Pope to hold major Holy Week service in youth jail

[onehandle]

Source: Reuters

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis will hold a major ceremony next week in the chapel of a youth prison instead of in the Vatican or a Rome basilica where it has been held before, the Vatican said on Thursday. Francis will conduct the Holy Thursday afternoon service at the Casal del Marmo jail for minors on Rome's outskirts.

During the service, the pope washes and kisses the feet of 12 people to commemorate Jesus's gesture of humility towards his apostles on the night before he died. All previous popes in living memory held the service either in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican or in the Basilica of St. John in Lateran, which is the pope's cathedral church in his capacity as bishop of Rome.

Vatican spokesmen said they could not recall an occasion when the service was held anywhere else.

When he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio often celebrated the Holy Thursday service in a jail, a hospital, a home for the elderly or with poor people.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/pope-hold-major-holy-week-youth-jail-102837255.html

---

More bad news for the un-well wishers.

[truthisfreedom]

1. Fascinating.

[Rozlee]

2. So much for the honeymoon.

I have family members that are swooning about how great this is. But, a couple of our conservative Cathevangelicals are grumbling that he should have had the ceremony at an abortion clinic. So, it begins.

[demosincebirth]

5. Can't please everyone.

[Renew Deal]

18. Many of these people only believe in the republican views of Christianity

The popes care for the poor will not play well with the message driven by the teabaggers. It will force them to choose.

[Kingofalldems]

22. That means he's doing a good job.

[redwitch]

23. The Right to Birth folk.

They suck.

[duhneece]

45. Matthew 25 didn't say anything about abortion, but did about visiting prisoners

I love this.

[Rozlee]

46. Nowhere in the bible does it prohibit abortion.

Jesus, St. Paul and none of the Apostles ever mentioned it, although they were surrounded by cultures that practiced it and had, no doubt, known of it themselves. Not to mentioned that surely the Israelis considered it normal to execute pregnant women if the casualness that Tamar was sentenced to die for "playing the harlot" and being pregnant out of wedlock is any indication (Genesis 38:1-30). But, I like the fact that the services are being held in an unorthodox place like a youth prison, too. I may be a lapsed Catholic, but I like seeing the fluster that all this is causing in the ranks of the hardliners. I'll bet Catholics like Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Bill O'Reilly, Pat Buchanan and Bill Donohue are steaming.

[duhneece]

65. But the Bible does say when life starts...& it's not with conception

For those who care what the Bible says, it's very clear that life begins with the first breath:
Genesis 2 , Job 33:4, Ezekiel 37:5-6

Genesis 2
New International Version (NIV)
7 Then the Lord God formed a man[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Job 33:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 The Spirit of God has made me;
the breath of the Almighty gives me life

Ezekiel 37:3-...(I like the whole story, but here's the gist)
3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!
5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.

[Rozlee]

67. Can't convince the anti-choice extremists.

Who refer to a day-old zygote as a "baby." They always cherry pick what parts of the scriptures fit their world view or ignore what parts interfere with their preconceived ideology.

[duhneece]

69. And I try to remind them that an acorn is not an oak tree

All I can do is plant ideas, hoping to get them to question the foundation of their beliefs...I loved it when I found those Biblical verses on a facebook post. I've used them numerous times since then & know I'll continue to use them. So far, they have been unable to question my Biblical foundation.

[duhneece]

70. PS I love that you used the 'correct' frame: anti-choice

The extremists is a nice touch that I'll be adding to our anti-choice frame. Thanks.

[Cal33]

49. Are there any Catholic abortion clinics? If not, it's unlikely that

the pope would be invited there. You probably picked a
bad example.

[Rozlee]

61. I think they probably meant as a protest ceremony outside of one.

Besides, a lot of Catholic anti-choicers honestly refuse to believe Catholics have abortions. It's only atheists that do, in their opinions. I've had this argument with them before and it blows my mind. A study by the Alan Guttmacher Institute found that Catholics have more abortions than Protestants. Catholics have abortions by 22 out of 1,000 women; Protestants by 18 out of 1,000. I have no idea of the abortion rates among atheists. I'd like to think since we have no silly ideas about contraception and sex education being evil, that we have less unplanned pregnancies. But, that's just me.

[RainDog]

71. So banning contraceptives leads to abortion?

who woulda thunk.

[hedgehog]

3. A little inside baseball - if he washes the feet of any female prisoners,

look for heads to explode all over the Right Wing/ Traditional Catholic blogoverse!

[Duer 157099]

4. Must not comment

Nope, not gonna comment. Oops, just did.

[JNelson6563]

6. I hope he inspires a new era for the church.

It would be good to see any portion of Christianity focus on practicing the good things that Jesus told them too. I dare say it would be a most refreshing change!

Julie

[Malik Agar]

7. If the Pope keeps this up...

The atheist/ anti-Catholic's meltdown will be glorious to watch. Well, that and the fact that the world will be a much better place.

[Javaman]

8. Huh, I'm an atheist and I'm not melting down.

so please don't group us all together, okay? And I won't group all religious people together, deal?

I have my own brand of atheism, which I call constitutional atheism. That means, I observe the first amendment right to freedom of religion and that also means freedom from religion.

So while I don't believe, I could careless if other people believe because I observe and stand behind our constitution.

Also, while I have read the bible, the torah and the koran, it doesn't mean that I don't understand why religions exist, I just choose not to be part of it.

That said, if this pope does more things like this, my personal opinion of the catholic church (of which I was originally raised as) will go up a notch in regards to them following the peaceful words of christ.

[cbayer]

9. Agree with so much of what you say here and respect your position.

The lumping together of believers or non-believers serves no purpose and fails to acknowledge the differences within these group.

While not perfect, this pope is doing some pretty unprecedented things that bode very well, imo.

[Javaman]

10. Personally speaking, it makes me crazy when I see other atheists...

"evangelizing" to people about their religions.

I never understood that.

I don't like it done to me, so why should atheists believe they should get a free pass when they do it.

I really try to live by the simple belief of "live and let live"

Life is so incredibly short and how crazy is it to waste it by arguing instead of trying to reach a middle ground and learn to understand.

Peace.

[cbayer]

16. We are trying to accomplish some of that in the new Interfaith group.

Finding common ground, treating each other with respect, no matter what one believes or doesn't believe.

This is happening more and more among younger people and on college campuses. It's pretty refreshing.

Peace to you as well.

[freshwest]

66. Well said.

[onehandle]

11. A good liberal stance. nt

[Javaman]

13. Cheers. :) nt

[840high]

32. Amen.

[Kolesar]

17. Go away...eom

[NYC Liberal]

19. "meltdown"? LOL. Have this pope's rabidly anti-gay and anti-women views changed?

There are many good people in this world who fight for justice and equality for ALL, not just for some. Why not support those people?

Imagine if a politician here in the US was supportive of some social justice causes - but was also anti-choice, believed homosexuality was a disorder and marriage equality an evil ploy straight from Satan, and opposed equality for women. Do you think for one second they would be praised here, or deserve to be?

[MellowDem]

37. "Compassionate Conservatism" I believe is what it's called...

Feed the poor but don't do anything to change the system that keeps them poor. Oh, and hold a lot of socially conservative positions.

Eh, but many of the religious will grasp any sort of good nugget they can to not face the bad aspects of their own beliefs. Head in the sand.

[friendly_iconoclast]

39. There was an excellent comment about that sort of mindset.

"When I feed the poor, some call me a saint. When I ask why they're poor, I get called a Communist."

[broadcaster75201]

26. It is the perpetuation of myth and evil

I don't care WHAT you dress it as. Religion is responsible for untold horrors perpetrated upon mankind and it shows NO sign of letting up.

I represented murderers, as an attorney, whose neighbors thought they were the best people in the world.

When the Church sells all that it has and gives it to the poor, let me know. Until then, the horror that is religion should not ever be tolerated. Ignorance should never be tolerate. It ... is ... killing ... us.

[Summer Hathaway]

76. Characterizing all religion

as "myth and evil" is demonstrative of the very narrow-mindedness that people who engage in such categorizing invariably attribute to those of faith.

"Religion is responsible for untold horrors ..." I don't necessarily disagree. But it is also responsible for untold joys of the soul, untold awakenings of compassion, untold comfort, untold guidance, an untold sense of community between like-minded believers - and, at times, untold displays of humanity.

I consider myself to be a spiritual person, rather than a religious person. But I do know this: when someone says that "the horror that is religion should not ever be tolerated. Ignorance should never be tolerate(d)," it always strikes me as a clear indication that the someone-in-question is as ignorant as he/she so pathetically pretends not to be.

There is a place for "religion" - i.e. for faith in the unseen, for trust in the unknowable, for confidence in the right outcome of things - in everyone's life.

To disrespect the beliefs of others is to disrespect what it is that makes them not only human, but that spark within them that makes them something more.

"Ignorance should never be tolerate. It ... is ... killing ... us."

Again, I can't disagree. Ignorance IS killing us. And your kind of ignorance is a perfect example thereof.

[maxsolomon]

12. A pretty, pious new bow on the same old Church.

This was a shrewd pick - a Pope that will emphasize piety during his (probably) decade-maximum reign. The global anger at the church will fade in the face of Francis' good works, meanwhile nothing essential will change in its policies - towards women, pederast priests, etc.

It's almost as if there was a plan.

[broadcaster75201]

27. Exactly. It's like the GOP. "Oh let's try and put a new dress on it." n/t

[Dollface]

14. So they decided to go with a Christian this time. Interesting.

[Renew Deal]

15. He really wants to become a saint

[Beacool]

20. This is a humble man who has been so for many years.

It's not for show. I read that before going to Rome several priests chipped in and bought him a pair of shoes because the ones he had looked so ratty.

[UrbScotty]

24. Can you imagine if Obama did something for prisoners?

The righties would be howling!

As it is, some of them might be howling at the Pope for doing this!

[broadcaster75201]

25. Sell all that the Church has and give it to the poor. THEN I'll be impressed n/t

nt

[Purveyor]

28. Reading the responses to the Pope threads, I really don't know how you Democratic Catholics remain

on this forum.

Pathetic and disgusting is all I can say of the anti-Catholic bigots in this place.

[Beacool]

30. I agree.

Although I currently attend a Lutheran church, I was raised Catholic. The bigotry and nastiness against the Church is over the top.

[840high]

33. It hurts me to read

those comments.

[Tumbulu]

35. Agree, they are bigots

and it is really ridiculous.

[onehandle]

36. There are a number of DUers who Catholic or not, have been making up for them.

I really appreciate those liberals who post positive hopeful comments and encouragement.

[Humanist_Activist]

50. What's the hope, that this guy won't be as bad as the last one? Faint hope that...

he said equal rights activists were doing the work of the devil.

[onehandle]

51. He's likely going to be the most popular religious leader since the Dalai Lama.

[Humanist_Activist]

52. And that's a good thing?

Unless he decides to change the Catechism of the Catholic Church, particularly on Homosexuality, contraception, and abortion, I don't see how this is a good thing.

[MellowDem]

38. Pathetic and disgusting...

are the words to describe the Catholic Church in their official positions of bigotry that they actively spread.

Apologists of this bigoted religion are engaging in disgusting and pathetic cognitive dissonance and intellectual dishonesty.

And they are calling relevant criticism "bigotry". Reminds me of KKK members saying that the real racists are black people.

When a person holds the official position that women are inferior and gay marriage is an act of the devil, it doesn't matter what good he does in the name of those offical positions.

Everyone realizes this with secular institutions, but many religious people still feel privileged and entitled to special protection from criticism. Not anymore. Fuck that.

[snooper2]

41. FYI, it's not all "anti-catholic" bigots..

Some think religion is ridiculous in general...


Didn't you read the LBN thread about additional confirmation of the Big Bang theory?

[Humanist_Activist]

47. What I find disgusting is the lauding of a homophobic dipshit like Francis the fucking first. n/t

[Purveyor]

53. "Francis the fucking first"? eom

[Humanist_Activist]

54. Sorry, but saying "Francis the fucking I" just doesn't have the same ring to it. n/t

[Purveyor]

55. I alerted on this your thread and it seems the 'books are cooked' on this forum. Read on the detail

How is this possible?

I alerted on this thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=432974 with the time stamp of

"At Fri Mar 22, 2013, 11:02 PM you sent an alert on the following post:"

But at the same 11:02 I receive:

11:02 PM
Automated Message
AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Your alert was received

At Fri Mar 22, 2013, 11:02 PM you sent an alert on the following post:

What I find disgusting is the lauding of a homophobic dipshit like Francis the fucking first. n/t
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=432974

The reason for the alert was:

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate. (See <a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=aboutus#communitystandards" target="_blank">Community Standards</a>.)

You added the following comments:

"Francis the fucking first". Seriously should this hatred of the Catholic church be allowed to continue on this forum?

A randomly-selected Jury of DU members completed their review of this post at Fri Mar 22, 2013, 10:50 PM, and voted 1-5 to keep it.

Thank you.

I've served on many a jury here on none I've been on reached a 'verdict' within the same 'minute' the alert was sent.

I'm waiting for a response in the 'ask the admin' forum.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1259875

[Humanist_Activist]

56. I'm not allowed to hate on a bigoted organization, or its homophobic leader?

Really? Why ARE YOU DEFENDING THIS DIPSHIT!

[Purveyor]

57. So 'hate' is excepted if it is 'your hate'? eom

[Humanist_Activist]

58. My hate isn't against a whole group of people, BIG FUCKING DIFFERENCE.

Good ole Pope Francis I opposes equal rights for women and LGBT people, you reap what you sow.

[Purveyor]

59. Hate is 'hate' and you seriously have issues. Disagree and protest is one thing but 'hate'?

I truly hope you are on a 'watchlist'...

[Humanist_Activist]

60. Oh please, stop with the hysterics, would you say the same if I switched out his name for Fred...

Phelps, or Pat Robertson, or any of the other leaders of hate organizations out there? I doubt it.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

72. I've asked this before and gotten no answer.

It seems the Catholic Church is the one bigoted, homophobic, sexist version of Christianity that's OK. Although there isn't much difference between the social teachings of the Catholic church and people like Pat Robertson.

I love the idea that an organization of 1.2 billion people is oppressed by anti-theists like us, yet this organization was killing and forcing conversion on people like us for decades.

[Comrade Grumpy]

68. Wow, that's mighty persuasive. Are you changing a lot of opinions with that ugly mouth?

Or just having fun being obnoxious?

[CONN]

29. foot fetish n/t

[MannyGoldstein]

31. This guy's the Elizabeth Warren of the papacy

Well, there are some *obvious* differences... But it's certainly true that he's wasting zero time in using the power and visibility of his office to good effect.

[Tumbulu]

34. Yes, he seems to be

and I am impressed with both of them!

[TomClash]

64. I am alerting this post immediately!

It is too thoughtful and measured to be here.

[DonCoquixote]

40. It's a nice image, but

Francis needs to confront the Church as it is, because as long as women are second class, gays are outcasts, and birth control is banned, they will cause harm with the left hand even for all the good the right hand does. This is not to discount the idea that Francis could,if he wanted to, become that liberal reformer that he was not in argentina...if he does, I will be the first to lay palm fronds at his feet, I just do not think he will.

[Zoeisright]

42. When he gives away the billions the Vatican has

he'll have some credibility. Kissing people's feet while millions are starving means a sum total of JACK SHIT.

[Beacool]

43. I read a lot of comments like yours on the web.

Should the US sell the WH and all its historical collection of artifacts? Should we empty the Smithsonian and sell their content too? Should other nations do the same?

I don't expect any nation to sell its patrimony, I don't expect the Vatican to do so either.

What I do hope is that their stance on birth control and the ordination of women will eventually change. Birth control would be the easiest issue for them to move forward.

As for approving of abortion and gay marriage, I don't expect that to ever occur.

What I find refreshing about Pope Francis is that he truly does care for the poor. He has been practicing what he preaches for decades. I like him. He's the opposite of Benedict, who loved pomp and luxury. He was know as a clotheshorse who brought back many garments that other Popes had eschewed. While Francis has kept his simple steel cross and chose as his Papal ring one that is gold plated over silver, Benedict would routinely wear jewel encrusted gold crosses and his ring was solid gold.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

73. Its not all artifacts.

The Vatican bank controls billions and own tons of land.




So if you don't expect it to ever happen we should just move on right?
Typical privileged heterosexual first world ignorance. Keep defending homophobia and sexism and thinking you're "progressive".

[AnneD]

44. I am starting...

to like Pope Francis.

[Humanist_Activist]

48. Yes, how dare we not like a guy who is a homophobic woman hater. n/t

[ForgoTheConsequence]

74. BIGOT!!!!!

How dare you point out the obvious and hurt the fragile sensibilities of people who fool themselves into thinking they can call themselves "progressive" while still financially supporting homophobia and sexism.

[RainDog]

62. You really should remove that last sentence in your post

But I doubt you will because you are trying to exacerbate a situation that could recede if people like you didn't do stupid shit like this.

In any case, even tho you want to be a hater, what the pope is doing is good p.r. and the church needs to show some humility in the face of their generational child abuse scandal. There. That's the reality of what's going on right now, which I would've gladly passed on saying anything about but you post stupid shit like that last sentence.

An institution that has protected pedophiles for more than the lifetimes of most people living in this world today has a lot to atone for.

And this, as the face of the Catholic Church, is needed after the last Pope, since he was directly implicated in refusing to follow the law regarding child abusers in every nation in which the church existed.

I wish the Pope well. I hope the church continues to pay damages to those it has harmed.

Anyway - if you want to delete that last sentence, I'll delete my post as well. If you want to keep up this bullshit, I'll be happy to remind you why some people may not hold the institution you hold dear in such high esteem.

[jberryhill]

63. For boys?

What sort of facility is it?

But good on him for visiting those caged young wayward boys who suffer from depravity.

[awoke_in_2003]

75. The pope in a youth jail...

what is the worst that can happen?