Time for a better Pope
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- Published on Tuesday, 12 February 2013 06:57
- Written by John Draper
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Why should I care? Because contrary to reason, as many as 1 to 2 billion people accept what their pope says as factual. So if he says "never any abortions" or "Priest abusers should be simply moved", that's what Catholics do. But isn't a Pope by definition "good"? Well no, he's just a man - never a woman - and just like Jesus Christ, quite fallible and a product of his time and upbringing. But was Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) better or worse than others? There were certainly worse Popes - many in the middle ages and earlier were barbarous murderers and even Pius XII is thought to have been less than outspoken against Nazi atrocities. But Ratzinger was no saint; let's look at his record as reported on Cobourg Atheist.
- June 25, 2012 Priest Takes Rap for Pope in Philadelphia. Ratzinger commanded that priests be protected and when one of the abusers was in court, it was not the CEO of the Church that took the blame but a local bishop taking orders.
- May 12, 2012 Catholic Nuns show leadership The Pope is always preaching Social Justice but it turns out he means - "only if a dogma does not get in the way". It's not high priority. Some nuns thought that looking after the poor and underprivileged should not be barred if they sinned - much like their inspiration (Jesus) preached. That got them in shit.
- Sept 1, 2011 Catholic Priests in Revolt - many priests think the Pope is plain wrong on issues to do with women, celibacy, autocratic Church governance, equality of all people. In particular, groups in Ireland and Austria have spoken out and been told to toe the line by Ratzinger.
- Sept 23, 2010 The Catholic Church and Devils Pope Benedict blamed the devil for the problems the Church is having with abuse of children by priests. He's refusing to accept responsibility.
- June 20, 2010 The Pope should be fired More on blaming the devil and Pope Benedict's incompetence
- March 15, 2010 Hitchens Blasts the Pope Christopher Hitchens writes factual and scathing comments about Ratzinger.
Bottom line, Pope Benedict XVI, who grew up as Joseph Ratzinger, has been the top man - CEO if you will - of the Catholic Church over the last eight years. Many Catholics have given up on their faith - especially those aware of what's happening in the world (westerners) . He has not stopped the abuse by priests; he has made no changes that would make a difference - no change in celibacy, no "zero tolerance" policy worldwide, no guidelines of caring for victims first, no female priests let alone bishops or Cardinals. In addition, although he has apologised for the participation of priests in the Rwanda massacre, he has done little to bring them to justice. He has made it clear that the Church is run by his orders - no consensus, no democracy, no accepting of input or feedback. Unlike Pope John XXIII, he was a step backwards into the 19th century or earlier.
We can only hope for a better one next time - not an Italian but also NOT an African. The bishops in Africa seem to be more conservative (read, still in the 18th century) and want the kind of autocracy that Ratzinger thrived on.
Someone pointed out in another discussion (Andy-Canadian Humanists Association) that the pope's uncompromising stand on issues such as gays and women in the church, covering up for pedophile priests etc. had done more to damage the catholic religion than all the efforts of the humanist and atheist associations. Maybe we should hope that the cardinal will elect a similar person.