[senior citizen]

......

[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.

[Villages PL]

Please delete this duplicate post.

[Bavarian]

My lovely Lady and I think it is terrible that Pope Benedict XVI is resigining. It sets a bad presedent. Plus I think he is one of the best Popes we have had. He is intellegent, Bayerisch, very devout and a good writer of holy Encyclicals and books, both as Josef Alois Kardinal Ratzinger und als Papst Benedikt. Until Pope Paul VI, the Popes stayed home in the Vatican. The Pope could have stayed in seculsion and let the Curia handle the day to day work, he could use telecommunications to appear around the World. He opened up a Twitter account, his secretary could have typed in his Tweets just like when EMAIL was new. He could have appointed a Paul if needed to help Peter.

I pray that the new Pope will be good, but I fear based on the prorecies of St. Malachy.

Trying to type with one good hand.
Servus.

[senior citizen]

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.

The Sins of the Father: Pope Benedict’s Pedophile Protection Racket | The Skeptical Libertarian

The HBO documentary covered quite a bit of the cover up, stating what Benedict knew and did nothing about, after being appointed by Pope John Paul when Joseph Ratzinger was still a cardinal....to look at every case (which came to his desk) of every incident of pedophile priests from all over the world.........and he and the Pope met once a week.

We read all of the BOSTON GLOBE'S expose articles years ago which exposed what was going on in the Boston area......plus dozens of books written by priests themselves who had left the priesthood out of disgust of what was going on........

Coast to coast, victims have come forward and the church has paid out millions upon millions, selling off their churches and properties to pay the victims for their suffering..........

Click hyperlink above and read all the way to the bottom......read it in its entirety. Also, if you can, watch the HBO documentary..........which I mentioned in earlier post.

It's a rough outline , or condensation, of what you will read in all the older books, newspaper articles of who knew what and when they knew it. Again, that HBO documentary was very informational about the deaf children who were abused......

Priests were part of those explaining the problem on that documentary........explaining that this has been going on much longer than the most recent scandals...........and the two most recent Popes knew about it, as did the Cardinals and the Bishops.

They just swept it all under the rug until it was too late to hide it any longer. Most Catholics we know "do not have their heads in the sand" and know what went on. Again, it is sad. I feel for all those children. It happened in orphanages as well......and among the Lakota Sioux Indians who were taught by priests and brothers.

Again, it was pervasive.............

We were raised Roman Catholic and we raised our children Roman Catholic. Our kids are not raising theirs in the same faith, but in another faith. There is only ONE GOD.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

The Sins of the Father: Pope Benedict’s Pedophile Protection Racket | The Skeptical Libertarian

The HBO documentary covered quite a bit of the cover up, stating what Benedict knew and did nothing about, after being appointed by Pope John Paul when Joseph Ratzinger was still a cardinal....to look at every case (which came to his desk) of every incident of pedophile priests from all over the world.........and he and the Pope met once a week.

We read all of the BOSTON GLOBE'S expose articles years ago which exposed what was going on in the Boston area......plus dozens of books written by priests themselves who had left the priesthood out of disgust of what was going on........

Coast to coast, victims have come forward and the church has paid out millions upon millions, selling off their churches and properties to pay the victims for their suffering..........

Click hyperlink above and read all the way to the bottom......read it in its entirety. Also, if you can, watch the HBO documentary..........which I mentioned in earlier post.

It's a rough outline , or condensation, of what you will read in all the older books, newspaper articles of who knew what and when they knew it. Again, that HBO documentary was very informational about the deaf children who were abused......

Priests were part of those explaining the problem on that documentary........explaining that this has been going on much longer than the most recent scandals...........and the two most recent Popes knew about it, as did the Cardinals and the Bishops.

They just swept it all under the rug until it was too late to hide it any longer. Most Catholics we know "do not have their heads in the sand" and know what went on. Again, it is sad. I feel for all those children. It happened in orphanages as well......and among the Lakota Sioux Indians who were taught by priests and brothers.

Again, it was pervasive.............

We were raised Roman Catholic and we raised our children Roman Catholic. Our kids are not raising theirs in the same faith, but in another faith. There is only ONE GOD.

Pope Benedict's Legacy Marred by Sex Abuse Scandal - ABC News
Click on above hyperlink and read in its entirety.......

Also read about the Legion of Christ and Father Marcial Maciel.

I truly loved Pope John Paul, but he obviously knew what this priest was doing all along...........as did Cardinal Ratzinger.
It's just the tip of the iceburg. Actually, priests said that they found documentation of such abuse going on back in the 400 church (papal records 4th century of church records of pedophile priests).

[janmcn]

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.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by janmcn

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.

Well said.

[Tellmeyourstory....]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Pope Benedict's Legacy Marred by Sex Abuse Scandal - ABC News
Click on above hyperlink and read in its entirety.......

Also read about the Legion of Christ and Father Marcial Maciel.

I truly loved Pope John Paul, but he obviously knew what this priest was doing all along...........as did Cardinal Ratzinger.
It's just the tip of the iceburg. Actually, priests said that they found documentation of such abuse going on back in the 400 church (papal records 4th century of church records of pedophile priests).

What happened in the Catholic Church is horrible. The actual priests who did the abusing and the higher ups that continue to cover up! The Pope is going to stay on Vatican property so that he is protected legally. Being on Vatican property gives him continued immunity in any cases that he might be named in...

Two of my brothers were alter boys. One attempted suicide 3times...the other turned to drugs and spent most of his late teens and 20's in rehab.
Neither one of them have ever really spoken about it....one admitted there was a lot of wrong doing at the rectory. They have tried very hard to live productive adult lives....but I can see the hardship and pain they are always in....and because they do not want to hurt my parents....and because they are men and this "doesn't happen to men"....etc, etc, etc!!!

I personally believe ALL child abusers and molesters should be placed on an island and left there to rot with each other....

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Tellmeyourstory....

What happened in the Catholic Church is horrible. The actual priests who did the abusing and the higher ups that continue to cover up! The Pope is going to stay on Vatican property so that he is protected legally. Being on Vatican property gives him continued immunity in any cases that he might be named in...

Two of my brothers were alter boys. One attempted suicide 3times...the other turned to drugs and spent most of his late teens and 20's in rehab.
Neither one of them have ever really spoken about it....one admitted there was a lot of wrong doing at the rectory. They have tried very hard to live productive adult lives....but I can see the hardship and pain they are always in....and because they do not want to hurt my parents....and because they are men and this "doesn't happen to men"....etc, etc, etc!!!

I personally believe ALL child abusers and molesters should be placed on an island and left there to rot with each other....

Pope Immunity: Vatican Will Protect Benedict From Sexual Abuse Prosecution

Vatican will protect Benedict from sexual abuse prosecution........

Keep scrolling down to read background on this.........

Your brothers and other little children suffered terribly, all over the world, at the hands of men who they were supposed to honor and look up to, respect and obey. In the earlier years when children were to be "seen and not heard" their stories were never told .......but today that silence has been broken for quite some time now. The Bishops all knew and kept relocating the abuser priests........the Cardinals knew and the Popes knew....and did nothing.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by janmcn

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.

I had an ancestor who was born in 1850 and lived to 1956. My grandfather was born around 1875 and lived to age 97. I had a great aunt born around the late 1800s and lived to be 100.

It would be interesting to find out how long Popes lived hundreds of years ago. I think a good part of the reason that average life expectancy was short is because of a high rate of infant mortality. If you made it through infancy and childhood you probably had a decent chance of making it to old age.

[Tellmeyourstory....]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Pope Immunity: Vatican Will Protect Benedict From Sexual Abuse Prosecution

Vatican will protect Benedict from sexual abuse prosecution........

Keep scrolling down to read background on this.........

Your brothers and other little children suffered terribly, all over the world, at the hands of men who they were supposed to honor and look up to, respect and obey. In the earlier years when children were to be "seen and not heard" their stories were never told .......but today that silence has been broken for quite some time now. The Bishops all knew and kept relocating the abuser priests........the Cardinals knew and the Popes knew....and did nothing.

Senior....I know that the silence has been broken, but not for all! It is still an embarrassing, shameful story to tell for so many. Their stories are not all being told. There are still children being hurt...by priests, by other adults supposedly in authority. If you look at the sex offenders registry in this area alone, it will or should disturb you. The current Pope should not be given any special protections. No church officials should.....

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Tellmeyourstory....

Senior....I know that the silence has been broken, but not for all! It is still an embarrassing, shameful story to tell for so many. Their stories are not all being told. There are still children being hurt...by priests, by other adults supposedly in authority. If you look at the sex offenders registry in this area alone, it will or should disturb you. The current Pope should not be given any special protections. No church officials should.....

Ayup. Vermontese for "yes".

Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston is on the short list........he seems genuine, humble and would be a breath of fresh air in Rome.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I had an ancestor who was born in 1850 and lived to 1956. My grandfather was born around 1875 and lived to age 97. I had a great aunt born around the late 1800s and lived to be 100.

It would be interesting to find out how long Popes lived hundreds of years ago. I think a good part of the reason that average life expectancy was short is because of a high rate of infant mortality. If you made it through infancy and childhood you probably had a decent chance of making it to old age.

Yes, you are correct if you add in the factor of surviving childbirth as a woman and work related deaths as a man. We have good data only recently but for the US in the 20th century if you born in the year 1900 and lived to age 65 your life expectancy at age 65 for a man was 11.35 years and 12.01 for a woman. If you were born in 1948 thus turning 65 this year, as a man your life expectancy is 12.71 years and woman 14.72 years. Thus that argument you hear all the time about how much longer people live now than they did when Social Security was begun is wrong. Data is from the Social Security Administration. fig2b, Act. Study No.120

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Ayup. Vermontese for "yes".

Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston is on the short list........he seems genuine, humble and would be a breath of fresh air in Rome.

Like to see someone like Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston become Pope. One of the National News channel reporters (Diane Sawyer's ABC broadcast) had said that he had sold a large chunk of his Diocese's real property to pay for victims services of those who had suffered at the hands of pedophile priests. And, that he lived in poverty even though he is a Cardinal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Se%C3%A1n_Patrick_O'Malley