I’m Beginning To Wonder
Is it just me or is Pope Francis becoming more like Donald Trump? You’re fired!
And here’s the cool part.
On Feb. 16, 2013, just days after announcing his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI confirmed the existing members of the bank’s supervisory body for another five years. The members included Benedict’s longtime deputy and secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was widely blamed for many of the Vatican’s administrative shortcomings during Benedict’s papacy.
Francis has now essentially undone Benedict’s decree, relieving Bertone and the other commission members of their jobs as he moves forward with his reform of the bank, formally known as the Institute for Religious Works.
So, the old Pope, who is still living but apparently no longer infallible (you know, like that’s something that comes and goes with the cool hat), tried to keep control of the money but the new Pope was on that like white on rice.
Okay, okay, now if he’ll just appoint some women ….
Um, appointing cardinals to the Vatican Bank is not one of the items that popes are considered “nfallible” regarding. That would not be a matter of faith nor of dogma. Administrative issues are NOT covered by papal infallibility. That’s probably why the Borgia and deMedici cabals resorted to poisoning…
1Thanks Aggieland liz! /Berfore people start using the infallibility thing of the pope, they should look up what it means.
Still love the stuff posted here, but, have to point out some errors also 🙂
2Not being Catholic and all I don’t have a dog in that infallibility fight, but I do like seeing leaders lead from the front. If this Pope wants to remove impropriety and the appearance of impropriety from the priesthood, firing and retiring the Princes of the Church is the only way to get started.
3No world leader in anything pleases me in all ways, AND I’m not Catholic, but compared to Benedict, Francis is a delightful change of direction. Not sure he can derail as much as needs to be derailed (in my opinion) in that organization, but he’s certainly smacking some smugness right down.
4Don’t hold your breath waiting for Sister Mary Elephant (Cheech & Chong reference) or any of her ilk to be appointed to that commission. Pope Francis is throwing the money changers out of the temple, but they’re likely to be replaced by members of the male persuasion.
5He’s more Christ-like, but a product of the
paternalistic Roman Catholic Church nonetheless.
Everybody here is nice about correcting my errors or educating me when I need it (which is, er, frequently!) so I am happy to return the favor! They are also liberal in the doses of humor handed out with said corrections, instead of just whacking me on my pointy little head with a 2×4!
In other Vatican news, the UN dressed down their rep as part of the inquiry regarding the abuse cases worldwide and subsequent cover-ups. The tone of his replies is 180 degrees different from what they would have been a year ago – I sure do like Pope Francis! A lot!
If the UN were the NCAA the Vatican would receive heavy sanctions for “lack of institutional control!”! Indeed!
6I think Pope Francis is actually moving away from being like Donald Trump. The Pope is firing different people and for different reasons. Also, he has better hair.
7Figures he’d go clean up the money house first. Gotta make sure those donations and investment monies roll in.
8Now Frank, get down to the real business of cleaning out the pedophiles. That might just secure you place in heaven. if you do not, hell is exactly where you will go no matter what else you do.
Here’s the article link I promised.
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/vatican-acknowledges-no-excuse-child-abuse
Note that I am NOT in any way claiming that all is well! But I think there has been a change in tone from that of dismissiveness (eg, we don’t give a crap what you think cuz we are the RC Church) to one of distress and (even!) penitence. As in any situation of this sort, admitting there is a problem is step one. And as I have said to some of my less patient peers about Capt Obama’s piloting of the USS America, you can’t turn an ocean liner on a dime, it takes miles – and nautical miles are longer than standard miles too!
9The “Vatican bank” is more properly known as the Institute of Religious Works, and is meant to manage funds that support charitable works in the world. It is not a donation clearing house, it is not an operating account for the Pope and his household, and it is not a slush fund for greddy cardinals, corrupt politicians, or other persons bent on serving mammon and themselves. It is very important that that scandal be settled as well, especially since it may be the center of the web of decay (wealth frequently is, you know). It is just as scandalous to steal food from the mouths of children as it is to promote or condone other sins against them! Guard against HMC’s own worst fault: that sexual sins are the only sins we commit and that they are certainly the only ones worth talking about or “crusading” against. There are ten commandments and only one of them deals directly with sex, although in context covetousness is frequently limited to sexual lust.
And I – AM – NOT suggesting that the pedophile scandal be minimized! There are MANY problems, both in the RC central admin and more specifically here in the US RC Church. They spring, I think from common roots, and must be dug up like Johnson grass and Dallis grass out of a lawn or pasture – it’s not a 5-min task, and there will be great resistance!
10Aggieland Liz, I’m with you on this. Former Catholic here. But let’s be fair, folks. Pope Francis walked into a minefield left by his predecessor. (Sound familiar? Yeah I’m lookin’ at you Dubya!) There’s a huge pile of work to be done and it won’t happen overnight. But I like what I’m seeing so far. Keep going Frank.
11——and all that was accomplished without someone hanging from a bridge – I think.
12Thx JAK 🙂 – I am still catholic, and I like the way Francis is going here: he is a LEADER, not a POINTER, and the RC church has needed him sorely for some time! However, God does things in His own good time, and patience has never been my strong suit!
We do need to keep the pressure on though. Scandal is inevitable in any group that is made up of human beings; we just can’t help doing stupid, self-serving things sometimes! Coverup, on the other hand? Never a good plan. But everybody wants to try it, and we just don’t learn! Furthermore, large groups and institutions are completely incapable of policing themselves. The US Armed Services. The Boy Scouts. The Society of Band Directors. The Roman Catholic Church. The United Way. United Banc Suisse. Once you have a PR dept you’re doomed to try some kind of coverup sooner or later.
13Hooboy I love this discussion. Never been Catholic but enjoying the new Pope. One of my atheist (formerly Catholic) friends is tempted to go back to church.
14Yes, indeed, because of what Paco did with the Bank does have a lot of them princely priests shaking in their boots. The Curia may get a whole lot smaller with Paco in charge and its about time! And this is coming from a cradle Catholic!
15Replacing one thief with someone who is just as unaccountable?
16One? There are several on the board of governors (my term) and all but one were removed. Notably, one Tosciano Bertone who was Vatican secretary of state under Benedict XVI, and who may be responsible for much of the ill will, machinating, and other mismanagement under that papacy. If ever there was evidence that admin appts were outside the umbrella of infallibility! Make no mistake, this is a significant step in papa Francis’ rebuilding/remodeling project! The old Vatican power structure MUST be dismantled before any significant progress can be made. Burke has been demoted. Dolan is holding his breath (and his peace, for the moment)! Wuerl
17Oops. Sent too soon. Archbishop Wuerl has been promoted – he is a decent moderate man, cautious in his pronouncements and a good pastor! Not some camera hogging blowhard in love with his own opinions on everything!
Sometimes you have to clear away the old debris and the clutter before you can actually get to the project!
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