ROME—Pope Benedict XVI named 24 new cardinals on Wednesday, including two U.S. prelates, in a move that reshapes the ranks of the roughly 120 Catholic officials who are likely to vote in the next papal election.
The newly named cardinals hail from four different continents and include Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington and Archbishop Raymond Burke, an American in charge of the Apostolic Signatura, a Vatican high court.
As cardinals, the prelates will become close advisers of the pontiff. The most important task facing the new batch of cardinals, however, will be to vote in the next conclave to elect Pope Benedict's successor.
Only four of the cardinals named Wednesday were over the age limit—80 years old—of voting for the next pope. Eight of the new voting-age cardinals named by the pope were Italian, partially restoring Italy's sway over papal elections. For years, the percentage of cardinals who were Italian declined because the late Pope John Paul II focused on appointing prelates from other parts of the world. Associated Press St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke. When the pope formally promotes the prelates during a Vatican ceremony next month, 25 of the 120 voting-age cardinals will be Italian.
Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, 68, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture, will be among the more closely watched Italians in the crop of newly created cardinals. Many church officials regard Archbishop Ravasi as a leading papabile, or papal candidate, because of his command of foreign languages, including English, and because of his formidable theological background.
In a statement on Wednesday, Archbishop Wuerl said that "I am humbled and grateful to our Holy Father for his trust in me."
Archbishop Burke thanked the pope and said his "thoughts naturally turn to the many challenges which the church faces in our day in carrying out her divine mission for the salvation of the world."
Archbishop Burke, who formerly headed the Archdiocese of St. Louis, gained national attention in 2004 for saying Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts wasn't welcome to receive communion, because the senator, who is Catholic, supported abortion rights.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
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boomer
October 21, 2010, 9:01pm
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"Archbishop Burke, who formerly headed the Archdiocese of St. Louis, gained national attention in 2004 for saying Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts wasn't welcome to receive communion, because the senator, who is Catholic, supported abortion rights." How Christian of him. This Pope is a fool and doing more damage to the Catholic church than anyone has in years. Although a real theologian, he continues to take the church backwards with his conservative antics.
"Archbishop Burke, who formerly headed the Archdiocese of St. Louis, gained national attention in 2004 for saying Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts wasn't welcome to receive communion, because the senator, who is Catholic, supported abortion rights." How Christian of him. This Pope is a fool and doing more damage to the Catholic church than anyone has in years. Although a real theologian, he continues to take the church backwards with his conservative antics.
The Catholic Church is very firm on their position on abortions.
Catholics who promote abortion are automatically excommunicated for two reasons. First, they have fallen into the sin of heresy by believing that abortion is not always gravely immoral (canons 751 and 1364). Second, these Catholics are providing substantial assistance for women to obtain abortions by influencing public policy to make abortions legal, and to keep abortions legal, and to broaden access to abortion. Those who provide such substantial assistance commit a mortal sin and incur a sentence of automatic excommunication (canon 1398).
Any Catholic politician who casts a vote with the intention of legalizing abortion, or of protecting laws allowing abortion, or of widening access to abortion, commits a mortal sin.
When such a vote indicates that the Catholic politician believes that abortion is not always gravely immoral, such a politician incurs a sentence of automatic excommunication, under canons 751 and 1364, because of heresy.
You may not agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church, that's fine. I'm not going to try and "convert" anyone. However, remember, the Catholic Church requires obedience to the magisterium. The Catholic Church isn't a democracy. It's an absolute monarcy. There's no room for you, I or anyone to "disagree" with, or take apart the religion to make it fit what you want. It's not an ala' carte offering. Either you accept it, or you don't. If you don't, there are plenty of "christian" denominations that would love to have you.
I'll give you a "for instance". Father Nicholas Gruner. He remains disobedient to Rome. He remains disobedient to his bishop. He's been suspended by the Holy Catholic Church (despite his own claims). He, like us, can't pick and choose which parts of the faith you want to "agree with". You're either Catholic, in communion with Rome, or your not.
Abortion is one subject where there's no leniency or wavering. It's the law, protect live from the moment of conception until natural death.
Despite our friendship boomer, I take SERIOUS offense to your statement, "This Pope is a fool". I think an apology to every true Catholic here is in order.
Catholics are not excommunicated for having an abortion, donating to planned parenthood or having political views in favor of abortion.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
Catholics (the cannon law) are against ANY means of birth control as well as abortions.
How does anyone think that's working when the average family has 1.5 children these days?
It's either 'no sex' or 'birth control' or 'abortion'.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Natural Family Planning, about as effective as Russian Roulette!
American Catholics ignore the Pope on most issues regarding sex, weather it's gay rights, abortion or birth control.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
And yes, perhaps today they call it 'natural family planning'. It use to be called the 'rhythm method'.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
They're two different things BT. The first obstains for certain days a month .. the latter requires "pulling out" before ejaculation
The rhythm system is still the churches means of birth control. 'Pulling out' is also against the catholic belief....or at least that's what I was taught decades ago when I was catholic.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
You may not agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church, that's fine. I'm not going to try and "convert" anyone. However, remember, the Catholic Church requires obedience to the magisterium. The Catholic Church isn't a democracy. It's an absolute monarcy. There's no room for you, I or anyone to "disagree" with, or take apart the religion to make it fit what you want. It's not an ala' carte offering. Either you accept it, or you don't. If you don't, there are plenty of "christian" denominations that would love to have you.
"Your either accept it or you don't"... For most Americans and my guess is most Catholics, the answer is "we don't"! This is the same church that took 300 years to accept Galileo's truths as fact... so it will probably take another 300 before the Catholic Church catches up with the truth of birth control, gay rights and abortion. The Church's only other option is to excommunicate 99% of it's followers.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
"Your either accept it or you don't"... For most Americans and my guess is most Catholics, the answer is "we don't"! This is the same church that took 300 years to accept Galileo's truths as fact... so it will probably take another 300 before the Catholic Church catches up with the truth of birth control, gay rights and abortion. The Church's only other option is to excommunicate 99% of it's followers.
I agree with 'some' of what you said. Such as the church would have to excommunicate 99% of it's loyalists.
However, I don't think it is the role of the church to change 'with' society! The church, any church, is suppose to be a strong, stable, solid foundation for it's faithful.......whether you follow it or not is a personal choice. Just don't be a hypocrite about it! IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Sorry MT I was at a conference all day for Alzheimers. I forgot to check the blog. LOL
Abortion is against the RC church. The rhythm system is still the method the church uses. Hate abortion and I don't mind birth control. However, I would like to know from you slackers how many kids you have. "PUlling out" as BT so delicately puts it is also against Orthodox Judaism. "A man is not allowed to spill his seed in vain." That's the rule. Man made rules for sure but rule just the same if you choose to follow it. Of course if you are against abortion you better be against the death penalty. Violates the same commandment.
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