Follow TV Tropes

Following

Pope: Future Hopes Lie With the Youth

Go To

Pentadragon The Blank from Alternia Since: Jan, 2001
#1: Jan 3rd 2012 at 6:38:25 AM

Huffington Post

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI in his New Year's homily Sunday praised young people as key to securing a future of hope despite what he called "shadows on the horizon of today's world." In the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica, with ambassadors to the Holy See from dozens of countries seated in the front rows, the pontiff, wearing white vestments with gold-colored trimmings, celebrated Mass on a day the Vatican dedicates to world peace.

"I would like to underline the fact that, in the face of the shadows that obscure the horizon of today's world, to assume responsibility for educating young people in knowledge of the truth, in fundamental values and virtues, is to look to the future with hope," the pontiff said.

Young people, he said, must "learn the importance and the art of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, dialogue and understanding. Young people by their nature are open to these attitudes, but the social reality in which they grow up can lead them to think and act in the opposite way, even to be intolerant and violent," Benedict said.

But they will become "builders of peace" if properly educated, he predicted.

The 84-year-old Benedict looked tired during Mass, but his voice was strong, and he smiled and chatted briefly with families and young children who carried gifts to him during the ceremony. He seemed amused by one pacifier-sucking infant as the parents kneeled before the pope.

As he has for the past few months, Benedict used a wheeled platform, guided by ushers, to moved down the basilica's long aisle between entrance and main altar. The Vatican has said the device is meant to cut down on exertion, but is not employed because of any medical reason.

While citing the "shadows" hanging over humanity, the pontiff didn't mention specific conflicts or the economic crisis afflicting many countries.

But after Mass, in remarks in English from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square, jammed with tens of thousands of Romans, tourists and pilgrims, Benedict invited all to pray with him "earnestly for peace throughout the world, for reconciliation and forgiveness in areas of conflict, and for a more just and equitable distribution of the world's resources."

Again, turning his attention to young people, Benedict said they "look today with a certain apprehension toward the future," with their concerns including "the difficulty in starting a family and finding a stable job."

Italy's president, whose country is seeking to avoid financial disaster that could worsen the euro-zone crisis, did mention the bad times in comments on Benedict's reflections.

President Giorgio Napolitano, in a statement released by the presidential palace, said he shared the pontiff's "invitation to look at 2012 with a trusting attitude, even though the sense of frustration for the crisis assailing society, the work world and the economy, is quite understandable."

"I, too, cannot thus help but reiterate the importance of renewed attention that all components of society must dedicate to the anxieties and problems of the young generations," Napolitano said.

Katrika Since: Jul, 2009
#2: Jan 3rd 2012 at 7:04:53 AM

...and your point is...?

"You fail to grasp the basic principles of mad science. Common sense would be cheating." - Narbonic
Medinoc Chaotic Greedy from France Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Chaotic Greedy
#3: Jan 3rd 2012 at 7:05:38 AM

This is quite different from some of this remarks early in his reign. This is good.

"And as long as a sack of shit is not a good thing to be, chivalry will never die."
Pentadragon The Blank from Alternia Since: Jan, 2001
#4: Jan 3rd 2012 at 7:08:13 AM

^^

This is quite different from some of this remarks early in his reign. This is good.

Well, that, mainly.

3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#5: Jan 3rd 2012 at 7:15:23 AM

Same old meaningless crap (as in "preaching but not doing") as every year.

"peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, dialogue and understanding"? We've seen how serious he means this to the Evangelical Church (or as he would describe it "church-like communities") in Germany during his visit. Wait. We did not.

Hypocrite.

edited 3rd Jan '12 7:20:59 AM by 3of4

"You can reply to this Message!"
Katrika Since: Jul, 2009
#6: Jan 3rd 2012 at 7:22:00 AM

He might be a hypocrite, I don't really know. But I hope there are people out there that will listen to him. It's a good message this time around, at least.

Hrm...I'm a little uncomfortable with the papal system. Maybe more than a little. Seems like a bad pope could too easily abuse it.

"You fail to grasp the basic principles of mad science. Common sense would be cheating." - Narbonic
Erock Proud Canadian from Toronto Since: Jul, 2009
Proud Canadian
#7: Jan 3rd 2012 at 7:27:51 AM

Pope confirmed for progressive leader.

If you don't like a single Frank Ocean song, you have no soul.
3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#8: Jan 3rd 2012 at 7:28:07 AM

[up][up]not that there have been shortages of that.

edited 3rd Jan '12 7:28:38 AM by 3of4

"You can reply to this Message!"
Carciofus Is that cake frosting? from Alpha Tucanae I Since: May, 2010
Is that cake frosting?
#9: Jan 3rd 2012 at 7:35:34 AM

Uh? I am not sure to what you are referring — his message to Germany's Evangelical Church was pretty much as tolerant and ecumenical as it could get. He explicitly lauded Martin Luther, for heaven's sake!

Ecumenism is not a matter of ignoring disagreements, or of seeking easy solutions to them. It takes respectful but frank confrontations.

As for the homily in discussion, it can be found in full here. It does not contain anything particularly novel or unexpected, I think, but it's an interesting document nonetheless.

But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas.
3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#10: Jan 3rd 2012 at 7:41:08 AM

Words are cheap. Deeds are not. And of the latter I do not really see much.

edited 3rd Jan '12 7:44:08 AM by 3of4

"You can reply to this Message!"
Iaculus Pronounced YAK-you-luss from England Since: May, 2010
Pronounced YAK-you-luss
#11: Jan 3rd 2012 at 7:42:46 AM

Just looks like a long list of platitudes to me. What's the contrast?

What's precedent ever done for us?
Carciofus Is that cake frosting? from Alpha Tucanae I Since: May, 2010
Is that cake frosting?
#12: Jan 3rd 2012 at 8:01:19 AM

[up][up]Could you be more specific? What is it that the Pope did, or did not, in that visit that you disagree with so emphatically? I may or may not be in agreement with you — I am certainly not in full agreement with everything that the present Pope did so far — but at least in that way we'll have something to discuss about.

[up]It's a homily. It's not really the kind of frame in which one could suggest theological innovations, or raise debates. Still, some of the things that the Pope chose to emphasize were interesting, as was the language which was adopted. For an example, see this passage:

The Church also participates in the mystery of divine motherhood, through preaching, which sows the seed of the Gospel throughout the world, and through the sacraments, which communicate grace and divine life to men.
This kind of wording is remarkable. The Catholic Church has often been accused, in my opinion not undeservedly, or being too much male-dominated and of not valuing enough its potential female contributions; emphasizing the (not new, and theologically sound) notion of the "divine motherhood" of the Church is something that is very much useful at this point of time, I think.

edited 3rd Jan '12 8:02:21 AM by Carciofus

But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas.
3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#13: Jan 3rd 2012 at 8:23:02 AM

[up] Its not the Visit per se (though I was annoyed at the hype. But hey, not like I'm a target group anyway ;) ).

It was just an example that the evangelical heads were somewhat disappointed as he wasn't very forthcoming with ecumenical discussion (and the whole "its not a church" position). Which I personally find somewhat hypocritical when he now preaches about respect while the catholic church still thinks "we are THE Church."

I have general issues with the Catholic Church (mind you, I'm against most forms of organized faith in that vein) and the only thing I see when I read above statement is "buzzword, buzzword, buzzword."

edited 3rd Jan '12 8:27:52 AM by 3of4

"You can reply to this Message!"
Carciofus Is that cake frosting? from Alpha Tucanae I Since: May, 2010
Is that cake frosting?
#14: Jan 3rd 2012 at 8:37:36 AM

Well, the "we are THE Church" is very much the only possible theological position which is acceptable by Catholic Church (or, for that matter, by the Orthodox Church too — how come we always are the intolerant bad guys and the Orthodoxes are not? tongue). Plus, there is the issue of the lack of recognized Apostolic Succession: according to Catholic and Orthodox theology, without it is impossible to have valid orders.

The Catholic Church does not, and cannot, recognize the Evangelical Churches as equals; however, this does not mean that Catholics and Evangelicals cannot cooperate, while maintaining their fundamental disagreements.

Personally, I am not in favor of the "everything goes" form of ecumenism. Discussing our disagreements frankly and without rancor is certainly laudable, and so is striving for unity or, failing that, for collaboration, but going "hey, everything goes, after all we all are a big happy family" would be completely pointless.

edited 3rd Jan '12 8:40:51 AM by Carciofus

But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas.
Joesolo Indiana Solo Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Indiana Solo
#15: Jan 3rd 2012 at 12:29:45 PM

Why would anyone complain about this at all? I don't get why anyone would dislike a message about peace and unity.

I'm baaaaaaack
Add Post

Total posts: 15
Top