melon made some valid points.
I´m not a fan of Pope Benedict, he´s far too conservative. Like so many other people, my opinion is that amongst popes of the 20th century two of them stand out: John XXIII (Roncalli) and Paul VI (Montini). You may agree with me on John XXIII but when you hear Paul VI, one might automatically tie him to Humanae Vitae and the birth control pill. It is such a pity that the mass media of our modern, oh so liberal world, reduced him to that single point when it was Paul VI. who did much to help the poor people and who worked for peace. After all, it was him who said:
"If you want peace work for justice."
"No more war! Never again war! If you wish to be brothers, drop your weapons."
"Technological society has succeeded in multiplying the opportunities for pleasure, but it has great difficulty in generating joy."
As early as 1964, Paul VI created a Secretariat for non-Christian religions, renamed the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and a year later a new Secretariat for Non-Christian Believers. In 1971, he created a papal office for economic development and catastrophic assistance. To foster common bonds with all persons of good will, he decreed an annual peace day to be celebrated on January first. Trying to improve the condition of Christians behind the Iron Curtain, Paul engaged in dialogue with Communist authorities, receiving Foreign Minister Gromyko and Nikolai Podgorny, just like his predecessor Pope John XXIII who shocked the conservative Vatican circles by receiving Chrustschow (there was no problem with Kennedy). We also shouldn´t forget that John XXIII played a significant role in the Cuban crisis.
It is interesting to note that you all missed to comment this part of the interview with Pope Benedict XVI (Ratzinger): "..the Church does more than anyone else. And I stand by that claim. Because she is the only institution that assists people up close and concretely, with prevention, education, help, counsel, and accompaniment. And because she is second to none in treating so many AIDS victims, especially children with AIDS."
Like I said, I´m not a fan of this conservative Pope, but this statement is true. To everyone who so strongly opposes the Catholic church, see what good work many of its organisations do to help the poor and the suffering.
Who else does this, except of some NGOs? The liberals, who are more concerned about spreading their views in the media and patting themselves on their shoulders, than about poverty? The politicians and statesmen who send young men to war? The Wall street bankers? Oprah? Give me a break. Apart from bloating out how great condoms are to prevent AIDS, have you personally done a single thing to help those suffering from that disease? Have you been to Africa or Asia to give condoms to the people? Have you helped young Peruvian prostitutes to get out of their trap?
CNS STORY: In Peruvian jungle city, church works to help child prostitutes
Have you helped indigenous people in Brazil and seen your sister killed, like Bishop Krautler who helps the Xingu?
Right Livelihood Award: 2010 - Erwin Kräutler "I'm convinced that another world is possible, in which indigenous and poor people finally shall live in dignity and peace." There are many more of them.
I don´t think the majority of us, me included, have done that. TALKING about it and feeling oh so great and liberal, but DOING nothing, is complete FAKE RUBBISH.
Folks, apart from all the true and necessary criticism directed towards conservative church circles (and it is necessary, I completely agree!) - if you are serious you also should note that the Catholic church nowadays does a lot to help people all around the globe. It hasn´t always been like this (see history of the Catholic church) so I´m rather grateful for the role the church often plays in our modern, industrial world where everything is about sales, economy, growth, more money, more money, but still you don´t know who you are.