Posted on 04/23/2005 7:30:38 PM PDT by quidnunc
I wonder what Pope Benedict XVI would have thought of John F Kennedy, the first Catholic president of the United States. Kennedy was a proud defender of the West against Soviet communism, while the new pope has equated the godless materialism of western freedom with Nazi and communist dictatorship.
Kennedy’s domestic politics, moreover, were based on a simple, remarkable assertion: “I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute — where no Catholic prelate would tell the president (should he be Catholic) how to act … I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish.”
This statement of secularism by the most prominent Catholic figure on the planet at the time was seen as a blow against anti-Catholic prejudice. Today’s conservative Catholics would regard Kennedy’s statement as itself a product of anti-Catholic prejudice. For them the concept of a clear separation between religious faith and political practice has become suspect.
The Pope is quite explicit that all Catholics in public life must abide by the teachings of the church, especially on contentious moral issues. That’s why the then Cardinal Ratzinger was behind Vatican advice in the last presidential election, which argued that a politician who upholds the legal right to abortion (even if he personally disagrees with such a right) can be denied communion.
The same applied to such controversial issues as the right to die, same-sex marriage and stem cell research. The Pope once wrote about the seamless links between church and state in his native Bavaria: “I remember the joie de vivre of the local lads, firing their gun salutes — which was their way of welcoming Christ as a head of state, the head of state, the Lord of the world, present on their streets and in their village.”
Christ as head of state. It doesn’t get more explicit than that.
This is one reason why Ratzinger’s election has sent shockwaves across America. In the debate between reformists and traditionalists, there was no figure more polarising. Many of us Catholics thought he would be a big influence in the conclave. But after his fire-and-brimstone homily before the conclave on Monday, we assumed he would cede to a unifying, moderate candidate. How wrong we were.
-snip-
I should hope so.
Ah, yes, they are shaking in their boots.
The Pope and the Church have every right to speak out on moral issues, including those with political implications. Actually, its more people like Andrew Sullivan who screech hate-filled invective against traditional religious believers and call them (wrongly) theocrats and theocons who are pouring the "petrol" on the culture wars.
"King of Kings" is the phrase I remember from Handel's "Messiah." Are we disputing that, now?
Maybe he hasn't heard of the feast of Christ the King.
The Gospels tell of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem when the crowds hailed him as the son of David...that might be seen as regarding him as a king. The Latin text reads: Benedictus, qui venit in nomine Domini--"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord"--but now it can also be read as "Benedict, who comes in the name of the Lord."
We don't really have to speculate. Benedict was pope after Kennedy was President, and probably remembers his presidency. Rhetorically speaking, "I wonder what X would have thought of Y" only makes sense if Y lived after X.
He is a native-British homosexual who used to be one of the best conservative pundits, but who became consumed with the gay marriage agenda and ultimately turned against Dubya.
Pope to Kennedy: stuff it. i'll tell you whatever i want to
Ping. Where did the drivel that His Holiness is opposed to Capitalism come from?
Burn baby burn.
Andrew the sodomite fairy is shaking in his panties.
Do we have a photo?
Not only 'King of Kings' (of this world), but 'Lord of Lords' (beyond this world); undoubtedly more awesome; 'and He shall reign forever and ever!'
Reagan80
Give that man a spoon, a high chair, and a jar of pureed peas!
Sullivan's world begins and ends between his navel and upper thighs. Beyond that lie dragons.
Yeah, Randy Andy, Christ the King. Don't you forget it.
Yeah, Randy Andy, Christ the King. Don't you forget it.
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