The loss of a great man

babygirl says on Apr 2, 2005, 12:41:

I'm not Catholic either but he's always been a part of my life.

:(

Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte says on Apr 2, 2005, 13:18:

it appears the dark days of human life.... are the effulgent glorious days in the presence of GOD. today our HOLY POPE JOHN PAUL II has been called home.

there is great grief and darkness here...there is resounding joy amongst the throng around the THRONE.

as when CHRIST gave up the GHOST, darkness filled the earth, but joy beyond joy filled the HEAVENS.

again, we are alone and without shepherd. i personally pray, that the HOLY GRACE that brought us JOHN PAUL will once again descend on our miserable lot, by sending another glorious REDEEMER AND GUIDE.

HOLY FATHER, your presence amongst us has filled a deep hole in my heart all these years. thank you and GOD BLESS YOU.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

toneloc24 says on Apr 2, 2005, 14:00:

I'm also not Catholic, but it kinda saddens me that he's passed away. But, in trying to be unselfish, it was his time to depart us. He was called home. I'm happy there will be no more suffering for him.

To me, he was one religious figure, who in today's times, was 100% pure. I kinda lost faith in churches a long time ago, but this pope kept me interested. He touched many people around the world with kindness and genuine interest in people in even the most remote places. No person was greater than the other.

I remember when he first arrived at JFK in NYC in the early 80s. Man, what a procession!!! I was still fairly young at the time, and didn't grasp the significance of his visit, but as time went, I grew to understand the importance of his missions.

When I was in Lima earlier this year, one of the electronic stores was displaying a video of his visit there in the 80s as well. Many people who were just passing by, just stopped to watch it also, as if it were happening at that moment.

I will definitely miss him. The next pope has a huge seat to fill. He was the most important and most revered man in the world. I wish him a peaceful journey.

"PBH is dead!!!!"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ixent (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 2, 2005, 14:09:

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Apr 2, 2005, 14:17:

at this time I want to offer my condolences to all you good people who grieve at the passing of your religious leader and the shepard of your souls.
Sincerely,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte says on Apr 2, 2005, 14:41:

thank you , maarit... as for the poster above...i suggest you clarify in your mind how aids is spread before you guilt the HOLY SEE.

it is we, the unthinking, uncaring, irresponsible, careless, mean and dirty lot of us that is responsible for the spread of disease, not the disease free and pure.

HIS HOLINESS upholds abstinance and celibacy because they are THE preventive measures we can count on to counteract the spread of disease.

relying on artificial means of contraception while continuing in activity that in and of itself spreads disease, is NO solution.
abstinance is. try it.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

fill says on Apr 2, 2005, 15:12:

dwmte.......... you are right

fill

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte says on Apr 2, 2005, 17:12:

now i see why you chose the name 'negro' you are dark in heart...

i will pray for you. not that you believe as do i, but that you believe.

dw

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoX says on Apr 2, 2005, 17:22:

Apparently even satan worshippers come across this site. Now that's scary!



ColombianoX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte says on Apr 2, 2005, 17:50:

for those of us.... who profess to revere and follow the HOLY SEE, it is the very least we can do to try and emulate his teachings.

remembering to love one another is his greatest teaching.

dw

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Sonny says on Apr 2, 2005, 17:58:

No guessing here don negro Even in his death he prayed for egotistical egomaniacal ostentatious little narrow minded pricks like you. Is that direct enough? He walked in places you could never dream of and did more by accident then you could do in your life on purpose. The difference between the Pope and you "IS" the difference. You did not need to trash Catholics or Christians. You don't like it? There will be a warm place in the hereafter just for you. His last words to all the young people of the world? "Thank you".

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 2, 2005, 18:09:

kernow62 says on Apr 2, 2005, 18:29:

Well said Adrimm.

There is no need to call max a satanist. I myself have been accused of satanism simply because I am a pagan, nothing could be further from the truth. I just don't happen to like the established religions of the world. I would only wish the established church would be as respectful of my beliefs as I am of theirs. I doubt it, and in times past I would likely have been killed for my beliefs.

The pope suffered his ailments with grace in an all too public world. To wish a slow agonizing death is not something I would wish on my worst enemy, and shows a lack of humanity.

I think our views about the pope should be held in check at this time out of respect for those who do believe.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoX says on Apr 2, 2005, 18:46:

"i have been against roman catholisism since i can remember,
im truly glad this man had a slow death,"


It's not unreasonable to think that someone who would make such despicable and offensive comments about the Pope like those is a satan worshipper.


Kernow,

I'm sorry if my comment offended you, it was obvioulsy directed at Don Negro. I know you're a good person.


CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Elbigie says on Apr 2, 2005, 19:01:

Yes, The Pope was a charismatic man, but think about all he represented and how much damage the Catholic church has caused in the world.

En sus ultimos dias El Papa tuvo que haber reflexionado profundamente acerca de su pontificado. Me lo imagino pensando acerca de las buenas acciones y tambien de todo el da~o que el y la iglesia catolica le ha causado y sigue causando a la humanidad -especialmente en el tecer mundo- . Me imagino al Papa preguntandose" Y si realmente existe el infierno y el purgatorio, sera que pasare una temporada por alla'?, despues de todo, le hemos mentido a la gente, cuantos se estaran muriendo con aquello de no hay que usar condones, que el SIDA no es contagioso, que tener cuantos hijos "Dios mande" es natural. mmm... nuestra falta de caridad y ese estilo de vida de principes que yo y los jerarcas de la iglesia disfrutamos en el nombre de Jesus, mientras los pobres desgraciados se mueren de hambre. Ahora tambien me acuerdo del silencio del Vaticano con las dictaduras de Pinochet,Videla y los crimines de Laureano Gomez en Colombia,mi Dios nos va a cobrar estos y otros crimines mas de los que no quiero acordarme".

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoX says on Apr 2, 2005, 19:12:

Elbigie,

Don't be a coward and write in english so everyone here can understand the dreck you wrote!

The damage the church has caused? Hmmmm let's see, so standing for world peace and fighting for human rights and the impoverished is damage?



"Me imagino al Papa preguntandose" Y si realmente existe el infierno y el purgatorio, sera que pasare una temporada por alla'?,"

Uh no, those are probably the questions you're gonna be asking yourself when your time comes!


ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad y de los Católicos también'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 2, 2005, 19:13:

billy_wb says on Apr 2, 2005, 20:48:

100 000 of pepole.......... Yesterday there was 100 000 person in "piazza san marco" vaticano, we don`t have to be catolics to understand that a great man died.Mr. Berlusconi(First minister of italy )said;

NOW WE ARE ALONE!!!!!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

arturo says on Apr 2, 2005, 21:43:

Elbigie, thanks for your objectivity although you omit to mention the "low intesity conflicts" period in central america during the 80's.

at those times there were in the central american church people who tried to adress the economic & social issues feeding up the guerillas. but sistematically the pope opposed to them, preferring to back the demons who engaged in massive murders (salvador, guatemala, nicaragua,...) i will post some reports backing my views.

i respect every spiritual or non-spiritual approach, every faith as long as they respect my right to think & behave my way.

this man doesnt deserve any respect. he just made politics adhering to the usual standards of machiavlsim & cynism. nothing against this except that such a man cant pretend to any spiritual leadership.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

arturo says on Apr 2, 2005, 22:21:

from the "financial times", a factual summary Pope John Paul II’s legacy of paradox
By Robert Graham and Tony Barber
Published: April 2 2005 22:17 | Last updated: April 2 2005 22:17


Pope John Paul II, who died at the age of 84, will be remembered above all else for his efforts to reinvigorate the Catholic Church and for his role in the fall of the Soviet empire - an achievement that ushered in a new era of religious and political freedom. Yet the exceptionally long pontificate of this, the first Polish pope, will also go down in history as a period of paradox.

It began with the Vatican's contribution to the demise of the totalitarian regimes of Communist Europe but it ended with division in the Church as a revered but authoritarian pope refused to tackle what critics saw as crucial issues of reform. The deep conservatism of the man who had fought so hard for glasnost - openness - in the Soviet Union meant he was having none of it in his own Church.

Perhaps his triumphs and failings showed different aspects of one of John Paul's strongest characteristics: his courage. It was this physical and moral courage, which was never in doubt, that gave him such stature on the international stage.

It was in evidence when he backed the Solidarity movement against the ruling pro-Soviet Communists in his native Poland. It showed in the way he spoke out against what he saw as the pernicious, materialistic aspects of modern capitalism and globalisation. Latterly it shone through when, in spite of old age and growing infirmity, he undertook gruelling pastoral journeys all over the world.

Such was his humanity and charisma that wherever he went crowds flocked to him, often in their millions. He was the first media pope. He had a talent for showmanship, in the best sense, and a willingness to embrace modern methods of communication that lent force and verve to his leadership even when his physical health was failing.

Yet his conservatism, his unyielding views on sexual morality - views ignored by many of his flock, particularly in Europe and the US - plus his refusal to tolerate dissent of any kind meant that, for many, his reign did not wholly fulfil its earlier promise.

His 26-year pontificate made him the third longest serving pope in 2,000 years of Christianity. It allowed him to replace almost all the cardinals who will pick his successor, thereby virtually guaranteeing no relaxation of conservative Vatican doctrines in the next papacy.

His last years were clouded by doubts about the Vatican's handling of child-abuse outrages, notably its reluctance to force the resignation of senior prelates caught up in the cover-up of paedophile offences by fellow churchmen.

Whatever the perceived failings of his later years, it was the Church's approach to the Soviet monolith that defined much of John Paul's reign. There can be no doubt about his contribution to changing the face of Europe after almost 50 years of cold war division.

From the outset, he was convinced of the providential nature of his pontificate. "Is it not Christ's will that this pope should manifest at this precise moment the spiritual unity of Europe?" he said rhetorically on his first papal visit to Poland in 1979, eight months after being elected.

Whether providence or coincidence, it was extraordinarily fortuitous that John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope since the 16th century, should be elected at a time when the Communist regimes of eastern Europe were losing their momentum.

His obstinate courage, vigorous advocacy of the spiritual unity of Europe and personal experience of Communism undoubtedly spurred the collapse of the Communist system. His influence was most direct in Poland. He gave unwavering support to Solidarity, the opposition workers' movement headed by Lech Walesa, the devoutly Catholic shipyard electrician.

Like the administration of Ronald Reagan in the US, John Paul was widely thought to have helped channel funds to Solidarity. He provided protection for opposition activists after martial law was imposed by General Wojciech Jaruzelski's military regime in 1981. By 1989, the Solidarity-Church alliance and the easing of east-west tensions ensured Poland became the first post-Communist country in eastern Europe.

Arguably the highlight of the pope's diplomacy came when he received Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet leader, at the Holy See in December 1989. On this historic occasion, ties between the Vatican and the Soviet Union, suspended since the Bolshevik revolution, were restored, and the Soviet leader conceded the principle of religious freedom: "Respect for the people's national, state, spiritual and cultural identity is an indispensable condition for a stable international environment which Europe and the world now need."

John Paul's experience was crucial in encouraging him to drop the Church's traditional reserve in dealing with eastern Europe. He worked as a priest, bishop and cardinal in Poland, an experience that gave him unique insights into the Communist system as well as the appalling human suffering in Europe's postwar division.

Karol Wojtyla was born on May 18 1920 in Wadowice, only 18 months after Poland had emerged newly independent from the ruins of the Austro-Hungarian, tsarist and German empires. His father was a retired army quartermaster and his mother a schoolteacher of Lithuanian origin.

His mother died when he was six years old and, according to at least one biographer, the effect of this loss influenced his strong devotion to the Virgin Mary. The future pope lost all his immediate family through natural death by the time he was 20. He was educated at the Marcin Wadowita primary and high schools in Wadowice, and the second world war found him in Kraków, unable to begin higher education. To avoid deportation by the Germans, he became a labourer in a limestone quarry and later a stoker in a water purification plant. The experience of hard labour marked him deeply and forged his subsequent rapport with Solidarity.

His 1989 encyclical, Centesimus Annus, written with the Berlin Wall falling, gave an insight into his views on labour exploitation and legitimate profit. The core of his economic philosophy was a rather ill-defined need to uphold the dignity of man.

It was not just his experience as a labourer that set Karol Wojtyla apart from other recent popes. He was a keen sportsman and excellent skier. Intellectually, he proved an accomplished poet and playwright and a talented actor. He knew all about artistic censorship, having been forced to take his small theatre group underground during the Nazi occupation.

Reports of youthful love affairs abounded, most notably a formative relationship with the actress daughter of his grammar-school headmaster. Whatever the truth of such liaisons, Karol Wojtyla was certainly a well-rounded man with an unusually rich experience of the world when he finally decided to go into a seminary and then be ordained in 1946. When he became pope, he retained an intensely human side with a rich sense of humour.

His first experience of Rome came in 1946, when he was sent there to study for a doctorate for two years. He gained top marks with a thesis on the Spanish mystic, St John of the Cross.

Thereafter, where possible, he sought to combine pastoral work as a priest with academic specialisation in ethics and philosophy. In 1958, when appointed auxiliary bishop of Kraków, he insisted on combining this job with a chair of ethics at Lublin University, 220km away. Having been appointed Poland's youngest bishop aged only 38, he was set on an ambitious career path. By 1964 he was archbishop of Krakow; in 1967 he was made a cardinal.

On becoming pope in October 1978 - he celebrated his silver jubilee in 2003 - he chose to be called John Paul II. That was partly in deference to his predecessor, John Paul I, who had died after only 33 days in office. It was also a tribute to John XXIII (1958-63), the first of the contemporary popes to understand the need to modernise the Church, laying down a more liberal role in the historic Vatican Council II.

However, those who hoped that John Paul II would continue the liberal tradition of the Vatican Council II were disappointed. Paradoxically for someone so internationally adventurous and innovative, his spiritual and pastoral legacy was that of a conservative.

While still a cardinal, he defined the task of a theologian within narrow confines: namely, to "guard, defend, and teach the sacred body of revelation in strict subordination to the Pope and his bishops". This intolerance of dissent remained throughout his reign and led him into conflict with Hans Kung, the German theologian, over papal infallibility.

He refused to endorse the message of liberation theology coming from Latin America, where radical priests, influenced by Marxist ideology, sought to combat social injustice by establishing a "church of the poor". Priests who joined the Sandinista government in Nicaragua were excommunicated.

The conservative in John Paul led him to give less weight to the traditionally influential counsels of the Jesuits. Instead he turned to the Opus Dei movement, making it one of the most powerful forces in the politics of contemporary Catholicism. He beatified in an almost unseemly hurry Monsignor Josemara Escrivá de Balaguer, Opus Dei's Spanish founder.

On ethical matters he was uncompromising - especially where they concerned the family and birth control. With age, he became more dogmatic, and his 10th encyclical, Veritas Splendor, published in 1993, sealed his unwavering opposition to non-natural methods of birth control.

As a result, John Paul alienated many Catholics in the US and northern Europe, who felt that he was out of touch with modern mores. Despite the potential of condoms to prevent the spread of Aids, he remained impervious to pleas for a more rational view and went so far as to list contraception with genocide as an "intrinsically evil" act that would condemn sinners to eternal hellfire.

As Charles R. Morris noted in his history of American Catholicism, this meant that "the vast majority of Catholic married couples . . . stand on the wrong side of the abyss, with Hitler and Pol Pot".

Tensions over sexual morality were made worse in 2002, when more than 60 Catholic priests in the US became the subject of child sex abuse investigations. The US Church paid millions of dollars in damages to victims, and Cardinal Bernard Law, the archbishop of Boston, resigned in disgrace over the subsequent handling of the scandal - though he was later appointed to head a basilica in Rome.

John Paul II condemned the molesting of children as an "appalling sin in the eyes of God". He stated that there was no place in the Church for those who would harm children. Yet there were many who felt his words needed to be backed by tougher action.

Some of John Paul's supporters are convinced that he waged a valuable rearguard action that prevented the Catholic Church from being seduced by the values of a morally bankrupt consumer society. Others fear that rigid adherence to conservative doctrines will lead to an ever greater exodus of Catholics - and their cash - from the Church, notably in rich, sophisticated countries such as the US.

John Paul II must take credit for giving the papacy a far higher international profile, both pastorally and diplomatically. He set a precedent that his successors cannot easily ignore, continuing to travel even when age and infirmity inflicted great pain.

His early love of the theatre contributed to his remarkable ability to communicate with crowds and to exploit the enormous media interest that his activities aroused. He carried his pastoral role to the farthest corners of the globe, visiting virtually every country with a Catholic presence.

He laid particular emphasis on the developing countries, which he identified as the most promising area of evangelisation.

Nearly always these papal visits included a local beatification - testimony to John Paul's belief that the evangelisation process required a continuous flow of new role-models, especially in those countries previously without saints. The pope simplified the complex beatification procedures and created more than 480 saints, more than all previous pontiffs combined. Many were evidently chosen for their adherence to John Paul's own anti-Communist and conservative social views.

The Vatican offended non-Christians in September 2000 with Dominus Iesus, a document that denied the ability of other world religions to offer salvation independent of Christianity. Yet the Pope strove to improve his Church's relations with Islam, authorised the construction of a mosque in Rome and expressed vehement opposition to the US-sponsored wars against Iraq in 2003 and in 1991 - conflicts that were declared "unjust".

The pope constantly spoke out in favour of the Palestinians, complicating and delaying the establishment of formal relations with the state of Israel. The Vatican's awkward relationship with Israel under John Paul contrasted with the reconciliation he fostered with world Jewry.

In 1986 he visited a Rome synagogue and attended the first Jewish service by a pope. On this occasion he sought to atone for the Vatican's lukewarm defence of Jews during the Nazi Holocaust and referred to the Jews as "our respected elder brothers".

The response was entirely in keeping with a man who had seen the effect of the Holocaust on his home town of Wadowice: 2,000 of its 9,000 pre-war inhabitants were Jews.

Nevertheless he pushed forward the candidature for sainthood of Pius XII, the wartime Pope criticised by Jews and other non-Catholics for his public silence during the Holocaust.

John Paul's attempts to heal old wounds and bring great faiths closer together had only limited success. Relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, which had worked with the Kremlin during the Soviet era, remained frosty. Some thought that the Soviets had posed a real threat to John Paul II during the early years of his papacy.

Although not proven, it was more than plausible that the attempt on his life in St Peter's Square in May 1981 was inspired directly or indirectly by the KGB. Ali Agca, the Turkish assassin who fired three shots at the Pope, was an unlikely lone killer. The Italian courts ruled that Ali Agca had been hired by the Turkish Mafia on the instructions of the Bulgarian security services. They, the courts thought, had in turn been working for the Soviets.

The pope attributed his survival to the intervention of his patron and protectress, the Virgin at Fatima, Portugal. It was perhaps a measure of the man that John Paul not only forgave Ali Agca but visited him in prison.

Even in his last days, when racked with Parkinson's disease and arthritis and, towards the end, a respiratory infection, his purpose never faltered. Such was the mettle of the man that no adversity could detract from the nobleness of his spirit.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoX says on Apr 2, 2005, 22:24:

"i respect every spiritual or non-spiritual approach, every faith as long as they respect my right to think & behave my way."

If you supposedly respect every faith, then why are you here offending catholics and others during this time of mourning?

You sir, are nothing but a HYPOCRITE!!!


ColombianoX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

arturo says on Apr 2, 2005, 22:24:

colombianoX, i'm not the one who started those biased topics.

i just react to assertions which have appeared to be factually wrong.

and it seems that i provide some arguments backing my views, dont you think?

faith has nothing to do with inconditional & stupid adoration.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

arturo says on Apr 2, 2005, 23:28:

a french report focusing on pope's dogmatism http://www.liberation.com/page.php?Article=273273

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ARMacleod says on Apr 3, 2005, 00:41:

Elbigies Translation.(very rough) lo siento In its finality you gave The pope had to have reflected deeply about its pontificate. I imagine imyself thinking about the good actions and also of all the chaos that the and the church catholic has caused and follows causing the humanity -especially in the tecer world-. I imagine to the pope being asked" AND if really the hell exists and the purgatory, to be that I passed a season by alla'?, afterwards of all, we have lied to the people, as many as they were dying with that of not one must use you condone, that the BEEN it is not contagious, that to have as many as children "God send" is natural. mmm... our lack of charity and that style of life of principes that I.The hierarches of the church we enjoy in the name of Jesus, while the poor unfortunate die of hunger. Now also I am in agreement of the silence of the Vatican one with the dictatorships of Pinochet, Videla and the crimines of Laureano Gomez in Colombia, my God is going to collect us these and other criminals but of the ones that I do not want to agree with me".

------------------------------------------------------------------
I will, in spite of my past feelings not engage in anything on this post today, that I think that this great man would not wish me to say.

This, in spite of the few contentious remarks of some.

I hope he rests now with his maker in comfort, just as I am sure we will all eventually receive the final status that we deserve.

Pax vobiscum

James.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte says on Apr 3, 2005, 05:05:

siempre como son... the rabid wolves come out of the woodwork and demean goodness and even HOLINESS in what ever base manner possible.

never is it by a comparison of THEIR good or great works, rather by sniveling and groveling like petty cowards to drag up some drek to spew at those who spent their lives serving humanity and their GOD.

it is even more interesting, that the compassion of truly great men includes a forgiveness and caring for the critical, base likes of you and other fault finders. fault finders who show no gram of contribution to the works of goodness that they deride.

rather than criticize what you are not, change yourself, rise up and live the exemplary life you so readily deride.

d w martin

0 funny, 0 helpful.

arturo says on Apr 3, 2005, 07:36:

hey dwmte,

plaza san pedro is not a cactus...good trip.

PS: have you ever tried the improved brew with the floripondio flower...terrific! you should try, definitely.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte says on Apr 3, 2005, 07:48:

arturo... your plaigerisms are interesting.

your own comments show a marked lack.

as for the mixture of 'datura' and lophoforo williamsi...not salient.

will do you no good.

the cactus, however, will improve nearly all your mis leanings. in rather short order. especially the one that prompts you to make idle comparisons between st peters and the cactus.

it is interesting, however, that both are divine.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lauthra says on Apr 3, 2005, 09:17:

OH MY GOD! 'It's not unreasonable to think that someone who would make such despicable and offensive comments about the Pope like those is a satan worshipper.'
You definately still live in the dark ages, having such a medieval way of thinking is just plain funny. So all the other religions in the world that don't believe in the pope are just satan worshipers?

You have got to be kidding me!!

Nato ;)

Nato (='.'=)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

william_andrew_channell says on Apr 3, 2005, 09:35:

I agree with Lauthra.
So now we know that ColX doesn't like non-catholics, to go along with the fact that he doesn't like rednecks. Well, what about a non-catholic redneck. I guess ColX doesn't like me too much then.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

william_andrew_channell says on Apr 3, 2005, 09:45:

THIS MODERN-DAY POPE IS NO ANGEL !


In the early 1940’s, the I.G. Farben Chemical Company employed a Polish salesman [Karol J. Wojtyla] who sold cyanide to the Nazis for use in Auschwitz. He also helped to manufacture the poison gas. This cyanide gas along with Zyklon B and Malathion was used to exterminate millions of Jews and other groups. After the Jews were gassed, their bodies were burned to ashes in the ovens. After the war, the salesman [Karol J. Wojtyla], fearing for his life, joined the Roman Catholic church (which helped a number of war criminals to escape).

After only a short period of time, he was ordained a priest in 1946. This chemical salesman of "pharmakia" (the Greek word for "sorcery" in Rev. 18:23 where we get our English word pharmacy) was ordained Poland’s youngest bishop on July 4, 1958. Then in 1978 after a 34-day reign, Pope John Paul I, 2 Wojtyla’s predecessor, suddenly died. “The official cause of death was myocardial infarction (a heart attack). But there was a great deal of confusion in the details of his sudden death, and many were crying - murder!” 3 It has been thought that the Pope was poisoned with digitalis. 4

Mr. Gregory Christiano writes: “There are many contradictions surrounding the death of Pope John Paul I. The initial report issued by Cardinal Villot said the Holy Father had been found dead by Sister Vincenzia and not by a secretary. One report had him dead in his bathroom, the other by his desk in his bedroom. There were also discrepancies about the time the body was found, 4:30 am or 5:30 am? The official estimate was that he died at 11:00 pm on September 28th. No autopsy was performed. (The last Pope to be autopsied was Pius VII in 1830).” 5

But, in the end, the ex-cyanide gas salesman assumed the papacy as Pope John Paul II.



******************************************************************

http://jdstone.org/cr/files/thismodern-daypopeisnoangel.html
http://us.altnews.com.au/drop/node/view/1400

I didn't write this, I just found it and posted it here. You decide.

0 funny, 0 helpful.