That being said, ed needs to be educated a little. The current Pope was enlisted in the Hitler Youth at age 14 when it was mandatory for all his age. Further, he deserted at his first opportunity at a time when such a deed was punishable by death. Benedict/Ratzinger might have been peripherally involved in the sex abuse coverups, but his World War II history (he turned 18 about 3 weeks before Germany surrendered) is not one that he should be condemned for.

He’s done a LOT of good since then, too. He was a key figure in the rapprochement between Jews and Catholics, between the Vatican and Israel. And just look at the stance he’s taken against radical Islam — this is no meek and mild shepherd, like the Church of England, this guy is a Defender of the Faith who has no problem telling Muslims that his church won’t be walked all over.

As an agnostic who has a deep and abiding distrust of the Catholic Church, this is one Pope I’m glad to see. Even if he is completely backwards on issues involving women — as long as Catholic membership is entirely voluntary, and they don’t try to get the government to enforce their tenets, they have the right to be as wrong as they like. But the guy is doing OK on most of the big issues, trying to bring what power the Church still has on the side of right, and that has to be applauded.

J.

If you purport to be an Authority on Morality (capital and little ‘m’), then you *must* be responsible for that Authority.

The RC Church does not (and hasn’t for some centuries, IMO) acted with the responsibility that they demand from their adherents. To me, this abdication of responsible Authority means they deserve neither Authority nor Responsibility….

‘Hangin’s too good fer ‘em, throw the bums *oot*!’