Pope bemoans rampant materialism at Xmas

buttmunch · December 12th, 2005, 03:12 AM

Quote:

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict warned on Sunday against rampant materialism which he said was polluting the spirit of Christmas.

"In today's consumer society, this time of the year unfortunately suffers from a sort of commercial 'pollution' that threatens to alter its real spirit," the Pope told a large crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square to hear his weekly Angelus blessing.

He said Christmas should be marked with sober celebrations and urged Christians to display a nativity crib in their houses as "a simple but effective way of showing their faith and conveying it to their children."

Last year, under Pope John Paul, the Vatican launched a high-profile campaign to urge Roman Catholic Italy not to compromise the spirit of Christmas through excess or dilute its message out of fear of offending a growing Muslim population.

OK, isn't this the same pope that just a few months ago accepted a free BMW? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

ourmaninBusan · December 12th, 2005, 07:10 AM

There's an Italian art film called "Fellini Roma" which features a
Vatican fashion show -- showing the fine silk clothing that the
upper elites of the Catholic church clothe themselves in, pointing out
that (a) they are in no position to lecture us about material
luxury and (b) many of the priests probably joined because
of the silk finery and not in spite of it.

And notice the Google ads on this thread -- "Pope John Paul Wristbands"...
"Nativity Scenes" for sale...www.discountcatholicproducts.com offers
"8,000 items" in their "super store."...talk about being undermined
by the system!

UndercoverGator · December 12th, 2005, 07:25 AM

I think ya'll missed the most important and hypocritcal part of the Pope ranting about materialism from his gold, marble and ormolo palace, one of the most ornate residences still being occupied in the world. People who live in crystal houses shouldn't toss rocks at others.