Quote:
Originally Posted by Villages PL
Based on what I have read in previous posts, it seems we must have had a lot of dumb Popes over the past 600 years if they didn't realize their limitations in old age and retire. And, essentially, what everyone is saying is: Screw tradition! But how many traditions can you throw overboard before there's nothing left to call a religion? So there's more to it than just devaluing old age.
About the sex scandal: I haven't kept up with the news but I don't think the Pope was responsible for it, was he?
Some have compared being Pope to being a CEO of a corporation. I don't get that. Do we need a board of directors to throw the Pope out if he doesn't perform up to expectations?
I think I may have been misunderstood when I compared marriage to being Pope: A church marriage represents a commitment before God and I assume that becoming a Pope is a commitment before God too. What do they say when they become Pope? Don't they make a commitment of some sort?
On a lighter note: Over the weekend I heard a comedian say that it's rediculous for a Pope to retire because of old age, because one of a Pope's most important duties is to be old.
|
What was the life expectancy 600 years ago? I'm guessing it would have been about 30 years, or one third what it is now. A child born today could grow up to be the Pope and possibly live to be 110 years old.
Unfortunatly, our mental health research hasn't kept up with our rising longevity, and more people will suffer from dementia than ever before.
When the Pope said he is exhausted and unable to do the job, probably most senior citizens can relate. I know I can, and I'm even younger than the Pope.