I have NEVER heard this Pope say anything smarter than a four year old would say. Debbie, why are you expecting ANYTHING from this pedophile?? He’s not worth it.

MS on June 9, 2010 at 4:29 pm

I cannot wait until the City on Seven Hills gets hers!

As goes Israel - so goes the World on June 9, 2010 at 4:31 pm

The paper said that the line between religion and politics is blurred in Muslim countries, “relegating Christians to the precarious position of being considered non-citizens, despite the fact that they were citizens of their countries long before the rise of Islam.”

“The key to harmonious living between Christians and Muslims is to recognize religious freedom and human rights,” it said.

Debbie I don’t agree with you that He just woke up !
It i s also true that Israel Palestian conflict is causing
problems to Christians & Jew & muslims.

J: Sorry but he did just wake up and just barely. Check the links and look at the photo. Also, it is NOT true that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that is causing Christians to be persecuted. It’s Islam, period. DS

Jacqueline Hanna Youssef on June 9, 2010 at 5:36 pm

Uh, no, Jacqueline Hanna Youssef…

The muzzies are causing everyone problems wherever the rats congregate.

Anyone taking a muzzie side is anti-Israel and anti-God.

As goes Israel - so goes the World on June 9, 2010 at 5:58 pm

When will you wake up Debbie? Most Christians hate Jews as much as Muslims do. The only reason American Evangelicals are pro-Israel is so that the Jews will kick the Muslims out of Israel and the Dome on the Rock will be destroyed and the new temple built in its place so that Jesus can come again. You’re only fooling yourself with this Christian-Jew alliance.

Norman Blitzer on June 9, 2010 at 6:05 pm

Its hard for me to reconcile that Pope Ratzinger was inculcated early in life in the hitler youth. would it be a stretch to consider that some of this knowledge base has remained?

hill billy on June 9, 2010 at 6:08 pm

I read an article about that paper over the weekend, which said “It also complained that some Christian fundamentalists use biblical texts to justify Israel’s occupation” Unbelievable that this would be a perjorative statement – doesn’t anyone believe the bible at the vatican anymore? Someone needs to tell the Vatican this repudiating approach will not work to unify Christians from a wide array of denominations who possess the actual ability to help rally to the plight of poor Catholics in the middle east. (It mentioned the newer Christians in the middle East are Catholics from India, Philipines, and Pakistan who work as domestic help and laborers in Arab countries.) Unfortunately I think their upcoming meeting will be one long useless waste of breath.

Mz Brown on June 9, 2010 at 6:08 pm

Well…the Poop is German after all.

The Terrorist's Advocate on June 9, 2010 at 6:12 pm

Yup, its too little to late. The Church doesn’t recognize the real problem – Islam and its also silent about the threat it poses to Christian Europe.

I don’t see Christianity having much of a future in Europe once Muslims become the majority there. And blaming Israel won’t change what is happening in the Church’s own bailiwick.

NormanF on June 9, 2010 at 6:26 pm

@AsGoesIsrael

You’re totally right. Except now, the Pope won’t really have any credibility now, will he, following the pedophile fiasco that he covered up? But if all Christians condone this kind of heinous crime, I’m afraid that he will still stay just as influential.

It is commonly known that this Pope (or as the above commenter dubbed “Poop”) is hated among Jewish, Islamic, AND Agnostic/Atheistic circles. Why he’s still addressing the world publicly is beyond my comprehension.

MS on June 9, 2010 at 6:33 pm

Israel is not the reason Maronite Catholics in Lebanon are persecuted and murdered by Hezbollah/Harakat Amal.???

what are you talking about?? show me where, when?

for you information, the Major christian maronite leader , General Michel Aoun, is allied with Hezbollah and Amal

Please get your facts before posting your bullshit

Nadim on June 9, 2010 at 6:35 pm

“The One World religion certainly will NOT BE Christianity.

You are correct. Any guess on what it will be? I won’t be here to see it fortunately.”

At this rate, I would hazard that Islam certainly seems to be the one gaining the upper hand. Judaism, on the other hand, although quite small, seems to be holding up quite well, so I wouldn’t write it off just yet. Yet the number of converts from Christianity to Islam truly is astonishing… I wonder what the true reasons for that are?

MS on June 9, 2010 at 6:36 pm

Because God prevails, so shall Israel.

God cannot fail, so Israel is safe in His Hands.

As goes Israel - so goes the World on June 9, 2010 at 7:15 pm

The reason that Christians are turning muslim in droves is fear. Terrorism (islam) works on weak minds as evidenced by the islamo-pandering that increases as terrorism does.

DS_ROCKS! on June 9, 2010 at 8:05 pm

Off topic but it looks to me that palin got breast implants. The right wing is doing the same thing they did with the vannity situation, call them “allegations” and smear tactics. All you got to do is look at the pictures and you can tell she got her boobs done. How can anyone take mainstream right wingers seriously?

tyler on June 9, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Another excellent post, Debbie.

JeffE on June 9, 2010 at 8:31 pm

Where has the Pope been, every where Muslims have taken over there has been a genocide of Christians. I cannot believe he and the church are that naive.

I agree with you DS Rocks, at least in Europe.

ScottyDog on June 9, 2010 at 8:37 pm

Maybe the pope hasn’t heard the Islamic saying: “First Saturday, then Sunday.”

Harry on June 9, 2010 at 9:16 pm

The only reason there’s still a POPE & a Vatican is because western style liberal democracies like ISRAEL defend Judeo-Christian values world-wide.

Another chump bites the dust joining the whatever to get along crowd.

I almost kinda liked the guy.

P. Aaron on June 9, 2010 at 9:44 pm

How dare you say these things about the Pope. Don’t you know that the Pope is infallible?

Jarhead on June 9, 2010 at 10:14 pm

DS_ROCKS writes, “The reason that Christians are turning muslim in droves is fear.”

An interesting report out of the UK recently indicates that many Christians in prisons are converting to Islam not just to avoid the harassment from Muslim inmates, but for the privileges! Muslims are getting better food (hallal, of course), plus are relieved from work detail for “prayer time”, holidays, etc.

Raymond in DC on June 9, 2010 at 10:43 pm

You have stirred the anti-Catholics, Debbie. As a Catholic, I apologize to the extent that the Catholic Church is presently anti-Jewish. Given that Jesus and Mary, together with all the Apostles, are semites, it is hard to argue that the Church has been antisemitic. How anti-Jewish the pope is is a matter of debate and your analysis should be broader than the basis you have chosen.

Nomadic100 on June 9, 2010 at 10:44 pm

By the way, it’s Cyprus. “Cypress” is a tree.

Nomadic100 on June 9, 2010 at 10:47 pm

The entire Catholic Church doesn’t get it! Here In N.Y. right on Staten Island the Catholic archdiocese just sold or is planning to sell a former convent long abandoned to some Muslims so they can convert it into a Mosque. I know they need to make money, but come on. We as a nation are in a fight for our very survival, why give the Muslims another foot hold?

One_Irish_Jew on June 9, 2010 at 11:21 pm

Historically the true church of Jesus Christ never submitted to the phony authority of the papacy. Let’s not forget that the 1000 years known as the Dark Ages (which included European Inquisition, not just in Spain) was called such because the Catholic Church led by the papacy would not allow the reading of the bible or to even have it translated into the common language of the people. They kept it in Latin which kept everyone in the DARK! This cult has been a false representation of Jesus Christ since the day the popes took over where the Ceasars left off. As the saying goes: Rome never fell, it just came under new management. Judgment day is going to be a real shocker for these arrogant religious stooges. Their hatred of Israel reveals their wicked hearts. The majority of the Reformers have built a strong case that the papacy is the beast of Revelation. I think they were onto something.

Steve of NJ on June 9, 2010 at 11:29 pm

You know, he’s the spiritual leader for 6 (soon to be 7) of the US Supreme Court justices. Luckily, the other 2 are Jews (2% of population, 22% of S.C. Good over-achieving, guys!) Now before you get too bent, consider that it could be 2 Jews and 7 Muslims, or Hindus, or Scientologists…Catholics don’t seem so bad now, do they?

Dr Joey on June 10, 2010 at 12:42 am

MK750 – So what Ratzinger is saying is that if he wants to expand the Temporal power of the Vatican, he can do so militarily. As someone said, “well, he is German, after all.”

Yes the Pope can forge an empire , all he has to do is unleash his Swiss guard minions!

David Xavier on June 10, 2010 at 3:14 am

That is why I left the RCC! The pope, the church and all their moronic rantings…who needs em’!

no more RCC on June 10, 2010 at 3:25 am

Catholics and other Christians in Israel have more rights and religious freedom than anywhere else in the Mid-East.

Among other things, they’re free to proselytize. It makes many Orthodox Jews furious. I say let them. I believe Judaism can hold its own.

I wonder if the Pope will wake up before or after St. Peter’s is converted to a mosque-or razed for a parking lot?

Miranda Rose Smith on June 10, 2010 at 3:52 am

Forget talking about all this bullshit. Peace not war!!!
Let’s talk about my c___ and debbie’s mouth. Yum yum baby x

jimbob jones on June 10, 2010 at 4:09 am

You’d think that with Christians under attack and being persecuted everywhere in the Islamic world, the Pope WOULD TAKE A HINT.Debbie do you really think The Pope is DUMB ?
Do you care only about ISAREL ? All is BS to you except
Isarel ? I know many many ppl that do not hate Israelis
or Jewish & Pope do not hate either.
I am Christian & worked almost all my life with Jewish Orthodox
we never hated each other for thinking different & they do trust me till now.
History made many suffered & not only Jewish even in Holocaust.
Unfortunately Religious Politics surge could lead to reforms some do believe so.
We know that most Politics is divisionary or corrupt
& today many do not believe in both, so they don’t TRUST
If all ppl would not forget the past & get over it we will all suffer & THAT IS DUMB!

Jacqueline Hanna Youssef on June 10, 2010 at 8:08 am

As far as Christians believing Jews will or will not be saved depends on what brand of eschatatology they buy into. A dispensationalist (along with other theories) believes that when Jesus comes again he will not only save Christians but the Jews which follows into the All of Israel will be saved which is in Revalation. Israel is defined by Paul in Romans as not only those born of Israel but as those who believe in Christ since without Jews there would be no Christ. Read the section about the grafted olive branches.

Read Left Behind for more on this.

Also Norman, for your information, the word rapture is nowhere to be found in the Bible. It is a term created and widely distributed in the early 1900’s.

Ken Blazek on June 10, 2010 at 8:53 am

As a traditional Catholic supporter of Israel, may I make one point? Islam AND the radical left have two targets in their gun-sights: Israel and the Catholic Church. The Pope’s ‘support’ for Islam is blown greatly out of proportion whereas the relentless and vicious attacks on the Catholic Church by certain un-Jewish Jews is full of half-truths, bluster and self-righteous hate. Most liberal Jewish opinions, even in Israel itself are to the left of the Pope.

There was a time that the Jewish community sent its wisest and holiest rabbis to speak on behalf of its people to the Pope. Now you send loathsome $640,000 a year exec Abe Foxman to tell us what we can and cannot say in our liturgy.

poetcomic1 on June 10, 2010 at 9:02 am

No where in that article did I see where the Pope blames Israel. And to all the other religious bigots here whether you are Jewish or not, Christians (in general) ARE the best friends Jews have. Where else ya gonna go?!

Oscar on June 10, 2010 at 9:11 am

Debbie, I agree with the poet, sending professional Jews like Abe Foxman to talk to the pope on our behalf is insulting. We should send over authentic Jews who can articulate our true feelings for the Pope, perhaps a Pee Wee Herman, Harvey Fierstein or Sandra Bernhard type.

A1 on June 10, 2010 at 9:24 am

You’ve oft noted Debbie, that Popes for ages have sided with Muslims. We had John Paul II actually kissing the Koran! http://www.jimmyakin.org/images/john_paul_ii_quran.jpg

G-d forbid. We had Ratzinger Pope Benedict, his ?, laying a wreath at the tomb of Attaturk in Turkey, architect of the Armenian genocide, and actually praying toward Mecca!! a few short years back (DEC 2006).

Real Christians stand for the testimony of Christ as the resurrected Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Son of G-d who made atonement for sins of all who believe on the cross. They love the Jewish people–whether they reject Christ or not–as they know that the gospel is for the Jew first, then for the gentile (Rom 1:16)–further that Christ has a large remnant of Israel who will turn to call on his Name in the last days (Rom 11:25-31). There can be NO fidelity with Muslims who worship a different deity, and revere Mohammed. These “Popes” betray the faith they supposedly stand for.

BB on June 10, 2010 at 9:36 am

You all keep it up. Jews vs. Catholics, Protestants vs. Catholics, Protestants vs. Jews; meanwhile, Satan and his religion, Islam, are smiling. I’m reading comments from fools and idiots. Depressing!!!

Rick on June 10, 2010 at 9:37 am

“Israel is not the reason Maronite Catholics in Lebanon are persecuted and murdered by Hezbollah/Harakat Amal.???”

Thats a good one. Lebanese Christians are the ONLY CHRISTIANS who have political power in the middle east. They have far more rights and freedoms than any Christian in Israel. Even the State Department reports on Religious freedom say that.

antoine on June 10, 2010 at 9:45 am

Well, as a christian catholic I am not surprised. Everything is a mess….

sharon on June 10, 2010 at 9:56 am

The greatest book ever written against the Roman Catholic Church was not written by a former priest or nun. Nor was it written by some evangelical. It was written by God.

Norm on June 10, 2010 at 10:26 am

It’s a habit for Europeans to blame their problems on Jews.

There is NO Santa Claus on June 10, 2010 at 10:43 am

Norm, what are you talking about. God didn’t write a book. He spoke and others wrote down his words. The Jews wrote the Old Testament, and the Catholic Church, founded by Jesus (Matt 16:18), wrote the New testament. You know, you can’t just make stuff up. The truth is still the truth.

Rick on June 10, 2010 at 10:50 am

HELLO-OH! Why are we buying into all this rant and rage? Yes, there is hatred on all sides, but for what? Is it because “my God” is more powerful than “your God”? I know I saw this same argument in the movie, CONAN THE BARBARIAN, between Conan and the archer-thief he freed from the chains. Think and make a reasoned decision about which religions do the least harm, promote the most positive activities towards advancing mankind’s inter-personal relations, and do not control mankind’s search towards discovering the ultimate truths of life (if there are any). Research the tenets of each religion, build a matrix, and rationally compare what each requires one to do to be a believer and to what extent a believer is controlled, admonished, punished,shunned, and rewarded. Each person must individually decide what is morally proper and why it is so and what will be followed. Stop the religious infighting because it only aids those who wish to control all of mankind for their megalomaniacal purposes…and that ain’t good for most of mankind. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Tell the most egregious religious leaders to quit trying to control everyone. You know what is moral and what is not. Act accordingly.

Dennis / Tampa on June 10, 2010 at 10:50 am

Let’s be clear here on the facts….

The Pope is and has been well aware of the plight of Middle Easter Christians and has spoke about it on many occasions since his pontificate.

Christians leaving the Middle East due to the conflict is a fact.

As for anti-Israel comments coming out of the Vatican, does this happen? Yes. The comments are just that….comments and not official church documents such as encyclicals…big difference.

Are there anti-Semites in the Catholic Church? Yes. Is this the norm? No.

Historically speaking Jewish-Christian relations has been marked by mistreatment, discrimination, abuse and worse – on the whole quite negative. Were Popes responsible for this from time to time? Yes.

However, Popes have also: spoken out in defense of the Jews, protected them and their property during times of persecution, and protected their right to worship freely. Pope Calixtus’s defense of Jews was re-issued at least 22 times by successive popes between the 12th and 15h centuries.

As for the Holocaust, Cardinal Pacelli as Nuncio to Germany (later Pius XII) spoke out against Nazism on over 40 occasions starting in 1929. As Pope he smuggled an Encyclical into Poland that was read in all Catholic churches denouncing Nazism and defending the Jewish people. Many Catholics gave their lives during the process.

Other Encyclicals were dropped by the Allies all over Germany. Broadcasts on Vatican radio denouncing Nazism were common.

The Pope spent large sums purchasing thousands of passports for Jews to flee Europe.

When Hitler decided to deport the Jews of Rome, the church hid them in convents, monasteries, etc. and throughout the rest of Italy as did other countries. Castel Gandalfo (the Pope’s summer residence) alone was home to 12,000 Jews. Mini-hospitals and birthing centers were sent up, liturgical celebrations were held, etc. The chief Rabbi of Rome, Israel Zolli later became Catholic.

After the war ended the World Jewish Congress made financial gifts to the Papacy for its efforts. Every major Jewish group worldwide spoke out in support of Pius. This was the consensus until an anti-Catholic play (the Deputy – 1963) began to make the rounds in Europe which lead to the Black Legend of Pius being silent.

Upon Pius XII death in 58’ Israel PM Mosha Sharett(?)attended the funeral and publically thanked the Pope. Later on Golda Meir gave glowing tributes to him.

The Vatican II document Nosta Aetate set out to re-establish Jewish-Catholic relations. John Paul II was the first Pope to visit a synagogue. His work “We Remember- A Reflection on the Shoa” as well as his visit to Jerusalem and the Western Wall were historic gestures to “our elder brothers and sisters in the faith”.

Additionally, official church documents have been cleansed of anti-semitism. . Jewish chairs of study have been established at all Catholic Universities, etc, etc. etc.

It seems the glass is always half empty for some…..

As far as Pope Pious XII and the Holocaust, I recommend “the Myth of Hitler’s Pope” by Rabbi Robert G. Dalin and the work conducted by Gary Krupp of the Pave the Way Foundation. A Hand of Peace is a fantastic documentary put out by Ignatius Press.

Josey on June 10, 2010 at 10:55 am

Norm, what are you talking about. God didn’t write a book. He spoke and others wrote down his words. The Jews wrote the Old Testament, and the Catholic Church, founded by Jesus (Matt 16:18), wrote the New testament. You know, you can’t just make stuff up. The truth is still the truth.

Rick on June 10, 2010 at 10:50 am

________________________________________

Catholic as in universal, not in the religious sect use of the word.

Ken Blazek on June 10, 2010 at 12:08 pm

Debbie, have you ever heard of the Christian Reformation? All the early Chritian reformers from Luther on have clearly said that the Catholic Church is not a Christian Church. The Catholic Church’s doctrines have slid away from the Bible since the Catholic Church started.

Please don’t put us Born Again Bible believe Christians, who love the Jews and Israel, with the likes of the Pope. The only head of the Christian Church is Jesus Christ; not that guy in the Vatican.

Haven’t you ever heard that the Catholic Church is not a Christian Church, they are the biggest Christian CULT in the world.

bobbyhead on June 10, 2010 at 12:38 pm

bobbyhead,

What Jesus lying when he said, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it?”

Maybe it’s an interpretation problem. Let’s check.

My Bible says, “And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Does your Bible say, “And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock you will write my bible, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Rick on June 10, 2010 at 1:09 pm

Debbie–

This article was quite ill-advised. You had to know that it would degenerate into anti-Catholic rants.

As other posters have implied, the Church has done much behind the scenes, and, unfortunately, feels constrained to PC like everyone else. For what it’s worth, the majority of real Catholics were appalled at the kissing the Koran incident.

Moreover, many feel that the current troubles stem from the failure of the Crusades, and the present day abortion/death culture.

Or, as was related by the Virgin Mary at Fatima: “War is a punishment for sin.”

RR: Puh-leeze. What’s ill-advised is the Catholic Church’s long phony-baloney history on Jews and Israel. My commenting on it seems to bother you more than the Church’s repeated condemnation of Israel and sidling up to extremist Muslim. That “behind the scenes” crap is baloney. The Catholic Church did NOTHING behind the scenes. In fact, because it did nothing and continues to do nothing, 6 million Jews were slaughtered, and thousands of Arab Christians today are persecuted and murdered. If the Vatican actually had the guts to do anything, it would do it . . . and up front, not “behind the scenes.” And if the Catholic Church feels “constrained to PC” and won’t do the right thing, it has no right to exist and should close its doors. It pretends to be an outspoken moral authority on every issue. This “it is scared and must be PC” excuse is utter crap. DS

Red Ryder on June 10, 2010 at 3:34 pm

DS: I think your attitude is a wee bit harsh. I guess Golda Meir must have been wrong in praising Pius XII for his activities during WWII.

Like it or not, even the Church has to live with certain political realities. Please don’t misunderstand, the leadership is far from perfect, which is probably why very few popes became saints.

Still, what should the Church “DO,” exactly? To quote Stalin: How many divisions has the pope?

The primary mission of the Church is to save souls, and that does not always coincide with earthly goals. Was Jesus a military leader? Did St. Augustine take up arms against the barbarian invaders?

Do I really have to turn tables and ask where the Jewish leadership is?

Red Ryder on June 10, 2010 at 5:48 pm

So now it’s “my Jesus is better than your Jesus…nyah, nyah”
huh? OK, so who’s Christianity is totally and perfectly original and dates back directly to 33AD? Like anything else, the Bible is open to interpertation. Maybe the Christian sects started with the Apostles who couldn’t always agree with each other?

@ ‘Shy Guy on June 10, 2010 at 2:36 pm’
Point well made. As the old saying about stones and glass houses goes…or the older one about those without sin throwing the first stone.

One question to the other ‘superior sect’ Christians: Which so called “not Christians” drove back the islamic invaders in the 17’th century, without whose blood and sacrifice you would all be raising your asses to Mecca right now, thank you.
Hint: it wasn’t the Mormons…no not the Baptists, keep trying…

theShadow on June 10, 2010 at 8:30 pm