NEWS ABOUT BENEDICT

Thanks for all the posts on the La Sapienza story, Teresa, and especially for the translation of Cardinal Ratzinger's 1990 speech/lecture. His words on this occasion regarding the Galileo case have been misrepresented many times already, even in my country. I'm waiting for the next spate of scorn by "scientific" minds in South Africa who may have heard of the Sapienza scandal and will make it known here with triumphant joy. It is good to now have Ratzinger's original words in its entirety. It provides the necessary ammunition that may be needed. Thanks again!

Re: John Allen> I've said it before but I don't think he has changed fundamentally in his assessment of and sentiments about the Pope. I've never read his Cardinal Ratzinger-biography, but have read about his negativity in that publication. Well, he still is constantly giving the Holy Father - the "errant schoolboy", as you aptly put it - these condescending raps over the knuckles. And Allen's views are widely read. I don't like what he is doing.

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Thanks for the moral support, Crotchet! It's always very gratifying to hear from you at times like these. You always come through when I need it most.

It's very dispiriting when narrow or even closed minds prevail, at least in media play, and when even supposed supporters of the Pope carp and cavil about what he has decided to wear and do in the liturgies he performs - as if he had no mind of his own, or his decisions in themselves, have suddenly become questionable - instead of trying to see the reasons for such decisions and see them as 'teaching moments'.

Can any right-thinking Catholic really think that any Pope, least of all this Pope, would say or do anything lightly, without thorough consideration, especially in matters which are visible and therefore highly charged with symbolism for the simple reason that the Pope is the Pope?

Thanks once again, and God bless....

Let us just go on praying for the Pope and sll his intentions, and that all Catholics, Christians and men of good will may rally behind him.

TERESA