now hear this

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Apr 14, 2008

Though their contempt is rooted in different antagonisms, the angry Americans featured in this AP story have pretty much all the same message: "The papacy is so obsolete, so distant, so irrelevant to contemporary life, that we're going to travel to Washington to make sure the world hears our proclamation of its pointlessness."

The groups have planned vigils, demonstrations and news conferences to press their causes as the pope visits Washington and New York. On Monday evening, the eve of his arrival, supporters of women's ordination will host what they are calling "an inclusive Mass" at a Methodist church in Washington, presided over by Catholic women -- including two who were recently excommunicated.

In a word, thinking Catholics have ignored the pope for years, that's why it's urgent to warn them not to be taken in by his discourses in the week to come.