mysterium inequitatis

“VATICAN CITY, Italy (CNN) -- Pope John Paul II has sent a 22-page letter to priests around the world in which he briefly alludes to the current sexual abuse scandals plaguing the Catholic Church, many in the United States.


At the end of the letter, the pope writes: "At this time we are personally and profoundly afflicted of the sins of some of our brothers who have betrayed the grace of ordination in succumbing even to the most grievous forms of the mysterium inequitatis (the mystery of evil) at work in the world.


"The Mystery of Evil"... religion.

"The Mastery of Evil" ... a book written about how Republicans operate.”

“Its nice to see you pickin' on the Rebublicans!

And the Catholic Church too!

I'm not a believer but the Catholic Church is still MY church and someone's got to shake that tree.”

“Tom - You don’t believe but it is your church? I don’t understand why you would claim a church you do not believe in. I am not debating religion but you sound pretty conflicted. I wonder how many other people claim to be Catholic but do not believe in the church’s teachings. If you don’t believe why do you stay?”

“Okay, George Dubya Evildoer's logic:

Religion = evil because some priests molested children (usually boys). These priests are homosexuals. So homosexuals = evil.

Dude, in addition to being a Religio-phobe and a Christo-phobe, you're also a Homo-phobe!”

“Just eat yer Snickers Bar and relax, man.”

“I have no reply to any of this!

8|”

“Church decrees that are determined by the PEOPLE in charge of the church and fundemental faith are two very different things, mtn gal. I was raised Catholic and still consider myself to be Catholic, but I have serious issues with church teachings (and the People who determine these teachings) in many areas--my faith in the fundemental teaching of Christ, on the other hand, is pretty strong.

Sort of like my still being an American yet thinking W. is retarded...”

“Bongo that makes no sense. If the teaching of the church are not true what is the purpose of the church. Are you saying that the church is a political organization and that it is not lead by a god or supreme being? I understand having faith in God without having faith in the church (that could be any church). But what is the point of belonging to a church that is teaching falsehoods. It is not the same as being an American and not liking the pres. The pres is not claiming divine authority. The church is claiming divine authority. If the church is not claiming divine authority then it is just a club of people that think somewhat alike. That is fine if you don’t think any divine authority is needed. And if it is not needed why bother with any of the ordinances or rites. It sounds more like you came to a comfortable place that allows you to be a member of the church, violate its teachings and not feel guilty. Nice work if you can get it but it sounds more like rationalization than faith. Development of a believe to fit the way you live rater than developing your life to fit a believe. At least you’re comfortable with it, I am still figuring it out. I will hold out for truth.”

“that the church hierarchy (any church) is human, so when the hierarchy creates rules they are not divine. Cardinals and Bishops knew about some of these pedophile priests and chose to hide them, during WWII Pope Pious (I think that's who it was) may have been aware of the holocaust and some people claim that he helped the Nazis (I don't know enough to make a judgment on this myself). I don't think it's unreasonable to "be a Catholic" and disagree with these or other instances. That's why I agree with his statement about being an American and disliking our pres...”

“OK, let me make the question more simple. Who leads the church (any church) a man or God? A church lead by man is of little use. A church lead by God is of great worth. If your church is lead by men or a man you are wasting your time. The church of the bible was lead by God through prophets not by some elected official. Mohammad was lead by God according to the Muslim faith and did not make it up himself. If you really believe that the official declarations of your church are from man and not God, you a fool to stay with that church.

As I said before the President of the USA is an elected official that makes no claim of divine authority. It is not the same as a church leader unless you are conceding at the outset that your church has no divine authority. If it has no divine authority why would you bother with it.

I guess you could be a member of a church by culture and not religion. That is may be what you are talking about.”