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The new pope, Benedict XVI, was recently in Germany for
World Youth Day 2005. He urged Europe to return to its
"Christian roots." What does that mean? It means a time
when kings lived in fear of the pope. This new Roman
Catholic leader was formerly the Chief Inquisitor, head of
the "Holy Office" of the Inquisition. Is it any coincidence that
this German pope is still referred to by his colleagues as
"Der Panzerkardinal?" The Bible says Roman Catholicism
"reigneth over the kings of the earth."
Rev 17:18
"And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."
Get ready, folks, and hang onto your Bibles. What this
new pope really wants is a 21st century version of the Dark
Ages.
*******
Pope Calls for Return to Christian Roots
Benedict XVI Calls for Return to Christian Roots, Boosts Interfaith Efforts in First Trop
By MELISSA EDDY Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
COLOGNE, Germany Aug 22, 2005 — Pope Benedict XVI urged Europe to rediscover its Christian tradition and warned against rising secularism as he concluded his first foreign trip with an open-air Mass for a million people in his native Germany.
The four-day trip underlined interfaith relations also a key theme of John Paul II's papacy. Benedict visited a synagogue in which he won applause for his warning about rising anti-Semitism, and he had a frank talk with Muslims about terrorism.
The 78-year-old pope on Sunday called on the pilgrims attending the World Youth Day Festival in Cologne to wisely use the freedom God gave them.
"Freedom is not simply about enjoying life in total autonomy, but rather about living by the measure of truth and goodness so that we ourselves can become true and good," he told the crowd.
The throngs from almost 200 countries had been invited to the festival by a different pope, the charismatic John Paul, before his death April 2.
But they embraced his more subdued successor with the same huge turnout, shouts and applause on his first foreign trip as pope.
"Beeen-e-DET-to, Beeen-e-DET-to," they chanted, using the Italian version of his name. Some 800,000 of them spent the night in the Marienfeld, or Mary's Field, outside Cologne, sleeping on the ground so they could attend Sunday's mass.
Benedict returned to Rome Sunday night.
The pope used his trip to make it clear that he intends to continue key parts of John Paul's heritage. In particular, he held two important interfaith meetings with Muslims and Jews. He became only the second pope in history to visit a synagogue when he spoke to Cologne's Jewish community, winning a standing ovation for his warning of rising anti-Semitism.
He made blunter statements during a meeting with Muslim officials, addressing them as "my dear Muslim friends" but raising the issue of terrorism, which he called "cruel fanaticism."
Yet it was clear he was establishing his own style. There were none of John Paul II's theatrical gestures such as kissing the ground on arrival or shuffling to the music. Instead, he read his speeches slowly in a soft voice and waved and smiled shyly at the loud applause that greeted him every time he came out in public.
He expressed serious concern on another of his favorite themes, the need to evangelize a Europe that has become increasingly secular despite its centuries of Christian belief although the huge turnout for the Sunday Mass was evidence that the church still retains its hold over many people's hearts.
"Some young Germans, especially in the East, have never had a personal encounter with the good news of Jesus Christ," he said.
"Even in traditionally Catholic areas, the teaching of religion and catechesis do not always manage to forge lasting bonds between young people and the church community."
Benedict's visit was also his first homecoming as pope to his native country. He was born in Marktl Am Inn in Bavaria, and said in his farewell remarks at the airport that he hoped people had seen another Germany to counter the shameful memory of Nazi rule and World War II.
"During these days, thanks be to God, it has become quite evident that there was and is another Germany, a land of singular human, cultural and spiritual resources," he said.
During his closing homily at the Mass, he said there is a "strange forgetfulness of God," while at same time the sense of frustration and dissatisfaction has led to a "new explosion of religion."
"I have no wish to discredit all the manifestations of this phenomenon. There may be sincere joy in the discovery," he said. "Yet, if it is pushed too far, religion becomes almost a consumer product. People choose what they like, and some are even able to make a profit from it."
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1057401&page=1
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1057401&page=2
Former Chief Inquisitor ?! Unbelievable ! :jaw:
World Youth Day 2005. He urged Europe to return to its
"Christian roots." What does that mean? It means a time
when kings lived in fear of the pope. This new Roman
Catholic leader was formerly the Chief Inquisitor, head of
the "Holy Office" of the Inquisition. Is it any coincidence that
this German pope is still referred to by his colleagues as
"Der Panzerkardinal?" The Bible says Roman Catholicism
"reigneth over the kings of the earth."
Rev 17:18
"And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."
Get ready, folks, and hang onto your Bibles. What this
new pope really wants is a 21st century version of the Dark
Ages.
*******
Pope Calls for Return to Christian Roots
Benedict XVI Calls for Return to Christian Roots, Boosts Interfaith Efforts in First Trop
By MELISSA EDDY Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
COLOGNE, Germany Aug 22, 2005 — Pope Benedict XVI urged Europe to rediscover its Christian tradition and warned against rising secularism as he concluded his first foreign trip with an open-air Mass for a million people in his native Germany.
The four-day trip underlined interfaith relations also a key theme of John Paul II's papacy. Benedict visited a synagogue in which he won applause for his warning about rising anti-Semitism, and he had a frank talk with Muslims about terrorism.
The 78-year-old pope on Sunday called on the pilgrims attending the World Youth Day Festival in Cologne to wisely use the freedom God gave them.
"Freedom is not simply about enjoying life in total autonomy, but rather about living by the measure of truth and goodness so that we ourselves can become true and good," he told the crowd.
The throngs from almost 200 countries had been invited to the festival by a different pope, the charismatic John Paul, before his death April 2.
But they embraced his more subdued successor with the same huge turnout, shouts and applause on his first foreign trip as pope.
"Beeen-e-DET-to, Beeen-e-DET-to," they chanted, using the Italian version of his name. Some 800,000 of them spent the night in the Marienfeld, or Mary's Field, outside Cologne, sleeping on the ground so they could attend Sunday's mass.
Benedict returned to Rome Sunday night.
The pope used his trip to make it clear that he intends to continue key parts of John Paul's heritage. In particular, he held two important interfaith meetings with Muslims and Jews. He became only the second pope in history to visit a synagogue when he spoke to Cologne's Jewish community, winning a standing ovation for his warning of rising anti-Semitism.
He made blunter statements during a meeting with Muslim officials, addressing them as "my dear Muslim friends" but raising the issue of terrorism, which he called "cruel fanaticism."
Yet it was clear he was establishing his own style. There were none of John Paul II's theatrical gestures such as kissing the ground on arrival or shuffling to the music. Instead, he read his speeches slowly in a soft voice and waved and smiled shyly at the loud applause that greeted him every time he came out in public.
He expressed serious concern on another of his favorite themes, the need to evangelize a Europe that has become increasingly secular despite its centuries of Christian belief although the huge turnout for the Sunday Mass was evidence that the church still retains its hold over many people's hearts.
"Some young Germans, especially in the East, have never had a personal encounter with the good news of Jesus Christ," he said.
"Even in traditionally Catholic areas, the teaching of religion and catechesis do not always manage to forge lasting bonds between young people and the church community."
Benedict's visit was also his first homecoming as pope to his native country. He was born in Marktl Am Inn in Bavaria, and said in his farewell remarks at the airport that he hoped people had seen another Germany to counter the shameful memory of Nazi rule and World War II.
"During these days, thanks be to God, it has become quite evident that there was and is another Germany, a land of singular human, cultural and spiritual resources," he said.
During his closing homily at the Mass, he said there is a "strange forgetfulness of God," while at same time the sense of frustration and dissatisfaction has led to a "new explosion of religion."
"I have no wish to discredit all the manifestations of this phenomenon. There may be sincere joy in the discovery," he said. "Yet, if it is pushed too far, religion becomes almost a consumer product. People choose what they like, and some are even able to make a profit from it."
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1057401&page=1
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1057401&page=2
Former Chief Inquisitor ?! Unbelievable ! :jaw: