359. The Thorns in Pope Benedict’s Crown
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| The Thorns in Pope Benedict's Crown |
Agreed, as
Pope Benedict has said, he is making way for another pope because he has not
the energy to do the job as well as he would like to. The problems that age
brings upon each one of us are only too well known and agreed, at a certain
point you just need to step aside. This is what Pope Benedict has done and he
is the first to have done so for centuries and some Catholics are simply not
used to seeing popes retire, but I for one hope each and every pope in the
future will consider stepping aside when the time comes.
Nevertheless,
I couldn't help noticing that since February 11th when he said he
was stepping aside as Pope on the 28th of February, he seemed to
have rejuvenated, even become more vigorous again, maybe it’s just my idea, but
the thought of making a mess at the youth world meeting in Brazil next year was
not the only reason for stepping aside… I am convinced that the thorns placed
in Pope’s Benedict’s Crown also had their weight.
Maybe, even
without knowing it, each one of us was a thorn in his crown, however, the ones
that are plain in view are herewith listed below- which isn’t by any means an
exhaustive list- you can add your own, if you wish.
- The burning of Catholics/Christians by Muslims in Arab countries, Syria, Pakistan, Punjab, Africa...
- The persecution, imprisonment, torture and death of Catholics by countries like China, Syria, Pakistan, Punjab, Africa...
- The penalization of Catholics in Britain
- Pedophile priests
- The Society of Pious X and Co.
- The misunderstanding of the Jews
- Accusations of Nazism
- The divisions and resistance of the Curia, Roman and otherwise, to reform
- The emptying of Canadian churches
- The rebellion of American nuns
- The need for reviewing questions on divorced Catholics, contraception, abortion
- The demand for women priest, and married clergy
- The financial self-interest of native Catholic clergy in Africa
- Certain maneuvers of the Vatican Banks
- Vatileaks and the betrayal of personal staff
- The burial of a Mafia Boss in Vatican grounds
- The emptying of moral and spiritual values
- The inability of bringing to fulfillment the Spirit of Vatican II
- P.S. Maybe Pope Benedict just didn't want others to take advantage of his weakened physical condition and allow them to take the upperhand... as happened in the past.
