Pope Francis ditches the Bling.

Well, His Holiness Pope Francis is of to a good start.

It seems he's got rid of the outrageously extravagant golden throne and replaced it with a more modest plain white chair.

Gone too is the raised platform carpeted in finest red trimmed in gold.

The ermine lined red velvet cape and the elaborately gold embroidered stole are conspicuous by their majestic absence.


That's not all... Those beautiful red loafers, hand crafted by Pope Benedict's personal cobler: Andriano Stefanelli are replaced by comfortable plain black lace-ups, a little battered but well cared for.

Gone is the beautifully intricate golden crucifix depicting some guy hanging from a torture device, replaced by a simple iron cross.

The solid gold Papal ring belonging to Benedict, according to tradition, now has to be destroyed, presumably in the fires of Mordor. Pope Francis has opted for a simple silver plated signet ring.

There is a saying "The Clothes Maketh the Man". If this is so, I'm expecting to see a switch from a Vain, arrogant, self glorifying hypocrite to someone who is more in touch with reality, someone who realises such a vulgar display of extravagant wealth is offensive to most of the world, especially to those living in abject poverty and doubly so when the man festooned in Golden Bling, living in a palace is pointing his finger at the rest of the world criticizing us for greed and the desire for material wealth.

My hope is that Pope Francis will also have a clear out of all the perverts, corruption and hypocrisy from within the clergy. Perhaps this is too much to ask. It maybe the case that the Vatican expects superficial changes to the Papal image and a thorough PR makeover will divert our attention from the fundamental flaws within the Roman Catholic Empire.

I could be very mistaken in my observations. It maybe the case that the Papal Throne makers are at this very moment constructing an even more elaborate display for another Peacock Pope... but so far... this does not seem to be the case. While far from acceptable, things do seem a little less repugnant in the Vatican.

Only time will tell.

Paedophile Boss lectures Atheists on human dignity

The man who presides over the worlds largest paedophile ring has recently accused Atheists of denying human dignity.

This is the man who actively suppressed knowledge of the global child abuse scandal within the Catholic Church in case it damaged the reputation or the assets of the Church.

This is the man who on Dec 12th 2012 bestowed his blessings on Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of the Ugandan legislature who is sponsoring the 'Kill the Gays' Bill.

This is the man who organised special dispensation for Robert Mugabe, one or the worlds top 10 evil dictators to bypass an EU travel ban so he could attend the Beatification ceremony of Pope John Paul II.

This is the man who had his butler arrested and jailed (and forgiven) for exposing corruption and money laundering within the Vatican Bank.

This is the man who smacked down Dominican Nuns because they wanted the Catholic Church to focus less on issues of sexual orientation and more on social justice and the human dignity of all people... including women.

This is the man who condemns 2 million people to death from AIDS every year in Africa because he has decreed the wearing of Condoms is a Sin in the eyes of God.


This is the man who has the audacity to lecture me on Human Dignity.


Links:-

Pope blames Irish Clergy for child abuse problem in Ireland. 

Pope blocks dismissal of Paedophile Priest.

Open letter to the Pope urging further dismissals for cover-up culture.

National Catholic Register pulls article blaming the children for their own abuse.

Text of 1985 letter from future Pope Benedict on California sex abuse

Abuse victim sues Pope Benedict over failure to defrock

Pope blessed 'Kill the Gays' sponsor

Pope's anti-condom message is sabotage in fight against Aids