Posted on 03/19/2009 5:06:17 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Pope Benedict's repeated gaffes and the Vatican's inability to manage his message in the internet era are threatening to undermine his papacy, Vatican insiders have said.
The Holy See is struggling to contain international anger over the Pope's claim on his first official visit to Africa that Aids "cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems".
The Pope's remarks about condoms, and a recent furore over his lifting of the 20-year excommunication of a British bishop who has questioned the Holocaust, has left him looking isolated and out of touch, prompting calls for a radical shake-up of the way the Holy See delivers its message.
The Pope is isolated and fails to adequately consult his advisers, said a Vatican source with 20 years' knowledge of the Holy See.
Another Vatican insider described Pope Benedict's four-year-old papacy as "a disaster", recalling the pontiff's previous inflammatory remarks on Islam and homosexuality.
"He's out of touch with the real world," the Italian insider said. "On the condom issue, for example, there are priests and bishops in Africa who accept that condoms are a key part of the fight against Aids, and yet the pope adheres to this very conservative line that they encourage promiscuity. The Vatican is far removed from the reality on the ground."
The Vatican's traditional culture of secrecy has made it ill-equipped to communicate its message in the internet age.
The Holy See claimed that the Pope had no idea that British bishop Richard Williamson had denied the extent of the Holocaust, but critics have pointed out that a simple Google search would have uncovered the maverick's anti-Semitic views.
"Until recently the Vatican was secretive and their way of controlling the message of the Church was to release information slowly and highly
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
“insider” ping
Oh PULEAZE!! The Pope is FABULOUS!! He’s NOT a politician.
Oh, BROTHER.
It is a scientific fact that the AIDs virus is so small it can easily move through the wall of a condom.
Maybe the Pope should hire David Axelrod and do a “Hopey Changey” campaign... /s
Bring it.
Israel, we got your back
Papa Benedict, we got your back
Sarah, we got your back
Glenn, we got your back
Gov Sanford, we got your back
Rush, we got your back
Ann, we got your back
Michelle, we got your back
Laura, we got your back
Allen West, we got your back
Any other conservative true leaders who want to stand up and grow a set, BRING IT ! WE GOT YOUR BACK!!!!!!!!!!
abstinence is guaranteed. whats so hard to understand about that.
That is absolute unequivocal rubbish. An animal skin condom perhaps, but absolutely not a latex condom.
As for this Pope, he's certainly no John Paul, but everyone knew that going in. He's effective enough.
Isn’t it theorized from Nostradamus to Edgar Cayce that the world will end after the pope is somehow removed from power?
Don’t get me wrong, I am not a subscriber to the prophecies of either, it just came to mind.
The next pope is the anti-christ...or is the the false prophet? the current pope is supposed to serve a very short term(relative to the past popes).
This is from memory. Anyone able to back this up with a link of some kind? I have no idea where to look. My memory is too foggy.
Thank you! I’m not Catholic, but I will take up for the Pope. He is being slammed for having the courage to speak the truth!
Exactly, what or who is a “vatican insider”? The Pope is a “disaster” based on the comments of an unknown “vatican insider”? Geez.
“He’s out of touch with the real world,”
I certainly hope so.
Up is down....good is bad...black is white!
Exactly. This reminds me of a joke- Why will someone believe you if you tell them there are 4 billion stars in the sky, but have to touch to see if you tell them the paint is wet.
Morons
Somehow, I don't picture The Pope sitting at a keyboard blogging.
That could only mean?
yitbos
The Vatican's newest theologian keeps to the shadows.
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