Happy Birthday Pope Benedict!

[Catalpa]

Today is the Holy Father's 80th Birthday!

Though the main celebrations were yesterday in St Peters I hope he has a wonderful birthday.

To reach this far in his life and still be fit enough to lead the Church is a wonderful achievement.

[Gunnungagap]

Today is the Holy Father's 80th Birthday!

Though the main celebrations were yesterday in St Peters I hope he has a wonderful birthday.

To reach this far in his life and still be fit enough to lead the Church is a wonderful achievement.

How fit does one need to be to lead the Church? As fit as this spry fellow?

[Shankill Browser]

I think it's a double celebration. He'll soon be 2 years at the helm.

[Catalpa]

Today is the Holy Father's 80th Birthday!

Though the main celebrations were yesterday in St Peters I hope he has a wonderful birthday.

To reach this far in his life and still be fit enough to lead the Church is a wonderful achievement.

How fit does one need to be to lead the Church? As fit as this spry fellow?

You I really think that is pretty sick mocking an ill man!

Do you think he would have mocked you if you had been that il?

But to answer your question Pope John Paul II kept going almost till the end - it was his body rather than his mind that faded away.

[the king]

Grow up the lot of you!! Holy father my ass. The CEO of one of the richest corporations in the World, lives in a Palace adourned with Wealth!
Out of touch with Reality,Makes a fortune out of gullible Irish people.Primitive laws and beliefs!

[Gunnungagap]

But to answer your question Pope John Paul II kept going almost till the end - it was his body rather than his mind that faded away.

So, one doesn't actually have to be fit to run the Church? That's all I'm getting at, Catalpa. You know - the silliness of your opening post.

[Catalpa]

But to answer your question Pope John Paul II kept going almost till the end - it was his body rather than his mind that faded away.

So, one doesn't actually have to be fit to run the Church? That's all I'm getting at, Catalpa. You know - the silliness of your opening post.

The Church is more than one man my friend!

BTW its the present incumbent we are talking about.

Surely you are not so churlish as to not the wish the man a Happy 80th Birthday?

[zacchy]

Happy Birthday Pope Benedict.

I can't wait 'till his new book, Jesus of Nazareth, is released. I've got it reserved but it's not being sold until mid-May, I've got exams then

[Catalpa]

Grow up the lot of you!! Holy father my ass. The CEO of one of the richest corporations in the World, lives in a Palace adourned with Wealth!
Out of touch with Reality,Makes a fortune out of gullible Irish people.Primitive laws and beliefs!

I seriously doubt that the Church is that Rich in the sense of having riches to spend.

Sure it is wealthy but its not a profit making Corportaion.

Now unless you are saying that the Holy Father is living a 'rich' lifestyle I don't know exactly what is your grip?

In what way is he out of touch with reality that you are not? Or do you know something he does not?

How does the Pope make a fortune of of 'gullible Irish people'?

I'm sure Tesco rakes in more money here than the Church.

[zacchy]

Actually one of the reasons I ditched Canterbury for Rome was because of the Pope's refusal to capitulate to the pressures of modern society. I always find it funny when Catholics complain about how 'out of touch' (as if that's a bad thing...) the Church is. Conservative Anglicans go green with envy when they think of the Pope. They're stuck with liberal waffler leaders like Rowan Williams who are too cowardly to uphold their own doctrines.