Oh well done

[sombrefan]

Not completely sure picking a Pope who was a member of the Hitler Youth was the brightest idea the Catholic hierarchy has ever had.

From a very recent Sunday Times profile:

Unknown to many members of the church, however, Ratzinger’s past includes brief membership of the Hitler Youth movement and wartime service with a German army anti- aircraft unit.

Although there is no suggestion that he was involved in any atrocities, his service may be contrasted by opponents with the attitude of John Paul II, who took part in anti-Nazi theatre performances in his native Poland and in 1986 became the first pope to visit Rome’s synagogue.

Comments

[iamdigitalis.livejournal.com]

He has made it well known that he was forced to be involved in the Hitler Youth movement and was "drafted" into military service.

[simonf.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling it will be another stick to beat the Catholic Church with. Certainly, there's Protestant extremists in Northern Ireland who would have a field day with it.

[iamdigitalis.livejournal.com]

Most certainly, but the Catholic Church is a huge (nearly unmoving) target that many enjoy taking shots at, and no matter who was selected, there would have been something that opposing groups would find to latch onto.

[simonf.livejournal.com]

Very true. I was actually was hoping Cardinal Francis Arinze would get elected. But it's always interesting to see history unfold in such a way. It'll be fascinating to see how Pope Benedict XVI will get on.

[iamdigitalis.livejournal.com]

I was hoping for Arinze as well, but we shall see.

Looks like no condoms for Africa

[ruby2andor.livejournal.com]

Invest in companies that make AIDS drugs

[iamdigitalis.livejournal.com]

The issue of AIDS in Africa and the Church is a complex one for sure, and I am loathe to start a debate or argument. However, the Church will never endorse the use of condoms for pre- or extra-marital sex, no matter what the reason. The day it does, I will question its theological integrity and make my move from Rome to Constantinople or Canterbury.

[grnarmadillo.livejournal.com]

FYI, there's actually a significant problem in Africa where women know their husbands are sleeping around but lack the social standing to insist on use of condoms (much less abstinence) when said infected husbands come home. So I suppose that condom availability alone won't solve that problem, but you can't use what you don't have.

[iamdigitalis.livejournal.com]

I'm aware of that problem as well, and my answer would be that the social structure would need to be changed. Tall order? No doubt.

An African pope may have had a little more influence on that, but given that the Catholic population in Africa (on a continent wide level) is growing rapidly, and the strong tendency of new Catholics to be very "by the book", there is a chance that some teachings may be filtering in about respecting one's spouse within the sanctity of marriage and chastity before marriage.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

Thanks Simon. I missed the white smoke.

Went quickly...

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

I do wonder myself what this'll do for the relatively good relations John Paul built with the Jewish Community, that and building up better relationships with the Muslim community is something we can all, I think, agree, that John Paul contributed positively to the Catholic Church and the world in general, it'd be a shame to see that undone, some Jewish leaders may balk at 'doing business' with a man who served Nazi Germany, however much he was co-erced into it and it's not like that isn't a powder keg of a situation as it is.

I find it troubling

[swersfreakshow.livejournal.com]

that an entire religious following will now be led by the guy who played Cliff from "Cheers".

what? Oh...wrong guy. sorry.