Pope Francis corruption fury: Tie them to a rock and throw them in the sea

[rug]

Impassioned sermon condemned corruption from those who donated to the church but stole from the state

Heather Saul
Tuesday 12 November 2013

Pope Francis delivered an impassioned sermon yesterday, during which he quoted a passage from the bible that said some sinners deserve to be tied to a rock and cast into the sea.

The Argentinian religious leader said Christians who donated money to the church but stole from the state were leading a "double life" and were sinners who should be punished.

Quoting from the Gospel of St Luke in the New Testament, he said: “Jesus says 'It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea',” because "where there is deceit, the Spirit of God cannot be".

Without directly mentioning corruption within the Catholic Church, in his sermon he described those involved in corrupt practices as “whitewashed tombs”, explaining that “they appear beautiful from the outside, but inside they are full of dead bones and putrefaction.” He said: "A life based on corruption is varnished putrefaction.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-corruption-fury-tie-them-to-a-rock-and-throw-them-in-the-sea-8934298.html

[No Vested Interest]

1. Does that include tax cheats?

I know of one person who gave large sums to Mother Theresa of Calcutta but through financial machinations caused huge problems and losses for individuals and institutions. Guess who he supported politically - not Dems.

Go get'em, Papa Francis!

[olegramps]

3. I wonder if the pope will address the obvious hypocrisy of many Catholic politicians?

I can not understand how many politicians, who claim they are faithful Catholics, can justify cutting nutrition assistance to millions of children and the working poor. While they enjoy lifetime medical insurance coverage they oppose providing any help to those who can not afford any coverage.

They appear to only use religion as a weapon to support their ideology and pander to their constituencies totally ignoring the basic teaching of Jesus in regard to our duty to assist those in need. I really wonder just how long this nation can survive when the Republicans refuse to compromise on any bill in their thinly veiled tacit endorsement of rank racism and outright contempt of the poor. The unrestrained hatred that spews forth from thousands of radical demagogues who dominate the radio airwaves 24/7 has poisoned our nation creating an environment that makes it virtually impossible for congress to accomplish anything of value. It seems that the obstructionism, gerrymandering, slashing of programs that assist those in need does not portend favorably for the future of our nation.

[bluedeathray]

2. I'm starting to like this guy

Not only is he making statements that seem genuine, heartfelt, and ecumenically correct, but he's representing the church's philosophy closer to the image of teachings of their leader than his predecessor.

Yeah I know he's still full of shit about abortion. And I'll believe this whole millstone thing when he wraps one around the pedophile priest's neck(s).

But so far, he's getting closer to what I imagine a world spiritual leader to be.

[IrishAyes]

4. Every step in the right direction is to be honored.

[IrishAyes]

5. Does anyone now doubt the snippet of a news story I heard only once on late-night news?

The one that said after Vatican officials refused to give up their luxury autos as Papa Francis insisted, that he went to the garage and smashed the windshields? Actually true or not, it certainly fits.