Pope Benedict XVI texting out messages of encouragement

Don't act like you didn't know that Pope Benedict XVI was down with modern technology. As part of World Youth Day, the man himself will begin sending out texts of encouragement to pilgrims who have signed up through Telstra to receive them. A total of four gigantic "prayer walls" have been erected at the Sydney Opera House, the Domain, Darling Harbour and Randwick Racecourse in Australia, where folks will actually be able to send their own messages for all to presumably see. The first message sent out? "Young friend, God and his people expect much from u because u have within you the Fathers supreme gift: the Spirit of Jesus - BXVI." Hllujh, amn brtha.

[Thanks, zedster]

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2008 10:36AM]

Oh, I cannot let this one go. Tell the great Pope Benedict, that when he really reads the Bible, he will know how and what GOD expects of man ans woman in this world. In Genisis 2 vs 18. And the Lord GOD said, It is not right that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genisis 2 vs 21. And the LORD GOD caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, as he slept;and he took one rib, and closed up the flesh therefo; Geneis 2 v 22 And the rib, which the Lord GOD had taken from man, made a woman, and brought her unto the man. Genesis 2 vs 24 Therefore shall man cleve unto his WIFE; amd they will be one flesh. Celebracy is only a rule of the church changed in the year of 1100. When the priests are able to marry and have a wife as GOD decreed then man will be whole and you will find priests falling out of the windows. Celebracy is a false teaching of the Catholic church and against GOD,S laws. Set them free and you evil leaders will be set free your selves from SIN. Pope Benedict, I DEMAND that you make this right in the eyes of GOD. Then there will be no more pedofiles. amen.

[Thursday Posted Jul 16th 2008 11:14AM]

Okay, let's start here:
Clerical Celibacy is a rule of the Western Church. There are over 20 Rites that are part of the Catholic Church. Only the Roman Rite (the largest Rite) does not allow married men to be ordained to the Priesthood. It does allow married men to be ordained to the Deaconate. The Eastern Rites allow married men to be ordained to the Deaconate and Priesthood, but not to the Episcopate.
No rite allows ordained men to be married, except under one case where the Pope may grant a dispensation if a married priest's wife dies, and he has young children (the children need a mother, so he may be allowed to remarry).
Second, Clerical celibacy does not degrade the calling of Marriage at all. Both marriage and ordination are sacraments instituted by Christ. Neither is a "better" calling, they are just different callings.
And for the final point: How do you explain the greater number of pedophiles found in protestant ministers and Jewish Rabbis? They are allowed to marry, so logic says married clergy is not the answer

~G

[vqro Posted Jul 16th 2008 11:56AM]

SHEESH! This is engadget... no place for a silly anti-Catholic rant here. However, just to point out your total IGNORANCE:

Matthew 19:10 His disciples say unto him: If the case of a man with his wife be so, it is not expedient to marry. 11 Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mothers womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it.

1 Corinthians 7:7 For I would that all men were even as myself. But every one hath his proper gift from God: one after this manner, and another after that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I. ... 32 ... He that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord: how he may please God. 33 But he that is with a wife is solicitous for the things of the world: how he may please his wife. And he is divided. 34 And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord: that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the things of the world: how she may please her husband.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2008 11:29AM]

he kind of looks like lord palatine, creepy smile, holding some powerful phone or whatever, like from star wars???

http://members.optushome.com.au/wheezle/9958184_1d3029f0e7.jpg

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2008 11:54AM]

What is wrong with the the pope saying via text to a group of disgruntled youth: Don't 4Get 2 Pray 2Day!(http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=466&doc_id=153171&F_src=flftwo)

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2008 12:04PM]

IDK my BFF God?

[derX Posted Jul 16th 2008 2:16PM]

xDDDD

You need to be "Highest Ranked" for that.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2008 12:47PM]

That image is offensive (Pope holding the iPhone 3G). It's obviously photoshopped and is in poor taste.

[derX Posted Jul 16th 2008 4:41PM]

Forgive the latent heathen in me but what is offensive about the Pope holding an iPhone 3G?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2008 12:54PM]

god uses iPhone. I beleive they have 3g in heaven :)

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2008 8:21PM]

Nah, they'll have free WiFi everywhere. If there is an afterlife. Which I, being an atheist, do not believe in.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2008 1:43PM]

i think that pope benedict looks
a little to much like darth sidious

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2008 3:11PM]

guess I picked the wrong thread to comment on today considering *what* I am, nevermind *who* I am. ;)

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2008 11:33AM]

Yet you still commented?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2008 3:57PM]

I think it is so wrong for the Pope to lure kids in to the cult of Jesus with an iPhone and text messaging. This is a low and underhanded ploy to get him to look "cool" in the eyes of todays youth. What, is preaching abstinence not getting the cool points you thought it??? Now you have to invade the sacred spaces of our phones? Pope, get off it and let people live their lives, especially the youth of the world. Let them make their own decisions.

[bloop Posted Jul 16th 2008 4:59PM]

What with the grudge against the iPope? you have an iPhone 3G like he does?

[Bjay Posted Jul 17th 2008 12:27AM]

Darth sidious in white?

In heaven it is going all open wifi, remember no room for closed systems/networks in heaven.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2008 5:33AM]

What disturbs me most about this is the annoying AOL kiddie txt spk - is it that hard to write "you" instead of "u"?

Anyone read Ben Elton's latest, Blind Faith? Ev Love.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2008 11:40AM]

Yeah, he taught abstinence to your parents, yet they still had you, so he said "well that didn’t work, hey get me an iphone, I'm going to make sure that never happens again".

P.S. Wasn't it YOUR decision to comment? Then just use YOUR decision not to text him. Then God will use HIS decision to damn you to eternal hell. Man, that was difficult.