87 Replies to “Let Me Fix That Headline For You”

  1. Oh, you bet! The coverage so far on the CBC (including, unsurprisingly, the very predictable Halifax outlet) has focused on the opinions of aging dissenters for whom the resignation has merely provided another opportunity to bang on to the media about women priests and sexual orientation. It’s not surprising; I don’t believe that there is a single, faithful Catholic in their Rolodex.

  2. You nailed it Kate. The nerve of him not bending to progressives, the same gang that ignores/tolerates Islamic extremist activity.

  3. I think it was over for this guy when the Church apologized to the mooselems after one of his speeches. That didn’t look good.
    Question on my mind is, what do you do with yourself after you’ve been the Pope? Hasn’t happened in 1500 years.

  4. Most people, including Catholics, are clueless when it comes to the Church and the Pope. They see things from their own, little — and I mean little — perspective and so, of course, are completely flummoxed when someone’s opinion — someone, by the way, with a much broader perspective — collides with theirs.
    They, unlike the Church, don’t have to pick up the minute pieces of people’s broken lives over and over again. The Church is like a wise parent who, because of his/her broader experience, often having led to heartbreak, tries to steer his/her child/ren around the shoals of human sin and foibles by establishing firm boundaries. And, like a loving, merciful parent whose child might, and quite likely will, breach those boundaries, the Church is there to pick the child up and put salve on his/her wounds. Countless millions of people around the world have this experience of the Church. I’m one of them.
    A plethora of women priests in various Protestant denominations has led to increasing permissiveness when it comes to morals and values and diminishing congregations, and abortions have left in ruins more than the lives of the children that are vacuumed out of their mother’s wombs.
    The Catholic Church, thank God, takes the long view — I’m talking centuries — and is far wiser and more merciful than its ignorant and willfully blind and arrogant detractors declare it to be. Pope Benedict XVI is also far wiser, merciful, kind, gentle, and generous than his assessment by his detractors. It is they who are bigots. It is they who are vindictive, ignorant, merciless, mean, harsh, and lacking in charity. Not him.
    God bless Pope Benedict and God bless the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

  6. As newly returned Catholic and one that is not terribly good, I still disagree with many of the teachings of the Church. I especially find it hard to take advice on sex and marriage from a man who has experienced neither. Still, it’s the Catholic Church that makes the rules and if I disagree then I must not take communion. And I don’t. As for homosexuality, I don’t know. I have gay friends and I don’t think all gays are trying to destroy morality as we know it, though certainly some are. All in all, my opinions are my own and I cannot expect the Church to bend to my will. It doesn’t work that way. I certainly don’t want the Catholic Church to go the way of the United Church, or ***ickkkkk*** the Unitarians!
    As for the Pope, I am happy that the last few have seen the worst in humanity and so were prepared to stand against it. One Pope fought communism and another saw first hand as a child the Nazi atrocities. Whither the next generation of leaders and will they stand for anything?

  7. You call this a hit piece?
    All I read here was how people all over Europe with the sense to know better (including the German government, led by the daughter of a Protestant minister) were gobsmacked he’s going so soon and how they hardly knew him. For heaven’s sake, do you think if they were doing a hit piece they’d quote his own brother?
    Even the stuff on sex was an afterthought—and the BBC doesn’t care what Protestants or Jews think of anything, never mind the Pope. The BBC of the Britain bequeathed by Tony Blair, convert to the Church of Rome at the urging of his Taig wife, crawls before the Vatican to an extent only matched by their fawning to Mecca, thanks in large part to the huge delegation of Taig emigrés (who managed to escape the Bogside but never managed to leave) working alongside the Pakistanis at Broadcasting House.
    Wait till the Reverend Ian Paisley goes to his reward. Then you’ll see the knives come out at the BBC.

  8. Yes, batb, you’re right.
    There is one true church: catholic in that it is universal.
    But, it’s home isn’t in Rome.

  9. He, at least, knows something of the history of Europe and Christianity and understands the threat posed by the 3rd Jihad.
    They’ll need to find someone else with his level of wisdom, to meet the current challenges to Christendom and Western Civilization.

  10. “….and abortions have left in ruins more than the lives of the children that are vacuumed out of their mother’s wombs.”
    Not so fast batb. Those abortions where in many cases made legal by the actions of *Catholic* politicians, and the *Catholic* church *happily* let those same politicians remain in the church.
    The Catholic Church is just the religious wing of liberalism, and when it comes to money and power the Catholic Church will forgive just about anything.

  11. Amen!
    The Amazing thing Batb is that Pope Benedict XVI would never put it quite as harshly as I would. The soft touch comes with wisdom.
    I pray for him and I pray for the wisdom of the Cardinals replacing him.

  12. As you see Batb, they come out of the woodwork as soon as the Church makes a move in any direction. She is like a mountain and the rubble and rabble around Her base, skitter to and fro, trying to re-establish their relevance in proximity to Her. How sad! Bella premunt hostilia!

  13. Taig is a derogatory term for an Irish Catholic. It is mainly used by sectarian loyalists in Northern Ireland and Scotland. (Source: Wikipedia)
    Dick, your rant reminded me of a blast I heard from a tourist and his wife in Thailand in 1992 — he argued that Irish Catholics were no more than monkeys. I was dumbfounded by the bigotry. He seemed to assume that I was not a Catholic, I still wonder what characteristic I held that lifted me above the monkeys?

  14. Does this mean fewer Somalis coming to North America? You can’t expect the Lutherans to pick up the slack if the true Church cuts back on its efforts to spread Islam among us.

  15. Well said !! Batb. God Bless this good and humble man. The last year or so has seen him go downhill alot. It is said that his election to the Papacy was the Cardinals rewarding him for his undying devotion to John Paul II. It is amazing to me the long long succession of Popes who have served well into their old age – John Paul I notwithstanding – and still had their witts about them (I was going to say marbles but……) Benedict was the 6th Pope in my lifetime and I am 63.
    Speaking of John Paul I, I believe that he was murdered by members of the Curia. I invite you to read the book “In God’s Name” subtitled “The Murder of John Paul I”.

  16. Maybe this isn’t the time or place, but why do always hear about “Catholics”, instead of “Roman Catholics”, which is the sect headed by Mr. Ratzinger. By definition, most (not all) Christians are members of the “Holy Catholic Church”. Many of those people do not identify at all with the papacy. Some even find their teachings offensive.
    Also, why is Roman Catholicism called “the Church”? This is still more parochialism and not fair or accurate.
    Lastly, why is it (rightly) considered unacceptable when Muslims want to force their religious world view on our society, but when commenters above want to do the same [homsexuality, abortion, equal rights for women, etc.] nobody has the guts to call them on it?
    OK, rant over. And I do agree that the outgoing pope is getting a bit of an unfair ride in the media.

  17. Dick,
    Oh happy days, I once had a serious relationship with a Belfast Girl, and in a life of loves she figures large, and she could sing, and as the nights grew longer and the drink stronger we’d end up in bars with her and her girl friends singing louder and louder and eventually of course the lyrics would end up with the marching songs.
    And then of course we’d have to back out the door defending our women.
    Absolutely no sense of propriety. 8^) But she’ll always be my Belfast Girl.

  18. My mother always said that if you have nothing good to say… I will say this much: Michael Coren will not be a happy man soon. I expect there will be many innovations to come as the church lurches into the 20th century. Ratzinger stood in the way of the innovators and now that he is going the floodgates will open. I feel for my catholic friends that are about to lose their church, much as the Anglicans have.

  19. I am not a Roman Catholic although in large part my Church tradition traces back through the Roman Catholic Church. Yes folks we Anabaptist come from the Western (Roman Catholic) Christian tradition even though we have discarded many of the teachings of the RC Church that we understand to be heresy. That being said I must say that I stand in unanimity with the RC Church regarding women priests, gays, divorce and remarriage etc. A doctrine that changes like the flavor of the month is not much of a doctrine. Of this Pope I would say that he has been attacked by the progressives because he is conservative and because he doesn’t have the defense (street appeal) of his predecessor. Personally I am sad to see him leave office since I believe strongly in the wisdom of the aged in guiding us forward. However he has made that decision while in strong mind and I respect his decision. I am certain that who ever replaces him will carry on the work that began 2000 years ago just as we Evangelical pastors continue the work set before us. God Speed Pope Benedict XVI, God Speed.

  20. Roman Catholicism, Islam, Scientology, Homosexuality, are all examples of extremist religions with very little relevance to anyone but the zealously devoted.
    I’m a spiritual Christian, and I don’t ascribe to any of the religion businesses. My spirituality is between me and God, and I don’t need some self-proclaimed priest telling me how to believe.

  21. Are we surprised yet again” Every good useful dupe of global socialism must show contempt for the Church, Christian faith and faith based worship of supernatural deity – it’s all part of the moral confusion and substitution of political dogma for moral dogma that has been a major part of the culture war.
    Re-read the socialist manifesto, there’s their road map right there whith few changes.

  23. Let’s not forget one of he biggest, and most unforgivable acts this Pope committed, in the eyes of the left: He had a VERY public audience with George W Bush, making very clear his approval of America. His refusal to condemn America, simply turned the left inside out, and for that reason he has the undying compliment of their undying hatred.

  24. Well said Joe. Some of the nit picking reminds me of a line in Dr. Zhivago when the drunken lawyer’s help is spurned by Zhivago and Larissa and says, “We are all made of the same clay you know”.
    Those that believe in Christ are all Catholics, and some are Roman Catholics, some are Orthodox Catholics, some are Protestant…you know what I mean.
    I thought, after all the well wishes and prayers expressed yesterday for Revnant Dream’s recovery, that, other than the trolls pushing their Marxism, the love for liberty was the uniting factor here. But occasionally faith divisions surface. It is unbecoming for those who believe in freedom of the individual.
    Maybe we should return to the unofficial military mess rules of no discussion about women, politics and religion. To be honest we frequently violated the rule against discussing the first of these, the other two much less frequently.

  25. Maybe we should return to the unofficial military mess rules of no discussion about women, politics and religion.
    I 2nd that !!!

  27. Heard a bit of a CBC radio report talking about the Pope and the start of appointing a new one. Damn broad verbally went out of her way to mention that the Cardinals were strictly male. Geeesh!
    If nothing else this unusual decision will have the media spotlight for a while and hopefully have some of the public to reflect on their own faith, religion or lack thereof. No doubt the lawyers at the Vatican are digging into the details of such an event. Last one was over 600 years ago. Questions about a retired pope are many. how would you address a living former pope? Does he go back to being a Bishop or all the way back to being Father Ratzinger? Does he still get to use the Popemobile?

  28. Benedict XVI is enough to make a tribal Anglican convert to Catholicism!
    The great virtue of Roman Catholicism is that it so rarely changes.
    Even better, of course, is the Orthodox church, which never changes –
    well, not since the 9th Century, and the little foofarah when Patriarch
    Nikon brought Russian Orthodoxy into closer conformity with Greek Orthodoxy.

  29. Texas Canuck wrote:
    “Questions about a retired pope are many. how would you address a living former pope? Does he go back to being a Bishop or all the way back to being Father Ratzinger? Does he still get to use the Popemobile?”
    Who knows but one thing is for certain: He will be around and seen for no other reason than to drive Big Dick Slater nuttier than he displays on this blog for us on a daily business.

  30. What gives me pause to question is Pope Benedict was a full blown AGW alarmist, and the Catholic Church seems to very much want to be in bed with the UN, Al Gore, David Suzuki and Mo Strong.
    As the wheels were falling off the AGW bandwagon, Pope Benedict and the Catholic Church doubled down on supporting it.

  31. Those abortions where in many cases made legal by the actions of *Catholic* politicians, and the *Catholic* church *happily* let those same politicians remain in the church.
    Not many institutions have the courage of their convictions. Anyway, a church isn’t bricks and mortar, or an institution.
    Not much of a Rock. Unless one means Peter, (Petros in the Greek), which means a ‘stone, loose and movable’
    1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same supernatural drink: (for they were drinking of that supernatural Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ
    Aside from that, the man professes Christ, it’s not up to anyone to judge. By their actions we shall know them.

  32. Damn…I love that guy!
    A towering intellect amongst a veritable sea of flotsam and jetsam.
    Pope Benny is a guy who ‘shows up’ for the game.
    I’ll take bets that he’s got a few more good books in him; before the Almighty ‘punches his ticket’ for the ride home.
    Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
    8 The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures for ever.
    Cheers
    Hans Rupprecht, Commander in Chief
    1st Saint Nicolaas Army
    Army Group “True North”

  33. For very selfish reasons, I’m glad he’s leaving.
    I’m announcing my candidacy as the first Protestant Pope.
    Almost 500 years years since Martin Luther nailed up his 95 Theses and not one Protestant arse on the throne in St. Peters. I mean, it’s blatant discrimination!
    And I’m warning the College of Cardinals, if I don’t get a fair shot at this, I’ll have their prejudiced papist arses in front of Jennifer Lynch and Barb Hall so fast that it will make their heads spin!

  34. I’m announcing my candidacy as the first Protestant Pope.
    Heh, we don’t need a Protestant pope We have the Defender of the Faith, Queen Elizabeth II. No edicts from on high, like the mooslums.

  35. Whatever one thinks about the historical relations between Roman Catholics and Protestants in this country, I don’t think it helps very much to speak of either one or the other in derogatory terms.
    The current Pope has decided, rightly, in my opinion, that his interregnum has come to an end — and I congratulate him for his insight and for his service.
    While I liked Pope John Paul II, I was never really comfortable with him: I`d like to see a campaigning Pope — one that you can can clearly agree with, or clearly disagree with — as a matter of principle.

  36. “Still, it’s the Catholic Church that makes the rules and if I disagree then I must not take communion.”
    No its not the Catholic church that makes the rules, they come from the bible and Christ himself.Homosexuality is a sin against god and man, there are a few verses outlining this.
    Christ did speak out on the some, of the old testaments, but it seems he was quiet on this issue.Even his apostles ones closest to him spoke out on this.The church is not a club or even a democracy, it has a written word that it needs to follow.The current catholic bible is Identical to the Latin Vulgate version, the 1st known bible unchanged.Unlike other commonly used bibles that use “revisions” to better suit modern ideas.

  37. “…Heh, we don’t need a Protestant pope We have the Defender of the Faith, Queen Elizabeth II…”
    Nawww, she’s running cover for the Anglicans only…and I think Suzuki takes care of the UC of Canada crowd.
    Nope, a Protestant Pope is long overdue.

  38. I grew up in a large family of Irish/Italian Catholic background. A couple of years back I attended a funeral for my sister-in-law’s mother.
    The officiating Priest was great and at the luncheon following, I introduced myself to say thank you when a young lad came up and addressed him as ‘Dad’. Needless to say I was ‘dazed and confused’ until he explained to me that he was originally an Anglican priest, married with two children.
    He had been increasingly dismayed at the changes in the Anglican church, feeling that it no longer reflected his religious conviction and beliefs. He converted to Catholicism and applied to be accepted as a Catholic Priest and was accepted.
    What drew him to the Catholic Church was it’s bedrock and immutable foundations – those same beliefs that are constantly under attack as being so last century by progressives. As has often been said, when you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.
    I’ve noted that missionary work by the Church is now represented by Priests from Africa and Latin America leading parishes throughout Canada, Europe and the U.S.A. Who’d a thunk it?

  39. North – what would you have us discuss on this particular subject if not religion? Hello???

  40. Whatever one thinks about the historical relations between Roman Catholics and Protestants in this country, I don’t think it helps very much to speak of either one or the other in derogatory terms.
    Heh, the translators of the 1611 KJV didn’t seem to feel that way in their Letter to the Reader…
    http://www.theseason.org/this.htm
    Now the Church of Rome would seem at the length to bear a motherly affection towards her children, and to allow them the Scriptures in their mother tongue: but indeed it is a gift, not deserving to be called a gift, an unprofitable gift: [Sophecles] they must first get a licence in writing before they may use them, and to get that, they must approve themselves to their Confessor, that is, to be such as are, if not frozen in the dregs, yet soured with the leaven of their superstition.

  41. Respectfully Peter it is the Roman Catholic Church that makes the rules regarding communion in the RC Church. As a Bible believing Evangelical Anabaptist Christian who makes every effort to maintain Christian principles I can not partake in Communion in a RC Church because I don’t accept all of the RC Church’s teachings. I don’t hold anything against the RC Church for this practice since I have similar standards and don’t allow Roman Catholics to partake in the Communions I officiate unless they are Born Again and Baptized as an adult. Nothing personal and no disrespect intended.

  42. TJ, you’re wrong. Trudeau, Turner, Chretien, Martin, Mulroney et al. are just plain bad Catholic Christians.
    Sure, there are very bad Catholics who are politicians and liberal-leaning Catholic clerics who are bad theologians, but the Catholic Church in no way is the religious wing of liberalism. For you to say that, sadly, demonstrates your ignorance of the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church.

  43. I nearly always agree with you, Ken, and still do!
    However, as a woman and as a Roman Catholic (convert: long and wonderful and miraculous story), I can’t agree with your saying “Maybe we should return to the unofficial military mess rules of no discussion about women, politics and religion.” I haven’t seen any nastiness here, discussing faith or women, just disagreement, and what’s wrong with that? I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, but I do expect to be able to express my opinion, considered I hope, on sex, politics, and religion.
    As Catherine de Hueck Doherty, former Russian Baroness and founder of Madonna House, said to me once (may she rest in peace}: No wonder you North Americans all end up seeing shrinks. You can’t talk about sex, you can’t talk about religion, and you can’t talk about politics: What else is there to talk about?
    I’m with her. And with the Irish lasses — got lots of that blood in me too — who sing loudly and close the pubs! 😉

  44. And, like a loving, merciful parent whose child might, and quite likely will, breach those boundaries, the Church is there to pick the child up and put salve on his/her wounds.
    And then perhaps molest them.
    All of Christianity is bad, but the Cult of Rome is one of the worst of its sects. In addition to being corrupt and deceitful over child molestation, Catholic teachings are a bulkhead for the Latin American left. It’s basically socialism by cross.

  45. I probably should have referenced the Roman Catholic Church in my comment rather than simply referring to “the Catholic Church” for, as gellen points out, “catholic” means universal, an umbrella under which all Christian churches belong.
    As for women as priests and permissiveness, I’m not referring to women in ministry in the Christian Church, which I strongly support. There are many eggs in the ministry basket other than priestly ministry eggs which churches with a high preponderance of female priests seem to forget — or not want to acknowledge. By virtue of my baptism, for instance, I am part of the Royal Priesthood of the people. I am just not a member of the ordained priesthood ~ and nor do I feel called to be, nor the need to be, in order to minister in Christ’s Church.

  46. Dick, the Pope- whoever the successor of Saint Peter (himself chosen by Christ) is- will always be more important than someone like Paisley. When Paisley converts to Catholicism, THEN you will see your proverbial knives.

  47. Well batb, the theory is we were supposed to fight the enemy, not each other, and those three topics are bound to lead to a disagreement. A disagreement in the mess along with a little imbibing in a barley sandwich or the nectar of the gods as an accelerate in the past led to duels. Besides that would leave a mess for the custodian to take care of. 😉

  48. I’m sorry, LAS, your lack of facts of real life in the Roman Catholic Church is showing like a tattered petticoat that’s too long for the dress. Do remember: The Church isn’t a museum for saints, it’s a hospital for sinners. Given that the Church here on earth is full of human beings, you’re sadly going to see every sin in the book, but also the most generous, giving, warm-hearted, and loving human beings as well. You can’t have one without the other — and that’s a fact of fallen human nature.

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