The Papal Apology
Deborah
deborah@summerlands.com
Sun Mar 12 00:55:27 2000
Hi Fellow Summerlanders,*p*If you've been following the threads in this section lately, you've read about the recent Papal apology and the Pope's call for a day of Prayer, Atonement and Reconcillation.*p*You might also be wondering what all this has to do with us and why it's being touted on a Pagan Message Board in a Pagan Community.  Isn't this a Christian interest story?  *p*The answer is yes and the reasons are as follows:*p*First, it's up on our boards because I asked Beirdd to research it and put it up on our boards.  As a former Catholic Priest, I felt he had an insight into the whole situation that would serve us very well in understanding the intricacies of the mind of the Pope and the ways of the Catholic Church.*p*Second, althought it is a Christian situation, it's what I can only call "A Damned Fine Idea!" and "One that we should consider aiding and even... dare I say it... copying".  My thoughts on this are pretty much as follows.*p*On Sunday, March 12, 2000 (tomorrow), there will be many people praying for forgiveness, peace, atonement and reconcillation.  I will be one of them.  Not that I am Catholic, but because I know that there have been times when I have been less than loving, have done things that were not 'of my higest possibility' and 'have fallen way short of the grace and glory of any of the gods'.  I doubt seriously if I am the only one around here who can say that either.*p*Secondly, I think that yes, the Catholic church has a whole lot to answer for throughout its history, but so do our own religions and people.  And I see the Catholic church stepping up to the plate and finally taking responsibility for some of its more infamous actions as an excellent beginning to a change of its heart and its practices in the future.  I'm a strong believer in the power of personal responsibility and I salute them for that and think that we, as a Pagan Religion, should follow this most excellent lead and take this opportunity to start a new millenium with a clean slate and a forgiving heart.*p*So, what say ye brother and sister Celts and Pagans... shall we forgive and forget and start working together to make this world of ours a place where we can all stay and play happily with one another?*p*Deborah O'Dubhain