Pope Benedict set to cancel Irish visit after harsh criticism of Vatican

Intercessor..." Jesus warned us, "By their fruits you will know them!" So true.. Great post.

The pope is german, so like his hero Adolf he will hide all the killers of innocent souls and ask the victims to forgive and forget the past. that fool is not welcome in my country.. Limerick..

Jesus warned us, "By their fruits you will know them!" Look at "The fruits" of the Popes and Vatican of the 20th century and the beginning of this one! Since when is covering up for Pedophile Priests and High-hatted bishops, who shuffle them from parish to parish considered to be "A Fruit of the Spirit?" Since when are lies and criminal coverups "A Fruit of the Holy Spirit? Jesus promised, "The Kingdom of God is within!" It is the ONLY kingdom that the Gates of Hell can't come against! Celtic Christianity was a simple, humble, SACRED experience, built on God's Word, rather than reams of Canon Law dreamed up by High-hatted clerics, who have nothing better to do with their time. If Pope Benedict were truly the representative of Christ on Earth, would he have allowed the coverups of criminal acts of Priest Pedophilia, in every country on this planet? Think about it, and then ask yourself if Ireland can afford the expense of his coming not only in monetary terms, but in spiritual terms?

Maybe Pope Benedict XVI realizes that the Catholics of Ireland, as well as the Catholics of other countries are sick and tired of the Vatican expressing remorse for criminal acts of Priest Pedophilia and then turning around and ordering her bishops, archbishops and cardinals to continue to coverup abuse. The stories are the same, all over the world. It makes little difference if they are in the Archdioce of Cloyne, Philadephia or Missouri, the bishops, archbishops and cardinals continue to play "The Vatican Game of Obfuscation." Say one thing to satisfy the people and the press and then turn around and do EXACTLY what you've always done: Protect Church Assets and Pedophile Priests!

@Collette2 - I think you misjudge the intelligence of the so called "Sheeple" in 21st Century Ireland. I say that on the basis of my own reaction to all the revalations. The fact remains that Churches are emptying, even during a recession. The number of ordinates for the Priesthood is negligable; some diocese have had no new ordinations for years. No I dont think the churches will empty overnight,nor should they. Why should committed catholics give up their right to express themselves as a faith community. After all it was Christ, and not a Cleric who said, "where two or three are gathered in my name, I will be there also" So we can celebrate as a faith community. That still allows us to return the collection baskets, the parish envelopes empty. We can refuse to support, or withold our support as we deem appropriate. If all of a sudden, there are no volunteers to clean the church, count the collection, operate parish sponsored services, then I think that will start to focus minds. It is "our church" We are the church on earth. Wherever we gather in Gods name, God will be present with us, priest or no priest. If God is truly with his people in these difficult times, then the Church as we have known it for countless generations is well and truly f ed and no Prince of the Church will be able to turn that around!!

I seriously don't think this is truly spiritual move by the Vatican, like all governments it's political, and they will find their way back using spiritual emotions of the faithful. With the economic climate as it is, the financial cost to the church has well been considered don't worry.

They are all cowards, and lets face it the cover up started at the top just like our bankers and we all know how that ended.Let us stop blaming the religion and start blaming the people running the business,because at the end of the day thats all it is.

The Coward Mcghee is said to be in hiding, some say in the vatican others say in the USA either way he should stay in hiding and never show his face. The pope benny should join him in hiding and keep his criminal associates close to his person to defend him. The papal statesmen and church princes should also gravitate toward their holy mecca, the vatican. Each investigation just reinforces the previous ones about the coverups in the church and the un-holiness of their actions.

Now would be a good time for the Catholics of Ireland to break with the Vatican and return to Celtic Christianity: the religion of Patrick, Brigid, and Colum Cille; the church that produced the Book of Kells; a church where priests were allowed to marry.

You mention the eucharist. Martin Luther made a long pilgrimage to the Vatican and made note of a remark made by a Vatican priest who was assisting him prepare for the mass. The priest said "bread thou art and bread thou shalt remain". They knew it was all made up in those days.

Can anyone take seriously a mystico-religious woo-woo absolute monarchy and the prancing princes of the church? Please. The costume ball should end. If religion is real, it must be simple. If Catholicism is real, its center is the Eucharist, not the pope.

Is this the same government that let all their rich friends steel off the working man? Did anyone go to jail or did they all get their bonus.

If God exisred why are we here.

I like your post ballyanger and agree with all you say.I like millions of others have been indroctrined and was one of the sheep who became enslaved. A bit of peace of mind towards the end will help instead of this judgement nonsence which is their way of keeping control. My way of deprogramming,which it is, was to come to the belief that there is no such thing as sin,it is man made. Why would a so called loving God judge his own creation? And i have also come to the conclusion that God has not manifested himself or herself to anyone or any relegion. As for believing in the existance of God thats up to the individual. In my case i say whatever there is after death ,i accept. You have probably noticed the Church is continually saying sorry,thats how infallable they are. Funny how the sheep keep coming back for more.Not me though.

The pope should hide in shame who needs him,he's a sanctimonious hypocrite.He should stand down as pope.