23 replies to this topic

[Luminosity]

They used to have a saying, "The Pope is always in perfect health until he is dead." They never really resign for health or age-related reasons.

Something is definitely up. I'd seen news stories that some sort of report caused the pope to resign. It kind of hard to imagine what would be worse than intimations of nazi collaboration or indifference to nazi atrocities and repeated enabling of child abusers, which was known before he was appointed. The Catholic Church is a strange organization. What is worse than what is already known, or did someone just put it all together in a new format with some new information? Or is he just gay and there is some evidence? But then, a lot of them are.

Will never really know what motivates them because very little of it makes sense.

What do you think?

By he way, author and former Catholic priest Mathew Fox had a lot of cogent things to say about this on Democracy Now. He makes a very good critique of Catholic doctrine and institutional behavior from the point of view of a believing Christian.

[Mind]

He is old and frail. He will probably die soon. That is why I think he retired.

[rwac]

I have heard rumors that the Catholic Church needed to be cleaned of certain cabals and such which have infiltrated the highest levels. And that Benedict thought he was too old and frail to conduct the "purge" properly. I guess he only figured out the true extent of the problem after he became Pope.

[MrHappy]

There were a few media reports suggesting he was just made aware of a pending arrest warrant regarding complicity in some other child molestation charges.

[mikeinnaples]

There were a few media reports suggesting he was just made aware of a pending arrest warrant regarding complicity in some other child molestation charges.

Legit or not, it wouldn't shock me.

[johnross47]

There are many reports in the European press about Vatican staff frequenting brothels, gay and straight, and a notorious gay cruising park in Rome and concerning favours done for favours received, etc. On the other hand he looked as frail as my mother when she died at the age of 93.

[MrHappy]

There are many reports in the European press about Vatican staff frequenting brothels, gay and straight, and a notorious gay cruising park in Rome and concerning favours done for favours received, etc. On the other hand he looked as frail as my mother when she died at the age of 93.

[Image]https://www.google.com.au/search?q=image+pope+palpatine&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#miuv=3[/image]

So did Emperor Palpatine, but he didn't retire.

[rwac]

http://www.gq.com/ne...ords-march-2013

[Luminosity]

Mr. Happy and JohnRoss's theories sound the most likely to me. Thanks all for participating.

[rwac]

Well, we'll find out about a pending arrest warrant soon enough.

[MrHappy]

Well, we'll find out about a pending arrest warrant soon enough.

Apparently, if he stays within Vatican City walls, he can avoid it. So, I guess if he lives out the rest of his life inside, we'll know why.

[rwac]

Well, we'll find out about a pending arrest warrant soon enough.

Apparently, if he stays within Vatican City walls, he can avoid it. So, I guess if he lives out the rest of his life inside, we'll know why.

How would you distinguish between that and him just getting old, and choosing to retire within the Vatican City.

[MrHappy]

Well, we'll find out about a pending arrest warrant soon enough.

Apparently, if he stays within Vatican City walls, he can avoid it. So, I guess if he lives out the rest of his life inside, we'll know why.

How would you distinguish between that and him just getting old, and choosing to retire within the Vatican City.

Invite him to some event outside the city and see if he comes?

[rwac]

Invite him to some event outside the city and see if he comes?

That's an idea. My next job will pay so awesomely, I'll be able to get the ex-pope as a speaker. :D

[MrHappy]

Invite him to some event outside the city and see if he comes?

That's an idea. My next job will pay so awesomely, I'll be able to get the ex-pope as a speaker. :D

Could just invite him to be a member of NAMBLA?

[Mind]

I think part of the reason why people are fascinated with the catholic church is because of the tradition and secrecy. So much of the world is open and transparent. There are not many good juicy conspiracy theories to discuss. There is little sense of wonder. Things are probably pretty boring inside the conclave/vatican, but because they maintain secrecy and tradition, it gives people a chance to speculate.

[A941]

Read somewhere that he got AIDS or Syphilis through all the homosexual activity going on in the Vatican, and had to resign so no one would notice, because no sort of sex is really okay for a priest :-)

[Luminosity]

I think it's more than that, Mind. It looks like something is up.

[shadowhawk]

He is old and frail. He will probably die soon. That is why I think he retired.

My view as well. Why not accept him at his word?

[rwac]

He is old and frail. He will probably die soon. That is why I think he retired.

My view as well. Why not accept him at his word?

The last resignation was 600 years ago, there must be another reason?

[shadowhawk]

He is old and frail. He will probably die soon. That is why I think he retired.

My view as well. Why not accept him at his word?

The last resignation was 600 years ago, there must be another reason?

And this showes what?

Again, why not accept the word of an 80+ that his health is getting bad? Sounds reasonable to me based on many 80+ people I know..

[Luminosity]

First, of all, he didn't blame his health for his resignation, just said it was for the good of the church. So there's that. Also, the entire history of the papacy argues against it being age or health related, as has already been stated here and elsewhere.

[MrHappy]

Well, this is one of many similar-styled articles I've seen:
http://www.telegraph...-gay-sauna.html

Edited by MrHappy, 12 March 2013 - 10:48 AM.

[shadowhawk]

First, of all, he didn't blame his health for his resignation, just said it was for the good of the church. So there's that. Also, the entire history of the papacy argues against it being age or health related, as has already been stated here and elsewhere.

He said he was to weak and wanted to spend the rest of his life in prayer. While it has been awhile sense a pope stepped down, it is not unheard of. It has happened before. Why is that so hard to understand? I am not a Roman Catholic but lets be fair. Neither did he say he resigned for any of the slanderous reasons some have suggested. If the Roman Catholic Church was a nation, it would be the largest in the world. Anyone surprised, given the population, there are some gay pedophiles who are members? I have several gay friends, does that make me gay. Give it a break.