Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society and spokesman for the Protest the Pope initiative in the UK, insists that "Our title is Protest the Pope and that's what it means - this particular pope, Joseph Ratzinger. It does not mean protest the Catholics.." (See here).
What of this? At their own website, they state: "The Protest the Pope campaign is calling on the British government to disassociate itself from the Pope’s intolerant teachings on issues such as women’s rights, gay equality and the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV. On these and many other issues, Benedict is out of step with the majority of British people, including most Catholics. Pope Benedict opposes women’s ordination. Women are deemed unfit to preach the gospel. This is an insult to the whole female sex. The implication of the Pope’s teaching is that women have no moral capability or capacity for spiritual leadership. This is pure patriarchy, sexism and misogyny. The Pope says artificial contraception is a sin..." (See here).
What Protest the Pope refers to as "the Pope's intolerant teachings" is, in reality, not "his" teaching. He is merely its guardian. He confirms his brethren in the faith (Luke 22:32). Pope Benedict XVI is not advancing his own '"opinions." He is teaching what every Pope before him has taught and what the entire episcopate teaches. Therefore, Protest the Pope is anti-Catholic. The initiative opposes the teaching of the Catholic Church with regard to the above-cited issues.
The problem for Protest the Pope is that every one of the issues which they oppose the Church on are taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. And, in his Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum, Pope John Paul II wrote, "The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved June 25th last and the publication of which I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church's faith and of Catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition, and the Church's Magisterium. I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith.." (No. 3).
In the same document (No. 1), Pope John Paul II says that, "It can be said that this Catechism is the result of the collaboration of the whole Episcopate of the Catholic Church.." In other words, all of the Church's Bishops.
Protest the Pope is not being honest. It's hatred of Pope Benedict XVI stems from the fact that the Holy Father courageously teaches the Gospel message. This is why they attack his person and mission. His teaching is not his own. It comes from the Lord Jesus. And because the Holy Father remains faithful to the Lord Jesus, like his predecessors, he is hated by those who reject Jesus' way of love and peace.*
The above image is taken from the Protest the Pope Blog. What these confused souls do not understand is that prior to the Lambeth Conference of 1930, all of the Christian Churches taught that artificial birth control is a sin. The Catholic Church does not feel free to reject God's Commandments.
* John 14:15
7 comments:
Fine article, but I'm not so sure that these protesters are being dishonest, as you charitably (sic) suggest.
I think they are just too lazy to try to understand what the Church is, or just too stupid.
Great post! Thanks for proving conclusively that Protect the Pope's real motivation is a hatred for the Church's teaching. That's why Terry Sanderson calls Vatican Cardinals "flunkies." They hate the Pope because he refuses to alter or water down the Church's perennial teaching.
They are anti-Catholic bigots. Why don't they ridicule the Koran and call the followers of Muhammad "flunkies"?
Ellen, I'm sure you meant to write 'Protest the Pope' and not ' protect the Pope' which is an all together different website.
Of course Watchman. I apologize for that typo. Protest the Pope is most assuredly an anti-Catholic organization. Thank you for your wonderful website Protect the Pope. May God bless you abundantly!
Left-Footer, are you serious/? Terry Sanderson referred to Cardinals - Princes of the Church - as flunkies. How is that not an expression of anti-Catholicism? Their website has a photo depicting a lollipop in the shape of Pope Benedict XVI with a girl about to lick it and the caption "good for 100 Catholicks."
You're a nitwit.
Betty - I did dot say that the protesters were not anti-Catholic. I suggested that to say they were not being honest was too charitable, as attributing some degree of knowledge or discernment to them.
I attribute their anti-Catholicism either to lazy duck-speak, or to stupidity.
If that makes me a nitwit, have a nice day!
I don't think anyone can legitimately assert that Protest the Pope is being honest when they claim that they're not anti-Catholic. Their own website demonstrates otherwise. There is more here than just stupidity or laziness.
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