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On this basis perhaps the Catholic Church can feel ‘at ease’, it will be subject to visceral attacks at every turn and therefore must today count itself as still totally “Relevant”.

This current ‘story’ concerns what the Pope may or may not have said to journalists on a flight in Africa. To be fair, some idiot in the Curia may have “embellished” a word which changed the meaning/interpretation to a broader, more sceptical and aggressively anti-catholic media. The consequence was that the “Western Media” decided it had something to ‘froth about’, truth took a second seat.

Actually and to be truthful, I rather like this “Holy Father” and his media gaffs because he seems truly genuine. He is an “Academic” and therefore truly un-worldly and non-political. In a sense he speaks with enthusiasim and the genuine “haven’t got all the details quite together yet…” Which is what makes him just that bit ‘special’.

What Was Actually Said

Sorry to Party Poop and let us be honest, letting facts get in the way of a good ‘rant’ is boring but…This is what the Holy Geezer actually said which truth to tell, was a bit anodyne to say the least:

” Answering a question on the Catholic Church’s approach to HIV/AIDS, considered by some as unrealistic and ineffective, the Pope said:

“It is my belief believe that the most effective presence on the front in the battle against HIV/AIDS is in fact the Catholic Church and her institutions. … The problem of HIV/AIDS cannot be overcome with mere slogans. If the soul is lacking, if Africans do not help one another, the scourge cannot be resolved by distributing condoms; quite the contrary, we risk worsening the problem.

The solution can only come through a twofold commitment: firstly, the humanisation of sexuality, in other words a spiritual and human renewal bringing a new way of behaving towards one another; and secondly, true friendship, above all with the suffering, a readiness – even through personal sacrifice – to stand by those who suffer”.

Revealed Truth

Believing in any particular religion or religion at all is a matter of personal choice. However, here a useful tip there is no such thing as “truth” in an absolute sense whether in religion or science because in both we look to “revealed truth”.

A chemistry experiment or a telescope in space, may provide data that support a particular conclusion but, only at that time and based upon what has been revealed.

The Catholic Church has “been in business” for around 2,000 years, yes it has made dreadful mistakes and is the ‘ultra conservative’ type of organisation but frankly with good reason because their job is to try and both lead and guide people through what is an existence that is “dual” in its nature, spiritual and physical and both will impact the other.

Catholicism and Catholics like The Church of England are very lucky in having the structures to constantly investigate both scriptures and precedent, the view, the message, the Revelation is both constant and on-going.

Temporal Truths

“The Catholic church must abandon this purist, “one size fits all” view of culture and how people should behave.” What a totally odd and stupid statement.

Catholic means Universal the Pope speaks in terms of moral absolutes, if he didn’t, what use would he be ?

Many years ago I can remember being told some long story/joke about a geezer seeking spiritual enlightenment who after 20 years came face to face with “The Master”. Well to be honest and the quick South London Version goes as follows:

“Master, what is the Meaning of Life ?”

“Life is a Fountain…”

pause…

“Life is a Fountain, I have spent 20 years seeking the meaning of life and all you can tell me is that it is a “fucking fountain” ?

The reply was:

“It isn’t a Fountain ?”

The point is, what do you want ? A Pope who is ultra conservative and talks in ‘absolutes’ or some Bill Clinton ‘swinging gate’ ?

Reality in Religion..

I imagine that the view of many people is that any Catholic that attends Mass regularly and takes the Sacraments regularly thinks “I’m aright with God”, but in all truth it is not so easy:

Doing all that is just like going to a gym, it is but training and whether your priest or pastor thinks you a good chap holds no sway on the Day of Judgement only, your personal actions and decisions.

By the same token as a Catholic, whilst I will and should listen to the Holy Father, my decisions must be my own and consciously made for it is I who must answer to the Almighty for me, not the Pope.

It always seems odd to me that people want the Catholic Church to “Say this, do that, get up to the speed of today and, does this come with a money back guarantee ?” Not I would suggest what any Religion is about.

A Truth

I know the hard facts will upset some but surely is not the Pope pointing to the root cause of the spread of HIV/AIDS – the way people behave towards each other ?

Play around with “types of promiscuity” if you like – look at the current NHS campaign on casual sex but the simple fact it is current human behaviour that causes this. The real problem is a culture where it is accepted by both male and female heterosexuals that promiscuity is the “norm”.

We should not be so smug and whilst it is true I am a Catholic, 200,000 abortions a year as “birth control” in the UK should make us all feel disgusted as human beings and parents. Sorry, we need NGOs to distribute free condoms which can be bought anywhere in the UK without comment ?