Posted on 05/05/2009 2:35:00 PM PDT by nickcarraway
After more than five centuries protecting popes, the Swiss Guard may consider opening the ranks of the world's smallest army to women, its commander said Tuesday.
"I can imagine them for one role or another. Certainly we can think about this," Daniel Anrig, who took over the post late last year, told Italian television program "Studio Aperto."
Anrig's remarks could represent a major change in position regarding the future of the elite corps composed entirely of 19- to 30-year-old Catholic men hailing from the Swiss Army.
Anrig's predecessor argued that mixing the sexes could be more trouble than it was worth and cited cramped Vatican barracks as another reason for excluding women. Asked about difficulties like cramped quarters, Anrig responded: "Any problems can be resolved." The Swiss Guard was founded on January 22, 1506, when 150 Swiss mercenaries marched to Rome to serve under Pope Julius II, known as "the warrior Pope."
Today, the guard numbers around 110 men. Clad in flamboyant striped uniforms, the guard's role is largely ceremonial and many of its members still carry around a medieval weapon -- the halberd, which is a combination of spear and battle axe.
Wednesday, the Vatican will hold an annual ceremony commemorating the 140 guards killed in the May 6, 1527 sacking of Rome. The surviving members saved the life of Pope Clement VII.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
You’re too far away ... beer would go stale by then ....
Not my idea of a rump roast.
How far away am I? You’re profile page don’t say. BTW: Is that really you in the co-pilot seat?
“Clad in flamboyant striped uniforms, the guard’s role is largely ceremonial and many of its members still carry around a medieval weapon — the halberd, which is a combination of spear and battle axe. “
WHat the public doesn’t see is the dudes with leather coats and MP7s in hand.
They are pretty harsh - but then, they should be, given the mission.
Rasmussen: “Men now favor the GOP by a 47% to 33% margin. Women prefer the Democrats by a 45% to 34% margin.”
Res ipsa loquitor
Hi, I’ve been trying to follow all the back and forth. Serious and, I hope, fair question: Isn’t the answer, for you, to simply not be in a religion if you percieve that one or all derogates women? And if you don’t want to be (reasonably) available 24/7 to a man, isn’t the answer not to be in a marriage (where presumably you ask him to forsake all others 24/7)? I don’t see the problem, since your viewpoint, while fine for you, is more or less the exception, not the norm.
It was more an observation on my part than being involved in any religion. It has been interesting to me though to see how the debate went from one thing to another - I would have to ask then what is the norm .... why is my viewpoint not the norm? The norm being how a religion interprets or defines the role of a woman ... to challenge that norm is to then be the exception and not normal insofar as the religion is concerned? Then of course there are ‘punishments’ for not accepting the norm, aren’t there ....
And the presumption is on your part ... I’m an Independent. I became one after the McCain fiasco ....
Thanks.
I guess by “norm,” I am speaking only of my admittedly anecdotal observations. Most of the women I know like the idea of being in a supportive role to a man and being (again, reasonably) available 24/7. Not talking doormat here, but I think the majority of woman do in fact like the idea of an assertive male around “taking charge,” so to speak, despite the attempts of femnists to flush that out.
Now, even if my observation is true, is it arguably a malevolent characteristic that is socialized by a patriarchal society, as a Gloria Steinem might aver? I don’t have the answers but I suspect it is more hard-wired and not subject to purging by any ideology.
Anyway, thems my thoughts. Now fire up that grill!
I’m not presuming anything about you or any individual.
I was merely citing an up to date finding on party preference by gender.
A little touchy, are we?
Nope, just replying to your Latin quote about not presuming anything .... not touchy just relating ....
Funny you’re so perceptive ... the grill is heating as I write ....
Dumb picture - holding an intercom phone ... only one available at the time ... I’m in Washington state ...
Generalizing, bitterness, anger, emoting, irrational thoughts, bias, bigotry, etc. for starters.
Wow, all that?
Yep that’s a ways away. But really, is a beer ever open long enough to get stale?
They are much more of a deterrent than a nightstick and pepper spray.
Plus the Swiss Guard also have pistols and SG 550 assault rifles, and every member has military training.
Even a religion which salutes a woman as the greatest of all God's creations and the Queen of Heaven?
Mulieris Dignitatem ("On the Dignity of Woman"), John Paul II
and be available whenever the men want us ... 24/7 .....
Please read up on John Paul II's Theology of the Body. Your statements could not possibly be further from the truth, at least with regard to Catholicism.
Gee, well Dr. Phil you forgot sarcasm .... you’re not thinking outside the box ... you should try it sometime. It expands the mind ...
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