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 never had a point. You had a baseless assertion which you utterly failed to prove or provide evidence for even when others gave you multiple opportunities.
If you think I have proven your point for you just add me to that ever growing list of abusive men you imagine you know. After all, I just beat you soundly in this argument.
I believe they were originally mercs.
The Guard is fascinating for its bottomline symbolism in regards to men —
Pointy sticks
Snazzy dress
Money/Medicis
Just keep living in that dream world of yours .....
A priest is not a job or career - it is a calling. And not even all men who think they are called are allowed to be one. Is that what you think of as being a second class citizen? Wow. I find that my life in the Church is rich, and I don’t feel like I am second class at all.
Many women are teachers of the faith, and we do participate in the Mass as well (as much as the laity are allowed to).
BTW - the job of the Church is to save souls, and the laity are called to do so as well.
My world is reality, remember you’re the one who imagines things about religion, men, their wives, etc.
Someone posts an article about women possibly joining the Swiss Guard and all of a sudden you’re talking about abusive husbands and women going to shelters.
Can I interest anyone in my religion? The Durasell Church of Beer and Ribs.
Of course, being a new religion it is not yet fully formed. So far it consists almost solely of beer and ribs. And there isn’t so much a text as a cook book. But we’re working on it.
I understand that ...that’s not what I was referring to. When rules are made by any religion as to define the role of women and those rules are demeaning to us then ....
After 500 years with no chicks.. yeah we'll think about it.
I was thinking more of the Church Of A Thousand Eyes, or, The Last-Chance Cathedral and Discount House of Worship ...
I should warn you, there is an early schism in the Durasell Church of Beer and Ribs. It’s over whether women should be allowed near the grill...
Actually the church was “The First Church Of The Grody Death And The Discount House Of Worship” ....and of course we’re supposed to be near the grill ... however would you guys know how to grill? Huh?
LOL! Good point!
Of course men know how to grill, we’re fascinated by outdoor fire, raw meat and over-sized cooking utensils.
Woa there missy!
Them thar's fight'n words.
A Good Ol' Boys Hot Tub
First One Out Looses
Match ya beer for beer!
Yer on! :)
An odd and disturbing image...
Folks do know how to party at times ....
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