I was actually softening a little towards the Catholic Church until this!!

[LynneSin]

Mind you, this is nothing against those who are catholic. It's just to me the Catholic Church is just another Corporation (similar to Corporations run by Falwell and Robertson).



My Peeve - Allowing Cardinal Law to be one of the 9 priests to preside over the Pope's funeral mass. This man stepped down in disgrace because of his cover-up of the sex scandal where priests were fondling underage boys. He should NOT be a part of this service other than to attend and pay his last respects.

I'm a Christian but I've always been critical of Corporate Christianity - using the name of Jesus to raise profits more for the people running the church instead of using it to actually do some good. But despite their anti-choice/anti-gay rhetoric, I've never been as critical about the Catholic Corporation because they also were a party that was for peace and against the death penalty. But now I see Corporate Catholicism is no different then the other Corporate Christianity Business. Giving Cardinal Law a free pass just stinks!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/08/international/worldspecial2/08cardinals.html

Cardinal Law, Ousted in U.S. Scandal, Is Given a Role in Rites
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

Published: April 8, 2005
ROME, April 7 - Cardinal Bernard Law, who was forced to resign in disgrace as archbishop of Boston two years ago for protecting sexually abusive priests, was named by the Vatican today as one of nine prelates who will have the honor of presiding over funeral Masses for Pope John Paul II.

To many American Catholics, Cardinal Law is best known as the archbishop who presided over the Boston archdiocese as it became the focus for the sexual abuse scandal involving priests.

But to Vatican officials, Cardinal Law is a powerful kingmaker who traveled internationally for the church and whose favorite priests were regularly appointed bishops by John Paul. After he stepped down in Boston in 2003, he was given a spacious apartment and a prestigious although honorary post in Rome as archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

[tinonedown]

1. The entire molestation thing has cooled me

They tried to sweep it under the rug.

[Walt Starr]

2. I agree, it was a direct slap into the face of every victim,

especially those who were directly victimized by the actions of Cardinal Law. Cardinal Law should be sitting in a United States prison right now for conspiracy to commit child abuse.

Having him play such a public role in this very public event was the stupidest move the Roman church has made in my living memory, and the second stupidest move was giving him asylum!

[iamjoy]

3. You Got Me Going Too

I have been praising John Paul II as some one who (while I may disagree with his views on reproductive freedom) was at least consistent. He advocated peace and an end to poverty.

But, now, I am starting to wonder. I was inclined to overlook the fact that JPII was in charge during the pedophilia scandal, despite that the CEO of a corporation is (or at least used to be) responsible for any malfaensce at that corporation. Anyway, a lot of this abuse probably took place before JPII (was Pope).

But now I have to wonder if JPII did as much to condemn it as he could and must wonder if any of those perverted preists are now bishops...

As for the Catholic Church being like a relgiious business...they preach against poverty, but the ganduer of of the Vatican is amazing, and they supposedly destroy the Pope's ring. Now how much is that thing worth anyway when people around the world starve?

I guess you're going to have to pass me the maple syrup.

[LynneSin]

5. The Vatican is an amazing place - too bad all the money was wasted there..

...instead of going out there and helping people in need.

The Vatican is no different from these massive churches built by ilks like Falwell & Robertson. The biblical definition of a church is NOT a building but a gathering of people united together in Christ's name.

[cidliz2004]

4. Remember the Christian values include forgiveness

I like your terminology though, Corporate Christianity. I'll use it if you don't mind. I myself, was raised Catholic and really disagreed with much of what went with the Catholic faith.

The Catholics corporation though, are the most giving of all of the other "corporate Christians" organizations. So, I guess they do some good around the world. I came to realize some time ago, that there are Christians in most if not all "Christian religions", it is the organizations themselves that don't really amount to much except most of what Christianity opposes. So, I don't look at any "one" group of Christians in a religion and condemn them as a whole, because I believe that there are Christians sprinkled throughout most if not all of the Christian religions.

[Walt Starr]

6. The law requires Law go to prison

he conspired to commit child abuse. His actions lead directly to children being abused. He had full knowledge of what was goin on, knew he was facing charges, and skipped the country in the middle of the night.

If John Paul II had any convictions, ethics, or morals whatsoever, he would have turned Law over to United States officials within ten minutes of his arrival at the Vatican.

[LynneSin]

7. Forgiveness is one thing, giving someone a great honor like Law got...

...is completely different. As I said, I don't mind that he attends the funeral and pays his last respects - hell Bush is doing it too. But if I'm correct there are plenty of Cardinals out there that could do the mass other than Law!!

And personally, I think his pentinance should have been behind jail along with any other priest who committed such horrible sins.

And please, spread the word of Corporate Christianity. These Xtians are no different than a major corporation who's main concern is the bottom line and buying lawmakers to help increase it!

[cidliz2004]

9. Personally, I agree with you.

but, I consider that the vengeful part of me.

[cidliz2004]

8. I had an interesting conversation with a Catholic bookkeeper.

She had worked for 2 separate Catholic churches in about a 10-12 year period. She told me that there were 2 books kept, the book for the parishioners and the real books. She told me that all soul's day was a lucky day for priests, as they personally kept all of the donations and said basically "one" prayer for all of the requests.

She also said that many had investment properties all over.

One priest had 9 moving vans when he moved into the house provided by the church. He had 10 different Christmas trees all decked out with ornaments - they were theme trees. He also had some gold covering on his bible that cost over $15,000.00.

The "extra" collections in mass were basically - bills sent by the archdiocese. The parish collected for the bill, if they collected over the bill's amount, they kept the extra, if they collected under the bill's amount they had to come up with the balance.

The priests courted the generous and the wealthy in the parish and were given many "personal gifts" - Lladro collections etc.

When the sex scandal broke, one of the priests was sent away, but told the parish that he went on a sabbatical. The parish knew nothing of the "charges". He came back some time later and resumed his duties.

In her view, being a priest was getting a license to steal". Now mind you this is a very nice sweet woman. The kind of person that doesn't have a mean bone in her body.

She told me that she couldn't bring herself to go to church anymore.

I know that not all priests are bad, don't get me wrong, but I believe that the "corporations" as a whole are not "Christian" and that too many priests are dipping into the till with their "bosses" knowledge and blessing. (sorry, no pun intended)

By the way my husband is a devout Catholic and goes to church every Sunday, when I told him of this, he said, "Well that is THAT church, not every church is like that" He, I believe is a true Christian even though he was raised a strict Catholic and he opened my eyes to the fact that there were Christians everywhere, no matter what "corporate Christian" religion they belonged to.