smart enough
By Diogenes (articles ) | September 27, 2007 10:56 AM
Speaking to the local newspaper about the motu proprio, Bishop Paul Zipfel of Bismarck, North Dakota, included a new explanation among his reasons for accepting the Pope's direction.
"The Holy Father is smarter than I am, and he has good reason for what he’s doing," Zipfel said.
That's probably true; the Pope is a very smart man. Still, give the bishop credit: at least he's smart enough to notice. (Socrates had something to say on this issue, as I recall.)
There are a whole lot of people out there who think they're smarter than the Pope. The "smart money" says they're wrong-- in fact, that they're not as smart as Bishop Zipfel.
[Tip to Father Z for the reference to the bishop's interview.]
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Posted by: -
Sep. 28, 2007 1:38 PM ET USA
If only 90 percent of the bishops had the humility of Bishop Zipful-just think how conditions in the Church could change for the better. Obedience in the religious life is the second requisite after humility, and it "doubles" the merit. I was impressed with the efficiency I observed when on active duty with the Air Force-it sprang in part, from the quick obedience of the men generated by discipline coupled with expert knowledge of their duties and fostered by good leadership.Bishops-take note!!!
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Posted by: -
Sep. 27, 2007 9:35 PM ET USA
The Pope leads the Church. His information on the Church and its needs comes from all areas. He most of all people knows the needs of the Church and the faithful. The bishop uses "smart" as a key word for B16 's understanding of the times and what is needed. A retrencment to the basic liturgy is needed to control the mindless frivolities of the N.O. improvisations. We need Bishop Zipfel on the West Coast.
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Posted by: -
Sep. 27, 2007 6:18 PM ET USA
I hope Bishop Zipfel said what he did only because he was talking to the secular press. Certainly Joseph Ratzinger is smarter than most of us. But I hope that's not why he accepts his direction. I doubt that Peter was the smartest Apostle. That didn't make any difference.
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Posted by: -
Sep. 27, 2007 4:46 PM ET USA
Vivi il Papa! Pope Benedict is the Vicar of Christ after all.
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Posted by: -
Sep. 27, 2007 1:07 PM ET USA
Having read half of Ratzinger's books -and working my way through the rest- it is clear the Pope Benedict is a very, VERY SMART man. Also very logical, methodical, and 100% dedicated to Christ. He has my trust.
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Posted by: -
Sep. 27, 2007 12:34 PM ET USA
The Pope IS highly intelligent, and it takes real humility by a Bishop to admit publicly the fact. Why have religious/spiritual matters become the one area (along with art - and even that's in doubt) where everyone believes that their opinion, however ill-informed, is just as good as anyone else's? Intelligence, knowledge, a lifetime of focused attention and study, seem to count for nothing in the eyes of many.
