Pope denounces money and possessions in his latest speech......
By James72
@James72 (26790)
Australia
September 13, 2008 10:10am CST
I am interested to hear how members feel about these particular references. The Vatican is one of the richest entities on the planet. Yes we can argue that the money the Vatican makes and the property etc that they have is used for humanitarian causes throughout the world; but do you immediately think along these lines or do you feel the slightest tinge of hypocrisy behind his statements? For the record this is by no means an anti-Pope post! I am just interested to hear other opinions regarding this.
2 people like this
2 responses
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
13 Sep 08
I used to be quite a serious Catholic! I used to recite my rosaries and I also paid attention whenever there was a live broadcast by the pope. Now, things have changed and I no longer follow the Catholic path. I still have a kind of profound respect for the pope but I guess I'm having real difficulty in accepting some of his views now. Yes, the vatican is full of wealth and I guess that you could say there is an element of hypocrisy there. Still, I relish in the freedom that I now have! I follow my own path and the church no longer dominates my life! Andrew
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
14 Sep 08
I am tagged as a Christiqan myself yet I too follow my own path. I have never related well to structured religion! The speech could have been worse I guess and at least he didn't mention nuts! lol. 
That could have benn VERY disturbing for you! Thanks for responding mate and emjoy that freedom!
That could have benn VERY disturbing for you! Thanks for responding mate and emjoy that freedom!1 person likes this
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
14 Sep 08
Thanks James and oh, by the way, I decided to change my photo as you can see! I thought that a huge smile would be better than the previous oh so serious face! Andrew
1 person likes this
(Joking of course!)
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
14 Sep 08
Once a Catholic, always a Catholic. Ever heard of that? I was born and raised a Catholic but attended a Protestant school so I was always confused as to the teachings of both, having some people from each side condemning the other. So now I just believe that my relationship with God is just between me and God.
I guess it's easier to denounce power, money and possessions when they're at your disposal. That is just my opinion. I am not saying that all Catholic priests are like these. I know several who have "rejected" their family's wealth to serve and live with the poor.
Now the Catholic guilt is starting to set in because of what I previously wrote. And I feel even worse because I must admit that I really haven't followed the goings-on in the Vatican since Pope Benedict XVI was elected pope. Please don't boo me.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
14 Sep 08
I have definitely heard this and even borne witness to this! I too believe that my relationship with God is a personal one and do not feel the need to honour an organized structure to practice my beliefs. I certainly won't boo you! lol. I agree that it is certainly easier to denounce wealth when you are not someone that has to live in poverty! It has always intrigued me too the immediate onset of guilt whenever questioning one's religion! It should not be this way in my opinion and we all have every right to question freely without feeling bad about it. I guess Catholicism is no different to any other religion in that there is always the combination of the good and the bad. Thanks for responding.
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
14 Sep 08
You are right about every religion having its good and bad aspects. I haven't been to church for about four years now and haven't really done any religious undertaking and I still get surprised every now and then why I feel guilty for saying the things I believe in that may go against what I've learned is morally wrong growing up.
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