Re: Let's save THAT debate for another day... lol
 

Now soror, you *know* that you're trying to have people hunting you down right? LOL Proceed with caution...LOL :D

While St. Maurice may be given a more presigous place in the Eastern Orthodox context I don't see why the NBC left him of the list... after all he is a pretty important saint in the scheme of things (come on the guy is one of Austria's parton saints)..

Although I do find it interesting that he is depicted as 'white' more often than not by the artists... I guess it is a early case of "white-washing".

Quick bio:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintm32.htm


Back to the topic at hand... I think that Cardinal Francis Arinze is a top contender for the Papacy - he is a "peace-maker", having been appointed as the laison for Vatican dealings with other religions; he was a confidant of JP2; he was a strong supporter of JP2's policies and doctrines (even helped write up a few); and finally he'd help strengthen the growth of the Chruch in Africa.

I'm suprised at the open talk of creating term limits on the papacy. While we all realize the political aspect of the conclave, the throne of peter is supposed to be occupied by God's rep on earth. You face the possibility of a major schism if one were to retire and a new one elected. After all, who is to say the first retired of his own accord? Then who can speak ex cathedra? I'd be floored if it ever happened.

The positive aspect of a African pope would be the ability to create more adherence in Africa to major tenents of the Church.

Let me begin this by saying that I don't want to engage in any type of debate about Catholicism and don't mean to disrepect the Catholic faith or followers of the faith in any way.

I've been tripping a bit over the attention that the Pope has received and the coverage in the news. I saw people literally sleeping for days in front of his residence when he was ill and then the swarms of followers after is death.

Here's my issue....I have an issue with worshipping a MAN (or woman, or whatever you want to call it). To my knowledge there is nothing biblical about the term Pope. Please correct me if I am wrong. However, the terms Pope and Cardinal are terms and offices created by MAN. It's not BIBLE. The only recognized individuals in the church are Pastors and Deacons. I can find the scripture if I need to.

Now I would cry if something happened to my Pastor. I am saddened by the Pope's death, but I know of people who have been unable to WORK because of it.

Again, forgive me if I have been unsensitive to Catholicism. I spent Preschool thru 8th grade is a Catholic school, so I understand some of the traditions. I am a Christian and have been raised in the Baptist faith.

Thanks for the links, RA! Another history geek here too.
:p

Biblically speaking the foundation of the Papal office comes from the "That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21) - which is inscribed in Latin above the enterance to St. Peter's Basilica (which you now have a great chance of seeing on TV).

Now the Pope is actually the Bishop of Rome, the "Holy See" or primary church of the Roman Catholic Church... the term Pope is taken from the Ecclesiastical Latin (derived from both Classical Latin and Greek) ipapas meaning Father; hence the Pope being the Father of the Church, in the patriarichal sense.

Ok, I just got the correct age that a cardinal has to step down from running an archdiocese is 80. So the cardinal that we had here stepped down and a new one was appointed that now gets to go to Vatican to vote, I know our old cardinal is like damn I missed this by a few months.

Prayerful, I'm Catholic and believe that most people are mourning the death of the Head of the Church. They are not worshipping the Pope. As Catholic, we don't worship people. In the Catholic religion our belief is that Pope is infallible and is the representative of our faith on earth.

Everything nowadays is blown out of the proportion in the media. This is a big deal because he's been Pope for so long. Most popes last an average of like 10 years. He's been so influential because he's been in the role for so long.

Hero worship is reserved for people who think Elvis is still alive LOL!

Someone else made a comment about the Pope retiring. Papal authority is a LIFETIME GIG. It's not over till you take your last breath.

There's never going to be an American pope because the Catholics over here aren't holy enough (I say that in all seriousness)

Good post. ITA.

And I DEFINITELY agree that there will never be an American pope. Catholics here don't adhere to the teachings of the church like we should. We allow things of the world to overshadow the Church's teachings. I can say that I am guilty of this at times, but I am praying and striving to be a better Catholic. Pope John Paul II set a wonderful example of showing us that his faith was still solid through all of his public suffering. The next pope will have a tough act to follow....

Breaking News: A new Pope has been elected. Who is he?

I'm watching it on line. the NBC website.

Joseph Ratzinger

Pope Benedict XVI....the new guy is from Germany

George W. Bush Elected Pope ... Cardinals Stunned!

Reported by Monsignor Guido Sarducci

The almost 120 Cardinals from around the world that gathered to choose
a successor in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel were stunned and expressed
amazement.

Cardinal Mohoney the Vatican spokesperson had this to say...

"We in the conclave are all shocked. We cast our votes using these new
electronic voting machines. The results overwhelmingly favored George
W. Bush over all the Catholic candidates. The last Pope, John Paul,
was a superb linguist, fluently speaking 11 languages; this one can't
speak fluently in one language. We just don't know what to say."

The White House has announced that Dick Cheney will assume command as
President of the world tomorrow morning, when "W' travels to Rome to
begin his duties as Pope.

George W. Bush had this to say moments ago as he spoke from the Rose
Garden:

"I am honoured to be the spiritual lighthouse, and the first War Pope.
I promise Evangelical Catho-licks and Prostates alike that I will be
embodied in salvation and fair in the performance of my duties.

I am a Unitifier, not a Divide-a-cater. I am obliged to try to save as
many lost souls as I can, at least the Devout Wealthy Elite Souls, as
it is well known that Heaven is a very select place, indeed, it is
more exclusive than even the best of country clubs. It is a members
only heaven. I may have to put a fence around it.

I will perform miracles in a fair and balanced manner. Just as God
used to wipe out entire races of people without warning, burning whole
towns of perverts, killing off entire nations, and drowning everybody
without a ticket to board Noah's Ark, I shall deliver the world from
Evil Empires as I unleash the Apocalypse Wrath of Revelations.

I will ensure the Rapture and the Reunion with our beloved deceased
family members and with our departed purebred pets. I will not allow
those awful Liberal Sissy Homosapiens to marry each other and I will
put and end to the Clergy marrying Choirboys.

I will lead the Crusades against all them towel-headed heathens-
possessed voodoo-hoodoo barbarians who's Pseudo-religions that don't
accept the Lord as the Light of Democracy, and who worship fake,
madeup gods.

They shall suffer my Godly Conservative Wrath and I will Destroy them
with my Cherubic Armies of Angels and they shall burn for eternity in
Hell, because Me and God don't take no prisoners!"

I'm just trying to figure out why they picked this particular Pope because he's just about as old as the one who passed.:confused: