Pope Picks another Hateful Bishop for Austria-Katrina 'God's punishment',

[Ichingcarpenter]

Don't forget to give to the collection plate this sunday


Anger as Pope names controversial bishop


Pope Benedict has promoted to bishop an ultra-conservative Austrian clergyman who called Hurricane Katrina "God's punishment" and condemned the Harry Potter books for "spreading satanism".

The appointment, which was confirmed by the Vatican at the weekend, comes days after the Pope was criticised for his rehabilitation of a bishop who denies the Holocaust.

Gerhard Maria Wagner, 54, is to become auxiliary bishop in the Austrian city of Linz, where he is viewed as a controversial figure by churchgoers and clergy alike. In 2005, he wrote in a parish newsletter that Hurricane Katrina was an act of "divine retribution" for the sins of a sexually permissive society.

He said it was worth considering whether environmental catastrophes should not be seen as a result of "spiritual environmental pollution" - a type of "divine retribution" for New Orleans' relaxed attitude towards sexual promiscuity and homosexuality.

"It is surely not an accident that all five of New Orleans' abortion clinics, as well as nightclubs were destroyed," he wrote, adding: "It's not just any old city that has gone under, but the people's dream city with the 'best brothels and the most beautiful whores'."

In 2001 he warned children against reading JK Rowling's novels about the boy wizard Harry Potter, describing them as spreading satanism.

In 2004 he said it was no coincidence that the Tsunami disaster had occurred at Christmas, inferring that it was punishment for "rich western tourists" who had "fled to poor Thailand".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/02/pope-controversial-austrian-bishop

[BlooInBloo]

1. (shrug) Religion. 'nuff said.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Interesting...The melding of the Nazis and the Papacy.

Remember what Sinclair Lewis said....

“When fascism comes to the United States it will be wrapped in the American flag and will be carrying a cross"

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. The Holocaust denier reinstated doesn't live in England he lives in.......

Argentina. I got that from the foreign press.


Seems that's where the Nazis found haven using ODESSA

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Ironically, lots of Jews fleeing Hitler also went to Argentina.

[JDPriestly]

4. I understood that the French Quarter in New Orleans, which was the most

famous center of stripclubs, etc. fared pretty well after hurricane. It was actually the houses of the poor, not of the less moral that were hit worst by the hurricane. Am I wrong?

[crimsonblue]

5. Instead of choosing a Hispanic, South American or an African pope

the college of cardinals chose a radical, nazi, white guy to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Considering the church is steadily losing relevancy, this pick makes sense.

[anonymous171]

7. The Pope dislikes Liberation Theology but apparently loves Fascist Theology. nt

[Loudmxr]

8. Foreign potentate honors man who thinks the deaths of 1000s of Americans is good.

I am just a little sick of this foreign leader sticking his nose into American politics. The Vatican is an independent country.

So where is the out cry?? This Austrian fellow and his god celebrates the deaths of our fellow Americans. Gotta get O'Reilly on this one. And Sean too!! Can't have those foreign weirdos dancing on the graves of Americans. :smoke:

[DailyGrind51]

9. His predecessor and supposed friend had kicked these bums out,

why is he inviting them back in? Perhaps, it is because John Paul II came from a country nearly destroyed by the country for whom Benedict VI wore the uniform?

[TWiley]

10. Hateful Religion ? .... No it cant be !

A Christ like church would make news. This is status quo.

[ima_sinnic]

11. hmmm, quite a stretch: "god" punished thailand w/tsunami bc of "rich western tourists"

apparently this "bishop" (& the rest of the despicable child molesters) can twist every natural disaster into god's hatred of "the West," i.e., the United States. Meanwhile, religious whackos in the U.S. get twisted at the thought of "under god" being left out of the pledge of allegiance, or "in god we trust" being eliminated from money. so is "god" blessing america, or wreaking vengeance on it? it's so confusing for the idolators, all of whom are supposedly worshipping the same lame "god."

[BrklynLiberal]

12. In minds like his, you reach your conclusion first, and then reason backwards to justify it.