Evangelization through pope web sites

[Lisa1967]

Some web sites have sprung up letting people choose who they think the next Pope will be. Some of them are:

fantasyconclave.com

popebracket.com

startribune.com/a2103

Fantasy Conclave offers prizes for winners, including money and Catholic books.

What do you think? Are these sites a good way of educating people about Catholicism and the process of choosing a new pope, or are they sacrilegious?

 

[dshix]

Some web sites have sprung up letting people choose who they think the next Pope will be. Some of them are:

fantasyconclave.com

popebracket.com

startribune.com/a2103

Fantasy Conclave offers prizes for winners, including money and Catholic books.

What do you think? Are these sites a good way of educating people about Catholicism and the process of choosing a new pope, or are they sacrilegious?

They are BETTING?

Sheesh, I wish people would get a clue some day.

 

[Lisa1967]

They are BETTING?

Sheesh, I wish people would get a clue some day.

I don’t know if you have to put money down. I know betting on the next Pope goes back centuries, but I come from a Methodist background so I’m not comfortable with gambling.

I was uncomfortable with putting choosing the next pope in the same category as making out brackets for the NCAA basketball tournament.

I think people should be educated about how popes are chosen, so I’m all for that, but I’m not sure if this is the best way.

 

[edward_george]

They are BETTING?

Sheesh, I wish people would get a clue some day.

From the Fantasy Conclave League’s website:

What does it cost to play?
Joining the Fantasy Conclave League is totally FREE! This is not a gambling site, all of the prizes are provided by our sponsors.

What about just trusting in the Holy Spirit?
We believe and trust that it is the Holy Spirit that guides this whole papal election process. Our speculation on the outcome is not a lack of trust in the Church or the guidance of the Holy Spirt, but merely a way to encourage education and interest in the process.

Isn’t Betting on the Results of Conclave Wrong?
We’re not betting on anything - there’s no risk or wager involved. But even still, it’s probably worth pointing out this fun little tidbit of canon law.

-ACEGC

 

[Joe_5859]

Some web sites have sprung up letting people choose who they think the next Pope will be. Some of them are:

fantasyconclave.com

popebracket.com

startribune.com/a2103

Fantasy Conclave offers prizes for winners, including money and Catholic books.

What do you think? Are these sites a good way of educating people about Catholicism and the process of choosing a new pope, or are they sacrilegious?

I only looked at the first website, but I don’t see a problem with that one. It’s not a gambling site. It’s an attempt to catechize and it is free to participate. All prizes are provided by sponsors.

I see nothing sacrilegious about it. they spell things out pretty clearly on the main page.

 

[dshix]

OK, so if there is no betting, why are there “prizes” for picking the right pope? In that situation, all you have to do is make 117 accounts and choose each cardinal, and you’ll win something!

 

[nickybr38]

I don’t know if it’s sacriligeous but I DO think it’s disrespectful and in bad taste.

 

[Joe_5859]

OK, so if there is no betting, why are there “prizes” for picking the right pope? In that situation, all you have to do is make 117 accounts and choose each cardinal, and you’ll win something!

Well, they limit accounts to one per person. If someone wants to go through the trouble of obtaining 117 different email addresses and logging in from 117 different computers under 117 different names – all just for some Catholic books and DVDs – then good luck with that.

Right now, it looks like all the prizes will go to one person. If more than one person picks the right cardinal, then they go to the person who picked the right cardinal and picked the name that he chose. If more than one person correctly guessed the cardinal and his name, then they go to whoever also correctly guessed on what day of the conclave he was elected.

If there’s still a tie after that, they go to whoever signed up first.

It’s all in good fun, I think. I wouldn’t take it too seriously.

EDIT: I should add that, by signing up for the “Fantasy Conclave” (which I did ), you also agree to be put on their email list which will send out a “pope facts” email every day until a new pope is elected. That, I suspect, is their true purpose. They are trying to catechize people about the papacy at a moment when everyone is suddenly very interested in the papacy. They are simply striking while the iron is hot. I don’t see that as a bad thing.

 

[dshix]

Well, they limit accounts to one per person. If someone wants to go through the trouble of obtaining 117 different email addresses and logging in from 117 different computers under 117 different names – all just for some Catholic books and DVDs – then good luck with that.

Right now, it looks like all the prizes will go to one person. If more than one person picks the right cardinal, then they go to the person who picked the right cardinal and picked the name that he chose. If more than one person correctly guessed the cardinal and his name, then they go to whoever also correctly guessed on what day of the conclave he was elected.

If there’s still a tie after that, they go to whoever signed up first.

It’s all in good fun, I think. I wouldn’t take it too seriously.

EDIT: I should add that, by signing up for the “Fantasy Conclave” (which I did ), you also agree to be put on their email list which will send out a “pope facts” email every day until a new pope is elected. That, I suspect, is their true purpose. They are trying to catechize people about the papacy at a moment when everyone is suddenly very interested in the papacy. They are simply striking while the iron is hot. I don’t see that as a bad thing.

That’s interesting. Seems like a good initiative.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

While we are waiting, how about visiting the Web sites that offer the weekly teaching of Pope Benedict XVI.

 

[Lisa1967]

While we are waiting, how about visiting the Web sites that offer the weekly teaching of Pope Benedict XVI.

Do you have the links?