It must be hard to be Pope.
Seriously.
Obviously I have no experience with that job, and I don't expect I ever will. I don't know anyone who has ever done it.
But I think it must be a tough job.
Pope Benedict XVI has just released a statement saying that Protestant churches are ecclesial communities, but not the true Church. And Orthodox churches are closer, but defective.
I wonder why? What's the purpose of releasing that statement? Just something he felt strongly about? Or was there some rumbling at the Vatican? Did a stand need to be taken? Because I do respect taking a stand for what you believe, even if I disagree with the belief.
Seems to me it probably won't be a statement that will be particularly helpful to the Catholic Church in North America. Maybe other parts of the world are different, but our culture isn't big on labelling others as "defective". I'm not saying that should matter to him - statements of faith shouldn't be motivated by political correctness - I'm just saying, if I was Catholic, I might be squirming a bit at that statement.
(Or maybe I wouldn't. Maybe as a Catholic, I'd be cheering it. Maybe I'm just thinking like a Protestant.)
Can you imagine trying to follow in Pope John Paul II's shoes? Rose to prominence from the ashes of wartime Poland. Youth around the world loved him. First non-Italian Pope in a gazillion years. Travelled everywhere. What's not to love? Plus the fact that "John Paul" is a lot more approachable name than "Benedict".
I mean no disrespect. I'm just saying. It must be a tough job.
*****
On another note...I just got a phone call from a friend, letting me know that Ed Mirvish died today. That is sad news.
Seriously.
Obviously I have no experience with that job, and I don't expect I ever will. I don't know anyone who has ever done it.
But I think it must be a tough job.
Pope Benedict XVI has just released a statement saying that Protestant churches are ecclesial communities, but not the true Church. And Orthodox churches are closer, but defective.
I wonder why? What's the purpose of releasing that statement? Just something he felt strongly about? Or was there some rumbling at the Vatican? Did a stand need to be taken? Because I do respect taking a stand for what you believe, even if I disagree with the belief.
Seems to me it probably won't be a statement that will be particularly helpful to the Catholic Church in North America. Maybe other parts of the world are different, but our culture isn't big on labelling others as "defective". I'm not saying that should matter to him - statements of faith shouldn't be motivated by political correctness - I'm just saying, if I was Catholic, I might be squirming a bit at that statement.
(Or maybe I wouldn't. Maybe as a Catholic, I'd be cheering it. Maybe I'm just thinking like a Protestant.)
Can you imagine trying to follow in Pope John Paul II's shoes? Rose to prominence from the ashes of wartime Poland. Youth around the world loved him. First non-Italian Pope in a gazillion years. Travelled everywhere. What's not to love? Plus the fact that "John Paul" is a lot more approachable name than "Benedict".
I mean no disrespect. I'm just saying. It must be a tough job.
*****
On another note...I just got a phone call from a friend, letting me know that Ed Mirvish died today. That is sad news.
Entrepreneur that started with not much, I think, founder of Honest Ed's in Toronto, almost single-handedly the reason that there is live theatre in Toronto, and an incredibly generous man. Every year on his birthday, he would throw a huge street party for whoever wanted to come! He also gave away turkeys at Thanksgiving.
I would love to read his biography - the title has something about an "Orange Crate" in it - but I've never been able to track it down. If you know where to find it, let me know!
Ed was 92 years old.
I will miss knowing he's a part of my world.
Ed was 92 years old.
I will miss knowing he's a part of my world.
