Vatican shows it's true color...RightWing

[LaWood]

Vatican warns Paraguay candidate

The Vatican has made public its displeasure at the decision of a retired bishop to run in Paraguay's 2008 presidential elections.

Papal officials released the text of a letter handed last week to Fernando Lugo warning him of possible sanctions.

Mr Lugo said on Monday he hoped to lead an alliance against President Nicanor Duarte and had left the priesthood.

The Pope "can either accept my decision or punish me. But I am in politics already," the 55-year-old said.

'Figure of unity'

The Vatican letter, signed by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and made public on Tuesday, is dated 20 December, one day before Mr Lugo presented his resignation to the papal authorities.

"In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask him to seriously reflect about his behaviour," the letter reads.

"The Holy See has learned with surprise that some political parties have the intention of presenting him as candidate in the coming presidential election in Paraguay.

"The acceptance of that offer would be clearly against the serious responsibility of a bishop... Canonic Law prohibits priests from participating in political parties or labour unions."

Known for his work among the poor, Mr Lugo is leading in the opinion polls.

Many believe he is the only figure who can unite the opposition to defeat the conservative Colorado Party, which has been in power for about 60 years.

Mr Lugo was appointed bishop of San Pedro by Pope John Paul II in 1994. He retired as bishop 10 years later.

Story from BBC NEWS Dec 27 06

[Barbara Fitzpatrick]

The vatican learned the hard way that religion and politics don't mix well - but the vatican never admits to releasing anyone they've claimed. This isn't an example of a right-wing pope (even though he is - very), but of a ruling that says "priests can't be in politics, you're a priest, so you can't be in politics". Leaving the priesthood, even though it's not that unusual, doesn't cross their minds because they don't accept the concept. (Sort of like fundies and evolution.)

[Tony]

I'm still pissed at John Paul's crushing crusade against Liberation thoelogy. Finally, the Church becomes a catalyst for doing some sort of good in the world and these archaic reactionaries squelch it. When will religion finally die??

[Barbara Fitzpatrick]

The only reason it lasted as long as John Paul was people thought John 23 was a saint (which he was - any priest who forges baptismal certificates for Jewish kids to help them escape the Nazis is a saint). Paul 6 would have shut down liberation theology if he could have gotten away with it. Since he couldn't he grudgingly implemented the letter, though usually not the spirit, of Vatican 2.

[Dardedar]

Where your catholic donation money goes. From my Jan. 22 TIME mag (page 23):

85% Percentage of US Roman Catholic dioceses that in a recent survey said they had learned church money had been embezzled in the past five years

11% Percentage of those reporting embezzlements that said more than $500,000 had been stolen

[Barbara Fitzpatrick]

Problems of vatican 2 - the local parishes are still dealing with having to do their own bookkeeping. Prior to vatican 2, they sent the money to Rome and Rome gave them operating expenses. That's why the Sisters were always going around collecting for one thing or another - the "special" stuff was totally separate from the operating money. They'll learn sooner or later - I guess later, since we're already passed sooner.