JCC Pope watch MMXIII

Well, all the Cardinals are basically the same on the social issues. I wasn't expecting a break on that yet (though Francis could surprise us). And the Catholic Church isn't anti-gay in the same way other churches are.

What matters is the Emphasis. It seems like Pope Francis will focus more on the good news going on, what unifies people, and on helping the poor. And that would be very good.

And we may see some social change, I think many are now open to the idea of having married priests again.

Exactly.

Though I hope he has a good 10 healthy years... and if he does get too sick, now he can just retire.





I was really starting to like the idea of O'Malley, though, since he's a neighbor and my mom has even met him and is friends with his niece. Oh well, maybe next time.

 

If it helps, my mind keeps looking at "Bergoglio" and replacing it "goglio" with "gigolo"

 

So, which fictional character does he look like the most?









EDIT:


Apparently, as Bishop, he's supported the use of contraception to stop the spread of diseases.

 

I'm having a good feeling about this. He seems sympathetic, humble, but there's clearly depth to his character. I like that he has a sense of humour. As for his age, he looks pretty young for a 76-year-old - certainly younger and more vigorous than Benedict XVI. when he took the office. And I like what I'm reading about him - that he wasn't fond of the pomp that goes with a bishop's office, he would use public transport rather than a private car with a chauffeur, cook his own meals... Together with his choice of the name Francis it could signify a good change for the Church. I'm hopeful. And of course I wish him all the best, strong health and God's blessing, and I'll keep him in my prayers.

 

The pope's like the last emperor of China. Corrupt eunuchs run the whole show behind the scenes and cart off the riches of the treasury while the rest of the religion burns in the background. Just the kind of challenge for a tired old man.

 

Idk about you guys but now I have Los Fabulosos Cadillacs' music stuck in my head.

 

Huh?

 

You are aware that the Catholic Church is actually rather liberal, compared to your average Calvinist fundagelical setup, right?

 

Yeah Guy, they're not anti-gay, they're just anti-sex before marriage.


While also conveniently being opposed to gay marriage.

 

We're anti-sex that wouldn't normally have the biological capability of producing a human being as a consequence. Hence, we're anti-oral sex and anal sex and manual sex. We're also anti-condom for that reason as well. We're against hormonal contraceptives and sterilization on the grounds that it's attempting harm to an otherwise normally functioning human body, with the added insult of being intended to prevent the existence of new people.

Hence, it's not really homosexual sex that we oppose in particular (and it's especially not homosexuals that we oppose). It's sex that doesn't have the capability of creating life that we oppose.

I like to joke with people that the only reason I'm against homosexual sex is because I'm against pre-marital sex, and then I proceed to use that as an argument as to why gay marriage should be legal.

 

Convenient.

 

Yeah, it's just homosexual sex they oppose as sinful. For the same reason masturbation, condoms, non-missionary-style sex, etc. are sinful.

John Paul, Benedict, Mother Theresa, and the official teachings of the Catholic Church, have all come out strongly against any discrimination against gay people and called for loving respect of them like everyone else, and said that homosexuality is not a choice and not a sin.

It's not the ideal position, but it's a moderate position, compared to where some Protestant churches are.

But once/if they ditch the "all sex must always be open to life" doctrine, then all of those things would no longer be considered sins. It probably won't happen for a while though. But I bet we can see married priests within 20 years, and women priests within 50, and with a more diverse college of cardinals who actually have some more real-life knowledge about sex then they'll be more likely to repeal this doctrine.

 

I did indeed go through some RCIA courses in my teen years, and the Priest made a big deal that they oppose homosexual acts while viewing homosexual desires as involuntary. So...that is at least somewhat progressive.

 

Patently untrue.

 

Well, you know what I mean

 

Yeah, I mean, non-traditional vaginal sex is explicitly condoned in the Bible.

 

Jesus was awesome.

 

In what way?

 

I hope everyone's following Pope Francis I on Twitter.

 

I was responding to the Bible quote Ramza posted.