Poke the Pope

Listen up! The Vatican is launching a Facebook page dedicated to Pope John Paul II. They're doing this because they've discovered that the Facebook is a socially interactive website and creates a community. Imagine that!

PJPII is due to be 'beatified' in May which makes him one step closer to being named an official 'saint.'

One of the tricks he is alleged to have performed post mortem is to cure a nun of Parkinson's disease from which he suffered. Maybe once he's on board FB he'll be able to iron out some of the glitches.

Giving Them the Finger

I don't claim to understand this, but for some reason two of Galileo's fingers, the thumb and middle finger from his right hand, are on display in a museum in Florence. That woman is using one of her fingers to point to them.

I guess cutting off body parts of people one admired was all the rage in the eighteenth century. His fans also sawed off another finger, pulled a tooth, and yanked his vertebra.

As you remember, all is cool now because Pope John Paul II said the Church had made a mistake by arresting the astronomer after he had the balls to say the earth was not the center of the universe.

Today's Vatican Scandal(s) News

Pope John Paul II giving his blessing to pervert

That's Rev. Marciel Maciel pictured above getting the high five from PJPII in November of 2004.

It wasn't any secret, even back then, that the Reverend was up to no good. He founded the order, Legionaries of Christ, in Mexico in 1941 and went on to sexually abuse seminarians and father at least one child. I'm assuming he didn't father the child with a seminarian or that truly would have been a miracle.

According to the AP:

The late Pope John Paul II had long championed the Legionaries for their orthodoxy and ability to bring in vocations and money.

Jason Berry, who co-authored the initial reports in 1997 in Connecticut's Hartford Courant detailing the allegations of abuse against Maciel, has recently written in the U.S. Catholic publication National Catholic Reporter of how the late pope's secretary and No. 2 [ wouldn't that be the current pope?] allegedly intervened to protect Maciel and accept donations on his behalf.

Now Pope Benedict XVI is promising a full investigation.

In a statement, the Vatican excoriated the Rev. Marciel Maciel for creating a "system of power" built on silence, deceit and obedience that enabled him to lead a double life "devoid of any scruples and authentic sense of religion" and allowed him to abuse young boys unchecked.

Sounds like the Legionaries were just a microcosm of the Church as a whole.

Whipping Boy

In a new book about the late Pope John Paul II, it is revealed that His Holiness self-flagellated and, get this, even on vacation! I guess whipping yourself with a leather belt isn't just for work days anymore.

You may not have heard that PJPII is on the fast track to being named a saint by Pope Benedict XVI. I'm guessing that the revelation that he indulged in self-mortification, fasted and slept on the bare floor is only going to get him to sainthood faster.

According to the AP:

The Vatican must now confirm that a miracle attributed to John Paul's intercession occurred in order for him to be beatified — a step which many Vatican watchers have suggested may come as early as October.

I'm thinking this miracle thing could be a little problematic. Centuries ago, the faithful were a lot more open minded (or easily fooled) about miracles. In the 21st century I suspect fewer actually believe in them. Nevertheless I'm sure the powers that be will figure something out.