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In reply to the discussion: The Pope is resigning? [View all]Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)30. He sets the path of the Catholic Church.
His doctrine is extremely conservative. It is anti-LGBT, anti-abortion, anti-birth control among other things. In addition he appoints people to enforce this doctrine or at least enforce its message.
When the President was trying to get his health care proposal passed, he had to deal with the Catholic Bishops. If they did not like it, they held sway with enough in Congress to block it. In these matters he happens to be closely aligned with the ultra-right wing. That group cannot be ignored unfortunately.
I cannot give you more info if you refuse to believe it. He controls minds and beliefs. That can be as powerful as armies.
You can wishfully think he is a nonentity. You could not be more wrong.
That's what HE DOES.
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As head of more than a billion Catholics and the Vatican, he is a "Head of State"
hlthe2b
Feb 2013
#15
Defines Catholic policy--sets both tone and interpretation for Catholic theology...
hlthe2b
Feb 2013
#23
You see daily in our political discussions the power exerted by this and other religious hierarchies
hlthe2b
Feb 2013
#28
There are many Catholics, my parents included, who would bend to the Pope's will
Drahthaardogs
Feb 2013
#45
No - he's too old (over 80), even if the rules would allow an ex-pope to take part
muriel_volestrangler
Feb 2013
#19
2004: Cardinal Ratzinger Ordered John Kerry Be Denied Communion before he was "promoted"
Kolesar
Feb 2013
#34
He wants to be able to devote more time to making the Death Star fully operational
MNBrewer
Feb 2013
#48