif

[S.Shorland]

Peter was the apostle to the Jews and Paul the apostle to the Gentiles.How did we get a Pope?

[pcosmar]

Any baptised male Catholic can be selected as pope,

Jeeze,, I hope they don't pick me.

[MelissaWV]

Jeeze,, I hope they don't pick me.

I kind of hope they do :D

[liveandletlive]

If he was "ordained by God", then did God tell him to quit too?

[pcosmar]

If he was "ordained by God", then did God tell him to quit too?

If he was ordained by God..God would have equipped him and given him the strength.

[Vessol]

Jeeze,, I hope they don't pick me.

Well shit, I quality too.

[Confederate]

If he was "ordained by God", then did God tell him to quit too?

Although the Cardinals are guided by the Holy Spirit the Pope is not handpicked by God. If he were then the vote would be unanimous, but it's not. Only the first Pope was handpicked by God.

[Henry Rogue]

Jeeze,, I hope they don't pick me. Better brush up on your Latin just in case.

[Indy Vidual]

Will they replace him with another Nazi?

Will a Reptilian Nazi be OK?

[fr33]

Does it count if I was baptized against my will? I've seen the pictures. I was really pissed off.

But if I'm eligible....

Show me da gold!

http://freethoughtblogs.com/bluecollaratheist/files/2011/12/pope-of-gold.jpg

[Uriah]

Oh, I am too. I just find it entertaining. :p


Cardinal Peter Turkson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Turkson)

There has never been a non-European Pope.

[Henry Rogue]

Hey, I'm thinking about running for Pope. Could use some Grass Roots support. I'm definitly against a one world government. Wife doesn't like my odds and she's not Catholic.:D I've reconsidered. I don't want all those people kissing my hand (ring), germs you know.:eek:

[Inkblots]

I am not at all surprised that the Holy Father has the discernment and humility to recognize when he is no longer equal to the demands placed upon a modern pontiff. Benedict XVI has been an admirable Vicar of Christ, and though I am saddened to see his formidable faculties dimmed by age, I hope he knows that his pastoral care has left the Church better off than when he found it.

He can be assured of the prayers of hundreds of millions in the years ahead.

[Uriah]

Cardinal Peter Turkson Causes Uproar With 'Muslim Scare' Video At Vatican

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/16/cardinal-peter-turkson-muslim-scare-vatican_n_1968544.html



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU

[tasteless]

I never really put much belief in that prophecy of the popes thing (the predictions made before the so called prophecy was made fit quite well whereas many of those made afterward are a bit of a stretch), but now that a lot of people are pushing for this Peter Turkson guy, something bothers me:

http://www.news.va/en/news/full-text-note-on-financial-reform-from-the-pontif

That's the document that was released that set off alarm bells about how the vatican was supporting a world central bank and world governing authority. Look at who's picture is there at the top of the article... If he's the guy behind that article, then I hope he does not become pope.

[V3n]

Hmmm so two popes will be alive at the same time? wont this new pope be considered an anti pope? not that any of this matters too much but i am a catholic and have been interested in how the conclave works and the popes list prophesy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGBHfXPqbgI

[JK/SEA]

I have strong opinions about this pope stuff, but i'll bite whats left of my tongue.

In the interest of civility of course.

carry on.

[RockEnds]

I have strong opinions about this pope stuff, but i'll bite whats left of my tongue.
Bite mine, too, because I'm really having trouble.

[shane77m]

I wonder if the new pope will un-anathematize protestants?

[ronpaulfollower999]

I have strong opinions about this pope stuff, but i'll bite whats left of my tongue.

In the interest of civility of course.

carry on.


Bite mine, too, because I'm really having trouble.

Please, share. :)

[RockEnds]

Please, share. :)

Moral Relativism, ubermensch, and Paterno's role model.

[JK/SEA]

got a neg rep from 'akforme'.....

just re-enforces my opinion on the pope.

lol...said my post was lame....okey-dokey my fine religious friend.

[Demigod]

There has never been a non-European Pope.

There were a few from Africa

In any case this is very odd,especially when they kept the last one in a "plant" form for so long.My guess is that this guy is quitting because he doesn't want to end up like him.Because they will keep him alive as long as it is possible whether he wants it or not.

Also there is no way that a Pope is taken down due to scandals when there was a pope ( Alexander VI ) who turned the Vatican into one big orgy and even had incest relationships with his daughter.He was also the Pope who made slavery legal so to appease the Spanish.

There have been also a number of Popes who have had homosexual relationships ( there have even been decrees allowing it for the nobleman as a continuation of Greek "tradition " ),there has even been a Black pope as I said in the beginning.

[DamianTV]

http://global3.memecdn.com/Pope-by-day-Sith-Lord-by-night_o_83453.jpg

This guy always struck me as "Captain Creepy".

[Schifference]

I think the Bible like the US constitution is outdated and needs to be revised to meet modern conditions.

[RockEnds]

There were a few from Africa

In any case this is very odd,especially when they kept the last one in a "plant" form for so long.My guess is that this guy is quitting because he doesn't want to end up like him.Because they will keep him alive as long as it is possible whether he wants it or not.

Also there is no way that a Pope is taken down due to scandals when there was a pope ( Alexander VI ) who turned the Vatican into one big orgy and even had incest relationships with his daughter.He was also the Pope who made slavery legal so to appease the Spanish.

There have been also a number of Popes who have had homosexual relationships ( there have even been decrees allowing it for the nobleman as a continuation of Greek "tradition " ),there has even been a Black pope as I said in the beginning.

I disagree. This isn't the middle ages. There's a lot of money at steak in these scandals. It's not as simple his personal involvement. If there haven't been enough scandals named already, here's another one:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2049647/BBC-documentary-exposes-50-year-scandal-baby-trafficking-Catholic-church-Spain.html

The Catholic church has potentially tremendous financial liability in these scandals. The scandals are adding up. Certainly Ratzinger had direct personal involvement in cases of the child molesting priests, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. The times, they are a changing, and the Catholic Church is no longer the head of global government. Instead of crowing medieval monarchs, the Pope has to deal now.

[pcosmar]

I think the Bible like the US constitution is outdated and needs to be revised to meet modern conditions.

Nope. They both just need to be followed rather than skirted.

[Demigod]

I disagree. This isn't the middle ages. There's a lot of money at steak in these scandals. It's not as simple his personal involvement. If there haven't been enough scandals named already, here's another one:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2049647/BBC-documentary-exposes-50-year-scandal-baby-trafficking-Catholic-church-Spain.html

The Catholic church has potentially tremendous financial liability in these scandals. The scandals are adding up. Certainly Ratzinger had direct personal involvement in cases of the child molesting priests, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. The times, they are a changing, and the Catholic Church is no longer the head of global government. Instead of crowing medieval monarchs, the Pope has to deal now.

It is today about gold as much as it has been in the Middle ages and the scandals then had even bigger financial liability because the Catholic Church could lose entire kingdoms and regions and with them the gold that they gather there.See today you could lose a few followers,in the Middle Ages you make a scandal you could lose a Kingdom and with it everyone in it.

Of course today the Catholic church is but a shadow of its former power but it still has a lot of power ,they have just stopped using direct force so their power is not shown publicly that much.Also putting the crown on the kings head doesn't mean that Vatican has put the king there,the nobility ( those who had power and money,but mostly power ) chose the kings .Vatican refusing to crown a king that is popular could lose them the kingdom/region.

[RockEnds]

Footage from the Laundries in Ireland right now. I don't know how much longer it will last.

http://asx.heanet.ie/oireachtas/dail_broadband.asx

[AFPVet]

I'm not Catholic, so I had to look up the significance. Apparently, it has to do with the end times.... http://www.infowars.com/apocalypse-now-the-final-pope/

I personally see no evidence in the KJV to support this, but if is... well, so be it.

[pcosmar]

I personally see no evidence in the KJV to support this, but if is... well, so be it.

There is reference to the False Profit that will point to the Anti-Christ. Many have believed this to be some Pope at some time to come.
There is no other religious leader that has as much influence worldwide as a Pope.


Observing
Watching,, waiting.

[pcosmar]

Footage from the Laundries in Ireland right now. I don't know how much longer it will last.

http://asx.heanet.ie/oireachtas/dail_broadband.asx

Watching and listening,,
Sadly, they are speaking to an empty house.

This is all news to me,,will dig in to some research. From the little I gather from a quick search.. The horror one would expect from the State and political religion.

[AFPVet]

There is reference to the False Profit that will point to the Anti-Christ. Many have believed this to be some Pope at some time to come.
There is no other religious leader that has as much influence worldwide as a Pope.


Observing
Watching,, waiting.

That was my guess initially... it is interesting. Some say that the Pope is the most powerful man in the world.

[RockEnds]

Watching and listening,,
Sadly, they are speaking to an empty house.

This is all news to me,,will dig in to some research. From the little I gather from a quick search.. The horror one would expect from the State and political religion.

I've been aware of it for quite some time now. If you're just reading about it, it'll curl your hair. They were speaking to an empty house, but mostly what is being considered at this point is the apology and the degree of responsibility the Irish government should bear. The whole thing is sort of a major liability. I don't know if you heard the lady telling the story of the girl who was beaten for trying to escape then was never seen again. Here's a bit of back story on that sort of thing:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2013/0209/1224329820961.html


Restoring dignity to Magdalenes August 21st, 2003

Exactly 10 years ago, a firm of Dublin undertakers began a mass exhumation in Drumcondra. As far as they were concerned, the papers were all in order: 133 bodies were to be dug up and ferried to Glasnevin Cemetery, where they would be cremated. It was a small burial plot, with the graves unmarked except for a few plain black crosses. Not exactly a run-of-the-mill job for the undertakers, but not that unusual either. It was only when they discovered 22 additional bodies that alarm bells began ringing. This was a burial site for Magdalenes, women who had effectively been locked up for most of their lives, working for no wages in High Park convent, one of the largest and oldest Magdalene laundries in the country.

By the early 1990s, the laundry had closed and the nuns – the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of Refuge – were selling their land to housing developers. The nuns had gambled and lost on the stock exchange and needed cash. The snag was the graveyard for the Magdalene women who had died in their service was on the land they had sold. So the good sisters did a deal with the developers that each would pay half the cost to clear the land of the remains. To exhume a grave, you need an exhumation licence from the Department of the Environment. The nuns were granted such a licence for 133 bodies buried at the High Park plot. The list of names they provided to the department makes for interesting reading.

Twenty-three of the women are listed under the heading “quasi-religious name” – the nuns admitted that they did not know their real names. They called them Magdalene of St Cecilia, Magdalene of Lourdes, Magdalene of St Teresa and so on. Another woman had only a first name.The nuns told the department that as they had no names, death certificates for these 24 women could not be produced. The department raised no objection, despite the fact that some of the women had died as recently as the late 1960s. The nuns also said that there were no death certs for a further 34 women. These women at least had names. But the cause and date of death for most of them are listed as “not known”. Some of these women died as recently as the mid-1970s.

It is a criminal offence to fail to register a death that occurs on your premises. This is normally done by a relative. In the case of the Magdalene women, it was the legal duty of the nuns to register their deaths. It would appear that for at least 58 of these women, the nuns failed to do so. And then there were the additional 22 bodies discovered by the undertakers. All work on the graves had to cease immediately, as these remains were not covered by the exhumation licence. What the Department of the Environment then did beggars belief.

Rather than halting proceedings to investigate, they simply put through an additional licence to allow the nuns to remove all bodies from the graveyard. They didn’t even ask if anyone knew the identities of the extra 22. All but one of the bodies were cremated, destroying any possibility of future identifications. The nuns had been informed that the cost of reburying the remains intact would be considerable, and so they went for the cheaper option.

Until 20 years ago, cremation was forbidden by Catholic Church canon law. Even today it is frowned on as undesirable. Canon 1176 now “earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burial be retained”.

None of this cut much ice with the High Park nuns. Cremation proceeded smoothly, despite the fact that the State was fully aware that more than half the deaths of those exhumed had never been certified. The ashes were interred in a plot in Glasnevin. A headstone with a list of names now marks the grave. However, a comparison of the names and dates on that headstone and the list supplied by the nuns to the Department of the Environment is startling. Only 27 of the names and dates coincide.

So either the list of names given to the department to obtain the exhumation licence was substantially false, or the names on the Glasnevin gravestone bear little relation to the identities of those actually buried there.

Last Easter, I asked the nuns at High Park to explain all of this. They chose not to respond to any of the 19 detailed questions I put to them.

Instead, earlier this week, they issued a statement claiming that the exhumation was carried out in order to provide the women with a permanent resting place. Their concern to respect the dead Magdalene women is no doubt touching. But might perhaps the Minister for Justice be concerned enough to investigate so many unexplained and unregistered deaths? And who will care enough to restore to these women the dignity of their real names – something the nuns stripped ruthlessly from them in life?

It is surely the duty of the State to return some respect to these, its citizens, whom it deserted so comprehensively both in life and in death.

[Smart3]

There has never been a non-European Pope.

There has been several, although none of those were non-white. Popes Victor I, Miltiades and Gelasius I were "African" of Berber, Phoenician and Italian/Roman extraction. Mostly Berber.

What you should have said is there has never been a black Pope or even a minority Pope (a Pope from a country where Catholics are not the majority of Christians and of religious people)

None of the main contenders would be minority Popes.

[Confederate]

What you should have said is there has never been a black Pope or even a minority Pope (a Pope from a country where Catholics are not the majority of Christians and of religious people)

Germany.

No Religion: 34%
Protestant: 33%
Catholic: 30%
Islam: 4%

[Smart3]

Germany.

No Religion: 34%
Protestant: 33%
Catholic: 30%
Islam: 4%
Where'd you get those numbers?


Religion in Germany based on church membership (2008)

Roman Catholicism 29.9%
Protestantism 29.9%
Islam 4%
No religion 34.2%
Others 2%

Broken down into numbers, there are approximately 24.9 million Catholics, 24.5 million Protestants and another 0.5% belonging to other groups (Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, etc)

and for the record, none of the papabili are German right now. Benedict is from majority-Catholic Bavaria. So my point remains.

[Smart3]

Germany.

No Religion: 34%
Protestant: 33%
Catholic: 30%
Islam: 4%
Where'd you get those numbers?


Religion in Germany based on church membership (2008)

Roman Catholicism 29.9%
Protestantism 29.9%
Islam 4%
No religion 34.2%
Others 2%

Broken down into numbers, there are approximately 24.9 million Catholics, 24.5 million Protestants and another 0.5% belonging to other groups (Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, etc)

and for the record, none of the papabili are German right now. Benedict is from majority-Catholic Bavaria. So my point remains.

[anaconda]

Any pope historians out there? Does this mean that popes are often highly ineffective in their later frail years? Like, what happens when a pope has Alzheimer's, for example? Do they just keep him confined and away from the public? How would that work?

[J_White]

Is he going to join the rest of the Hitler youth in south america?



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/5314338/Dont-mention-the-Popes-Hitler-Youth-past-says-the-Vatican.html

http://arkcode.com/images/the_hitler_youth_pope_500x395.jpg

wtf ?

[Lucille]

Resignation of the Pope – Was it On Time?
http://armstrongeconomics.com/2013/02/11/resignation-of-the-pope-was-it-on-time/


I have been asked was this Resignation of the Pope in accordance with the cycles? Actually yes. 2013 was a Directional Change for the Papacy. It was 230 intervals of 8.6 years. If we take the excommunication of Martin Luther on January 3, 1521, the cycle hit also in 2011.208, The year 2013 was a Directional Change ideally due 2013.358 which is May 10-11th.

[Confederate]

O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of Your Church,
we thank you for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI
and the selfless care with which he has led us
as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth.

Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church
on the rock of Peter’s faith
and have never left Your flock untended,
look with love upon us now,
and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity.

Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us,
a new Pope for Your Church
who will please You by his holiness
and lead us faithfully to You,
who are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Amen.

[Confederate]

I thought this might interest TER to read:


Statement by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew At the Announcement of the Retirement of Benedict XVI, Pope of Rome (February 11, 2013)

It is with regret that we have learned of the decision by His Holiness Pope Benedict to retire from his Throne, because with his wisdom and experience he could have provided much more to the Church and the world.

Pope Benedict leaves an indelible mark on the life and history of the Roman Catholic Church, sealed not only by his brief papacy, but also by his broad and longstanding contribution as a theologian and hierarch of his Church, as well as his universally acknowledged prestige.

His writings will long speak of his deep theological understanding, through his knowledge of the Fathers of the undivided Church, his familiarity with contemporary reality, and his keen interest in the problems of humankind.

We Orthodox will always honor him as a friend of our Church and a faithful servant of the sacred proposition for the union of all. Moreover, we shall rejoice upon learning of his sound health and the productivity of his theological work.

Personally, we remember with emotion his visit to the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate over six years ago, together with the numerous encounters and excellent cooperation, which we enjoyed throughout the duration of his primatial ministry.

From the Phanar, we pray that the Lord will manifest his worthy successor as the head of the sister Church of Rome, and that we may also continue with this successor on our common journey toward the unity of all unto the glory of God.

Read more: http://vivificat1.blogspot.com/#ixzz2L78R5ujw

[fr33]

As an ex-catholic turned atheist it's not really any of my interests but I think Benedict is doing the right thing to resign before his health is gone. As Confederate pointed out earlier in the thread Benedict said years ago that he thinks Popes should do this. Some might think it's a conspiracy and maybe that will be proven but I think he just felt he was losing his health and should do the right thing.

Of course he should have done more to confront the child abuse topic. If the Vatican would militantly come out and do something about it, more people would respect the church.