see: Vatican Welcomes Obama Gun Control Proposal ...The Vatican's chief spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said Saturday that 47 religious leaders have appealed to members of the U.S. Congress "to limit firearms that are making society pay an unacceptable price in terms of massacres and senseless deaths.""I am with them," Lombardi said, in an editorial carried on Vatican Radio, lining up the Vatican's moral support in favor of firearm limits.`'The initiatives announced by the American administration for limiting and controlling the spread and use of weapons are certainly a step in the right direction," Lombardi said.... On a related topic, the NRA has announced that it supports the Vatican's policies of merely relocating pedophile priests, encouraging unaffordable family sizes, and preventing females from serving as intermediaries between peons and the Most Holy. News at 11. (sarcasm intended)
As they are Europeans, perhaps they are more of the product of failed European Socialism than anything else. "Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom." -- John F. Kennedy Even Kennedy was against disarming Americans.
I have a real problem with Organized Religion. Often, the regional, national, or world leaders of Organized Religion, have their own (often errored human) opinions and inturpretations of the word of god, and they should keep their pie holes shut. I have a friend who is a devout Christian, and Catholic, who alerted me to this Papal opinion just this morning. His response was to say, the Catholic Church as a whole has received its last cent from me! To say the least, he was pissed off. I have no doubt he will donate directly to the food bank and donate serviceable clothes and other household items to Catholic charities. But, I also believe he will no longer tithe to the church. If this Papal Opinion was clarified as a condemnation of the spread of military arms and equipment around the world as a way to influence favor and politics, I might have to agree with him. But, on a personal level for self defense and to draw a line in the sand with regard to tyrany he can stick it.
Vatican calls for global authority on economy, raps “idolatry of the market”| Reuters Don't trust the Vatican.
Considering that HIS CHURCH has more BLOOD on it's Hands, than all the Assault Weapons have caused, to date, I, for one, Wish, this guy in the Funny Hat that has "666" on the headband, would "pontificate" on things of the Spiritual World, and leave the Mortal World, to others, with more "Skin in the Game"
It is hypocritical of Church leaders (I am practicing Catholic) to teach subsidiarity (empower and govern at the most local/lowest level possible for a given situation) and then turn around and encourage global government, world bank, etc. Personally, I treasure the faith for its Scripture, doctrine (of which press releases are not), and teaching of faith. No other religion has produced so many holy martyrs, saints, and brilliant theologians: eg, Saints Francis, Catherine, Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Calcutta, John of the Cross, Anthony, Augustine, Aquinas, etc. these holy people were not aberrations from, but perfect adherents to the Catholic faith and therefore held as examples to imitate. The Church and its bishops are appointed to teach and protect their flock and interpret scripture and doctrine in context of the modern world. Unfortunately many of them are misguided by emotions when discussing current events , economy and politics and ignore or sidestep doctrine and tradition. As a Catholic I am not required to submit to press releases and economic or political advice, and I seldom do. I do find great spiritual value in Church doctrine, scripture, and devotions and prayers. I am 100% faithful in what the Church requires and independent matters outside the Church and try to apply the real message of Christ in my world. Funny how when the Church speaks out on matters of doctrine such as abortion the media and politicians downplay the Pope's teaching authority, but when advisory announcements are made they make it sound like doctrine. Backwards.
Not to start an argument or in any way thrash a religion, but for the record, the Vatican is one of the most corrupt, secretive and oppressive organizations in the world --and it continues to be totally unrestrained. It possesses countless land holdings and they silently maneuver and deal with international banking cartels, influencing world leaders and markets for their own benefit. They have secret orders who believe themselves to be royal lineage, deep within the highest ranks of government, Freemasonry and corporations. A country unto itself and nobody to keep it in line, the Vatican has positioned itself to be supremely comfortable no matter what happens to the world around it. (research the Knights of Malta just for kicks) I have always regarded religion to be a personal experience, and as such it tends to fair best when left in the hands of the individual.
I used to be Catholic when I was growing up. I did not have a choice then. Once I reached adult hood and could think for myself I realized that I did not need an ordained priest to tell me how to repent for my sins. God knows whats in my heart and I don't need another mortal to tell me how to appease him. I have no use for religion, but faith on the other now that is something I can use.
They seem to be ok with the priest having forced sex with young boys too so I really don't understand them having any credibility.
The Catholic Church has always tried to disprove the BIBLE as the sole authority of Christianity. Yet, when we look at the worst aspects of Christian history, the Catholic Church stands at the top as the most brutal of all the Christian faiths, organized or not. The Vatican is in my opinion, the most corrupt of all the organized faiths of Christianity. I just wonder how many cases of known child sex abuse by the Priest were help swept under the rug by the Rev. Lombardi himself.
