MORFORD: 14 Thoughts For The New Pope - Condoms. Female priests. Stop gay bashing. And dammit,...

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 4/20/5 | Mark Morford

[SmithL]

OK, first things first.

They say you're a hard-line conservative, new pope Joseph Ratzinger (a.k.a. Benedict XVI) of Germany. Very old school and drab, a real lover of repressive, bitter, orthodox doctrine. No fun at parties. Catholic in chains. What glorious times of joy and progress the church is in for, millions now say, dejected sarcasm dripping from their once-hopeful mouths.

See, most spiritually progressive peoples the world over were sort of hoping for a new pope who would recognize this as a historic opportunity,

[righttackle44]

If you refuse to follow the teachings of
the Catholic Church, can they tell you
to go to hell?

[presidio9]

But what's up with the "Throne of Peter".

Because Peter was the first Pope and is buried underneath the altar at the Vatican.

[presidio9]

Now what exactly is the "Throne of Peter"?

"Thone of St. Peter," by Bernini. Location: Above the First Apostle's grave in the Basilica named after him. Nobody is trying to slight your chosen faith. The Papacy is called the Throne of Peter because of the 2000 year unbroken line of successors.

There is website called Google. You should look into it.

[fortunecookie]

Like I just said to someone else, they really are going all out to suck any joy out of the occasion. I'll say it again - full out tantrum. Pope Benedict xvi will surely need all the prayer help he can get! By the end of the week alone, we will be mired down in their venomous spew.

[El Cid]

Mr. Morford would be at home in Sodom and Gomorrah.
If he's criticizing a church (I'm not a member of the RC, by the way), that church should take this as a badge of honor. Heck, if Mr. Morford complemented my church I'd take that as a definite sign to run (not walk) out of that church as quickly as possible.

[Talking_Mouse]

See, most spiritually progressive peoples the world over were sort of hoping for a new pope who would recognize this as a historic opportunity

Well, you see, the Lord Christ said He had overcome the world, so we the followers of Christ -- Christ-ians, get it -- DON'T CARE WHAT SPIRITAULLY PROGRESSIVE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD THINK.

May I suggest to you that you prayerfully consider the state of your own relationship with God, Ms. Morford, instead of taking it upon yourself to lecture the Pope? Please try reading the bible cover to cover and read the catechism of the Catholic church before you comment on a faith obviously other than your own.

[Tao Yin]

Holy Cow! Please tell me the "Throne of Peter" is in a museum. I cannot imagine anyone in my synod's history having the audacity to sit on a chair like that: from those involved in writing the Book of Condor, to Martin Luther, to the Council of Nicene, to the apostles. None would sit on a chair like that or want a chair like that named after them. Wow, it's beautiful!

2000 years unbroken? That is arguable. However, the Great Schism of the West (1378-1417) is a great testament to the power of the pope over the cardinals.

It all started way back in 97 when serious dissensions troubled the Church of Corinth. The Roman Bishop, Clement, unbidden, wrote an authoritative letter to restore peace. This letter establishes the papacy. However, this letter is not contained in the Bible. It was not accepted as the inerrant word of God.

If the Pope is accepted as infallible, then his letter should start tradition. Right?

However, if you actually read it, you will find justification by faith alone.

From Clement of Rome's First Letter to Corinth...

And we too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, understanding, godliness, or works which we have produced in holiness of heart.

But we are justified by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Martin Luther was excommunicated because he would not blindly reject justification by faith alone because of a command by the current Pope.

Kind of makes a mess of papal infallibility in matters of doctrine. Reminds me of dominoes.

That's a beautiful chair though.

[presidio9]

Dude, get a grip. This is a Morford thread, hardly the place to argue theology. God and Morford haven't been introduced (actually, God knows and believes in Morford, but she rejects Him in favor of buttsex and drugs, but most people here already know that). My point was that nobody was making any slight at your faith by calling the Papacy the Throne of Peter. It is called that for traditional reasons that I gave to you. You don't have to accept that, just as athiests are fond of not capitalizing words like Son or God where appropriate, but neither are meant as a personal insult.

[ArrogantBustard]

You simply MUST read the keywords on any Morford post ... but not at work, unless you want to explain why your ROFL.

[hosepipe]

What good can come from San Fransisco.?..

[dennisw]

hersheyhero, gerbilsrippedmyflesh