[Crazymonarch]

Perhaps its got something to do with him reaching his use by date

[Fred Mertz]

John Paul must bear partial responsibility for the catastrophe that has befallen us.

Dreher, I can't believe the WSJ let you publish this drivel. If I say what I really think, I'll be banned.

[Arkinsaw]

The American church has not exactly been on the same side as this Pope on a lot of issues. The American church has been moaning about how it must have the freedom to be more liberal and independent of Rome. Now there are a lot of folks upset that there is not a crackdown from Rome?

[american colleen]

Thank you for posting Mr. Dreher's column.

I'd like to remind Mr. Dreher of our Lord's parable of the Weeds among the Wheat.

He proposed another parable to them. "The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, "Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?" He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn."

I'd also like to remind Mr. Dreher of the explanation of the Sower.

Jesus said to his disciples: "Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."

It seems to me that at the moment, the Church is reflecting the sins of society. The faithful will remain faithful to the Church Christ left us, because the sins of the "tares" growing within Her do not change the Actions of the Sower.

[narses]

Ping.

[De Fide]

While no one can imagine or judge the intentions of the Holy Father, his visible activity has left much to be desired. This article praises his writing, but much of it is vague and novel and in line with the neo-modernist theology that has wracked the Church for a century.

He can be thanked for not giving in on some key doctrines, like womens' ordination; but otherwise he seems to have given away the store. He apparently decided early on not to try to reform the Church in a traditional manner (he is a man of the revolutionary generation, after all) and now, with all due respect, he ends his pontificate with a Church on the verge of collapse.

[Orual]

In serious matters, such as priestly sexual misconduct, abuses in the liturgy, corruption in seminary life, and the rejection of church teaching by Catholic universities and hospitals, the pope has explicitly recognized the crisis, given clear directions for its correction -- and done nothing when his orders were ignored or undercut by subordinates in this country. Over the last 30 years, faithful Catholics have found a variety of ways to make known to the Holy See their urgent concern, but most often to no avail.

Finally, a good Catholic dares to tell the truth about the Pope's inaction. Words are cheap file.

[PieroC]

1.Can the Bishops Forbid the Police from Arresting Priests?
2. Can the Catholic Church declare any American law about sexuality null and void?
3. Can the Catholic Church arrest American criminals?

[slimer]

If you are seeking answers, if looking for guidance or encouragement in crisis, if one is seeking truth, understanding and justice, then open the bible and read it for yourself.

Men will always disappoint each other but God will never let you down. He is faithful to His "Word".

[Salvation]

The Pope cares deeply about those who have been hurt by these sexual misdeeds. This author makes we wonder if he is not just a "Pope Basher"!

[heyheyhey]

Why does such a great and good man seem to care so little about the plight of faithful Catholics, both sex-abuse victims and those who have seen their children raped by evil priests, who were in turn protected by derelict bishops?

Hey gcruse, why does such a stanch atheist like yourself seem to care so much about the plight of faithful Catholics? Are you trying to be better than the Holy Father?
You already tried to be better than God on other threads.

We can take care of ourselves without your fishy "help."

How could you use the title "The Pope Has Let Us Down" after you confessed Queen Elizabeth is your pope? Forgetful or plain anti-Catholic bigot?

[elcaudillo]

Due to his long but wasted tenure, he has as much explaining to do when confronted by his Maker as do his predecessors dating back to Pope Pius XII.

Within his power the changes wrought by Vatican II could have been reversed and the tabernacle restored to it's rightful place on a proper altar rather than the portable picnic table.

Instead he wandered about the world sometimes riding in his popemobile and being "entertained" by barebreasted polynesians and visiting mosques and other temples of heathen worship.

We can only pray that his predecessor can again open the windows of the Church and blow this stench forever out, and the historical and beautiful church and mass (instituted by our Savior and guaranteed by Pope Pius X to last until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ) be restored.

[A. Pole]

Why does such a great and good man seem to care so little about the plight of faithful Catholics, both sex-abuse victims and those who have seen their children raped by evil priests, who were in turn protected by derelict bishops?

The Pope was adressing Poles and they have different set of very urgent problems.

[mo]

Please bear in mind the majority of American "Catholics" voted thrice for a platform built on infant butchery...IMHO the American church is reaping what it has sown. JPII will not come riding to rescue it from the consequences of failing to assume responsibility for its conduct.

[livius]

Cardinal Bernard Law claims to have offered his resignation, only to have it refused.

I was very depressed today to read in Zenit that Archbishop Milongo, he of the Moonie wedding and the fraudulent "healing services," has been welcomed back to the fold and is out working his same old magic again. He was "punished" for all of what, 3 months?

What does this say to all the good and faithful bishops and clergy?

I honestly don't understand what's going on.