The Visit of Pope Benedict XVI

The visit has attracted a very different level of debate to that of Pope John Paul II in the
1980’s.

It is a State Visit.

On Friday evening – a fascinating conversation hosted by George Galloway on Talk

Sport covered most of the key areas
-the role of the Roman Catholic Church in Britain
-the plight of the Roman Catholic Church on some issues [handling of child abuse
allegations and the forbidding of contraceptives in country’s affected by HIV]
-the future shape and direction of the Vatican

All of the Anglican bishops will meet with the Pope on Friday at Lambeth Palace
The Pope will attend a service in Westminster Abbey
As fellow Christians in Britain the visit poses some interesting and intruiging questions

Four quick things:

1) We are reminded of the life and work of St Peter:

Oxford Dictionary of Popes
JND Kelly is the Editor the Oxford Dictionary of Popes
“The Papacy, through successive popes and councils has always traced its origins
and title deeds to the unique commission reported to have been given by Jesus
Christ to Peter, the chief of his Apostles, later to be martyred whilst organising the
earliest group of Christians at Rome.”

2) We should reflect on the interaction of the Pope on the history of these islands since
earliest times
Pope Gregory
Culminative affect of the Reformation on the Vatican
How our history has been in part determined by this relationship.

3) Remind ourselves of the enormous contribution made by this Pope in pushing the
Church Universal back to the life and teaching of Jesus.
His emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount is commendable even though some of his
conclusions are different: This is a theological Pope.
Not into personality. Much more low key.

4) What does this week hold out for us with regards to church unity?
Seems a long time since Pope Paul VI handed Michael Ramsey and Episcopal ring
There is absolutely no doubt that although various manifestations of Christian expression
are inevitable – the unity of the Church is our responsibility before God.
Not that we should all be the same: but that we should extend courtesy, civility and
understanding to those who are culturally and ecclesiologically different.
The Pope arrives in heaven, where St. Peter awaites him. St. Peter asks who he is.

The Pope: "I am the pope."

St. Peter: "Who? There's no such name in my book."

The Pope: "I'm the representative of God on Earth."

St.Peter: "Does God have a representative? He didn't tell me ..."

The Pope: "But I am the leader of the Catholic Church ..."

St. Peter: "The Catholic church ... Never heard of it ... Wait, I'll check with the boss."

St. Peter walks away through Heaven's Gate to talk with God.

St. Peter: "There's a dude standing outside who claims he's your representative on earth."

God: "I don't have a representative on earth, not that I know of ... Wait, I'll ask Jesus."
(yells for Jesus)

Jesus: "Yes father, what's up?"

God and St. Peter explain the situation.

Jesus: "Wait, I'll go outside and have a little chat with that fellow."

Ten minutes pass and Jesus reenters the room laughing out loud. After a few minutes St.
Peter asks Jesus why he's laughing.

Jesus: "Remember that fishing club I've started 2000 years ago? It still exists!"