Hundreds of thousands of young people descending on Madrid this week for the Catholic church’s World Youth Day – which features processions, group prayers and a mass with Pope Benedict XVI – are to get a “special” concession.
Church leaders have ordered that anyone confessing, during this event, to having had an abortion – a sin punishable by excommunication – will be welcomed back into the church.
“Normally, only certain priests have the power to lift such an excommunication, but the local diocese has decided to give all the priests taking confession at the event this power,” said the pope’s spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi.
Two hundred white wooden confession booths have been set up in Madrid’s Buen Retiro park for the event, which started on Tuesday and runs until Sunday…
The driving force behind the deal is the archbishop of Madrid, Antonio María Rouco Varela, who persuaded the Vatican to offer women who had had abortions access to “the fruits of divine grace that will open the doors to a new life”…
Young Catholics making the trip to the Spanish capital will also gain a plenary indulgence – effectively a reduction in the time believers spend in purgatory after confessing and being absolved of their sins. These concessions were once sold by priests, but now the indulgences are granted on special occasions.
As seen on TV. All credit cards accepted.
A bargain at half the price. Just turn over your soul — and your wallet.
Odd, I thought god was forgiveness and love. All one need do is confess and repent.
I guess the church isn’t quite as understanding
As George Carlin said…
“Speciaaaaal dispensation!”
Uh, thanks but I’ll pass.
Waiting for the Black Friday sale rumored to include an iPad2
As most Christians believe that killing babies is kinda bad, getting a deep cleaning of your immortal sole is a pretty big deal. I’m not sure exactly why only certain priests work with women who off their progeny, but I’m thinking that they probably have extra training – much like a clinical therapist would. Those poor women must be carrying around a lot of baggage.
“Normally, only certain priests have the power to lift such an excommunication, but the local diocese has decided to give all the priests taking confession at the event this power,” said the pope’s spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi.
I would say kudos Federico for empowering his staff and improve efficiency.
Avoid the rush: become a Buddhist!
Rick:
I’m certain that applies to everyone, not just Christians.
To be a nitpicker, any read of the Bible will show that God is OK with killing babies, just not those of his people.
No, many feminists are OK with it.
I’m just wondering when they’ll start denying communion to Andrew Cuomo who is living with a woman not his wife. Isn’t public sin caused for denial of communion?
#11, Silly wabbit, sins are for the masses.
lol, I suppose the church is needing to bring in more weekly donors? At least Scientology is upfront about just wanting your money.
Mike, nobody is in favor of killing babies. Nobody.
#14 Olo
“This is what the Lord says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the slave girl, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again.'”
— Exodus 11:4–6
“Make ready to slaughter his sons for the guilt of their fathers; Lest they rise and posses the earth, and fill the breadth of the world with tyrants.” (Isaiah 14:21 NAB)
Just sayin…
What they are saying in the photo:
Hot chick: “Forgive me father, but I had to abort our child.”
Priest: “I agree child, it would have been disastrous for both of us. If only the Pope would allow me to wear a condom, this wouldn’t have happened. On the bright side, all my other conquests can quickly get abortions, and I can forgive them too.”
Priest thinking to himself: (“I will count my blessings and just poke young boys from now on.”)
“Plenary indulgence”—brings a cynical smile to my face.
Take yer pointy hat & shove it where the sun don’t shine.
Greedy b-tards eh what.
Fuck-em.
A question for any Catholics reading this blog.
Is it ok to pull out to reduce the chance of pregnancy?
Being a non-practicing Southern Baptist turned lay Buddhist-Quaker, I don’t know all the ins and outs (no pun intended).
I’m all for killing kiddies==even babies which is illegal to do today as only fetuses ((IE–not babies)) can be terminated under the law and in the third trimester, only when the mother’s health is at risk.
So like the religious to lie to reach their end goals. You know: a lie in the service of god gets you extra points.
but this program is SOOOO stupid, you’d think it would turn the masses away from the church even if they hadn’t aborted fetuses.
Yes, more IN YOUR FACE STUPIDITY that the public laps up and then thinks of it as some kind of “saving grace.”
Flinging their shit at all that is actually holy: their own m-f*king intellect.
Silly Monkeys.
why is that that new pope smell is more like old rental bowling shoes
comparison shop for your religion folks you just make up your own like all these at one time were
Catholicism not a good buy
http://religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm
Howard–nice chart. Including atheism is even fair given the other inclusions.
Protestant religions seem to be absent? Methodists, Lutherans, Anglicans, etc.
Number of Jews seems low.
Good start though. I was razor clear that Christian Science and Scientology were totally different. Ha, ha. And why should I?
Has god created a universe wherein by his grace all these religions are correct?–or does he play favorites????
Ha, ha.
@ #16
Looks like it’s a glory hole confession.
Meh.
The conversation got more interesting…
http://elpais.com/recorte/20110816elpepunac_10/XXLCO/Ies/Durante_confesion.jpg
Correct #9. I am certainly no longer Christian, but something in me says it’s murder and wrong.
#19 Pulling out makes no difference. You’re already in hot water at that point.
Might as well join this: http://ffrf.org/
So does this include guys?
Howard Beale,
I spent about an hour perusing your informative link.
It’s a great chart to shop for a deity.
I’ve been learning Jainism . Although there are no local Jainism organized groups I may check out the local Unitarian Universal-ism group. The only problem with UU is the use of scripture from “The Holy Bible”.
Thanks for the link Howard.
# 14 Olo Baggins, “…nobody is in favor of killing babies. Nobody.”
Weeeelllll. I’m not in favor of killing cattle, either. But, I sure do like me a good burger from time to time…