New Pope

[The Coble]

Sorry Lioness I have to disagree with your comments, but as a civil being will agree to disagree. As a follower of the catholic church we nor the pope are to blame for TV coverage of the event but hey ho, we'll take the blame!
I did not realise that it was only catholics who are child abusers, anti gay and against birth control, I assume you have evidence to show it is only catholics, or is it just easier to blame catholics and everyone follow suit like sheep.

Without doubt the catholic church has many issues to address and some are absolutely appauling and sickening and I just cannot justify and will not even try to, but catholics are not the only religion gulity but seem to be scape goats for many.

I agree priests are and should be role models and are in a position of absolute trust, but so are teachers, lawyers and MP's, but I guess they are not catholics.
I agree, I think the new pope is too old, and we wait to see what he will achieve, but I wait to see what he will do,and not judge him beforehand.
Sorry Lioness i find your comments very narrow-minded and one sided. But, we are all entittled to an opinion.

[Serendipity]

Lioness with all due respect you have to understand the Roman Catholic religion before you spout off about it.

[paultheeagle]

Is the new Pope to old, I don't think so...He's about the right age for a Pope a position that normally goes to a, lets say very mature gentleman....The Vatican is a really an old peoples home for men....Sixty is considered young and anyone in their fifties is a 'babe in arms'.

I ain't a Catholic but many of my friends and acquaintances are.......Lovely people, every single one of them...I will never forget the joy they felt and the lengths they went to so as they could attend an event during Pope John Paul II's visit in 1982...You can't explain it, well I can't anyway.....But it was wonderful and I would never critisise anything that millions of people, all over the world really do glory in....There wasn't quite the same excitement in 2010 but they still enjoyed Benedict's visit.

[The Coble]

Serendipity, well said, but to understand would mean to some allowing others an opinion!
Paul - I too was at JP II visit and some non catholics friends (for whom I have many) came along, to be honest they were more overwhelmed than me. We saw him at York Racecourse, for me a very humbling experience and I will not forget, but I do understnd why it means nothing to others, but I do belieie in live and let live, after all, we really do not know who is right until we die and we face whoever ( or may be no one at all) our saviour, I appreciate he may not exsist, but for me he most certainly does.

[lioness]

Sorry Lioness I have to disagree with your comments, but as a civil being will agree to disagree. As a follower of the catholic church we nor the pope are to blame for TV coverage of the event but hey ho, we'll take the blame!
I did not realise that it was only catholics who are child abusers, anti gay and against birth control, I assume you have evidence to show it is only catholics, or is it just easier to blame catholics and everyone follow suit like sheep.

Without doubt the catholic church has many issues to address and some are absolutely appauling and sickening and I just cannot justify and will not even try to, but catholics are not the only religion gulity but seem to be scape goats for many.

I agree priests are and should be role models and are in a position of absolute trust, but so are teachers, lawyers and MP's, but I guess they are not catholics.
I agree, I think the new pope is too old, and we wait to see what he will achieve, but I wait to see what he will do,and not judge him beforehand.
Sorry Lioness i find your comments very narrow-minded and one sided. But, we are all entittled to an opinion.

Hi Coble, no of course it's not only Catholic priests who are child abusers, plenty of others around. But if you are a priest, you surely should act like one? And it just seems like so many have done wrong and I find it appalling that it was covered up by the Vatican. It's all rather sad really.

[Admiral of the Humber]

Sorry Lioness I have to disagree with your comments, but as a civil being will agree to disagree. As a follower of the catholic church we nor the pope are to blame for TV coverage of the event but hey ho, we'll take the blame!
I did not realise that it was only catholics who are child abusers, anti gay and against birth control, I assume you have evidence to show it is only catholics, or is it just easier to blame catholics and everyone follow suit like sheep.

Without doubt the catholic church has many issues to address and some are absolutely appauling and sickening and I just cannot justify and will not even try to, but catholics are not the only religion gulity but seem to be scape goats for many.

I agree priests are and should be role models and are in a position of absolute trust, but so are teachers, lawyers and MP's, but I guess they are not catholics.
I agree, I think the new pope is too old, and we wait to see what he will achieve, but I wait to see what he will do,and not judge him beforehand.
Sorry Lioness i find your comments very narrow-minded and one sided. But, we are all entittled to an opinion.

Hi Coble, no of course it's not only Catholic priests who are child abusers, plenty of others around. But if you are a priest, you surely should act like one? And it just seems like so many have done wrong and I find it appalling that it was covered up by the Vatican. It's all rather sad really.

Dear Lioness,

Yes it is sad but at least the Roman Catholic Church now has the chance to do something about it. With the abdication of Pope Benedict all those in senior positions in the Vatican are replaced. The way is now open for Pope Francis to replace those who have brought shame upon the Church with good people who can make amends.

I do not have a religious bone in my body but I have to say that I admire anybody who selflessly gives themself up to the service of others as is the case with the vast majority of clergy in the Catholic Church. Unfortunately as is the case in our society the majority are judged by the standards of the few.

Regards
Rob aka AOTH

[Boris+]

I might be wrong - forgive me if I am - but I thought that when things happened like a coronation or a death or a monarch or some other important event that media from around the world would be able to screen their own footage. I noticed the other night when the new chap in Rome was announced that the British tv people actually apologised for the fact that all the footage was being produced by the Italian (Vatican?) tv.

The other thing which I found strange was the people in the crowd being so excited etc about it (before the announcement was made).

Oh well, it's happened - but I really can't see what all the excitement is all about. Maybe King Henry Vlll got it right when he set up the Church of England and declared the man in the Vatican to be the 'Bishop of Rome'? By rights I should be a catholic - somehow somewhere along the way the family changed; and I personally am very glad it did. I simply can't be doing with women being told that they can't have an abortion if they want one etc.

I can respect the views of people who are fervently religious, but then in return I expect them to accept and respect the fact that I am not.

Meanwhile, the Carnival shares dividend has just arrived, so I am quietly content for today.

Em

[Kendhni]

Is the new Pope to old, I don't think so...He's about the right age for a Pope a position that normally goes to a, lets say very mature gentleman....The Vatican is a really an old peoples home for men....Sixty is considered young and anyone in their fifties is a 'babe in arms'.

A bit like Aurora in that respect

[Silver_Shiney]

I find the adulation poured out towards Popes disturbing. It seems like worship to me - especially in the case of JP2 - and only God is to be worshipped.

As an evangelical Christian, I would sincerely hope I was not "fervently religious" and, while I fully respect the rights of people not to share - even disagree with - my views on Christianity and spirituality, I am interested in engaging, by mutual consent, in polite conversation to understand why they hold their views. After all, no-one (except God) knows everything and there is always something new to learn.

[Boris+]

Hi Alan,

Your post was very thoughtful - however it does provoke the question ...... is there a god?

Em

[Silver_Shiney]

Em - I am bound to say YES!!

I used to be an atheist, but many years ago came to realise I was wrong.

Perhaps the eve of a fortnight's holiday is the wrong time for me to engage in this debate! It might also go "off-topic". Anyone wishing to discuss further with me is welcome to PM me. I've bought a data package for my mobile so should be able to check back while we're in port (I am not going ashore to seek out wifi spots).

[kaymar]

I used to be an agnostic but now I'm not so sure.

[Boris+]

More importantly Alan - have a great cruise!

Em

[Mo2013]

Unless you are a dictator, every leader has to toe a party line so I cannot see that a new Pope is going to change things that have been the same for hundreds of years. People forget that it is the Bible which condemns gays and probably considers it murder to abort an unborn child along with several other 'thou shalt nots'. I have found that people only take what suits them out of their religion whilst conveniently disregarding the rest. When I was a young girl I went to Sunday School and believed in God, but when I was a teen, he did not answer my prayers, so I stopped believing then, and have not believed since. I cannot believe in a God who allows innocents to be tortured, raped and killed, and on a personal level, a God who, after my grandchildren had travelled hours in Africa to meet their great-grandmother, took her just hours before they arrived.

[Silver_Shiney]

Thanks, Em!

Actually (just quickly, while I'm having a coffee break) I should just say that the charity I work for has been set up specifically to NOT advertise, actively NOT fundraise (as opposed to "not actively fundraise") but to seek funding provision ONLY fron God through prayer. If, as many people state, there is no God, we're in serious trouble!

[lioness]

I am the same, went to Sunday School as a child, but after debates at school at age of about 15, followed by reading Darwin, I began to realize that the idea of a supreme being somewhere is faintly ridiculous, so am content to believe there is no god at all. Religion is just a way to control the masses or was. A dictatorship really. Buddhism doesn't believe in a god at all, but not sure I could go along with all their thinking either.

Perhaps they have voted in an Argentine so get back the Falklands! Ha ha

[Serendipity]

I believe in God and the Holy Roman Catholic Church, others that do not believe are entitled to do so.
How many times have none believers prayed to God when in trouble ?
I don't find jokes about the Pope to be in the slightest bit amusing.

[Meg 50]

How many times have none believers prayed to God when in trouble ?

reminds me of the GBS quote: I'm an atheist and I thank God for it.

[Mo2013]

I too have a more scientific approach to the universe. The idea that there is a God who allows such suffering in the world is something I cannot get my head round. Regarding the RC church, the facts are that within the upper echelons of the Roman Catholic Church there is corruption, in-fighting and at ground level any number of priests who use their position to practice abuse on others. All these things are an abomination and utterly at odds with their faith. I simply do not know how they reconcile their behaviour with their faith. I was told once that if you are truly repentant, then you will be forgiven. It is not good enough to behave exactly how you like, knowing that you can pray for forgiveness and you will be forgiven on the understanding that God is your only judge. If you don't believe in God, then people who do that are just telling themselves what they want to hear without taking any responsibility for their actions. I would like to think that the new Pope can bring change, but I very much doubt it. I think all religions should be outlawed.

[Serendipity]

That is your opinion Mo, I get great comfort from my beliefs, please do not assume that everyone is like minded.

[Wina G]

That is your opinion Mo, I get great comfort from my beliefs, please do not assume that everyone is like minded.

Well said Serendipity

I can never understand why those who do not believe wish to belittle those who do, everyone to their own IMO ... by the way I am not a RC, nor do I go to church!

[Dark Knight]

it would appear that some people just do not see the impact the church has on everyday life and the pope as leader of the church is a man of power and influence

Lioness you OP is childish and bigoted not to mention narrow minded, and shows the depths of your interlect in all it's glory

[lioness]

it would appear that some people just do not see the impact the church has on everyday life and the pope as leader of the church is a man of power and influence

Lioness you OP is childish and bigoted not to mention narrow minded, and shows the depths of your interlect in all it's glory

DK - perhaps you would enlighten me as to the impact the church has on everyday life? What power and influence does the Pope have on non-Catholics? Zero to both.

[Mo2013]

That is your opinion Mo, I get great comfort from my beliefs, please do not assume that everyone is like minded.

Serendipity, I am sure you do get great comfort from your beliefs, and I have not said otherwise. In the same vein, I am giving my opinion, but do not assume that everyone is like minded and have not said otherwise.

[Serendipity]

I was referring to this comment Mo2013.

'I would like to think that the new Pope can bring change, but I very much doubt it. I think all religions should be outlawed.'