White outfit, wrong occasion, Cherie (Cherie Blair didn't wear black to meet the Pope)

UK Telegraph ^ | 4/29/06 | Malcolm Moore and Jonathan Petre

[wagglebee]

Cherie Blair provoked surprise in the Vatican and the ire of a Roman Catholic MP yesterday by wearing all-white to meet the Pope, a privilege normally reserved for Catholic Queens.

The Vatican convention is that females meeting the Pontiff should wear black, preferably with a black veil, or mantilla.

	Cherie Blair with Pope Benedict

When the Queen met Pope John Paul II six years ago, she observed the code meticulously.

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, wore black, but omitted the veil.

By contrast, Mrs Blair, a staunch Catholic, chose to exercise the "privilege du blanc", usually granted only to the wives of Catholic monarchs.

Her breach of the protocol was surprising, since she has kept closely to the Church's dress code in the past.

Mrs Blair may not have worn a hat to the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales but she mourned the passing of John Paul II in a mantilla.

Technically, only three women should wear white in the presence of the Pope.

They are Queen Sofia of Spain, Queen Paola of Belgium and Josephine Charlotte, the wife of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg. Queen Sofia exercised her privilege in a meeting with the previous Pope in 2003.

Ann Widdecombe, the former Tory minister and a convert to Catholicism, was scathing about Mrs Blair.

"Even the Queen wore black to meet the Pope," she said. "This shows that she has a very grand idea of herself.

"She is a Catholic. She knows what the tradition is when meeting the Pope.

"She obviously thinks she is the first lady.

"My message to her is 'You are not a Catholic Queen, my dear, and you never will be.' "

Mrs Blair was in Rome for a Church-organised conference entitled "Vanishing Youth? Solidarity with Children and Young People in an Age of Turbulence".

She was invited as an expert and remained afterwards for a private meeting with the Pope. A spokesman for the Vatican declined to reveal what they had discussed.

[Havoc]

I have studied to show myself approved. The point where I'm approved is in knowing that Paul states that all sin causes death, and if one violates in part, he violates the whole. So, to reconcile 1 John with Paul, it would mean that 1 John is stating something other than you've taken it to mean. Rather than understanding that scripture does not contradict scripture, you've failed to harmonize and look for the real meaning there. So, Paul's position stands. All sin is mortal. All. God just chooses not to forgive a pair of them.

What was that phrase you used again.. study..

[guinnessman]

Speaking of sin, let's not forget the most insidious sin of all..

The sin of pride.

Sad to say, there seem to be people on this thread who indulge in this sin.

Havoc, I will pray for you. Please pray for me as well. (I certainly need it)

[guinnessman]

Your post #264 was very impressive, and beautifully said.

And your post #269 was a nice summary of a Catholic plan of life. It just goes to show that sometimes you can say a lot with just a few words.

[phil1750]

differences between Catholics and Christians

Havoc obviously knows very little of religion and even less of the Church of Rome.

[Havoc]

This you say instead of making any point. Obviously you know very little of religion and even less of Christianity. See. Two can do that. And it's just as useful either way - which is to say it isn't. It just makes you look like you're saying something when you're not.

[Havoc]

knowledge puffeth up? Ah, so it seems you've all got your heads together on what the message will be as a distraction from the meat. That didn't take long.

[Havoc]

Yeah, that must be it. Instead of responding to substance you
critiques style and length then want to talk about me and "pride".. Sure, we all believe in coincidence.. ;)

[Thorin]

>>>>>Persons like me.

Yes, a**holes. A**holes can be found in all races and religions, by the way.

[IrishRainy]

Ummm...look up "prideful" in the dictionary, and you'll see your picture next to it.

And please enlighten the rest of us - exactly what "church" do you belong to? Please don't say you're just a "Christian," tell us what denomination as well.

[Havoc]

Whether I enjoy debate or not is irrelevant. I'm good at it; but, that has little to do with whether I enjoy it or not. What I do enjoy is shining the light of truth into dark corners where bad things need to be exposed for what they are.
Debate merely for the sake of debate is mere vanity. And I have no use for vanity as my take on the stuck up elitist garment rules should give away.

As for post 314, I thought I'd let you sit on it and think about it for a while. Generic "you"s have a tendancy to make people feel threatened and make them think. So I do employ them. Kinda personalizes it without personalizing it.

[Havoc]

Sticks and stones... For smart people, you just can't help nursing your ego by attacking mine in the thought that my ego means as much to me as yours does to you.. Seems to be the problem with compulsively obtuse people - no creativity, they just lock themselves into thinking the whole world thinks like they do..

[Havoc]

I got a better idea, look up what a Christian is in the Bible and Compare it to Catholicism's version. Funny how I have to keep pointing to facts and all you want to do is try and make it about me and your latest rediculous charges. When are you going to learn that it doesn't hurt me and just put's your own spiritual, psychological and philosophical weakness on full display. Here, how about if I write your next few posts for you..

"your momma"
"My dad is bigger than your dad"
"My dad can beat up your dad"
"You may be right but I can say 'your momma'"
...

And after 1500 years of posts, bulls, councils, speaches and sermons, the fact remains that Catholicism and Christianity have terms in common - nothing else. They are two entirely seperate and distinct religions. I don't care if you deal with it.. your soul is your own boat to row. I'm still gonna say it because people deserve the truth.

[IrishRainy]

You didn't answer my question...and it's a simple one at that. What religious denomination are you?

[IrishRainy]

By reading through the thread, it's apparent you don't belong to a denomination. Other than the Church of Havoc, I mean.

How convenient...you're both the teacher and the student.

That sounds like the man who represents himself in court. What's that old saw, that he has a fool for a client?

And with that, I rest my case, your honor!

[Brit1]

Don't seem to be much speculation here about Cherie's attempt to convert Tony ...I guess nobody cares that much.

[wagglebee]

See #232, Jackie Kennedy had on a black dress.