Ten Commandments for cars from the Vatican?

[vern_humphrey]

Valid point Vern.

What still gets me is why have a document that contains an effort to address sex slaves, street children and the homeless mixed in a motor vehicle awareness? Not a lot of continuity there?

Unfortunately, that’s not atypical writing:
Here’s a paragraph from “A Call to Faithful Citizenship,” put out by the USCCB:

How will we address the tragic fact that more than 30,000 children die every day as a result of hunger, international debt, and lack of development around the world, as well as the fact that the younger you are, the more likely you are to be poor here in the richest nation on Earth?

Wait a minute here – I know children die from hunger, but how do they die of “international debt and lack of development?”

Almost everyone on these forums is in debt – home mortgages, car loans, credit card bills. How come debt doesn’t kill us?

The answer is simple, international debt and lack of development are not the killers here – they are the consequences of people living under brutal, corrupt dictators who steal the money advanced as loans (which should have been used for economic development). They use some of the money to rivet tighter the chains on their people.

And how is all that related to poverty in the United States?

Here’s what I think they mean:

How will we address the tragic fact that more than 30,000 children die every day as a result of hunger, brought about by corrupt and brutal dictatorships around the world?

How will we address the fact that the younger you are, the more likely you are to be poor here in the richest nation on Earth?

They need somebody who car write clearly and logically.

 

[Blueberry]

I think it’s absolutely terrific. Why are people attacking Pope Benedict for doing this? Driving is an area that impacts our daily lives. It shows he is in touch, not out of touch as the previous poster said. No, it is not stupid. It merely repeats what ought to be Christian common sense, but unfortunately isn’t, judging by what we see on the roads. I think that the jokers and the criticizers are shielding themselves from conviction of their driving sins, because they know they’re guilty.

.

 

[jman507]

Its another sign of how out-of-touch the heirarchy must be to release such a silly thing. Poor translation or not, its just plain ridiculous. What world do those people live in? For sure its not this one.

Right around Italy, and I’ve heard about those drivers!

 

[jman507]

Valid point Vern.

What still gets me is why have a document that contains an effort to address sex slaves, street children and the homeless mixed in a motor vehicle awareness? Not a lot of continuity there?

The intended audience isn’t really people in general, it is more for pastors and others involved in pastoral care. If this was supposed to be a message to the public in general, it would be poor regardless if it flowed well or not. It’s not really worth trying to keep secret, regardless. The real message, and the best form of getting the message to the public, is via the pastors themselves.

I don’t think it’s good judgment for pastor to be mixing motor vehicle awareness right in the middle of street children and homeless, but since they both come under the area of concern of the committee. I don’t see too much object as to why they cannot be presented in the same document under different parts if the aim of the document is not supposed to be pastoral care, but speaking of strategies to guide tactics of pastoral care.

 

[rayne89]

Its another sign of how out-of-touch the heirarchy must be to release such a silly thing. Poor translation or not, its just plain ridiculous. What world do those people live in? For sure its not this one.

Apparently this was especially aimed at drivers in Italy and even in Vatican City, who according to the news reports have notoriously bad drivers and problems with accidents.

 

[sosayi1960]

I suppose the idea is we should not have accidents on our way to the abortion clinic – because the Church is doing precious little to help curb that grisly crime.

What does abortion have to do with driving a car? I can understand a mad dash to Burger King. God, the abortion obsession, please make it end.

 

[vern_humphrey]

Valid point Vern.

What still gets me is why have a document that contains an effort to address sex slaves, street children and the homeless mixed in a motor vehicle awareness? Not a lot of continuity there?

Probably written by the same guy who wrote this (from the USCCB “A Call to Faithful Citizenship.”)

How will we address the tragic fact that more than 30,000 children die every day as a result of hunger, international debt, and lack of development around the world, as well as the fact that the younger you are, the more likely you are to be poor here in the richest nation on Earth?

Did you ever see so many disparate ideas scrambled into one paragraph? (How do children die of “international debt?” )

 

[bones_IV]

Probably written by the same guy who wrote this (from the USCCB “A Call to Faithful Citizenship.”)

Did you ever see so many disparate ideas scrambled into one paragraph? (How do children die of “international debt?” )

There are people in the Church trying to stop abortion but I believe it takes everyone to do this right? I mean we’ve had 40 yrs of evil bishops and renegade priests. Let alone the fact the B16’s been putting in some good orthodox bishops in there. Pray for the Church.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

The problem I have with it, is that it comes across as the hierarchy in the Vatican, must have control over every aspect of your life.

Does the Vatican really think that Catholics do not know, that road rage is wrong?

I mean its nice that the Cardinals and Bishops all have drivers, so when they dine out and drink wine, they don’t have to worry about driving. However, telling Catholics you can not drink and drive is a sin?

Its times like this when it can be embarrassing to be a Catholic.

BTW, my local paper here in Massachusetts, had a funny editorial cartoon in this, yesterday.

telegram.com/article/20070622/COLUMN24/706220329/1020

Jim

 

[dessert]

One thing for sure is that the advice is being promulgated quite nicely by the media. Despite mockery, many find it good advice.

The station I listen to talked about it but didn’t mention them point by point bu it was applauded but then they had a callin and invited others to add to the list. and boy they sure added.
They sort of acted like why didn’t we think of this first.
And then they started a list of there own 20 reasons how to be safe drivers. Not sure how it all went I was out paying bills.
I like what the Pope started maybe it will flow into more suggestions for all.
Dessert

 

[jman507]

The problem I have with it, is that it comes across as the hierarchy in the Vatican, must have control over every aspect of your life.

Does the Vatican really think that Catholics do not know, that road rage is wrong?

I mean its nice that the Cardinals and Bishops all have drivers, so when they dine out and drink wine, they don’t have to worry about driving. However, telling Catholics you can not drink and drive is a sin?

Its times like this when it can be embarrassing to be a Catholic.

BTW, my local paper here in Massachusetts, had a funny editorial cartoon in this, yesterday.

telegram.com/article/20070622/COLUMN24/706220329/1020

Jim

Come on.

I guess it’s another example of the drive-by media taking something out of context, and moving on. Once again nearly everytime the main-stream media takes something from the Vatican you really actually have to go to see what is coming out of the Vatican to take it in the proper context.

The letter is for people concerned with Pastoral care, and gives them issues from this specific committee that would be good ideas and why they are good ideas for bringing them up to the faithful and the not faithful in their job. It is not meant to be a complete list of things to care about, nor does it speak as the important of this points in the context of someone doing pastoral work.

A committee in the Vatican does one thing light-hearted, and people complain. I’m sure next people will complain the Vatican is too serious and stuffy with everything.

 

[CactusJack]

When I was growing up my mother reminded her
seven children, who were always telling on each
other, of the Eleventh Commandment…

“Mind your own business” - MYOB, as she
would say!

I would add to this list, after a tragic accident,
which happened in Austin, TX yesterday, in which
two elementary teachers and a counsellor died,
in a rainstorm…

“Be very vigilant when driving at night and in
adverse weather conditions.”

Also… I think the list is practical, doable and a
good reminder to anyone who gets behind the
wheel of a motor vehicle.

Has anyone ever noticed that the worst drivers in
the world seem to follow you to whatever city you
are living in??

Cactus Jack

PS - Bumper Sticker - “If God is your Co-Pilot, Move Over!”

 

[Richard_Palau]

I am a City Prosecutor in Tiffin, Ohio. I handle the consequences of irresponsible driving. In the 5 years I have been here in a small rural county of 60,000 souls seven (7) have died as a result of irresponsible and sinful driving. I have one more case ready for sentencing next week and two more people died this week in a case that will end up in my court.

  These numbers do not reflect the people who just killed themselves and not an innocent bystander.  These numbers do not reflect those who killed someone who was impaired by drugs or alcohol as those cases are felonies.

 I have a memorial on my wall with the Sacred Heart Auto League prayer in the middle.  [www.shl.org](www.shl.org) .  I pray that no act of mine take away that gift devine.  It includes death certificates, criminal complaints, newspaper articles, pictures of victims, diagrams and letters from the survivors.

 Some excerpts from the letters.  "My name is Ryland Maree Grooms.  I am 13 years old, inthe 7th grade.  I am the grandaughter of Inez Jones.  I miss my grandma very much! "

  Also "Three cars, and on a hill. In doing this she took someone's life.  This should not be taken lightly."

  How about from the infamous Jackass case right from this office in November 2002. "I've read the police report.  I had to.  The driver knows he gunned the engine and threw Adam out.  Maybe he was showing off his driving skills.  Maybe he was just being a smart aleck.  It doesn't matter.  The result was the same."

“We shouldn’t be visiting Adam’s grave. He was only 18 years old for God’s sake. His 14-year-old cousin should not know such deep grieving at that age.”

 Most of the deaths have been as a result of overtaking because people are inconsiderate and impatient.  It usually involves a degree of recklessness.  

 When movie director Dino Risi of the film "The Overtaking" quipped "Overtaking is a sin? Well then I'm a murderer....I think the Vatican has lost its marbles."  The Vatican has common sense he does not.  He is indirectly responsible for reckless behavior and is an accesory in my books.  The Jackass case proves it.  How callous and ignorant.  Pray for a change of heart.  In the meantime I keep prosecuting cases in the hopes people will wake up.          
                                      Richard Palau
                                      Tiffin City Prosecutor.

 

[Br_Joshua_Seidl]

I suppose this would be right out.

http://forums.catholic-convert.com/files/driving_too_fast_134.jpg

That is an excellent picture. I passed it by a couple times before I understood…

 

[Br_Joshua_Seidl]

The document has four parts. I found the arraingment unussual, but the topisc are great. 1. Driving. 2. Street Women. 3. Street Children. 4. Tramps. Of course all are about pastoral concerns and care of each area.

I think it would be beneficial to prepare talks or classes, maybe a sermon if it fit in on road rage and the ten commandments. I am very impressed with the driving document - and it is quite a long document. I only skimmed over the other three topics for now.

I wonder who in traffic saftey, police, insurance and what have we could eventualy prepare papers or talks based on this. I used to be in law enforcement, but it would need (name removed by moderator)ut from a number of experts.

 

[gus]

Apparently the critics of the letter never have been to Rome
I didn’t feel safe from traffic even on the sidewalks.

They make Boston’s Drivers (the worse I’ve seen in the U.S.) down right civil.
.

 

[Br_Joshua_Seidl]

Apparently the critics of the letter never have been to Rome
I didn’t feel safe from traffic even on the sidewalks.

They make Boston’s Drivers (the worse I’ve seen in the U.S.) down right civil.
.

Although I enjoyed my stay in Rome, I agree the traffic is wild.
I found Boston Drivers very helpful, on the other hand. Everytime I come to a round about - one of those circle things - so many nice drivers honk to let me know its time I got going. I see their lips moving in my rear view mirror. No doubt they are greeting me and my out of state plates, eh?

 

[terri_fortner]

The problem I have with it, is that it comes across as the hierarchy in the Vatican, must have control over every aspect of your life.

Does the Vatican really think that Catholics do not know, that road rage is wrong?

I mean its nice that the Cardinals and Bishops all have drivers, so when they dine out and drink wine, they don’t have to worry about driving. However, telling Catholics you can not drink and drive is a sin?

Its times like this when it can be embarrassing to be a Catholic.

BTW, my local paper here in Massachusetts, had a funny editorial cartoon in this, yesterday.

telegram.com/article/20070622/COLUMN24/706220329/1020

Jim

We are also told in the ten commandments that we shouldn’t do things that we should already know are wrong. Yet God still gives them to us. He left the Church to guide us, adn that is what they are doing. Befoer I read this I wsa actually thikning about getting a new car, but I really didn’t want to get a minivan, I am only 24, but I will have three kids. (I have 2 and am pregnant now) But now I am thinking about getting what I need rather than getting a big SUV that looks good and costs too much.

So maybe there are somethings on here that I already knew, but I didn’t want to listen to them. Now I feel a little more accountable. Maybe this is just me.