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Why Kobe Bryant took his Catholic faith so seriously
Angelus News ^ | Feb 2020 | Tom Hoffarth and Steve Lowery |

Posted on 02/09/2020 12:14:01 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege

--The fact that Bryant took his faith so seriously seemed to take many, including those in the media, by surprise.

The day after his last NBA game, one in which he scored 60 points, he told an ESPN reporter that he celebrated by rising early, drinking a cup of coffee, and going to church.

“It was me, alone,” he said. “After 20 years, I think it’s important to give thanks.”

When, by his own admission, he had allowed his life to spin completely out of control, being accused of rape in a Colorado hotel room, one of the first people he turned to was a Catholic priest, telling GQ magazine, “The one thing that really helped me during that process was talking to a priest.”

Parishioner Dominic Picarelli said he’d seen Bryant often over the past 16 years...He said he was perhaps most impressed at seeing Bryant consistently, session after session, as his daughter Natalia and Picarelli’s son, Ethan, went through the two-year process of first Holy Communion.

Those at the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City had a special moment to reflect upon. Sister Rose Pacatte posted a short story on Pauline.org about the day in 2004 when Bryant visited:

"He was looking for a special rosary for his wife, Vanessa. As the sister who was there tells the story, the other shoppers stopped and looked in awe as he moved quietly around the shop.”

“As he turned to leave, a small grandmotherly-looking lady walked up to him and tilted her head up, way up.

“ ‘Mr. Bryant?’

“ ‘Yes, ma’am?’ he replied as he looked down to meet her gaze.

“ ‘I just want you to know,’ she said solemnly, ‘I pray for you.’

“He paused a moment and said, ‘Thank you, ma’am.’ ”

(Excerpt) Read more at angelusnews.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic
KEYWORDS: catholic; christianity; faith; kobe; kobebryant; rapist
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To: Just mythoughts
Wow... holy, holy, holy...

Lol. I thought you'd like that.

81 posted on 02/09/2020 4:09:48 PM PST by cloudmountain
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To: cloudmountain

“ Scripture” did not pronounce sainthood...the Catholic Church did.”

Sorry, but Scripture clearly calls all believers saints.

Catholicism made up other things that are false.

“ The Catholic Church put together Scripture, ”

Gosh! I thought it was the Holy Spirit, like Scripture says...

“ The Catholic Church has been around since Jesus...2000 years ago.”

The Apostles would be appalled at the paganism Catholicism has added.


82 posted on 02/09/2020 4:31:20 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: allwrong57

“ St Paul talked a lot about it being a ‘race’ and that to the best of his knowledge, he had nothing on his conscience, but he left it up to God. Isn’t that in scripture, or do you use some other bible?

Paul said he had not completed his race on earth. He had more to do.

He also was moved by the Holy Spirit to write scripture that calls all believers saints.


83 posted on 02/09/2020 4:33:15 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: RummyChick

The Sacrament of Penance is a magnificent gift from God. Its regenerative power is unmatched for those bearing heavy burdens. Given enough time and frequency of non-sacrilegious use it will unlock the shackles of sin as if they never existed and supply true freedom. Nothing is more enslaving than personal mortal sin.


84 posted on 02/09/2020 4:35:24 PM PST by one guy in new jersey
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To: allwrong57

What? I don’t care about your friend, and I don’t care about the Mexican.

Why should I?


85 posted on 02/09/2020 5:17:01 PM PST by Vermont Lt
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To: Just mythoughts

Great references. Something of value in this thread after all.


86 posted on 02/09/2020 5:26:34 PM PST by avenir
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To: aMorePerfectUnion
Sorry, but Scripture clearly calls all believers saints. Catholicism made up other things that are false. “ The Catholic Church put together Scripture, ” Gosh! I thought it was the Holy Spirit, like Scripture says... “ The Catholic Church has been around since Jesus...2000 years ago.” The Apostles would be appalled at the paganism Catholicism has added.

You write GIBBERISH.

87 posted on 02/09/2020 6:35:07 PM PST by cloudmountain
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To: cloudmountain

“ You write GIBBERISH.”

Perhaps the Scriptures are unfamiliar to you?


88 posted on 02/09/2020 6:42:35 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: aMorePerfectUnion
“ You write GIBBERISH.” Perhaps the Scriptures are unfamiliar to you?

Yawn....

89 posted on 02/09/2020 6:44:18 PM PST by cloudmountain
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To: cloudmountain

So... you are also tired of the Scriptures.

OK.


90 posted on 02/09/2020 6:46:10 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: cloudmountain; Vermont Lt; avenue; RummyChick; one guy in new jersey; allwrong57

Just to provide some interesting food for thought both social and theological:

First social:

Actress Amber Heard, who has been in the spotlight for her accusations of domestic violence against former husband Johnny Depp is now in hot water over audio revealing that in fact SHE assaulted HIM with pots and pans. Among other things. (And not in self-defense.) Now, I am NOT saying that THIS parallels Kobe’s case and therefore exonerates him. But it is true that certain pieces of evidence point to his accuser had a questionable track record of behavior and mental hospitalization of her own....

But regardless if it was ‘consensual’ or not, what Kobe did was deplorable...We can agree, but must we join with the feminist mob in attacking him so soon after his (and his daughter’s) death?

#justiceforjohnnydepp
https://www.newsweek.com/justiceforjohnnydepp-trends-amber-heard-admits-hitting-actor-1485267

Now theological. Regardless if you are Catholic or Protestant, we can all agree that JESUS is supposed to be the center of our faith? Yes? And that our foremost hope is his sacrifice on the Cross? Well I’m this interview, I believe Kobe articulates the meaning of the cross and what it means to him personally in a poignant and objectively ‘accurate’ manner:

https://churchpop.com/2020/01/29/kobe-bryant-in-2006-interview-i-know-god-is-great-he-carried-my-cross-in-suffering/


91 posted on 02/09/2020 6:53:48 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: Vermont Lt

you missed the point. I should have expected that.


92 posted on 02/10/2020 6:14:41 AM PST by allwrong57
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To: RummyChick

“He had trademarked a name for his daughter.”

Hence protecting it with religion became an effort he made by using the church.

In an article by the Catholic News Agency, it stated:

“A 2004 decision to place deeper trust in God did not mean the basketball star’s life was thereafter without difficulties, or defined by virtue.”

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/the-catholic-faith-of-kobe-bryant-77371

This leads the reader to understand that he was not real deep in religion until after the 2003 incident in Colorado. At which time he dove into it overwhelmingly.

This is not the type of person to be a roll model which is an important part of his business and requires a need to impress children for sales.

rwood


93 posted on 02/10/2020 8:28:25 AM PST by Redwood71
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