A Free Thinker's Web Log

All we have is this freedom, which does carry with it some responsibility. As long as we don't impinge on someone else's freedom, we can express ourselves freely. This blog will serve as my blogger journal. I try to stay open to ideas. I don't think there's anything wrong with changing one's mind, but there have to be some fundamental beliefs that remain true.

Wed, 06 Apr 2005

Electing a New Pope


The Cardinals are meeting behind locked doors to contemplate the fate of the Catholic Church in the 21st Century. Over one billion strong, the Catholics are on the verge of uniting the Christian World in one ecumenical movement. However, there are many obstacles still. There's the exodus from traditional values, reduced church attendance and homosexual priests. There's the political agendas of the Third World and the clamoring for power. The selection of a Pope will encompass all these issues. The direction of the Church will be set for many decades. Are Catholics going to emerge as a major force in world politics or are they going to play a secondary role in an increasingly secular world? Pope John Paul II opened up many windows; will the new Pope expand the view or will he pull down the blinds and return to conservative values? The media are eager to see a brave new Pope, one who will generate a lot of controversy, but the College of Cardinals are going to deliberate along different lines. Personally, I think this is a crucial point in history and the right Pope will have a major influence on the world. The right Pope will encourage peace, just as Pope John Paul II did. I wonder if the new Pope will recognize the primacy of the Ancient Aramaic Scriptures and unlock the Vatican Library to scholars of the Bible? The Ancient Aramaic Scriptures open up the possibilities for all people to embrace Christianity. Will the new Pope reinforce the egocentric view of Western Christianity, or will he recognize the role of Eastern Christianity? Pope John Paul II maintained a rational Western political outlook, while he offered peace to everyone. His visits to many countries opened up the dialogue for peace. It remains to be seen if the new Pope will continue that grand outreach to all peoples.


posted at: 09:51 | path: | permanent link to this entry

A Final Note to this Weblog

In the end, it's what we do, not what we say.

Hope you enjoyed reading my web log. It wasn't meant to be earth-shattering, just some random ideas in my journey of life -- vic@v-a.com.