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Easter Mass becomes papal pep rally in Rome
Associated Press ^ | April 4, 2009 | Frances D'emilo

Posted on 04/04/2010 12:02:06 PM PDT by Zakeet

Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, the Catholic church's most joyous celebration, began with a senior cardinal defending Pope Benedict XVI from what he called "petty gossip" and hailing him for "unfailing" leadership and courage.

But the pontiff himself ignored accusations that he perpetuated a climate of cover-up for pedophile priests, even as sex abuse scandals threatened to overshadow his papacy.

The ringing tribute by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, at the start of a Mass attended by tens of thousands of faithful, marked an unusual departure from the Vatican's Easter rituals, infusing the tradition-steeped religious ceremony with an air of a papal pep rally.

Sodano's praise for Benedict as well as the church's 400,000 priests worldwide cranked up a vigorous campaign by the Holy See to counter what it calls a "vile" smear operation orchestrated by anti-Vatican media aimed at weakening the papacy and its moral authority.

The pontiff and many bishops have been assailed by accusations from victims of clergy sexual abuse that Benedict helped shape and perpetuate a climate of cover-up toward the crimes against children in parishes, schools, orphanages and other church-run institutions.

Victims and their advocates are demanding that Benedict take personal responsibility.

Yet, Sodano insisted, on Easter the faithful came to "rally close around you, successor to (St.) Peter, bishop of Rome, the unfailing rock of the holy church" amid the joy of Easter.

"We are deeply grateful to you for the strength of spirit and apostolic courage with which you announce the Gospel," said Sodano, who sought to assure Benedict that the scandals were not costing him credibility among his flock.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: catholic; easter; mass; pope

We main stream media moguls have a duty to destroy the Catholic Church no matter what vile smear we have to manufacture in order get the job done ... and what better time to do this than Easter?

1 posted on 04/04/2010 12:02:07 PM PDT by Zakeet
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To: Zakeet

Another attack on the Pope? Move along, nothing new here. Jesus will be with the Church until the end of time. People fail, truth is everlasting.


2 posted on 04/04/2010 12:09:12 PM PDT by ex-snook ("Above all things, truth beareth away the victory.")
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To: Zakeet

Yes it is interesting that this world wide attack on the Church itself happened to co-incide with the most holiest of times.
Christ death and resurrection.

These hypocrits could care less about victims of abuse.
Should schools be closed due to teacher sexual abuse. The answer would be a resounding no, but the Church is open season. Not the individual criminals.


3 posted on 04/04/2010 12:13:13 PM PDT by Marty62 (marty60)
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To: Zakeet

The AP sure hates roman catholics.


4 posted on 04/04/2010 12:21:31 PM PDT by dr_who
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To: Zakeet

fwiw, the headline has changed a bit at the link.


5 posted on 04/04/2010 12:27:48 PM PDT by dep (all that is necessary for liberals to triumph is for honest people to do nothing)
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To: Zakeet
Huhhh? No news about the widening pedophilia in Jewish and Arab (Semitic) Institutions?

What is this, media prejudice?

Johnny Suntrade

6 posted on 04/04/2010 12:32:09 PM PDT by jnsun (The Left: the need to manipulate others because of nothing productive to offer.)
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To: dep; Admin Moderator
fwiw, the headline has changed a bit at the link.

Right you are. Prolly got to much flack given the venom shown in the original.

Admin Moderator: Recommend you keep the original and add the current headline, "Vatican's Easter Mass infused with defense of pope" to the end.

/Zak

7 posted on 04/04/2010 12:35:41 PM PDT by Zakeet (Will Rogers never met the Wee Wee)
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To: Zakeet; netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; markomalley; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; ...
Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list


8 posted on 04/04/2010 12:37:40 PM PDT by NYer ("Where Peter is, there is the Church." - St. Ambrose of Milan)
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To: ex-snook
Another attack on the Pope? Move along, nothing new here. Jesus will be with the Church until the end of time. People fail, truth is everlasting.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you!

9 posted on 04/04/2010 12:38:37 PM PDT by ContraryMary (GWB -- He kept us safe after 9/11)
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To: Zakeet

Attack on BXVI, False!

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZDkxYmUzMTQ1YWUyMzRkMzg4Y2RiN2UyOWIzNDVkNDM=


10 posted on 04/04/2010 1:08:33 PM PDT by Steelfish (ui)
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To: Zakeet

Vile toads. They never once used this terminology while talking about Obama rallies.


11 posted on 04/04/2010 1:56:13 PM PDT by denydenydeny ("I'm sure this goes against everything you've been taught, but right and wrong do exist"-Dr House)
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To: Zakeet

The enemy is already confused and shall be defeated utterly.

Courage.

Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with Thee
Blessed art Thou among women
And blessed is the Fruit of Thy womb, Jesus

Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners
Now and in the hour of our death
Amen


12 posted on 04/04/2010 1:58:13 PM PDT by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)
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To: Zakeet
So let me get this straight.

They support Kevin Jennings, but attack the POPE?

And are they in favor of homosexual scout leaders?

...and how do they feel about the "naughty teacher" ping list -- should such teachers by protected by their union, or not?

Cheers!

13 posted on 04/04/2010 2:45:56 PM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.http://www.free)
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To: grey_whiskers

You noticed that interesting point. Anyone confronted on this issue might as well ask the interlocutor, “Do you think homosexuality is wrong? Do you think all sexual behavior involving people under 18 is wrong? No? So ... your point was ...?”


14 posted on 04/04/2010 3:00:39 PM PDT by Tax-chick (Espiritu Santo, Espiritu Santo, renueva la faz de la tierra!)
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To: Zakeet
Uhhh...

The only thing Obama does is hold pep rallies, but the AP never notices it.

15 posted on 04/04/2010 3:18:40 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (FYBO: Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: ex-snook
Jesus will be with the Church until the end of time. People fail, truth is everlasting.

That was the theme of our sermon today.

16 posted on 04/04/2010 3:20:30 PM PDT by jersey117
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To: Zakeet

But the Church HAS been remiss in it’s handling of homo molesters in it’s midst. These priests that committed these acts are disgusting human beings and the Church could/should have defrocked them, had them arrested, and excommunicated them. Immediadely. They would have at least been acting in a manly and respectable fashion.


17 posted on 04/05/2010 9:17:18 AM PDT by sydney smith
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