April 14, 2006

TO THE STRAINS OF THE HEAVIEST CATHEDRAL ORGAN

Pope condemns geneticists 'who play at being God' (Ruth Gledhill, The Times, April 14th, 2006)

The Pope will deliver a blistering attack on the “satanic” mores of modern society today, warning against an “inane apologia of evil” that is in danger of destroying humanity.

In a series of Good Friday meditations that he will lead in Rome, the Pope will say that society is in the grip of a kind of “anti-Genesis” described as “a diabolical pride aimed at eliminating the family”. He will pray for society to be cleansed of the “filth” that surrounds it and be restored to purity, freed from “decadent narcissism”.

Particular condemnation is reserved for scientific advances in the field of genetic manipulation. Warning against the move to “modify the very grammar of life as planned and willed by God”, the Pope will lead prayers against “insane, risky and dangerous” ventures in attempting “to take God’s place without being God”.

The Pope has not actually composed the prayers for the traditional Way of the Cross, but is certain to have given his blessing to the Good Friday meditations at the Colosseum.

Their author is Archbishop Angelo Comastri, Vicar General at Vatican City. The tone of the meditations is striking in its contrast to the contemporary fashion for feel-good religion.

Wouldn’t you just love to see someone try and set this little homily to folk-guitar music?

Posted by Peter Burnet at April 14, 2006 9:32 AM
Comments

Damn, brimstone and fire from the Pope, of all people. If he keeps this up people are going to start thinking he's a heathen Protestant!

Posted by: Bryan at April 14, 2006 10:19 AM

"Heathen Protestant" for preaching fire and brimstone and the need for repentance? Not hardly. This is good old-fashioned Baltimore Chatecism style penance and expiation--from the people who gave you the original Sacrament of Penance.

Posted by: Mike Morley at April 14, 2006 11:09 AM

Well, you're probably older than I am. When I went through, the Sacrement of Penance had been changed to the Sacrement of Reconcilliation and the only brimstone and fire I got was from going out to Michigan to hear my Protestant grandfather preach.

Posted by: Bryan at April 14, 2006 11:18 AM

Well whaddaya know. The Pope is Catholic.

Posted by: Mikey at April 14, 2006 1:49 PM

In other news, I just saw that an Episcopalian church is trying to get new parishoners by playing U-2 music during the liturgy.

St. Bono indeed.

Posted by: Dreadnought at April 14, 2006 3:43 PM
« RETREATING AS FAST AS FRENCHMEN: | Main | NOT A BUCK-N-O BURGER, BUT IT'LL DO: »