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Catholic Church: Pope Benedict's Resignation is an Historic Shock to a Major Capitalist Institution

Cracks appear in the Catholic Church in response to archaic views and a haven for serial rapists.

In a previous blog, I wrote that it seems likely that at some point there would be some sort of split or schism within the Catholic Church as this organization continues to defend itself against revelations of mass serial rapists within its ranks and the church’s male hierarchy covering it up and actually sending pedophiles out of harms way to fresh hunting grounds.


The first major rupture in the aftermath of recent revelations about the conduct of the church in Los Angeles has been the astonishing news today that the Pope Benedict, the former Nazi youth member who has himself been involved in the cover up has resigned. This is the first time a sitting pope has resigned in 700 years. 

It is not only child abuse and serial rapists that have caused this Pope problems. The church teachings in general are not followed by millions of people who claim to be Catholics. The hatred toward gays claiming they are a threat to world peace. The stance on abortion, the rehabilitation of a former denier that the murder of million of Jews and others in the camps occurred at all and the equating of Islam with violence which doesn’t have any credibility coming from the leader of one of the most violent institutions in human history, have all taken their toll.  Then there was the whistle blowing butler who released Benedict’s private papers to the world, the Bradley Manning of the Vatican and Benedict's strong opposition to women priests.


"As from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours (2 p.m. ET) the See of Rome, the See of St. Peter will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.” Benedict announced. So once again, 100 or so unelected old misogynists will determine who gets to head the state of Vatican and command influence throughout the world in the churches and the legislative bodies where this city state has representatives.
The institution is putting on a brave face telling the world that Benedict was not afraid of a possible “schism” but I would not be so sure.  The Catholic Church since the dominance of its conservative and right wing elements after the purging through intimidation and assassination of the Latin American Liberation Theologist movement has gone from crisis to crisis.  This is a shock of historical proportions from which this powerful institution of capitalism may not recover; it dwarfs Lehman Brothers for sure.

Growing up as a Catholic I was taught that the Pope of Rome was “infallible” which was described to me as being incapable of sin.  The Pope was god’s man on earth and he could not commit sins; he could not make an error in judgment or any such human failings.  But they taught me that a Jewish woman had a baby with a supernatural being and gave birth to its son as well.  This is child abuse I now believe.

The capitalist class will be extremely concerned about this development as the Catholic Church is one of their most trusted and reliable institutions, “This is a huge sign of world destabilization that will weaken the Church.” said Alessandra Mussolini, the daughter of Benito Mussolini, the Italian Fascist. This developing crisis is a reflection of the crisis of capitalism on a global scale much like Protestantism, the religion of the rising capitalist class, was to the feudal aristocracy and their decaying system.  The last time a Pope resigned was in 1294.

Capitalism fears instability and this is a great shock.  The heads of states will be rallying round the flag to defend the Pope’s decision and no doubt ensure that it was made for reasons other than the crisis within the organization itself and the fact that the Church’s teaching is at odds with millions who claim its mantle especially women. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the pope's decision must be respected if he feels he is “Too weak to carry out his duties.”  British Prime Minister David Cameron said: "He will be missed as a spiritual leader to millions."

A former catholic schoolteacher told me recently that the vast majority of people that attend the church in this area these days are Phillipino’s and Latino’s.  The Church is even under threat in Latin America where poverty is rife and the Church hierarchy has supported right wing causes and resisted any serious changes to the dominance of US imperialism.  The Liberation Theologists were ruthlessly persecuted culminating in the assassination of El Salvador’s Archbishop Romero.  The Church is also seen as a conduit through which the imperialist countries and the CIA influence policy and government. 
Benedict visited the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz and referred to himself as a  "a son of Germany".  Press reports indicated he “Prayed and asked why God was silent when 1.5 million victims, most of them Jews, died there during World War Two.”  Why is god silent when millions of children die of starvation amid plenty and brutal murders like Stalin, Rumsfeld. Cheney and Kissinger are allowed to live and on and on and on? I would suggest god is silent because god is not there.  So Benedict blames god for the reason he found himself in the Nazi Youth?  Well, that’s a handy way out.

As Merkel and other patrons of the Pope rally round the flag to protect one of the capitalist class' most vital organs, we must not allow ourselves to be fooled by the smoke screen, that they have taken this step, despite the shockwaves it has caused throughout the world, of removing “God’s Vicar” as they call him.  We cannot underestimate the importance of this move and what it means but we must also not buy in to the “official” line. The institution's hierarchy is rotten, not just him.  The idea that there are saints, that there is such a thing as sin, that a woman can have a baby through intercourse with a supernatural being, this is all nonsense in a modern world where science has shown its superiority over superstition.

This crisis in the world’s foremost capitalist religious institution is a sign of capitalism’s weakness, of capitalist decay and rot, just like the “War on terror” is. We should welcome it as a huge step forward for humankind.

David February 12, 2013 at 10:51 am
Haven't seen this kind of anti-Catholic diatribe since the KKK handed out their anti-Papist pamphlets in the 1920's. You must be proud.
Richard Mellor February 12, 2013 at 05:31 pm
Can you share with us the content of those pamphlets so I can see the similarity I have with them you mention here? I don't deny I am opposed to the Vatican city state, it's institutions, it misogyny, it's hatred and demonization of gays, its opposition to birth control, a woman's right to choose, its defense of serial rapists and dictators. Please be specific about your agreement or disagreement with this institution's policies.
David February 13, 2013 at 02:21 am
Richard, you're a bigot. QED. Actually, you're even more virulent in your hatred than the KKK ever bothered to publish.
http://campaignrhetoric.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/1928-anti-smith-flyer.jpg September 15th, 1921 The tenth article was titled “Bitter Anti-Catholic Propaganda Peddled by Officials of Klan” – “Methods More Secretive than Formerly Used by A.P.A., Is Claim – Publication Supposed to be Allied to Order, Attacks Roman Catholic.” The article focuses on more anti-Catholic propaganda by the Klan. The article mentions a card distributed by the Klan called “Do You Know?” that gave false information about the activities of the Catholic Church. These included statements about the Pope controlling the media, court systems, denouncing popular government, and installing his own Catholic government.[1] [NYTimes] I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with the policies of the Catholic Church in this post. I'm merely calling you out for the bigot you are. Enjoy the company you keep, the KKK is always looking for new members, even if you're a bit old and daft.
Richard Mellor February 13, 2013 at 02:39 am
I read the Klan publication and fail to see the similarity. I am not a protestant and I don't hate Catholics. But get some courage David. What's this: "I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with the policies of the Catholic Church in this post." You know one of your likely heroes, George Schultz, said that the problem with walking in the middle of the road is that you get hit from both sides.
Kate February 13, 2013 at 07:58 pm
"...and I don't hate Catholics." Then what's the blog about? Seems you hate Catholicism and capitalism. Your choice, but it makes for a tiring read.
jeffrey olsen February 13, 2013 at 11:20 pm
this madman hates all people- catholic, Jews .Mental institution is what this person needs really ,his only perfect friend is mr Khalid Muhammad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrdGS9onk08 it why this person want to disarm us in front of our east oakland neighbors and hundreds of UC berkeley students who make standing ovation to farrakhan this year
Fred Eiger February 14, 2013 at 02:06 am
MELLOR!!! Why don't you shut your stinking Limey Pie Hole. I can't beleive they let your sorry wrinkled butt back in my country. Not only are you a waste of bandwidth but you're lower than warm liquid cow dung.
Fred Eiger February 16, 2013 at 09:52 am
Kate, Mellor is an idiot. A lonesome bitter old and senile fool who is starving for attention.
Richard Mellor February 16, 2013 at 12:41 pm
I take it from the thoughtful responses to this blog entry that the authors support the following:
(1) the protection of pedophiles and serial rapists by a Church hierarchy (2) the Vatican's position that gay marriage and abortion are a threat to world peace. (3) That condoms should not be handed out as a means of protecting against STD's (4) The Vatican's rehabilitation of an individual who says the murder of 12 million in camps by fascists, 6 million of them Jews, didn't happen. (5) The crushing of priests that stood up for the poor in the underdeveloped world And they support: The silencing of priests like Tony Flannery who opposes the Vatican's archaic and oppressive regime. http://bit.ly/IxwEyk The Vatican attacks on nuns like the group "Nuns of the Bus" who want the church to pay more attention to social issues. The excommunication of women who practice the mass (a nasty punishment for people who believe in all the stuff) I'm trying to help you all here and show where we disagree. Any change in this city state's policies that might bring it somewhat in line with 21st century thinking
Michael Moore February 16, 2013 at 02:07 pm
Richard I completely agree with each of your points about the Roman Church. The fact that as a healthy and able young man in the Greater German Reich joined the Hitler Youth and took his place in anti-aircraft battery shooting at American bombers. Equating the HItler Youth with the Boy Scouts, another protector of pederasts on a par with the Roman Church, is approriate to its limited extent. Many will recall that the Boy Scouts of Poland fought both the Communists and the Nazi's until they were hunted down and shot, so I guess it is not the same. There were Boy Scouts in Austria and in Germany and they were not the Hitler Youth. So, good bye Ratzinger. Perhaps the Church will pick another leader to protect the criminals, child abusers and other dreck that make the Church such a poor choice for real people.
Richard Mellor February 17, 2013 at 09:36 pm
You might want to check out this very good documentary that I put on my blog. The pedophile supporters might not like it but it's well worth watching.
http://weknowwhatsup.blogspot.com/2013/02/ireland-magdalene-laundries-rape-and.html
Fred Eiger February 18, 2013 at 03:30 am
Mellor and Moore are two delusional liars, but that is nothing new. These spineless snakes would never have stood up to the Nazi's had they been youth in 1930's Germany so save us your stupidity. The truth is that Hitler disbanded the Boy Scouts in Germany and forced teens into the Hitler Youth. Pope Benedict deserted the German Army. But none of that has any bearing on the stupidity you two fools mouth off for attention.
Fred Eiger February 18, 2013 at 03:31 am
"Pedophile supporters"??? This coming from Mellor who supports gay marriage??? Yes, another delusional post from a fool named Mellor.
Marilyn February 19, 2013 at 02:45 pm
A hateful, bitter, and arrogant old man who obviously assumes that anyone who is Catholic must therefore support pedophilia? "He has delusions of adequacy."
Richard Mellor February 19, 2013 at 10:13 pm
The reason I raised pedophilia in that way Marilyn is that others that commented found time to resort to personal attacks and yet despite having a willingness to express their opinions publicly made no mention of these issues I raised and that are real for thousands of people. Mr. Moore was the only one who addressed them other than me. Why don't you share your views? Also, you lack credibility keeping your mouth shut in the face of some of the abusive and personal remarks here.
Richard Mellor February 19, 2013 at 10:13 pm
The reason I raised pedophilia in that way Marilyn is that others that commented found time to resort to personal attacks and yet despite having a willingness to express their opinions publicly made no mention of these issues I raised and that are real for thousands of people. Mr. Moore was the only one who addressed them other than me. Why don't you share your views? Also, you lack credibility keeping your mouth shut in the face of some of the abusive and personal remarks here. I'd be interested what you thought if the video I posted a link to. The women in it were wonderful I thought.
Richard Mellor February 25, 2013 at 10:40 pm
What did u think of the short documentary about the Magdalen Laundries Marilyn? I'm interested in hour views on the matter.

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Rob Rich June 19, 2013 at 06:36 am
David, you speak out of both sides of your mouth. Sometimes you complain our future neighbors at TheRead More Crossings will be too affluent and undeserving. Now it's concentrating poverty. Frankly the market does an amazing job of concentrating poverty. Nonprofits like Bridge & Mercy are helping to address that problem. That is something our neighboring communities have learned throughout these nonprofits' 30 year history.
David June 19, 2013 at 07:26 am
Rob, let me spell it out for you yet again. 1) The Crossings are being sold to SL by folks like youRead More and the politicians as "workforce" housing for those poor souls who have a job but supposedly can't afford housing. That's a straight up lie. As I've pointed out, the income levels required for taxpayer-subsidized housing at Bridge could easily afford housing in SL. Therefore, this leads to my point #2: The people who *will* live there are going to be much lower in income. As we have witnessed in *every other* city's failed urban policies, such concentrations of poverty lead to increased local crime.
David June 19, 2013 at 07:44 am
Frankly, the market has done a wonderful job in SL of providing "affordable housing" as inRead More nearly 2/3 of housing here is affordable to those with a median income, which is probably much higher than the average Bay Area city. Why might that be? Perhaps because SL government has, in the past, generally not interfered with the market (it has allowed new *market-rate* housing to be developed etc, unlike, say, Berkeley).
Erica June 18, 2013 at 07:16 pm
What brand is the pastry cutter?
Rowena Peñalba June 18, 2013 at 11:27 pm
It's slightly used but I don't remember where I bought it from. I don't see any brand name on it. IRead More just priced it based on the lowest one available on Amazon. If you're interested, make me an offer. Maybe we can agree on it. Thanks for your inquiry.
Mattie Ignacio June 13, 2013 at 06:02 pm
it was a hundred times better...it is now useless!
Richard Eisenman June 14, 2013 at 11:17 am
I'm not a very regular viewer. Could you be a bit more specific about what changed recently (plusesRead More and minuses)? Thanks.
Jessica Gardner June 18, 2013 at 05:43 pm
i agree!!
Opera On Tap Co-Manager, Indre Viskontas
Joanna Dyer June 12, 2013 at 07:16 am
F
Molly Rosen June 14, 2013 at 04:36 pm
One of the best operas ever. I hope to see it. How excited for OOT and San Leandro!
Susan Reisz June 10, 2013 at 07:29 pm
Can you reprint this several times prior to June 27. I don't want people to forget about it? Thanks
Unstable vs. stable world views
Michael Moore June 2, 2013 at 06:02 pm
Leah, do you have the authorization from Disney for the use of the copyrighted Dumbo character youRead More use for your blog? I thought that the policy of Patch was to deny access to non-authorized materials such as this.
Leah Hall June 2, 2013 at 08:12 pm
Nope.
Leah Hall June 2, 2013 at 09:44 pm
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a7/Dumbo-1941-poster.jpg My 13 year old daughter justRead More explained how to search www.creativecommons.org.