Reply #10: I agree.

[deadparrot]

I differ with the church's policies on abortion, gay rights, women's roles, Terri Schiavo, along with a myriad of other things. I can elaborate on my political decisions, but it's not necessary. Our archdiocese has recently been assigned an archbishop who told us that if we voted for Kerry, we were going to hell if we didn't confess, no exceptions. He has also begun procedures to remove girls from serving as altar servers. Our area has also had massive priest pedophilia (one of the priests was at my grade school while I was there and molested a friend I'd known since I was six), and the chuch has done little, if anything, to effect any sort of change.

I'm not whining; I just wanted to let you know why I've turned away...it will probably stay that way as long as the conservative side rules.

However, this pope is a good man. True, I disagree with some of what he says, but he has a true respect for life in all its forms, and I can fully respect that in a leader. He is kind, gentle, and has done countless things to help the poor and needy. He is a man of God, and hopefully he will be out of pain soon. He has done much good in his life, and I hope for a peaceful end to a prosperous existence.

Pope John Paul II is probably going home to God soon. And that is a good thing. :)