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2014/04/25 06:06:20
Subject: Cold Calls from the Pope Raise Eyebrows/John Paul II Canonized
Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis's habit of picking up the phone and cold calling people who write to him is landing the Vatican in hot water and spokesman Federico Lombardi has had enough.
Lombardi said on Thursday the calls were part of the pope's "personal pastoral relationships" and "do not in any way form a part of the pope's public activities".
The spokesman said media reports about the phone calls have been "a source of misunderstanding and confusion".
"Consequences relating to the teaching of the Church are not to be inferred from these occurrences," he said.
The statement follows reports about a phone call that Francis apparently made to a woman in Argentina who had complained her parish priest would not grant her Holy Communion because she had divorced and remarried.
Francis was quoted by the woman's husband as saying that the issue was being "looked at" in the Vatican and that divorcees who take Holy Communion "are doing nothing bad".
Catholic rules currently ban divorcees from taking Holy Communion, the spiritual high point of the mass, although the doctrine is in practice widely flouted by parishes.
The pope has previously been reported making calls from the practical to the intense, including calling his newsagent in Buenos Aires to cancel a subscription and comforting a mother grieving over her murdered daughter.
The Vatican rarely makes official comment on reports of the calls, which often rely solely on the person in question saying that they have been called by the pope -- who has been dubbed "the cold call pope" by the tabloids.
Francis again seems to be a lone cop who doesn't play by anybodies rules but his own
Found this kind of odd. I mean, I guess calling people to talk to them about stuff isn't some great scandal or anything, but it is kind of odd. Write a letter and a few weeks later, Pope is on the phone talking to you about it. Not surprised to see Francis breaking from the official part platform, he's done it before, but it takes a more personal tone when he's talking to people about it individually rather than from a podium.
Guess we can expect Francis will continue the current trend of being one of the most memorable Pope's in recent memory.
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2014/04/26 03:57:29
Guess we can expect Francis will continue the current trend of being one of the most memorable Pope's in recent memory.
I miss the last guy. I mean, they couldn't have picked a better caricature Disney villain if they tried. I kept expecting to hear about his secret arms smuggling ring broken up by a trio of plucky tweens and their pet raccoon.
We were once so close to heaven, St. Peter came out and gave us medals; declaring us "The nicest of the damned".
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
2014/04/25 06:54:22
Subject: Re:Cold Calls from the Pope Raise Eyebrows
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
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Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
I might not be a Catholic, but I like that Pope Francis seems to actually be a decent human being. I hope that that is true, and that he's not just another Darth Benedict with a better grasp of PR.
"When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
-C.S. Lewis
2014/04/25 15:20:35
Subject: Re:Cold Calls from the Pope Raise Eyebrows
I think he is genuine, he takes well meaning moves to reach people some consider naive.
This is not the hallmark of a spin filled manipulator.
I hope he doesn't change, the Roman Catholic Church badly needs a man of his moral calibre as Pope, I like him more and more with every thing he does, excepting and overlooking his views on the 'Malvinas'. Even then he is an Argentine and has been filled with the same rhetoric as the rest of his countrymen, so I can understand him having a poor grasp of the actual political situation and history of trhe Falklands.
To the Pope's credit he has in no way abused his position to forward a pro-Argentine stance from the Vatican.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/04/25 15:21:57
n'oublie jamais - It appears I now have to highlight this again.
It is by tea alone I set my mind in motion. By the juice of the brew my thoughts aquire speed, my mind becomes strained, the strain becomes a warning. It is by tea alone I set my mind in motion.
I am Catholic and I wholly agree with Orlanth on this issue. The Church needs a man like this to shake up the very entrenched order that is in place. I love this guy and I hope that he is around for a long time.
To be honest, I think this is actually pretty cool.
While not religious myself, I believe the heart of any religion, when you boil it down, is to be a good person, and it's admirable that he's doing this, keeping in touch with the people and generally showing an interest in what could easily be considered 'below' him.
The Catholic Church has had a bad image in some ways over the last few years, and Francis really does seem to be working against that, but only as a by-product of being a decent chap. If I were being cynical, I'd say it was just an attempt to boost the image, but I think he's got the right idea. He's actually trying to do some practical good, and that's great, all credit to him.
2014/04/25 15:47:15
Subject: Re:Cold Calls from the Pope Raise Eyebrows
Jihadin wrote: Imagine receiving a phone call from the Pope
I did, It was late one night I was with my GF we where in bed getting frisky when the phone rings
"Hello"
"Hi Mr. Sauceman, ITs me, The pope, I got your letter about Accepting more Alternative Lifestyles, And I want......Is that Romantice Music on?"
"No"
"Are you"
"NO"
"Atleast use protection, you are too young to have kids"
"How do you know how old I am"
*HAngs up*
5000pts 6000pts 3000pts
2014/04/25 15:47:30
Subject: Re:Cold Calls from the Pope Raise Eyebrows
I like this pope, and I say this as a grumpy mostly-atheist. It's a sentiment shared by most of the people I know who have a pretty similar outlook to mine. The things we hear about him doing are always good and surprisingly progressive, at least considering the institution he's a part of. He's all rubbing poor people's feet and not condemning homosexuals, instead of talking about how condoms cause AIDS.
Maybe really small progress towards really obvious, basic things in today's world taken in the grand scheme of things. However, in the context of what we usually hear about the Catholic Church it feels like leaps and bounds forwards. I'm not sure it's quite having an impact on my view of the church as a whole yet but he's certainly done a great deal to increase my respect for the station he holds, at least.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/04/25 15:48:12
He's gotten me to look at the Catholic church in a much more positive light. Here's to hoping he's the first in a long line of generation, true Popes
"So, do please come along when we're promoting something new and need photos for the facebook page or to send to our regional manager, do please engage in our gaming when we're pushing something specific hard and need to get the little kiddies drifting past to want to come in an see what all the fuss is about. But otherwise, stay the feth out, you smelly, antisocial bastards, because we're scared you are going to say something that goes against our mantra of absolute devotion to the corporate motherland and we actually perceive any of you who've been gaming more than a year to be a hostile entity as you've been exposed to the internet and 'dangerous ideas'. " - MeanGreenStompa
"Then someone mentions Infinity and everyone ignores it because no one really plays it." - nkelsch
Chongara wrote: I like this pope, and I say this as a grumpy mostly-atheist. It's a sentiment shared by most of the people I know who have a pretty similar outlook to mine. The things we hear about him doing are always good and surprisingly progressive, at least considering the institution he's a part of. He's all rubbing poor people's feet and not condemning homosexuals, instead of talking about how condoms cause AIDS.
Maybe really small progress towards really obvious, basic things in today's world taken in the grand scheme of things. However, in the context of what we usually hear about the Catholic Church it feels like leaps and bounds forwards. I'm not sure it's quite having an impact on my view of the church as a whole yet but he's certainly done a great deal to increase my respect for the station he holds, at least.
I think he's definitely improving the Church's image but I agree people need to be cautious. While Francis is enjoying great approval, I think it's harder for him to sell his views to the church's leadership than it is to us. For there to be a lasting change in the Catholic church, Francis needs to really strike a cord with the Council of Cardinals.
When he makes a call to the police letting them know where to pick up all the preists the church has hidden away after they abused the people in their care, along with all the evidence and the priests who helped cover things up, then I might start making a significant change in my views on the catholic church...
I think for Francis to do that, he'd really need to get the rest of the church leadership on board, which I'm guessing right now they're not. While he could probably do that, it would tear the Vatican apart.
It's cold hearted, but assuming Francis wants to reform the church rather than schism it, he needs to play cards close to his chest. Right now the threat of blowing that open is probably more useful than actually doing it.
LordofHats wrote: I think for Francis to do that, he'd really need to get the rest of the church leadership on board, which I'm guessing right now they're not. While he could probably do that, it would tear the Vatican apart.
It's cold hearted, but assuming Francis wants to reform the church rather than schism it, he needs to play cards close to his chest. Right now the threat of blowing that open is probably more useful than actually doing it.
Given that most of the church leadership would probably be going to jail, it would actually be the quickest way to reform things.
Besides, aren't catholics supposed to be big on confessing their sins?
Jihadin wrote: Imagine receiving a phone call from the Pope
I know! When I first heard about his calls I imagined what I'd do if someone on the other line was presenting themselves as the pope and it probably would end with me thinking it was a prank call and cursing out the person on the other line.
Jeez, can you imagine that headline?
"Pope verbally abused by skeptical caller!"
2014/04/25 17:47:02
Subject: Re:Cold Calls from the Pope Raise Eyebrows
Jihadin wrote: Imagine receiving a phone call from the Pope
I know! When I first heard about his calls I imagined what I'd do if someone on the other line was presenting themselves as the pope and it probably would end with me thinking it was a prank call and cursing out the person on the other line.
Jeez, can you imagine that headline?
"Pope verbally abused by skeptical caller!"
I'm asking for a friend...
Does anyone know how to spoof the Caller ID?
Pope calling strangers is just waiting for epic pranks.
Confession is one of the least understood of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. In reconciling us to God, it is a great source of grace, and Catholics are encouraged to take advantage of it often.
What is Confession?
What is its purpose and its effects?
What are its requirements?
Can we confess our sins directly to God, or must we go through a priest?
Confession Is a Sacrament:
The Sacrament of Penance, commonly called Confession, is one of the seven sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church. Catholics believe that all of the sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ himself. In the case of Confession, that institution occurred on Easter Sunday, when Christ first appeared to the apostles after his Resurrection. Breathing on them, he said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained” (John 20:22-23).
The Marks of the Sacrament:
Catholics also believe that the sacraments are an outward sign of an inward grace. In this case, the outward sign is the absolution, or forgiveness of sins, that the priest grants to the penitent (the person confessing his sins); the inward grace is the reconciliation of the penitent to God (which is why the sacrament is also sometimes called the Sacrament of Reconciliation).
The Purpose of Confession:
That reconciling of man to God is the purpose of Confession. When we sin, we deprive ourselves of God’s grace. And by doing so, we make it even easier to sin some more. The only way out of this downward cycle is to acknowledge our sins, to repent of them, and to ask God’s forgiveness. Then, in the Sacrament of Confession, grace can be restored to our souls, and we can once again resist sin.
Why Is Confession Necessary?:
Non-Catholics, and even many Catholics, often ask whether they can confess their sins directly to God, and whether God can forgive them without going through a priest. On the most basic level, of course, the answer is yes, and Catholics should make frequent acts of contrition, which are prayers in which we tell God that we are sorry for our sins and ask for His forgiveness.
But the question misses the point of the Sacrament of Confession. The sacrament, by its very nature, confers graces that help us to live a Christian life, which is why the Church requires us to receive it at least once per year. (See The Precepts of the Church for more details.) Moreover, it was instituted by Christ as the proper form for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, we should not only be willing to receive the sacrament, but should embrace it as a gift from a loving God.
What Is Required?:
Three things are required of a penitent in order to receive the sacrament worthily:
He must be contrite—or, in other words, sorry for his sins.
He must confess those sins fully, in kind and in number.
He must be willing to do penance and make amends for his sins.
How Often Should You Go to Confession?:
While Catholics are only required to go to Confession when they are aware that they have committed a mortal sin, the Church urges the faithful to take advantage of the sacrament often. A good rule of thumb is to go once per month. (The Church strongly recommends that, in preparation for fulfilling our Easter Duty to receive Communion, we go to Confession even if we are aware of venial sin only.)
The Church especially urges the faithful to receive the Sacrament of Confession frequently during Lent, to help them in their spiritual preparation for Easter.
SilverMK2 wrote: Besides, aren't catholics supposed to be big on confessing their sins?
Aren't politicians supposed to represent the people?
"So, do please come along when we're promoting something new and need photos for the facebook page or to send to our regional manager, do please engage in our gaming when we're pushing something specific hard and need to get the little kiddies drifting past to want to come in an see what all the fuss is about. But otherwise, stay the feth out, you smelly, antisocial bastards, because we're scared you are going to say something that goes against our mantra of absolute devotion to the corporate motherland and we actually perceive any of you who've been gaming more than a year to be a hostile entity as you've been exposed to the internet and 'dangerous ideas'. " - MeanGreenStompa
"Then someone mentions Infinity and everyone ignores it because no one really plays it." - nkelsch
The Pope is showing his humanity and his humility by doing this. He's showing that he's not above everyone else and is being a seriously comforting and reachable guy. I applaud him, and as a guy who has grown up a Catholic, I fully approve his actions. He's probably the best thing to happen to the Catholic Church in ages.
Reality is a nice place to visit, but I'd hate to live there.
Manchu wrote:I'm a Catholic. We eat our God.
Due to work, I can usually only ship any sales or trades out on Saturday morning. Please trade/purchase with this in mind.
Even as a Protestant, I have to tip my hat off to Pope Francis, he really seems like a genuine and humble guy which is a definite plus given the amount of megalomaniacs and other puffed up people at the head of powerful institutions. It'll be interesting to see what other stuff he has prepared in the Pope cave.
2014/04/25 21:52:55
Subject: Re:Cold Calls from the Pope Raise Eyebrows
5000pts 
6000pts 
3000pts
