The Pope's Easter Message

[LakeAriel]

Pope decries 'slaughter' in Iraq

The Pope said there was still much suffering in the world
Pope Benedict XVI has lamented that "nothing positive comes from Iraq", in his Easter message in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.
In a live televised address, the pontiff said Iraq was being "torn apart by continual slaughter".

Pope Benedict also voiced worry over continuing violence and human suffering in parts of Asia and Africa.

Earlier the pontiff led Easter Sunday Mass before tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered in the square.

Easter Sunday is the holiest day in the Christian calendar, marking the Resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion on Good Friday.

'Signs of hope'

Speaking from the balcony overlooking the square, Pope Benedict expressed his concern at the level of suffering in the world.

"Nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civil population flees," he said.

Peace is sorely needed

Pope Benedict XVI


Easter in pictures
His remarks came hours after at least 15 people were killed in an explosion in Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad, in the latest violence in Iraq.

But the Pope noted "some signs of hope" in the Middle East in what he called "the dialogue" between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Talks between the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have continued despite Israel's boycott of the recently formed Palestinian government of national unity, because it contains the militant Hamas group.

The Pope also expressed fears about the political future of Lebanon, which he said was in serious jeopardy.

'Faces of violence'

The pontiff spoke of the faith of Christians in the risen Christ but he also painted a very sombre picture of a world disfigured by war and terrorism.

He condemned terrorism and the use of religion to justify a "thousand faces of violence".

"Peace is sorely needed," he said.

The Pope said he also looked with apprehension at conditions prevailing in several parts of Africa, including the "catastrophic" humanitarian disaster in Darfur, violence and looting in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the "grievous crisis" in Zimbabwe.
For entire article..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6536773.stm

 

[NELSON]

While Christians around the world gathered for so-called “Good Friday” observances, an intelligence analyst studying primary source documents challenged the “irrational exuberance of the true believers,” and said his research to date indicates things did not go according to plan.

“At this point, you have a leader in whom a lot of people had placed their hopes, who failed miserably,” said the unnamed source who is in the process of translating and exploiting the documents. “There’s no progress — no movement at all. It’s a classic case of a bad plan, poorly executed. A rational person would ask, ‘What’s so good about it?’”

The source said that “while fanatics encourage taking a longer term hopeful view of the situation, and try to position the conflict as an epic struggle between good and evil in which good ultimately triumphs, the immediate reality on the ground shows the enemy has won, the plan lies in ruin and the way forward is blocked by an immovable obstacle. Any way you look at it, it’s a dark day.”

“You can call it Good Friday if you wish,” he said, “but that’s just spin. I can’t say it any clearer, ‘It is finished.’”

 

[LakeAriel]

While Christians around the world gathered for so-called “Good Friday” observances, an intelligence analyst studying primary source documents challenged the “irrational exuberance of the true believers,” and said his research to date indicates things did not go according to plan.

“At this point, you have a leader in whom a lot of people had placed their hopes, who failed miserably,” said the unnamed source who is in the process of translating and exploiting the documents. “There’s no progress — no movement at all. It’s a classic case of a bad plan, poorly executed. A rational person would ask, ‘What’s so good about it?’”

The source said that “while fanatics encourage taking a longer term hopeful view of the situation, and try to position the conflict as an epic struggle between good and evil in which good ultimately triumphs, the immediate reality on the ground shows the enemy has won, the plan lies in ruin and the way forward is blocked by an immovable obstacle. Any way you look at it, it’s a dark day.”

“You can call it Good Friday if you wish,” he said, “but that’s just spin. I can’t say it any clearer, ‘It is finished.’”

 

[Free4Life11]

I'm with you...

I'm not Catholic, not do I think the Pope is any closer to God than I can be, but he has a good message.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

When you cut and paste all of your posts from satirical Conservative websites, as Nelson does, they don't exactly always fit in with the topic of the thread, hence the confusion (see here: Intelligence Analyst Challenges Good Friday 'Spin' by Scott Ott
http://www.scrappleface.com/?p=2562). Mugg Man brought this up on another thread, and I though we all understood it...guess not...

 

[LakeAriel]

I am Catholic, but agree you/I can be as close to God as the Pope, as can any human being on Earth, by deeds.
I thought I would share his "message of peace" with the Dis'ers, of all religions or even lack of organized religion. One thing is certain, he is a man of God and certainly as well informed of current events then anyone.

Happy Easter....

 

[LakeAriel]

When you cut and paste all of your posts from satirical Conservative websites, as Nelson does, they don't exactly always fit in with the topic of the thread, hence the confusion (see here: Intelligence Analyst Challenges Good Friday 'Spin' by Scott Ott
http://www.scrappleface.com/?p=2562). Mugg Man brought this up on another thread, and I though we all understood it...guess not...

Whoa...As much as I cringe at his posts, I didn't know they were copied and pasted! Thanks, it certainly does explain why there is usually no relevance.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Pope John Paul II was also against the Iraq war and spoke out against it strenuously before his death. The Pope's Easter message is traditionally a "letter to the world" and the Pope always mentions world events at that time.

The objection to this war is part of a wider condemnation of what Pope John Paul II named "The Culture of Death" which includes abortion, the death penalty, euthanasia and unjust wars. I notice that the Pope did not mention Afgahanistan, which probably means that the military action there is considered "just" in light of the 9-11 attacks.

I hope that Pope Benedict continues to speak out against the war, the genocide in Darfur and the other unjust situations that exist in the world. However, world leaders (not just our President, but all of them) seem to pay little attention to his words.

 

[LakeAriel]

Pope John Paul II was also against the Iraq

I hope that Pope Benedict continues to speak out against the war, the genocide in Darfur and the other unjust situations that exist in the world. However, world leaders (not just our President, but all of them) seem to pay little attention to his words.

I agree they should all pay attention, but those who claim to believe in the Ten commandments or call themselves Christian, I would expect to pay more attention to his words.

 

[Pigeon]

I agree they should all pay attention, but those who claim to believe in the Ten commandments or call themselves Christian, I would expect to pay more attention to his words.

Please, the pope does not speak for all Christians. Not by a long shot.

 

[LakeAriel]

Please, the pope does not speak for all Christians. Not by a long shot.

No one said he is speaking for you...He is decrying the violence in Iraq. There is no dispute about the horrors taking place there now. Except by the likes of Bush, Cheney and a few other dreamers.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I agree they should all pay attention, but those who claim to believe in the Ten commandments or call themselves Christian, I would expect to pay more attention to his words.

There are a great many Christians who do not consider Catholics fellow Christians-so it stands to reason that they would pay little attention to him. Many of those denominations are the ones most solidly backing the war.

 

[dcentity2000]

I noticed this.

Just out of curiosity, isn't there a Catholic law that says that the Pope is infallible? I'm incredibly ignorant in this area.



Rich::

 

[Fitswimmer]

I noticed this.

Just out of curiosity, isn't there a Catholic law that says that the Pope is infallible? I'm incredibly ignorant in this area.



Rich::

The Pope can only speak infallibly on matters of faith and morals, and even then there are specific conditions that must be met. The Latin term is ex cathedra, or From the Chair of Peter. This is a VERY rare occurance and I believe the last time the Pope spoke Ex Cathedra was when the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary was pronounced in the 1950's.

Long answer, but it explains why Catholics can and do disagree with the Pope on issues like Birth Control, the War or Abortion without feeling like they have to leave the Church.

 

[dcentity2000]

The Pope can only speak infallibly on matters of faith and morals, and even then there are specific conditions that must be met. The Latin term is ex cathedra, or From the Chair of Peter. This is a VERY rare occurance and I believe the last time the Pope spoke Ex Cathedra was when the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary was pronounced in the 1950's.

Long answer, but it explains why Catholics can and do disagree with the Pope on issues like Birth Control, the War or Abortion without feeling like they have to leave the Church.

Ah, I see!

Thanks, Fitswimmer!



Rich::