Everybody hates Benedict

[latingirl]

I’m a new Catholic and I have noticed that many, many people dislike, if not hate, if not despise the Pope!
I have heard people call him the Anti-Christ, people say he’s a Nazi and a homophobe.
Now, I know Benedict XVI is not the most photogenic and can look creepy at times, but is that any reason to judge him?
I have heard many a Protestant accusation that he “only pretends to come in the name of Christ” that he “prays to the dead” and that “He is a false leader who is leading us (Catholics) to hell”. I find many of these arguments unfounded at best. But when the accusations stack up as high as they are, I find my faith a bit shaken.
I see the Pope preaching about peace and love but all some seem to hear out of his mouth is fallacy and hate. Almost every word he says is offensive to somebody. A poll I’ve recently seen says about 50% of Americans think Benedict XVI is the Anti-Christ. I seem to honestly wonder where all this derision comes from. I mean, it’s as if his Holiness (Edited)!

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” -John 15:18-20

 

[DavidFilmer]

I’m a new Catholic and I have noticed that many, many people dislike, if not hate, if not despise the Pope!

That’s very strange. I am a somewhat “old” Catholic who keeps up with current events, and I’ve never seen this.

Of course, those who endorse abortion, or elder suicide, or homosexual marriage, or whatever… will denounce our current Pope (as they would have denounced JP2 or ANY Pope before). But I cannot see that opposition to the current Pope Benedict exceeds that of any other Pope (nor can I think of any reason why it should).

If you would kindly cite a specific source then we could respond more specifically.

 

[mystified]

Sound like you have been hanging around with some radical non-Catholics, Masons, or ultra-liberal semi-Catholics who don’t believe that Benedict XVI hs closed the cafeteria.
I’ve had contact with Lutherans, Methodists, Jews, and others who, along with my Catholic associates, express great respect for the Holy Father.
I love my German Shepherd:thumbsup:

 

[Trishie]

I’m glad that her experience isn’t universal!

It could be that Latingirl has encountered such views from others in her personal life from people of her acquaintance… She’s an intelligent, inspired, thinking person and a convert, so I believe that she will have had experience of these assertions in her personal experience. She has shared experiences of her conversion in earler posts, and it was a radical turnaround for her!

 

[MindOverMatter]

That’s very strange. I am a somewhat “old” Catholic who keeps up with current events, and I’ve never seen this.

Of course, those who endorse abortion, or elder suicide, or homosexual marriage, or whatever… will denounce our current Pope (as they would have denounced JP2 or ANY Pope before). But I cannot see that opposition to the current Pope Benedict exceeds that of any other Pope (nor can I think of any reason why it should).

If you would kindly cite a specific source then we could respond more specifically.

All you have to do is google “pope anti christ”, and you will see a million miles of it. Especailly in london where i’m from, the catholic church is sorely hated. Im scared sometimes to tell people im catholic. In fact, if i can avoid it, i don’t tell people anything. One guy said to me if he ever saw the Pope he would punch him in the nose.

Everybody thats not Catholic, seems to me to have some kind of problem with the Catholics. At worse, they talk about curruption conspiracys concerning world domination and world religion. At the least its not a populor belief. Look at how many people laped up the da-vinci-code. Lots of people actually believe that (Edited)!

Im suprised that you don’t see the enemy at work.

 

[LilyM]

All you have to do is google “pope anti christ”, and you will see a million miles of it. Especailly in london where i’m from, the catholic church is sorely hated. Im scared sometimes to tell people im catholic. In fact, if i can avoid it, i don’t tell people anything. One guy said to me if he ever saw the Pope he would punch him in the nose.

Everybody thats not Catholic, seems to me to have some kind of problem with the Catholics. At worse, they talk about curruption conspiracys concerning world domination and world religion. At the least its not a populor belief. Look at how many people laped up the da-vinci-code. Lots of people actually believe that (Edited)!

Im suprised that you don’t see the enemy at work.

Well, England is a special case, what with their interesting (putting it mildly) history in matters religious - it doesn’t surprise me that it would be a particular breeding ground for anti-Catholicism.

As are some parts of the US (not all, of course, but some) where particularly anti-Catholic strains of Christianity have a firm hold.

 

[jakobsprenger]

A poll I’ve recently seen says about 50% of Americans think Benedict XVI is the Anti-Christ.

The other 50% seem to think the just-inaugurated US President is the Anti-Christ.

People are scared of the unknown, BXVI formally issued the edict re-introducing the Traditional Latin Mass. This alone scared a lot of the “liberal” Catholics. They would like you to think BXVI will take us back to the Dark Ages and burning folk at the stake. This is not the case. We are all Catholics together and must evangelise for the Faith. So the title to your thread is incorrect. Everybody does NOT hate Pope Benedict XVI, just an incredibly vocal and media-savvy minority.

God Bless. May you find peace in praying the Rosary.

 

[Shlomey]

people say he’s a Nazi and a homophobe.

Do you have any idea how annoyed we Germans get when some people accuse others of being “Nazis” without even knowing our history and the facts?!

But then again, since when have anti-Catholics refrained from using lies?

 

[Paula_RGN]

I cannot believe such vitriolic hatred exists for Pope Benedict XVI except through a wave of anti-catholicism that pervades through those who are pro-abortion, pro-contraception, pro homosexual unions and all that goes against the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict is very humble and extremely intelligent. Perhaps those who are ready to criticise this truly wonderful Shepherd for Unity ought to read the book ‘Benedict of Bavaria’ in order to realise just how much he deplores nazism or any form of violence and persecution. We only had to see the events of World Youth Day in Cologne and Sydney to feel the impact our Holy Father has on the young people in our world and they are the future generation!

 

[Cherith]

I have just joined this list and the first time I log on to introduce myself I see things like,

“Especailly (sic) in london where i’m from, the catholic church is sorely hated.”

Having lived in London all my life, and being a member of the Secular Carmelite Order, having contacts with many Christians of other denominations, edited a prominent journal for 7 years, worshipped daily at most central London churches etc. etc. I have yet to experience what MindOverMatter is talking about!

As far as the comment

“Well, England is a special case, what with their interesting (putting it mildly) history in matters religious - it doesn’t surprise me that it would be a particular breeding ground for anti-Catholicism.”

I am wondering what ‘period of history’ LilyM is referring to. Of course, if you are making reference to Henry VIII, Reformation etc. OK, but why stop at that and why just England. Persecution was rife in many areas of the world (and still is). Did you know that England was, and still has the title ‘Mary’s Dowery’? One of the most famous centres of pilgrimage is Walsingham, jointly managed by Roman Catholics and Anglicans. I could cite many similar instances of all denominations working together

Finally, this sort of talk does nothing to demonstrate to me a spirit of charity and the desire to act as peacemakers in this suffering, wounded world so in need of an example of how to live peacably together.

Sorry to have made my first post so critical, but I have to stand up for my country, my Faith, and the Gospel by which I profess to live. So let’s have some balanced, adult views on this topic, please.

I would suggest that we all try to :

Light a candle (in this world) and not curse the darkness

 

[LilyM]

I have just joined this list and the first time I log on to introduce myself I see things like,

“Especailly (sic) in london where i’m from, the catholic church is sorely hated.”

Having lived in London all my life, and being a member of the Secular Carmelite Order, having contacts with many Christians of other denominations, edited a prominent journal for 7 years, worshipped daily at most central London churches etc. etc. I have yet to experience what MindOverMatter is talking about!

As far as the comment

“Well, England is a special case, what with their interesting (putting it mildly) history in matters religious - it doesn’t surprise me that it would be a particular breeding ground for anti-Catholicism.”

I am wondering what ‘period of history’ LilyM is referring to. Of course, if you are making reference to Henry VIII, Reformation etc. OK, but why stop at that and why just England. Persecution was rife in many areas of the world (and still is). Did you know that England was, and still has the title ‘Mary’s Dowery’? One of the most famous centres of pilgrimage is Walsingham, jointly managed by Roman Catholics and Anglicans. I could cite many similar instances of all denominations working together

Why just England? Beause nowhere compares to England.

There’s no other country in the world that has a law still current on its books prohibiting Catholics from becoming Head of State (King or Queen) or banning Catholics from marrying anyone who is in line for the throne - be it first in line or 100th in line. And moreover banning Catholics specifically and exclusively - Muslims, Hindus and atheists are all fine, Catholics not.

While ever that shameful and hideous bit of law remains on the books, you’ll always be a fifth-class citizen, whether you realise it or not. No matter how many compensatory crumbs are thrown to you to distract you or make you feel just like any other Englishman, you are still being denied your rights as an Englishman purely because of your Catholic faith.

 

[Eucharisted]

I’m a new Catholic and I have noticed that many, many people dislike, if not hate, if not despise the Pope!
I have heard people call him the Anti-Christ, people say he’s a Nazi and a homophobe.
Now, I know Benedict XVI is not the most photogenic and can look creepy at times, but is that any reason to judge him?
I have heard many a Protestant accusation that he “only pretends to come in the name of Christ” that he “prays to the dead” and that “He is a false leader who is leading us (Catholics) to hell”. I find many of these arguments unfounded at best. But when the accusations stack up as high as they are, I find my faith a bit shaken.
I see the Pope preaching about peace and love but all some seem to hear out of his mouth is fallacy and hate. Almost every word he says is offensive to somebody. A poll I’ve recently seen says about 50% of Americans think Benedict XVI is the Anti-Christ. I seem to honestly wonder where all this derision comes from. I mean, it’s as if his Holiness (Edited)!

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” -John 15:18-20

His Holiness is a sign of contradicition.

 

[Eucharisted]

Archbishop Sheen once said:

If I were not a Catholic and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hates. My reason for doing this would be that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, he must still be hated as he was when he was on earth in the flesh. If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world.

Look for the Church that is hated by the world as Christ was hated by the world. Look for the Church which is accused of being behind the times as our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned. Look for the Church which men sneer at as socially inferior as they sneered at our Lord because he came from Nazareth. Look for the Church which is accused of having a devil as our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the prince of devils. Look for the Church which, in seasons of bigotry, men say must be destroyed in the name of God as men crucified Christ and thought they had done a service to God. Look for the Church which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible as Pilate rejected Christ because he called himself the Truth. Look for the Church which is rejected by the world as our Lord was rejected by men.

Look for the Church which amid the confusion of conflicting opinions its members love as they love Christ and respect its voice as the very voice of its founder, and the suspicion will grow that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly it is other-worldly. Since it is other-worldly it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ himself. But only that which is divine can be infinitely hated and infinitely loved. Therefore the Church is divine.

Source: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=85089&highlight=sheen

 

[Cherith]

In response to LilyM :

Princess Michael of Kent (married to the Queen’s cousin)

HRH Duchess of Kent (married to the Queen’s cousin). Received into the church after her marriage but this has not altered his line of Succession to the throne.

The Act which prevents Catholics becoming King/Queen is currently under review and we have to have believe in miracles when we see a black man inaugurated as President of the USA, don’t we?

However, I feel we are getting away from the original thread ‘Everybody hates Benedict’. Perhaps LilyM would like to start a new thread?

 

[NPC]

Unfortunately, this rubbish about naziism is frequently used as a “cheap shot” against the Pope. The media seem to take full advantage of the story - skewed as it is. In one of the Irish newspapers (a broadsheet) around Christmas time, there was an article about the Holy Father’s supposed comments about homosexuals and the rainforests - the writer asked how we could trust a member of Hitler Youth. The young Joseph, as far as I know, refused to attend meetings of Hitler Youth, and his father was a strong opponent of Naziism.

I think it is true to say that most sincere people who have had the decency to give the Pope a chance and to listen to what he actually says have been pleasantly surprised by Benedict so far. Most people didn’t know what to make of him when he was elected - he was seen as a severe “hard-liner” in his previous appointment at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and many people expected that he wouldn’t be able to engage well with the ordinary Catholics. I myself was happy that he was elected, but I too have been surprised by him and I think he is doing a great job! He certainly doesn’t have the “superstar presence” that Pope John Paul II had, but two very successful World Youth Day festivals have shown that he is much loved by young Catholics. What may often be perceived as “hard line” positions are usually just the Pope upholding the teachings which the Church has held for centuries, and we ought to be grateful for having a Pope who has the courage to do this, unpopular as he (and the teachings) may be to some.

 

[LilyM]

In response to LilyM :

Princess Michael of Kent (married to the Queen’s cousin)

HRH Duchess of Kent (married to the Queen’s cousin). Received into the church after her marriage but this has not altered his line of Succession to the throne.

The Act which prevents Catholics becoming King/Queen is currently under review and we have to have believe in miracles when we see a black man inaugurated as President of the USA, don’t we?

However, I feel we are getting away from the original thread ‘Everybody hates Benedict’. Perhaps LilyM would like to start a new thread?

My understanding is that Prince Michael of Kent DID give up his place in the succession when he married her, although his children retained theirs. And the Duchess of Kent snuck through a loophole by converting well after she married into the Royal Family, besides not being important enough to matter for practical purposes in regard to the succession.

We’d hear a different story if future-Governor-of-the-Anglican-Church Prince Wills wanted to marry a Catholic.

Even poor old Tony Blair couldn’t convert until after he left office - he’d been de facto Catholic for a good number of years beforehand, so the only reasonable explanation is that he feared a backlash if he converted while in office. So I still think it’ll be a chilly day in Hades before a Catholic sits on the throne of England.

Fascinating as all this is, I’ve now said my piece. And now back to your regularly scheduled thread …

 

[anon5216]

…
Now, I know Benedict XVI is not the most photogenic and can look creepy at times, but is that any reason to judge him?
…

I’m not a supporter of a lot of Church dogma, and I try to keep my reactions to what Pope Benedict XVI says or writes, but I have to admit, I don’t think a film casting director would ever have cast Joseph Ratzinger as a Pope if he had never been a real-life member of the clergy.

No one should be judged by their photogenic characteristics.
These can be highly misleading.

 

[reggieM]

Many people around the world love the Pope. He is drawing huge audiences in Rome and wherever he travels. Converts continue to come into the Church and they see the Pope teaching the eternal truths.

I have not seen this kind of hatred that you mention (I don’t go looking for it on internet sites - no more than I hunt for pornography).

There are many, however, who hate God and religion.

Your quote from -John 15:18-20 says it well.

 

[06convert]

The more holy you become the more the devil increases his attacks against you. Satan is throwing all he has at us to make us not like our Pope.

People shouldn’t judge others.

 

[ericka1701]

I heard that the Pope is the anti-Christ on almost a bi-monthly basis at my high-school youth group meetings. At this time it was John Paul II, but no doubt these youth groups are saying the same thing about Benedict XVI. Among some people where I live there is a hatred, or at the very least, a fear of anything Catholic (including me), and more than one occasion after someone finding out I am Catholic, I have been looked at like I have a horn growing out of my third eye on my purple forehead. Christmas Day, I had to run by the store for medicine for my sick dad, and I overheard a comment about how homo-phobic the Pope was. Turning the local TV station (that has 5-6 hours of various local eclessiastical bodies broadcasted each night), one would not have to listen long to hear a comment about the WOB or how confession is “again’ the bible” or priests shouldn’t be called Father, and other “proofs” that Catholics are going to hell (I am not making this up).

On the other hand, this is the last community that anyone would expect an over 100 year old parish. My whole diocese is growing, fairly rapidly, either through northern retirees moving here or people like me who have lived here their whole lives and after much studying convert. The non-Catholics that volunteer alongside Catholics are very friendly, and I’ve heard “If I didn’t like my church so much, I’d convert” on more than one occasion. One of the regional news stations reporting on our new Bishop-elect were neutral in their own reporting and let the people they interview share their joy about the new appointment.

I guess what I’m saying is just because one doesn’t encounter anti-Catholicism where they live doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. In fact, it’s probably more prevalant than I would even imagine. But like other posters have pointed out, Christ promised that we would be hated and despised just like he was. I do my best to share the truth but recognize that, either through my own lack and the other persons own stubborness, I will not convince everyone holding fast to their beliefs. I just hope to plant a seed or two for later on.

God Bless!
Ericka