Have Your Say 

Recent Comments

1. Papal knighthoods? Does the Church really need them?
   True, I've never studied re the 'why' but I always cringe when I see a Papal knighthood granted.
   I feel that, in a sense, the Church is failing again to counter the criticism it is elitist.
   To continue to foster what appears to be an earthly reward system for good works perhaps argues against gospel values.
   Maybe it is also contra to the resolutions of Vatican II in that 'the Church is the people of God'.
   Grass roots people. Papal knighthoods? Let's give them the flick.

   Posted By: Bob Lewis

2. One would have hoped not... perhaps the English hierarchy should have hired the services of a a devil's advocate before dishing out the gongs.

   Posted By: JR,Sydney

3. Like Bob Lewis, I would like to see an end to papal knighthoods - and the abolition of the various kinds of monsignori.
   But I have known individuals who received one or other of these honours who were genuinely humble followers of Jesus and servants of the people.
   But people like Rupert Murdoch?
   In Easter Week 1991 I went on an 'Across' pilgrimage to Lourdes from Ireland with a group of people with disabilities.
   Across was one of Jimmy Savile's charities. Nobody on that pilgrimage had the slightest idea of the side to Savile's life that has come to light recently.
   But I've no doubt whatever that God's love was present among our group.

   Posted By: Fr Sean Coyle

4. Why should the church not issue papal knighthoods?
   They aren't necessarily elitist, and people of God doesn't mean everyone is absolutely equal: we all have different, more or less worthy achievements.
   Still, I would agree that the Holy See needs to be much more careful in awarding them.

   Posted By: Donald

5. And what double standards.
   The BBC lauded and feted this guy but where is the outcry over them? Where is their public penitence and regret.
   The papal knighthood is a red herring.

   Posted By: Peter in Canberra

• » Advertise in CathNews

Email to Friend Please fill out the following details (fields marked with a * are mandatory):
Send To Email Address*:
Send To Name *:
Sent By Email Address*:
Sent By Name *:
Text to include in email:
Captcha validation:	please enter the code above:

^ Page Top

Comment on this article

More from this section

1. CathNews Perspectives Vatican II special, delivered on Saturday

   This weekend, CathNews continues our special coverage to mark the 50th anniversary of Vatican II. Tomorrow's edition of CathNews Perspectives will feature a an article on the Council's first turning point, a reflection by Fr Michael Kelly on its fading legacy, and a book review about the Spirit of Vatican II.

   In these special editions, CathNews Perspectives will be delivered on Saturday mornings instead of the regular Friday afternoon timeslot.

    

2. Pope sends cardinals to Syria to promote peace, show solidarity

   A papal delegation of bishops, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, will travel to the capital of war-torn Syria in late October to show solidarity with victims and encourage peace negotiations, reports the Catholic News Service.

3. Pope backs Orthodox Church against Pussy Riot desecration

   Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his solidarity to the Russian Orthodox Church against the “desecration” of a church by feminist punk rock band, Pussy Riot, reports Vatican Insider.

4. Bishop warns: don't cut medical costs by targeting elderly

   Western nations must resist the pressure to "scapegoat, abandon, even kill, the elderly as a cost-cutting measure," the Bishop of Parramatta, Anthony Fisher, said in a major bioethics lecture in England, reports the Catholic News Service.
   

5. Priest charged over alleged offences

   A former NSW priest has been charged with 25 child-sex offences relating to three girls, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.