“Peter has no need of our lies or flattery. Those who blindly and indiscriminately defend every decision of the Supreme Pontiff are the very ones who do most to undermine the authority of the Holy See—they destroy instead of strengthening its foundations.”
Father Melchior Cano O.P., Bishop and Theologian of the Council of Trent.
Well, when you really need one, a weapon can be the thing that keeps you alive. Speaking on the national level, if a country is invaded, weaponry, and lots of it, is the only thing, beyond God, keeping a people alive. Nonsense is nonsense, no matter who is speaking it.
There is much for which the Pope can be criticized. I wouldn’t put this comment at the top of the list. Maybe not even in the top 10.
Among others, he/him should go tell that to the Christians in Nigeria undergoing genocide at the hands of authentic muslims. Maybe looking them in the eye would shut him up for once. I guess fat and pampered living behind walls, safely protected by armies makes it rather easy to spout banalities. Then again, evil is banal.
We should have fought them Crusade things without the evil lances and crossbows….yup. I suppose whips would work since Jesus once fashioned one He used on other people?
What if the poor want to go hunting for food to feed themselves? Can they spend money on weapons then or will it sully their soul?
Luke 22:36. “Then He said unto them: But now he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a scrip, and he that hath not, let him sell his coat, and buy a sword.
Certainly it’s a shame that nations must spend as much as they do on armaments— but the world is a rough place, and evil men abound. It is because nations have made sacrifices to arm themselves against tyrants that this Pope is safe to utter his banalities.
You can certainly argue about how much we spend or whether defense connectors have too much influence on policy.
But if he really believed this statement, he would disarm the Swiss Guard.
*defense contractors.
Yes, the Vatican has always had plenty of weapons, guns, swords, etc, etc and nothing has changed. F1 and his people are well protected. The elites always are.
As Christ said at the Last Supper: “He said to them,* ‘But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.’ …
Then they said, ‘Lord, look, there are two swords here.’ But he replied, ‘It is enough!’”*
Luke 22: 36, 38
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/22
Buying weapons sullies the soul but serving up faithful Catholics to the evil CCP is holy, right Pope Francis?
Certainly it’s a shame that nations must spend as much as they do on armaments—
I think it averages about 2.2% of gross domestic product across the globe.
“Profligate strawman-igniter drives up hay futures to new highs.”
Yes, Art— it is a shame that 2.2% of world GDP has to be spent on armaments. But, as I said, the world is a rough place and evil men abound…
2.2% of world GDP is around $2 trillion, which is not nothing— despite what federal budget-writers in DC might say. But only an idiot or a Pollyanna would propose that nations should stop defending themselves. I certainly don’t propose that.
And Dale, “profligate strawman-igniter” is a perfect turn of phrase. Kudos!
Don’t elect an idiot as pope?
With the make up of the College of Cardinals? Don’t bet on it! Idiots gonna idiot!
Got into a debate a week ago on firearms. The person was saying he would never own a gun because (even if they’re locked up) they’re too dangerous, he might shoot someone in a rage….
I asked if he owned: a carving knife, steak knives, lawn mower gas, nail gun, hammer, axe, chain saw, car or truck?!
Next time, don’t elect an idiot as Pope.
Or as President.
Agreed.
It truly boggles the mind that you continue to think this man is an actual pope.
How do we know God didn’t allow this idiot to become Pope as judgement against a Church that long ago sacrificed its Petrine patrimony on the altar of wealth, power, political influence, secular prestige, intellectual fashion and institutional arrogance?