Ol'-Time Religion
Finally, the new Pope sets about reminding us of all those things we didn't like about the Catholic Church but hadn't thought much about for awhile:
THE Pope will deliver a blistering attack on the “satanic” mores of modern society today, warning against an “inane apologia of evil” that is in danger of destroying humanity.
In a series of Good Friday meditations that he will lead in Rome, the Pope will say that society is in the grip of a kind of “anti-Genesis” described as “a diabolical pride aimed at eliminating the family”. He will pray for society to be cleansed of the “filth” that surrounds it and be restored to purity, freed from “decadent narcissism”.
Particular condemnation is reserved for scientific advances in the field of genetic manipulation. Warning against the move to “modify the very grammar of life as planned and willed by God”, the Pope will lead prayers against “insane, risky and dangerous” ventures in attempting “to take God’s place without being God”.
[quotations from Ruth Gledhill, "Pope condemns geneticists 'who play at being God'"), Times Online, 14 April 2006; first seen at Pam's House Blend.]
The "blistering attack" (wouldn't "welt-raising whipping" be more appropriate?) will come in the form of meditations that Benedict will peform during the ritual stations of the cross. He did not actually write the meditations himself, but is mouthing the words of Archbishop Angelo Comastri, Vicar General at Vatican City.
My problem is that when I read something like this:
At the Third Station of the Cross, where Jesus falls for the first time, Archbishop Comastri has written: “Lord, we have lost our sense of sin. Today a slick campaign of propaganda is spreading an inane apologia of evil, a senseless cult of Satan, a mindless desire for transgression, a dishonest and frivolous freedom, exalting impulsiveness, immorality and selfishness as if they were new heights of sophistication.”
I can't help thinking of our affliction by today's un-holy trinity: G.W. Bush, the neo-conservatives, and the evangelical extremists.
- "Slick campaign of propaganda"? Think of all those spontaneous "town meetings" where Bush delivers lie after lie — well, perhaps "untruths" is kinder! — about social security, weapons of mass destruction, the "mission accomplished" in Iraq, not to mention the money secretly paid to "journalists" to promote "No Child Left Behind" [sic]. Really, the list, if not strictly speaking endless, is far longer than any rational person can keep track of.
- "inane apologia of evil" clearly refers to the ever-engaging, ever-changing neo-con newspeak. Some of us of a certain age can remember laughing at the absurdity of Reagan's "peace keeper" missiles. Now every bill in congress comes with its misdirecting title to hide the continuing assault on the less-than-rich to the benefit of the more-than-rich. "The rising tide floats all boats", unless the tide is directed to an exclusive marina protected by locks.
- "senseless cult of Satan"? Greed has always been thought the root of all evil, personified by Satan. The free market will provide! Don't bite the invisible hand! There is a reason why the CEO of your company makes over 700 times your income. Just trust us!
- "a mindless desire for transgression": Tom DeLay, Bill Frist, Swift-Boat Veterans, Bush, Guanonamo Bay, Plamegate, Iraq, "Patriot" Act, Illegal "Wiretapping"….
- "a dishonest and frivolous freedom"– curtailing the Constitution in the name of fighting terrorism, etc.
- "exalting impulsiveness"? To keep it simple, let's go with W's believing that he's told by God what to do, when policy advisors might give him better advice.
- "immorality and selfishness as if they were new heights of sophistication" = "the Republican Party is the party of new ideas".