The Burden / Cross of the Holy Father

TCR News ^ | April 26, 2002 | VARIOUS

[NYer]

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The Burden / Cross of
the Holy Father

John of Salisbury in the 12th century writing in his
political treatise "Policraticus" :

"The cathedra of the Roman Pontiff is a bed of thorns, his mantle, trimmed with the sharpest points all over, is so heavy that it weighs down, bruises, and crushes the strongest shoulders, and the tiara with its crown may well seem bright because it is made of fire."(VI, 24)

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"At this time too, as priests we are personally and profoundly afflicted by the sins of some of our brothers who have betrayed the grace of Ordination in succumbing even to the most grievous forms of the mysterium iniquitatis at work in the world. Grave scandal is caused, with the result that a dark shadow of suspicion is cast over all the other fine priests who perform their ministry with honesty and integrity and often with heroic self-sacrifice. As the Church shows her concern for the victims and strives to respond in truth and justice to each of these painful situations, all of us – conscious of human weakness, but trusting in the healing power of divine grace – are called to embrace the “mysterium Crucis” and to commit ourselves more fully to the search for holiness. We must beg God in his Providence to prompt a whole-hearted reawakening of those ideals of total self-giving to Christ which are the very foundation of the priestly ministry. " ---Pope John Paul II, Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday, 2002.

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[NYer]

At this extraordinary juncture in the battle between progressive and conservative catholic leaders, please remember our beloved John Paull II in your prayers.

Viva Il Papa!!!

[NYer]

Holy Father Prayer Bump!

[AlGone2001]

God,

I pray that the Pope will be a Godly man and fire Cardinal Law, instead of promoting him to a post at the Vatican.

In Jesus' name, amen.

[AlGone2001]

God,

I pray that the pope will make bold moves, and remove all known pedohiles from the Catholic church leadership.

I pray that he uses good judgement and not only removes them, but also removes those who have used their authority to move pedophiles from parish to parish.

Lord, I pray that any Cardinal that has willingly befriended any other priest (known to be a founder of NAMBLA) be fired from leadership immediately by the Pope.

Thank you God, in Jesus' name, amen.

[AlGone2001]

Lord,

I pray for Pope John Paul the 2nd's strength to be restored to him.

I pray that his health would prosper to a very old age.

In Jesus' name, amen.

[CWW]

It is not a promotion for Cardinla Law, who is assigned to one of crown jewels in Boston to be removed from his post and ordered to the Vatican. It is a demotion plain and simple. To assert that the Vatican is trying to shield him is not only insulting, its factually baseless. He will not be able to leave this contry without providing numerous depositions, both civil and criminal. And, the last time I checked, we have a treaty with Italy and with the Vatican the prohibits the Church from providing refuge to felons (if it gets that far). People need to step back, take a deep breath and ask themselves if their criticisms are factually valid, or are they just the product over an overactive, anti-Catholic imagination. One thing is certain, the Church, the bishops and the victims of these horrible crimes need the prayers of ALL Christians.

[DoctorMichael]

Thank You! He is in my prayers.

I feel so bad for him right now. Imagine...........keeping your (and others) faith going during Nazi occupationin the 40's..........having your country torn apart and devastated during their retreat.........only to have to face off against 'godless communists' over the simple rights of man to freely associate, elect governing bodies, unionize and worship during the 50's, 60's and 70's.........plotted and fought in alliance with Ronald Reagan during the 80's to sweep Marxism into the 'dustbin of history'..........put down far left-wing elements of the Catholic Church over 'Liberation Theology' in Central and South America during the 90's that threatened to hijack Christianity to revive La Revolution............and now this mess.

Once again, he is in my prayers.

[history_matters]

God bless the Holy Father. Shouldn't we fast and pray and make sacrifices for his health and strength?

[Judith Anne]

Yes.

[AlGone2001]

It is not a promotion for Cardinal Law, who is assigned to one of crown jewels in Boston to be removed from his post and ordered to the Vatican. It is a demotion plain and simple.

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Smiles everyone!  Welcome to Fantasy Island!

I'm going to refrain from helping you believe that.

How would you have treated this if you found out that Bill Clinton had moved one of his cabinet members to an an ambassadorship overseas, just to hide pedophilia?  I'm very serious about that question, and I want an answer.

You'd have been protesting, wouldn't you?

These men you seem to be breaking your neck to cover are supposed to be men of God.  Do men of God move pedophiles from one parish to another, and then move the one who covered for the pedophiles?

Take a good look at it.

 

[AlGone2001]

One thing is certain, the Church, the bishops and the victims of these horrible crimes need the prayers of ALL Christians.

Do those who knowingly moved pedophiles from parish to parish need to be fired? YES or NO

[CWW]

Yes. Absolutely Yes. And prosecuted!

[AlGone2001]

Yes. Absolutely Yes. And prosecuted!

Are you for the prosecution of (above the) Law and others who have moved these pedophiles?

[NYer]

While the media focuses on his frail health, remember that he is protected by the Blessed Mother, to whom he has consecrated his papacy.

It must be extremely frustrating for him to express himself from a body that is not cooperating willingly. Each time I look at him, I see a man physically carrying the burden of the world on his shoulders. No wonder he is bent over.

Yes, our Holy Father truly deserves all our prayers and sacrifices. Please pray the rosary to Mary! Through her, he maintains his strength.

[AlGone2001]

I see a man physically carrying the burden of the world on his shoulders. No wonder he is bent over.

You have got to be kidding.

PHYSICALLY carrying the burden of the world? Show me a picture of that.