tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401441.post111397345345705014..comments2007-02-20T13:25:30.383-05:00Peregrinatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345633413874864256noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401441.post-1114432677151560022005-04-25T08:37:00.000-04:002005-04-25T08:37:00.000-04:00I was seeing Pope Ratzo as their worst possible choice of all the cardinals. I realize that JP2 had the chance to stack the deck over the years, but I guess I didn't realize that pretty much all of those he had chosen over the years were equally severe in their regressive views.<BR/><BR/>I also naively didn't realize the catholic church would willingly become even further removed from the realities of modern life. That's what happens when you entrust your beliefs to a bunch of 70+ year old (mostly) white men.Trickienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401441.post-1114050400693569122005-04-20T22:26:00.000-04:002005-04-20T22:26:00.000-04:00Thanks, James. I got a call moments after they announced at the Vatican and the first words out of my friend's mouth were, "Don't you think that stint in the Hitler Youth is really his FINEST credential?"<BR/><BR/>Gloom indeed. And I'm sorry - it's too late to call you tonight and I'm running around like the proverbial chicken sans noggin lately. Please forgive.PeaceBanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18413850466249786799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401441.post-1114014406576104112005-04-20T12:26:00.000-04:002005-04-20T12:26:00.000-04:00Really great thoughts about the new Pope. My thoughts exactly as far as there being another conservative Pope given what John Paul II did with "stacking the decks". I tried to find something of good in JPII and was at times successfull. It should be interesting to see what Benedict XVI does, too.Joe G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12855351884436995272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401441.post-1114008969889632102005-04-20T10:56:00.000-04:002005-04-20T10:56:00.000-04:00Um...thanks Perry, but this is James. Scott is down the road at <B>Boy in the Bands</B>--probably the blog that referred you to this post ;)Peregrinatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11345633413874864256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401441.post-1114007486503376662005-04-20T10:31:00.000-04:002005-04-20T10:31:00.000-04:00Keep on preaching Scott! One interesting thing that could happen soon is that Oscar Romero, the martyr de facto saint from El Salvador, will become an official saint. His life and witness put to shame all the conservative clerics who are allied with the oligarcy in Latin America. There are still a lot of progressive Catholics out there like the Catholic Workers. If progressive Catholics will be leaving in droves we have an opportunity to offer them a home with liberal protestants. I enjoy your deep reflections Scott. Keep up the good work. Perry KingPerry Kinghttp://Perikine@yahoo.comnoreply@blogger.com