Pope Benedict resigns

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by Platapus

So where do you think the next pope will come from

Europe... again
Africa
South America?

Europe--Still the most likely. The continent may not be the future for the Church, but it is still where most of it's political power is concentrated.

North America--No way. The Church has long looked down it's nose at the North American clergy, and the way that the US Church has allowed civil abuse prosecutions to proceed relatively unhindered has not warmed that relationship.

Asia--The Roman Catholic Church has only a shadow of a presence in Asia.

Africa--Possibly. It would still be considered a radical move, but the Church's future is in Africa. If there is a possiblity to win converts, count the Church in.

South America--Not a chance. The South American clergy still carry the stigma of their association with the liberation theology movement, and carry absolutely no political weight within the Church.

[Platapus]

That's some sound reasoning.

[Cybermat47]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Many of the founding fathers ascribed to either conventional Christianity or the Deist philosophy, or a combination of both, as in both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

John Quincy Adams was a Unitarian and vice president of the American Bible Society.

Abraham Lincoln attended the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Teddy Roosevelt was an outspoken member of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Woodrow Wilson was the son of a Presbyterian minister and served as president of the Presbyterian-owned Princeton University.

Dwight David Eisenhower was the only president to undergo full baptism and conversion (the Presbyterian Church, again) in US history. He also pushed for the addition of the words 'Under God' in the US Pledge of Allegiance.

John F. Kennedy was a practicing Roman Catholic.

Thanks

Whats funny about Benedict is he looks exactly like my father in law - when he got elected my wife's brother's ,sister's and friends were sending each other jokes about her dad's new job...

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Europe--Still the most likely. The continent may not be the future for the Church, but it is still where most of it's political power is concentrated.

North America--No way. The Church has long looked down it's nose at the North American clergy, and the way that the US Church has allowed civil abuse prosecutions to proceed relatively unhindered has not warmed that relationship.

Asia--The Roman Catholic Church has only a shadow of a presence in Asia.

Africa--Possibly. It would still be considered a radical move, but the Church's future is in Africa. If there is a possiblity to win converts, count the Church in.

South America--Not a chance. The South American clergy still carry the stigma of their association with the liberation theology movement, and carry absolutely no political weight within the Church.

That's a pretty good overview, the current odds are good for a chap from Ghana:

http://www.paddypower.com/bet/novelt...rp_ids=1178744

The odds at the other end of the scale might be worth a gander though.



Anyway, as Pope Palpatines parting trick he used force lightning on the Basilica:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21421810

[Herr-Berbunch]

On the radio last night they gave a potential short-list - an Argentinian and a guy from Milan were up there amongst a couple of others. The guy from Milan, apparently, has a great sense of humour.

[Hottentot]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Anyway, as Pope Palpatines parting trick he used force lightning on the Basilica:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21421810

Originally Posted by Article

Within hours of Pope Benedict announcing his resignation, lightning struck St Peter's Basilica.

So now we know about how long it takes for a message from Earth to reach God in Heaven. Pretty sloppy service, I must say. He should consider investing in improving his call center.

[HunterICX]

Originally Posted by Platapus

So where do you think the next pope will come from

HunterICX

Naughty Hunter, just because he likes them young it doesn't mean he can become a candidate for that office.

[HundertzehnGustav]

O°

heheheheh

[Betonov]

Just remembered, Boris Popovic, the mayor of Koper often asociated with shady dealings, replied a few months ago to a protester, that he won't resign until the pope does

[Armistead]

After watching that HBO special on the sexual abuse and cover up by the Vatican, I don't know how a parent could leave a kid alone in church. I knew it was bad, but wow.

If I was Catholic, the next time I went to confession, when the priest asked me to confess, I would say..

"you first".

[geetrue]

I think it is time for an Irish pope or even a North American/Irish decent pope.

With almost one billion men and women belonging to the Catholic movement they have a big group of people to please,
half of the Catholics are reported to be in South America, but I doubt if they will elect a spanish pope nor one from Africa.

I have prayed for the Catholic church for years to stop the worshiping of Mary and kneeling down to statues till one day
the Lord spoke to my heart and said,

"Pray for the Catholic church to stop thinking that they are the only church going to heaven".

which is exactly what they believe even though the name catholic stands for universal they still think they are the blessed church
of Gods only choice.

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by geetrue

"Pray for the Catholic church to stop thinking that they are the only church going to heaven".

There are more churches than just the Catholic church that think that. lol My sister wanted to convert my brother to "her" faith before he died, but if there is a heaven he'll be there and I doubt she will.

How come there was a Spanish Pope before, and then after, the Spanish Inquisition.
But not one during?


I smell a conspiracy!!