I disagree with both your observations, CS.

Pope JP.II did play a direct role in the political turmoil of the 80s (For example; JohnPaul was instrumental in the Solidarnosk movement that eventually freed Poland, also he supported the Catholic Cardinal of the Philipines in his effort to overthrow the dictator Marcos).



Re Pope B.XVI, contrary to what you said, he showed much restraint infact, which actually surprised me. *

*Ben's nicknames of Panzer Kardinal and God's Rottweiler are history facts from his earlier years, which is why I halfway expected him to declare a HolyWar on the moslems over the murder of an officer of The Church. I guess this oldman is becoming less of an attackdog and more a GoldenRetriever in his old age.

Political turmoil in American politics...
(It would make sense for him to support Poland in any political move, but to involve himself so publically in a war which doesn't concern his own past; I could give many examples of Benedict's bad judgement since the indoctrination, John Paul not so much)

I wouldn't say Benedict is more reserved than John Paul was...

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"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." - Alexander Pope

JMS: Best graphic, ever.

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I gave myself to Jesus, but now he never calls.

doood, heres the deal: The spiritual leader of hundred of millions of Christians had asked the President of the USA.. to pls protect Christians in occupied Iraq.

Subsequently an Archbishop of The Church in Iraq was kidnapped and murdered. (on a personal note: if a Pope were to ever ask me for a favor, I'd go out of my way to get it done).


Anyhooo Seems like reason enough for the pope to "involve himself so publically in a war".

Sure, maybe it's just my personal belief that he should stick to matters of the clergy and not be stifled with a sermon such as this one. If he made a public speech I would agree with him more (which John Paul used to do for political messages - separate speeches or meetings outside church services). But to add this to a church doctrine in a homily? How are the priests in the US military supposed to relate this papal 'leadership' to their troops?

Also look into his views against Islam, I completely disagree with him there. He should be promoting good relations between faiths; this is another reason there is such hatred between Christians and Muslims, when the leaders of those preach messages of hate toward the other.

__________________
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." - Alexander Pope

Why? I wouldn't. And I don't want a president that takes orders from the pope. What you have to understand is that these protestants that make up the religious right have never liked the pope.

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Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness ~Thomas Paine

It wasn't an order. It was a request to protect Christians caught in a war.

and yes it's a given that the protestant religous right don't like the pope, in fact the rightwingnuts don't like a whole lotta people.

And now news from Planet Bizarro.. OBL threathens the Pope over a cartoon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7306002.stm








Yo Pope dude, just say the C-word and your Knight Defenders of Christ can set the world on fire again.. just like the old days.

The Vatican condemned Bill Clinton?

benedict is wrong and I know there will be a second crusade!!