Pope appeals for end to prejudice
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday urged people everywhere to prepare for Christmas by overcoming prejudices as pilgrims and tourists gathered in St. Peter’s Square ahead of Christmas Eve celebrations….”Jesus came for each one of us and made us brothers,” Benedict said during his traditional blessing from his window overlooking the square. In turn, he added, people should strive to “overcome preconceived ideas and prejudices, tear down barriers and eliminate contrasts that divide — or worse — set individuals and peoples against each other, so as to build together a world of justice and peace.”
It would be nice to be able to take Pope Benedict XVI at his word. It would be nice to think that the Catholic Church stands against prejudice and hatred. Yeah, it would be nice, but it’s not the case. The Pope may talk the talk, but the sad reality is that his Catholic Church does stand against hatred and prejudice- unless it’s Church-approved hatred and prejudice. If you’re gay, if you believe in a woman’s right to control her own body, and/or if you happen to believe that Catholic doctrine is not a one-size-fits-all, swallow-it-whole-or-you’re-not-a-good-Catholic belief system…well, the Catholic Church is still OK with THAT hatred and prejudice. For this Pope to be talking about acceptance, and speaking out against hatred and prejudice seems to me to be rather disingenuous…or does the Pope really think that, in addition to attempting to control the thoughts and actions of millions of Catholics worldwide, the Church should also get to determine who they hate? Of course he does. This pope is every bit as arrogant and inflexible as Pope John Paul II was; of course he feels an absolute right to dicate to the faithful.
So much for the teachings of Jesus Christ, eh?
