In recent weeks a scandal has been raging over myriad allegations of sexual abuse that have threatened to topple the Roman Catholic Church.
To some, it is ironic that Pope Benedict XVI is currently being crucified by a lynch mob (for hiding behind the pomp and circumstance of the Church) during the sacred Holy Easter weekend.
The sticky webs of intrigue are comparable to the tragic missteps of former U.S. President, Richard Milhous Nixon, in fact.
The attempted cover-up, after-the-fact, is a more heinous crime in many respects.
For the head of the Roman Catholic Church it is definitely a public relations disaster.
In a deceitful effort to effect some damage control - Father Raniero Cantalamessadog (the Pope's personal priest) - foolishly jumped into the fray which caused an even bigger uproar on good Friday (of all days) by making inflammatory remarks during a service.
During a sermon Cantalamessa read a letter aloud wherein a Jewish friend referred to accusations against Benedict and the Catholic church over the handling of sexual abuse of minors by priests as inappropriate.
Cantalamessa's friend, who was not cited by name, wrote that he was "following with disgust the violent and concentric attacks against the Church and the Pope," which reminded him of "the most shameful aspects of anti-Semitism".
The reaction from spiritual quarters the world-over was swift and severe.
Many Jewish leaders were outraged - for instance - and lamented in no uncertain terms that the comparison was "obscene" and "offensive".
Representatives for the victims of the sexual abuse condemned the analogy.
Rome's Chief Rabbi, Riccardo Di Segni, said the remarks were particularly insensitive because they were made on the day that Christians prayed for the conversion of the Jews, who were once held collectively responsible for Jesus' death.
Ouch!
Cantalamessa said he had included the excerpt from the letter in his sermon in a show of "solidarity for the Pope."
What a boo-boo!
A scant few hours later, the preacher apologized for comparing recent attacks against the Pontiff and the Catholic church to the persecution of Jews.
"If I hurt the sensibility of Jews and of the victims of pedophilia, then I am sincerely sorry and I apologize," father Raniero Cantalamessa told the Milan Daily (Corriere della Sera).
Cantalamessa also said Benedict, who was present at the ceremony, did not have prior knowledge of the contents of his sermon.
In fact, as the storm raged around him, Benedict continued on business as usual.
Benedict celebrated a Mass dedicated to the union between the Pope and the world's priests at St. Peter's Basilica on Holy Thursday.
Later that day, the Pontiff washed the feet of 12 priests in a symbolic ceremony to commemorate Christ's last supper with his 12 apostles on the evening before his crucifiction on good friday.
Meanwile, Venice Cardinal Angelo Scola, launched a full frontal-attack on the media.
In a homily on Thurday he categorized the Pope as a victim of "deceitful accusations."
What a load of hogwash.
Benedict has earned a revolting reputation for constantly ducking his responsiblities - and concealing his questionable past - from day one.
Shortly after he was installed at the Vatican, for instance, he proceeded to stall and delay in respect to questions put to him about his youth, and engaged in decietful bold-faced attempts to hide his associations with the Nazi's during World War II.
Finally, he bowed under pressure, and coughed up flimsy excuses.
"We were young. We did what we had to do during the occupation," he asserted in so many words.
Did the jews do that?
No, they stood strong in their beliefs, and fought back.
From that episode in his past, it is evident that Benedict was a selfish individual, who was prone to protect his own a** (at any cost) and at the expense of others.
Then, during the selection process at the Vatican, Benedict and his supporters engaged in a lot of backstairs politicking geared to wrest the seat of power at the Holy See from more suitable candidates.
The hush-hush way the clandestine proceedings were carried out behind-the-scenes raised more than an eyebrow or two.
There is also the question of his suitability for the role.
I don't think that Benedict - unlike Pope John Paul II - has ever been touched by the hand of God.
And, it is doubtful - in my opinion - that his mortal soul will ever be imbued with the holy spirit, either.
Pope Benedict XVI is an imposter, in fact.
In addition to being a hollow figurehead, the disreputable scoundrel is a disgrace to the Catholic Church.
The sooner he's ousted, the better!
Amen!
