Pope Benedict resigning Feb. 28, voting underway

[DCSaints_fan]

Its funny because its not uncommon for Catholic bishops resign due to old age/infirmaty, (didn't JPII install a mandatory retirement age?), but the Bishop of Rome (e.g., the Pope) didn't follow the same standard. Hans Kung was a noted critic of this practice - perhaps Benedict is trying to establish a new precedent? (which would be funny because Kung and Ratzinger(Benedict) are/were at theological odds)

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Its funny because its not uncommon for Catholic bishops resign due to old age/infirmaty, (didn't JPII install a mandatory retirement age?), but the Bishop of Rome (e.g., the Pope) didn't follow the same standard. Hans Kung was a noted critic of this practice - perhaps Benedict is trying to establish a new precedent? (which would be funny because Kung and Ratzinger(Benedict) are/were at theological odds)

I don't think JPII put in a retirement age. He did install a rule that Cardinals over the age of 80 could not vote for the next Pope though.

[JMS]

I don't think JPII put in a retirement age. He did install a rule that Cardinals over the age of 80 could not vote for the next Pope though.

Yep about half of them can't vote anymore... there are 209 Cardinals and only 117 electors...

[pjfootballer]

I'm a lapsed Catholic. I find the things they do as old, outdated, ridiculous and just stupid,

I don't find any of the protestant churches any better, but that's just me. The thing I'm bothered about around here in the Bible Belt is, the first thing people ask you is, "what church do you go to." Really? Are you interested in me as a person or are you just out to tally up your "another soul saved" sticker count on the side of your Prius? I find that alot of the protestant churches are like fighter pilots, they just want to put another sticker on the side of their fuselage.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

I find that alot of the protestant churches are like fighter pilots, they just want to put another sticker on the side of their fuselage.

That's Texas. My kids were invited to a whole bunch of events at a Baptist Mega-Church last week by a mom in their basketball league. I don't trust the Baptist mega-chuch people.

[pjfootballer]

That's Texas. My kids were invited to a whole bunch of events at a Baptist Mega-Church last week by a mom in their basketball league. I don't trust the Baptist mega-chuch people.

I'll try to keep this story short. I've lived in the Charlotte area for 7+ years. We recently (1 year ago) moved from one town to another to be 10 miles closer to Charlotte because of our jobs. Most of my new neighbors have been friendly and come over while I'm in the yard to say high and introduce themselves. One set of neighbors who are actually from Africa, asked what church I went to. Told them "blah, blah Catholic church" even though I don't go to any church, but had been to this church once. Of course they invited me to their church, politely declined and that was that.

I don't have any "buddies" I hang out with. All of my college friends live in different states. About 3 months in, a neighbor (male) came by and introduced himself. No questions about church and he told me that he and some of the guys get together once a month, hang out in his driveway and have a few drinks. Well, first thought that came to my mind was picturing King of the Hill. So, I said yes, went over with my lawn chair and they had a fire pit. Everyone was talking about different subjects and I found out one of the elderly guys used to be a star in the Cardinals minor league system back in the 40s. (I looked it up and he really was). Everything going good, then...

All of the sudden, they wanted to hold hands and pray. They started talking about all their missions they went on and THEN I got the "where do you go to church" question. They didn't know they had invited a dirty Catholic, hehe. Turns out, they got together once a month to talk church and better themselves as husbands, fathers and christians. Invited me on a false pretense. Suffice it to say, I've never been back. The guy has called me twice, but I've never returned his call. That's not for me.

[thebluefood]

For those of you in the know: what do you expect to happen to Protestant-Catholic relations with the election of the next Pope? From what I've heard, some of the potential new Popes are even more conservative than Benedict XVI.

[Predicto]

For those of you in the know: what do you expect to happen to Protestant-Catholic relations with the election of the next Pope? From what I've heard, some of the potential new Popes are even more conservative than Benedict XVI.

Depends on who they elect. If it's the Canadian dude, all bets are off. He's a dinosaur.

[Corcaigh]

For those of you in the know: what do you expect to happen to Protestant-Catholic relations with the election of the next Pope?

What relations?

Irish Mixed Marriage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=v0thRUS1wUw#! SFW - he says 'Feic' a lot being Irish.

[thebluefood]

Depends on who they elect. If it's the Canadian dude, all bets are off. He's a dinosaur.

Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. It seems that some of these Cardinals want to roll back the clock even further. Personally, I see Catholics as fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ; but I know there are throwbacks on both sides that don't feel the same way.

What relations?

Irish Mixed Marriage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=v0thRUS1wUw#! SFW - he says 'Feic' a lot being Irish.

That's too funny.

[PeterMP]

I can see you met the church lady. My daughter was baptized at birth, but she still had to complete two years of religious ed before her first communion.

Was it ever any different?

I was baptized Catholic and communion was something I did in 2nd grade.
My oldest is now in 1st grade in CCD and will do first communion next years.

I don't really have an issue with this.

In terms of the other comment about RCIA (I might not feel the same way in 11 months), you know I like that it takes effort. If it is something you are going to change your mind on in 11 months, then maybe it isn't for you.

[Elessar78]

I'm a lapsed Catholic. I find the things they do as old, outdated, ridiculous and just stupid,

I don't find any of the protestant churches any better, but that's just me. The thing I'm bothered about around here in the Bible Belt is, the first thing people ask you is, "what church do you go to." Really? Are you interested in me as a person or are you just out to tally up your "another soul saved" sticker count on the side of your Prius? I find that alot of the protestant churches are like fighter pilots, they just want to put another sticker on the side of their fuselage.

IT's the DC equivalent of "So, what do you do (for a living)?"

[zoony]

That's Texas. My kids were invited to a whole bunch of events at a Baptist Mega-Church last week by a mom in their basketball league. I don't trust the Baptist mega-chuch people.

That we can agree on.

[Elessar78]

That's Texas. My kids were invited to a whole bunch of events at a Baptist Mega-Church last week by a mom in their basketball league. I don't trust the Baptist mega-chuch people.

We were in a protestant church for a buddy's wedding and we were hanging out in the lobby prior and were looking at a bar graph of their fundraising efforts. Pastor didn't miss a chance to explain their financial situation, do a soft recruitment spiel, and plea for donations. Talk about A-B-Cs... Always Be Closing.

[DCSaints_fan]

For those of you in the know: what do you expect to happen to Protestant-Catholic relations with the election of the next Pope? From what I've heard, some of the potential new Popes are even more conservative than Benedict XVI.

Depends on the issue you are talking about ... even with a relatively liberal Pope I don't think the RCC is going to go so far as recognizing ordinations or even opening up the Eucharist ... if thats what you are referring to.