The Final Battles of Pope Benedict XVI

[Guest]

part 1

The mood at the Vatican is apocalyptic. Pope Benedict XVI seems tired, and both unable and unwilling to seize the reins amid fierce infighting and scandal. While Vatican insiders jockey for power and speculate on his successor, Joseph Ratzinger has withdrawn to focus on his still-ambiguous legacy.

The Vatican is disintegrating into dozens of competing interest groups. In the past, it was the Jesuits, the Benedictines, the Franciscans and other orders that competed for respect and sway within the Vatican court. But their influence has waned, and they have now been replaced primarily by the so-called "new clerical communities" that bring the large, cheering crowds to Masses celebrated by the pope: the Neocatechumenate, the Legionaries of Christ and the traditionalists of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) and the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter -- not to mention the worldwide "santa mafia" of Opus Dei.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...-a-838830.html

part 2

It would be overly simplistic to interpret all of this as merely a conflict between reformers and traditionalists. In reality, it's about the Church's sclerosis, and a problem that has a name: Benedict XVI.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...-838830-2.html

part 3

In the Curia and the backrooms of the Vatican's palaces, efforts are already underway to search for a successor. The possible outcomes of a conclave are analyzed and candidates are discussed, as was done seven years ago. Some say the next pope should be someone like Pius XII, the pope between 1939 and 1958 who was a calculating and predictable power player and Vatican insider. Or someone like Paul VI, the pope from 1963 to 1978, who paid attention to the Curia's interests. The name of Cardinal Angelo Scola, the archbishop of Milan, has been mentioned, as has that of Leonardo Sandri, an Argentine cardinal with Italian roots. Another possible candidate is Curia Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture and one of the few Vatican insiders who is adept at handling the media, politics and the public.

The Italians, with 30 votes, still form the largest bloc in a conclave. Some believe that, after more than 33 years of foreign dominance -- first by a Pole and then by a German -- it's high time to elect an Italian pope. After all, proponents of the idea argue, an Italian cardinal knows the Roman Curia best. But the Italians' prospects have become slim since Vatileaks, says Vatican expert Marco Politi. "If the scandal has exposed one thing, it is the typical Italian mess. Italians are no longer seen as papabile (capable of becoming pope). They have discredited themselves with their power struggle."

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...-838830-3.html

[Guest]

Re: The Final Battles of Pope Benedict XVI

Very good article, Debbie and it brings to mind Tom Horn's discussion and new book:

[Glorify Him]

Re: The Final Battles of Pope Benedict XVI

This is an interesting post in light of the fact that I just completed two books on the Roman Church written by Malachai Martin, a former Jesuit priest and Vatican insider. The first is "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Church" which is an amazing, frank and detailed account of the church beginning with Peter's selection of Silvius to take his place before his crucifixion. It really is, imho, a "must" read for anyone interested in Church and World history, how they tie together, and how they have impacted and dominated the entire geopolitical situation. Martin makes no apologies for the church and goes into extreme detail that will probably sicken you, but also make you take a look at how truly gracious God is with men.

The second book by the same author is "The Final Conclave" which is a semi-fictional account of what goes on during the time before and during the Conclave. Fascinating. It frankly discusses the problems within the church with factionalism like Liberation Theology, Socialism, Communism, and the like. In my opinion, it is also a "must read" for those who study Prophecy because Roman Catholicism remains the largest of the Christian denominations and is positioned to, perhaps, play a role in the NWO, one world religion. However I found it more than hopeful that there are many many within the Roman Church who are seeking, or who were, to return the Church to its spiritual roots and divorce it from political involvement altogether.

I don't know why, after all these years, the Lord set it in my heart to read these books after hearing a Prophecy teacher talk about certain things regarding the Roman church and the end times. But he did, and I did it, and it was very very informative. Books are available at your library or Amazon if any of you are interested.

[Guest]

Re: The Final Battles of Pope Benedict XVI

The Vatican is disintegrating into dozens of competing interest groups. In the past, it was the Jesuits, the Benedictines, the Franciscans and other orders that competed for respect and sway within the Vatican court. But their influence has waned, and they have now been replaced primarily by the so-called "new clerical communities" that bring the large, cheering crowds to Masses celebrated by the pope: the Neocatechumenate, the Legionaries of Christ and the traditionalists of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) and the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter -- not to mention the worldwide "santa mafia" of Opus Dei.

This reminds me of an article I read a few days ago..

Vatican gives traditionalists proposal for reconciliation in a bid to end schism

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/wor...159041805.html

[Glorify Him]

Re: The Final Battles of Pope Benedict XVI

Very interesting because all of this is discussed to some degree in The Final Conclave. I didn't realize that they had been excommunicated.

[Guest]

Re: The Final Battles of Pope Benedict XVI

Vatican accuses media of trying to imitate Da Vinci code author Dan Brown

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...Dan-Brown.html

The Vatican's second in command has accused the media of trying to "imitate Dan Brown" in their coverage of the Vatileaks scandal.