All tag results for 'vatican'

Pope Benedict XVI loves us just the way we are as long as we have Christian names.

In a statement released by the Vatican today, the Pope "advised people to avoid giving 'in to the illusion of constructing an artificial public persona for oneself.' "

Here's what the Pope had to say in his statement:

The task of witnessing to the Gospel in the digital era calls for everyone to be particularly attentive to the aspects of that message which can challenge some of the ways of thinking typical of the web. First of all, we must be aware that the truth which we long to share does not derive its worth from its "popularity" or from the amount of attention it receives. We must make it known in its integrity, instead of seeking to make it acceptable or diluting it. It must become daily nourishment and not a fleeting attraction.

We agree with what the Pope is saying to an extent. Certainly, people shouldn't consume themselves with being popular online, and they shouldn't allow themselves to lose a sense of reality by spending ALL their time on the Internet.

As long as nobody is being hurt by it though, we don't see a major issue with adopting an online persona.

Everything in moderation.

What do U think about the Pope's Internet statement?

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: be yourself, internet, online, online persona, pope benedict xvi, popularity, statement, the pope, vatican

This is seriously disturbing news.

According to a 1997 letter, the Vatican warned Catholic bishops in Ireland NOT to report suspected cases of child abuse to police.

The letter was "obtained by Irish broadcasters RTE and provided to The Associated Press." We're sure the Vatican is overjoyed to hear that AP is in possession of such a document.

Pope John Paul II's Ireland diplomat Archbishop Luciano Storero signed the letter himself, and warned Irish bishops that their policy of "making the reporting of suspected crimes mandatory 'gives rise to serious reservations of both a moral and canonical nature.' "

Yikes! Pret-ty uncomfortable timing for this to come out, especially now that Pope John Paul II is supposed to be on his way to Sainthood.

Here's what director of the Irish chapter of Amnesty International Colm O'Gorman had to say about the letter:

"The letter is of huge international significance, because it shows that the Vatican's intention is to prevent reporting of abuse to criminal authorities. And if that instruction applied here, it applied everywhere."

Thus far, the Vatican has declined to comment, and we can't blame them. We're not sure WHAT they'll say to bounce back from this!

Boo, Vatican! This is BEYOND disappointing.

Tags: amnesty international, ap, archbishop luciano storero, associated press, boo, catholic bishops, child abuse, colm o gorman, ireland, letter, pope john paul ii, rte, sainthood, vatican

Umm…we WERE intrigued by this when it seemed like it was real.

Last week, we reported that Discovery Channel was partnering with The Vatican for The Exorcist Files, a show which would recreate documented stories of real-life hauntings and demonic possession, based on cases found in the Vatican’s exclusive case files.

The Vatican doesn't seem to be on the same page as Discovery though. Here's what Monsignor Paul Tighe had to say about it:

"They (Discovery) may have had contact with some individual, but we've had no contact with Discovery here."

Vatican officials have said that the Church has "no official involvement with the series," and that the Vatican "does not even have a group of exorcists."

Here's what a rep from Discovery had to say in response:

“[We are] working with Catholic priests at parishes all over the world for the show and look forward to telling their stories.”

So, no more Vatican AT ALL? What's the deal, Discovery?

Tags: case files, church, demonic possessions, discovery, hauntings, the exorcist files, vatican

Looks like Catholic folks will have to go more traditional if they want to remain in The Pope's good graces.

After baptizing twenty-one children at the Vatican on Sunday, The Pope stated that new members of "the faith" will need Christian names.

Nowadays, the most popular names that Italians give their children are saints' names - Francesco (Francis) is the top choice for boys, and Giulia (Julia) is the #1 pick for girls.

…Guess The Pope would probs NOT be overly enthusiastic with Brangelina's childrens' names. LOLs.

Would the Pope approve of your name?

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: brangelina, catholic, christian, francesco, francis, giulia, italians, julia, names, the faith, the pope, traditional, vatican

This is truly, terribly disturbing.

Watch the video (above) to learn yet another dark truth that has emerged about a priest, Father Lawrence C. Murphy, who abused hundreds of vulnerable children at St. John's School for the Deaf in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

One of Murphy's victims, Terry Kohut, has broken his silence about the priest, and seeks to sue the Pope for not acting against Father Murphy, due to the Vatican's "policy of secrecy," wherein they "…conceal sexual abuse of children."

When Father Murphy was finally removed from St. John's in 1974, he was relocated to northern Wisonsin, where more abuse allegations rose the surface.

Once a trial was finally set up, Father Murphy wrote a personal letter to the Pope, formerly known as Cardinal Ratzinger, which said the following:

“The accusations against me were for actions alleged to have taken place over twenty-five years ago. I am seventy-two years of age, your Eminence, and am in poor health. I have repented of any of my past transgressions. I simply want to live out the time that I have left in the dignity of my priesthood. I ask your kind assistance in this matter.”

Based on this letter, Murphy was allowed to live out the rest of his days as a priest, and he was buried in 1998 with the full honors of a Holy Roman Catholic Priest. Awful.

After numerous letters were ignored, which Kohut had sent to Father Murphy and top Vatican officials, he has finally made the decision to pursue legal action against the Vatican, as well as the Pope himself.

Very upsetting story. We wish Terry Kohut all the best in his efforts, and our hearts go out to all the children from St. John's who were abused by Father Murphy. Absolutely horrible!

What do U think about this sad, awful story?

Tags: cardinal ratzinger, deaf, father lawrence c murphy, lawsuit, milwaukee, pope, rape, sexual abuse, st johns school for the deaf, terry kohut, vatican, wisconsin