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Last May (from the 11th to the 14th) Portugal received Pope Benedict XVI with great joy, pomp and circumstance. I must confess it was a beautiful and very well organised event. To see more than one hundred thousand people around Terreiro do Paço (a square where the Catholic Church used to burn people for fun – mostly Jews – in its “Auto da Fé”), in Lisbon, to attend a Mass made me think that not all is lost: the agnostics and atheists may not be taking over the country after all.
To see pictures of the event, click Here
The socialists fought to legalise abortion in Portugal; and they won. The socialists cry against the interference of the Church in State affairs. The socialists take pride in giving the impression that they’re a bunch of agnostics and Masons. The socialists, last May, were seen bending forward and kissing the hand of Benedict XVI. “And everybody says: Amen!”
The most dreaded event, upon the Pope’s visit, was the embarrassing anti-church rallies (due to the Paedophilia scandals) usually organised by the Left. But it didn’t happen. The Portuguese Church (via Opus Dei), Secret Services and Government made sure that the country would behave properly and the Pope wouldn’t be vexed in any way. Besides, Portugal has its own Paedophilia scandal to deal with (“Casa Pia” case involving politicians, lawyers and celebrities) – so it sympathises with the woes of the Catholic Church.
The hysterical Left, upon the knowledge of the Holy visit, started to alarm the Portuguese: our laicism was in utter danger. A ridiculous online petition, addressing our President, was prepared in order to protect our Republic (I swear I never laughed so much at a product of freedom of speech). Debates were organised. The Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities were invited to comment upon this concern: they all assured us that spiritual freedom was not at stake and laicism remained intact.
Every time a Pope drops by Portugal, some people act as if the Holy Inquisition were back. Grow up!
Image: Official image of the Pope's visit to Portugal
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Dissecting Society™ welcomes all sorts of comments, as we are strong advocates of freedom of speech; however, we reserve the right to delete Troll Activity; libellous and offensive comments (e.g. racist and anti-Semitic) plus those with excessive foul language. This blog does not view vulgarity as being protected by the right to free speech. Cheers
I presume he isn't showing off a wedding ring in the picture?
ReplyDeleteDid you go to the party?
Max:
ReplyDeleteI swear, if you listened to half the diatribe that continually issues from the left, you'd think the world was coming to an end. From abortion, to the environment, to how we educate our children to religion, it's amazing how so many people could know so little about so much and yet still consider themselves experts at everything under the sun. Truly, amazing. You know, my uncle Bob used to tell me not to talk with my mouth full. At the time I was so little that I actually thought he was talking about me. Now I realize he was referring to an entire political ideology - the far left.
Happy trails.
Hi Looney :D!
ReplyDelete"I presume he isn't showing off a wedding ring in the picture?"
LOL he is waving with the right hand and a wedding ring is worn on the left. But I get your critique...
Didn't Paul, the apostle, suggest some men not to get married so that they could dedicate themselves to the spiritual world?
"But this I say by way of concession, not of command. Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion." (1 Corinthians 7: 6-9).
I'd say that the Catholic Church decided, after much sexual corruption it its midst, that their priests would follow Paul's suggestion.
"Did you go to the party?"
I can't say I did, Looney. However, I watched on TV and I read about its organisational details (it gave me opportunity to learn a lot of things...for example, one of our first Presidents of the Republic [100 years ago next October] tried to expel the Church from the country for good. Result: he went down).
Looney, thank you ever so much for your comment :D.
Cheers
Hi Swu :D!
ReplyDelete"I swear, if you listened to half the diatribe that continually issues from the left, you'd think the world was coming to an end."
LOL so true...they are quite dramatic.
"From abortion, to the environment, to how we educate our children to religion, it's amazing how so many people could know so little about so much and yet still consider themselves experts at everything under the sun. Truly, amazing."
I so know what you're saying here *nodding*. They know so much and yet they fall for the plots and agendas of terrorists and corrupt people *nodding*...
"You know, my uncle Bob used to tell me not to talk with my mouth full. At the time I was so little that I actually thought he was talking about me. Now I realize he was referring to an entire political ideology - the far left."
Radicals...I can't stand them...
Swu, thank you ever so much for this fab comment :D.
Cheers
Max,
ReplyDelete"Didn't Paul, the apostle, suggest some men not to get married so that they could dedicate themselves to the spiritual world?"
Paul has several comments on marriage or not, for which this one is probably more rhetorical. Being a traveling preacher, Paul would not be able to reconcile his profession with family obligations. Paul also says this:
"If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?" - 1 Timothy 3:5
Thus, Paul cites the successful performance of role model as father and husband as being necessary evidence for the office of overseer (Bishop), and Paul was not a Bishop. Paul also orders the younger widows to remarry and have children (1 Timothy 5:14), which is a bit tricky to reconcile with commands to the men not to marry!
Have a good week!
We can only be threatened if we are insecure in what we believe. To believe that the presence of a Pope or anyone else for that matter could threaten the belief systems or rights of others is laughable. We often protest that which we fear and we fear out of ignorance and insecurity.
ReplyDeleteI think the pendulum of hysteria swings as far to the right as it does to the left, so in that, I disagree with Swu. The problem is that people living in fear and a state of chronic disappointment (with governments, institutions, and the problems of the human condition) give in to easy, knee-jerk reactions and reactivity.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot more energy and is more painful to discipline oneself to THINK, to find reason and the middle ground. I generally avoid people who align themselves with a position and then hold fast and shout their unreasoned creed, without accepting the validity or even the possibility of other perspectives.
Max, my dear, I have been thinking of you and sending you much love. xxxx
Dear Maximus Provocativeus...
ReplyDeleteComing to you live from Seattle...
LOL I enjoyed your red “Aid Flotilla” banner!
We had the previous Polish Pope visit Vancouver (but of course he had more frequent flyer miles than teams for the World Cup) and I had the opportunity to view him through massed security for the mass...The Dalai Lama drops by more often than GM announces a recall so we see him constantly...Canada’s Queen that lives in another country (may peace be upon her) has chosen to descend from upon high on several occasions to Great British Columbia...I also had the opportunity to shake hands with Chuck and Di when they were in Vancouver for Expo 86...she was drop dead gorgeous and his ears were not quite as large as they seem on TV...
None of these created a stir in the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics...but if Lord Stanley ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Cup ) was to come for a visit the city would lose its mind!
As the Roman Catholic system declared at the Council of Trent that I am doomed to Hell for not believing man made hogwash I am not trouble one iota at the demise of that system...
No, inquisition isn't back; however the abortionist left kissing the Pope's hand is the proof that imposition upon the people of political travesty is certainly a trend!
ReplyDeleteLooney,
ReplyDelete"Paul has several comments on marriage or not, for which this one is probably more rhetorical. Being a traveling preacher, Paul would not be able to reconcile his profession with family obligations. Paul also says this: "If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?" - 1 Timothy 3:5"
That quote is open to interpretation (family can mean so many things); it may not be taken literally. And because Paul wrote so many suggestions I'd say that groups, or people, can choose to follow any that suits them. Like Paul said "I say this by way of concession not of command".
"Thus, Paul cites the successful performance of role model as father and husband as being necessary evidence for the office of overseer (Bishop), and Paul was not a Bishop. Paul also orders the younger widows to remarry and have children (1 Timothy 5:14), which is a bit tricky to reconcile with commands to the men not to marry!"
He didn't say that all men were not to marry. He suggested that it would be preferable, for men choosing the spiritual path, not to get married so that their spiritual focus wouldn't be deflected by the ways of the world (and its responsibilities).
"Have a good week!"
Thanks :D. You have a good week too!
Hey Mark :D!
ReplyDelete"We can only be threatened if we are insecure in what we believe."
Indeed...
"To believe that the presence of a Pope or anyone else for that matter could threaten the belief systems or rights of others is laughable. We often protest that which we fear and we fear out of ignorance and insecurity."
Isn't it? *nodding in agreement*...
Mark, thank you for this well thought out comment :D!
Cheers
Hey Lynda :D!
ReplyDelete"I think the pendulum of hysteria swings as far to the right as it does to the left, so in that, I disagree with Swu. The problem is that people living in fear and a state of chronic disappointment (with governments, institutions, and the problems of the human condition) give in to easy, knee-jerk reactions and reactivity."
In Swu's defence (not that he needs any), he did speak of the radical left "far left" as he put it...
I agree that the Right wing can often get hysterical too; however the left yields constantly not only to hysteria but mainly to paranoia (it always thinks that it is absolutely right [although it rejects the Absolute with absolute resolution] and it defends the rights of the people more than anyone, and the Right only exists to exploit humans...please).
Now, has politics disappointed people? Have politicians, along the ages, proved to serve not the people but their own interests? Yes and yes. But then again people feel disappointed by both the Left and Right. The Left pretends to be more social when it is not (it is as corrupt as the next corrupt entity) and the Right often serves the interests of restrict groups (which is not the purpose of politics and it is highly unethical but at least they don't pretend otherwise).
Obviously, things need to change...
"It takes a lot more energy and is more painful to discipline oneself to THINK, to find reason and the middle ground. I generally avoid people who align themselves with a position and then hold fast and shout their unreasoned creed, without accepting the validity or even the possibility of other perspectives."
Ohh, Lynda...soon the verb "Think" will be a utopia (in some cases, it is already starting to be). Listening to other perspectives is vital; however when those other perspectives want to impose their thoughts, beliefs and vision upon others and try to manipulate and inflame the public opinion...one can't help but to wonder and eventually feel contempt...
"Max, my dear, I have been thinking of you and sending you much love. xxxx "
Darling, thank you for your love xxxx!
Lynda, my dear friend, thank you a million times for this awesome comment :D!
Cheers
LSus, my dear :D!
ReplyDelete"Coming to you live from Seattle..."
This is quite a surprise; I wasn't counting on your presence this week :D! How's that lovely city?
"LOL I enjoyed your red “Aid Flotilla” banner!"
LOL...I am glad you enjoyed it *bowing*.
The whole situation is sheer provocation and those peace activists (with weapons in their possession) when asked the proper questions never have an intelligent answer to offer. Instead they use words like "apartheid" (a total disrespect and mockery for the victims of the apartheid in South Africa; yes, because comparing Israel to South Africa is the same to say that Black People in S. Africa had it easy and had a normal life), "occupation of Gaza" (I mean, do those people tune in to the news? Have their heard of unilateral withdrawl from Gaza in September 2005?), "humanitarian aid" (then why didn't they allow inspection of the goods they were bringing? Again, do they hear the news ever? Have they heard of Francop? Israel intercepted a Humanitarian aid vessel, in November 2009, that among their aid goods were 200 weapons to be delivered to Hamas...) and I could go on and on...*nodding*...
"We had the previous Polish Pope visit Vancouver (but of course he had more frequent flyer miles than teams for the World Cup) and I had the opportunity to view him through massed security for the mass..."
LOL more frequent flyer miles...you are terrible *nodding*....
John Paul II was much loved by the Portuguese people, the bullet that almost killed him is in the crown of Mary's image in Fatima.
"The Dalai Lama drops by more often than GM announces a recall so we see him constantly..."
Dalai Lama is so cute...
"Canada’s Queen that lives in another country (may peace be upon her) has chosen to descend from upon high on several occasions to Great British Columbia...I also had the opportunity to shake hands with Chuck and Di when they were in Vancouver for Expo 86...she was drop dead gorgeous and his ears were not quite as large as they seem on TV..."
I can't express more tenderness for Queen Elizabeth....I am her fan (she is highly intelligent and informed; and she knows about cars too).
LOL "Chuck and Di" LOL LOL *nodding*....
"None of these created a stir in the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics...but if Lord Stanley ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Cup ) was to come for a visit the city would lose its mind!"
LOL LOL LOL I see what you mean.
Well, Portugal is a Catholic country and when the Pope visits Catholic people go wild....
"As the Roman Catholic system declared at the Council of Trent that I am doomed to Hell for not believing man made hogwash I am not trouble one iota at the demise of that system..."
That system will never die, LS...it is too much organised.
LSus, thank you so much for this bloody good comment (you even made me laugh, man) :D!
Cheers
Hey Dux :D!
ReplyDelete"No, inquisition isn't back; however the abortionist left kissing the Pope's hand is the proof that imposition upon the people of political travesty is certainly a trend!"
It was a pitiful thing to witness *nodding*. It makes us wonder...
Dux, thank you ever so much for this poignant comment (I loved it) :D.
Cheers
Hi Max,
ReplyDeleteSo much to say about the Catholic church, but I would need a lot more space.
Everywhere the Pope goes, there is controversy. Can you ask him if he really wears Prada?
There are a lot of things going on in the world that seem to be for reasons other than what we are told. If we can just overcome the upheaval and be informed but not succumb to the toil it takes on our soul. We have to just breathe out sometimes.
Breathing Cheers!
Hi Lady A :D!
ReplyDelete"So much to say about the Catholic church, but I would need a lot more space."
I hear you...
"Everywhere the Pope goes, there is controversy. Can you ask him if he really wears Prada?"
Yeah, it is cyclical: when some are bored the Church is the target to hit.
LOL no, he doesn't wear Prada (I was hoping he would though). It was nothing but a rumour.
"There are a lot of things going on in the world that seem to be for reasons other than what we are told. If we can just overcome the upheaval and be informed but not succumb to the toil it takes on our soul. We have to just breathe out sometimes."
Agreed. Indeed, my friend...indeed...
Lady A, thank you ever so much for your input :D.
No Prada Cheers
No, the inquisition isn't back for the Europeans value common sense.
ReplyDeleteThe Portuguese hospitality was moving and the ceremonies in Porto, Fátima and Lisboa were almost spotless, for in the latter the mass was held in a very symbolic site and, surprisingly, the Pope failed to ask for forgiveness to the Portuguese Jewish community.
About the Catholic Left, they're a bunch of sad sheeps!
Hey C.C :D!
ReplyDelete"No, the inquisition isn't back for the Europeans value common sense."
Hear, Hear!
"The Portuguese hospitality was moving and the ceremonies in Porto, Fátima and Lisboa were almost spotless, for in the latter the mass was held in a very symbolic site and, surprisingly, the Pope failed to ask for forgiveness to the Portuguese Jewish community."
Oh yeah, I wanted to see the Pope apologising to the Portuguese Jewish community and visit the synagogue (like the he did in Spain and Italy) as well but somehow he didn't...and I would like to know why. For how long more will the Portuguese Jewish community be disrespected?
"About the Catholic Left, they're a bunch of sad sheeps!"
Absolutely!
C.C, thank you so much for your fantastic comment (as always) :D!
Cheers
Hey Max! I am not so sure but I think it's only here that whenever a pope visits, the left seems to take a backseat. Probably because the Filipinos sees him as a very holy man, every one behaves! But as soon as the pope leaves, everything is back to normal.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fantastic weekend too. Getting more busy now (still with no help), school starts next week. But I'll find time to visit that's for sure. :)
Take care sweetie! *hugs*
Hey Liza :D!
ReplyDelete"I am not so sure but I think it's only here that whenever a pope visits, the left seems to take a backseat. Probably because the Filipinos sees him as a very holy man, every one behaves! But as soon as the pope leaves, everything is back to normal."
Really? That is amazing. LOL as soon as he leaves the noise starts, eh?
"Hope you have a fantastic weekend too. Getting more busy now (still with no help), school starts next week. But I'll find time to visit that's for sure. :)"
Thanks, lovely. Oh, with school starting you will be swamped for sure...but it's worth it, right :D?
Darling, thanks for having dropped by and left a comment :D!
Cheers and hugs
I though to Be or not to Be was the question, but I guess the Pope think otherwise? :lol:
ReplyDeleteBtw: Looking forward to an open and heartfelt discussion with you in August in August! The Pope won't be there, but I've arranged a meeting with the Mayor ;-)
The Oslo Blog Gathering you know!
Max, you know that was good post. One of your commentators included quote, how can someone manage church if does not know how to manage family - did you know that our priests (the Ukrainians) actually get married, at least 90% of them, and some they bare children like there is no tomorrow, lol. I am very split about this, because I actually seen even married priests flirting, or being all over the woman, its crazy... but then when all mighty knocks on the door every one is golden child.
ReplyDeleteWow Portugal does have quite organized system there, lol ... funny how it works.
On the side note, I like our current pope, and I liked the previous one. Did you know that my god father actually save the polish pope from Nazi by driving him under pile of clothes from one city to another (he wasn't a pope then). Its going to be my blog post on my story blob one day, but I though I give you heads up...lol.
Hope you are doing well girl, loved your post again, Anna :)
Hi Renny :D!
ReplyDelete"I though to Be or not to Be was the question, but I guess the Pope think otherwise? :lol:"
lol...I can't pretend to know what the Pope thinks or doesn't think, my friend...
"Btw: Looking forward to an open and heartfelt discussion with you in August in August! The Pope won't be there, but I've arranged a meeting with the Mayor ;-) The Oslo Blog Gathering you know!"
LOL Aaah, Renny...etiquette says that in social gatherings one should not engage in heartfelt debates - I guess I must refrain myself LOL ;).
LOL LOL the Mayor? You arranged a meeting with the Mayor...man, then I must definitely refrain myself LOL...
Renny, thanks for having dropped by, man :D!
Cheers
Hi Anna :D!
ReplyDelete"Max, you know that was good post."
I am glad you liked it, girl *bowing*.
"One of your commentators included quote, how can someone manage church if does not know how to manage family - did you know that our priests (the Ukrainians) actually get married, at least 90% of them, and some they bare children like there is no tomorrow, lol. I am very split about this, because I actually seen even married priests flirting, or being all over the woman, its crazy... but then when all mighty knocks on the door every one is golden child."
Yes, I knew that. LOL so, they take the commandment "grow and multiply" very seriously, eh? LOL...good for them, I say.
True, "when all mighty knocks on the door every one is golden child"...
"Wow Portugal does have quite organized system there, lol ... funny how it works."
LOL when it comes to the Church, yes; when it comes to other things...we still have a lot to learn.
"On the side note, I like our current pope, and I liked the previous one. Did you know that my god father actually save the polish pope from Nazi by driving him under pile of clothes from one city to another (he wasn't a pope then). Its going to be my blog post on my story blob one day, but I though I give you heads up...lol."
No, I didn't know that! That is huge!! :D
Yes, please post it: I would love to read about it *anxious face*!
"Hope you are doing well girl, loved your post again, Anna :)"
I am fine, thanks. I am glad you loved it, darling :D.
Anna, thank you so much for your marvellous comment and do not forget to post that family experience :D.
Cheers
Whenever the media and their belligerent cohorts run short of a story they fall back on their tired old ways of ridiculing the sections of our community that devote their working lives to the betterment of mankind; and not just the Pope.
ReplyDeleteInquisitions? Witch Hunts? Call them what you like. They'd do better to concentrate on the good news stories that litter the paths of those who care for us in our hour of need.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Peter :D!
ReplyDelete"Whenever the media and their belligerent cohorts run short of a story they fall back on their tired old ways of ridiculing the sections of our community that devote their working lives to the betterment of mankind; and not just the Pope."
You are so right on this one...
"Inquisitions? Witch Hunts? Call them what you like. They'd do better to concentrate on the good news stories that litter the paths of those who care for us in our hour of need."
Hear, Hear!
Peter, excellent comment for which I thank you a million times :D!
Cheers