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With popes JP 2 and Benedict, they were a major part of the problem. I think it fairly clear that Francis is probably personally on the side of the angels, but it's unclear whether he will have the capacity to do something about it in so vast, ancient, and byzantine an oganisation as the RCC. Perhaps over the long run, he can appoint more enlightened bishops, publish more progressive encyclicals, encourage reforms, etc.
The RCC is dying on the vine in western Europe, North and South America, and elsewhere. The pedophilia scandal is only the most recent revelation of the RCC's secrecy and their smugly superior attitude that they knew best and the people should always adapt to their will. Because of their:
(1) failure to protect children from sexual predators;
(2) insisting on banning birth control on a planet bursting at the seams with excess population;
(3) attempting to subvert women into inferior roles and especially not ordaining women as priests;
(4) not allowing clergy to marry (or have true significant others), isolating their leadership from one of the most important institutions in the world and promoting sexual hypocrisy;
(5) teaching poverty and abstinence, yet practicing institutional gluttony and ostentatiousness;
...and the list goes on and on and on....
they will continue to shrivel and be viewed as irrelevant.
I would note where the RCC IS growing, most notably Africa, the church hierarchy intentionally looks the other way as priests marry (sometimes multiple wives) and father children.
It's said the pope wields enormous power until he tries to use it. IMHO, Francis is the best thing that's happened to the RCC since Vatican II, but it's still unclear what he may accomplish.
I still have some western boots I had in HS. I own at least one t-shirt from 20 years ago that I can comfortably still wear.
I have other vintage shirts from HS, college, and graduate school that are too small for me currently, but I will presumably be able to wear again as my soon-to-be gastric bypass works its magic on me. I also have leather shorts and chaps that I'm looking forward to being able to fit into and wear.
You don't realize how poorly fat persons' clothes fit and how well skinny peoples' clothes fit until you go up and down the weight chart; because of this, some designer clothes don't go higher in the waist than 34 or 36....
Generally, if you are still the same weight you were when you graduated from HS, congratulations! If you're still the same weight AND still have the same waist size, SUPER congratulations!
Teens, if you're at all overweight, the time to lose that weight is NOW. It will only get harder as you age. Carrying around excess fat has a long, long list of detrimental effects on your health and self-confidence.
I was 140 kilograms in highschool, I'm only 93 now. I say I've done well.
Soooooooo I was wondering: am I the only one around here who likes soccer?
I'll watch it, but I prefer rugby and hockey.
I hate soccer :p With a passion! lol :D
I dunno, it does have nice eye candy, and usually oscar worthy acting.
Vampkyrie, LGBT Equality, Djanoubia, Cale nova, and 1 otherLower mountain
That is so true. :D Still I prefer other sports where politics don't really go into the game. :D
Hey dudels what's up
Post self-deleted by Superflybiguy.
14 hours ago: Fennijer ceased to exist.
Oh dear :(
I'm sure Fennijer will be back :)
Steve lived in London, England.
In real life, Steve had it pretty rough. He was plagued by illnesses mental and physical for most of his life. He was a smoker and once commented, "I would be happy if I got sick from smoking, for then it would be something under my control." Towards the end, he had a cancerous lump on his liver. He was originally told it would not be terminal unless it opened. Later, the doctors told him it was indeed terminal and that he would have less than 2 months to live. I do not know if Steve himself is still alive, although I rather doubt it.
Apparently, in utero, Steve absorbed at least part of a sister embryo, thus he had at least one ovary. As such, he was our first out intersex member.
The name "Fennijer" came to be because that was how Steve pronounced the name of his sister, Jennifer, as he was learning to talk.
Fennijer served several terms on our Regional Council with distinction. He was one of our very most active players and also one of our most brutally honest players with a caustic wit. I don't recall that he was ever wrong.
Back when Gay was heavily into roleplaying, Fennijer was one of the most active players. His signature character was Empress Jennifer Serpentine, who was the ruthless ruler of the nation of Fennijer. Serpentine ruled Fennijer with an iron fist and her enemies and critics tended to disappear overnight or die from strange maladies. She would not make public appearances for long periods of time, apparently having had cosmetic procedures. She had an extremely active interest in the flora of the Bear Paw Islands and especially the toxic plants native to Fennijer. Fennijer was a technological backwater, since most of the country's energies were devoted to preserving and exploiting plant life. With a tepid interest in Civil Rights and Political Freedoms and an aversion to Economy and Economic Freedoms, Fennijer was usually a Democratic Socialist nation.
Towards the end, Jennifer Serpentine took an interest in becoming a recording star. While she dropped several albums, she never received the international attention she thought she deserved.
Steve suffered from agoraphobia, a fear of crowds/open places. He seldom left his flat except for medically necessary trips or groceries. While he desperately wanted to meet fellow NationStates members in London, friends who would visit London, or accept invitations to travel to meet his friends, his illness mostly kept him isolated.
While Steve was a Pagan, he was more open to discussions with Christians than most of the members of Gay. He was an informal ambassador to several regions.
Steve had a colourful cast of puppets, most notably Lorettastan and Hairy Mary the Scary Fairy. He also roleplayed a civil war in Fennijer, leading to the creation of the highly capitalistic nation, New Fennijer.
Fennijer was voted honourary Founder and WA Delegate of Gay as well as receiving a commendation for Outstanding Citizen of Gay. Please upcheck this article as a tribute to Fennijer.
It's good, I like it.
-homodia-, Vampkyrie, LGBT Equality, and Cale nova
It's a sad day.
I will miss Fenn, Fenn was one of the few nations that supported my efforts to expel a zooiphile from Gay. Wherever you are now, I wish you the best.
Discoveria and Phoenix throne
Leaving a keg of rum after hoisting one in memory of Fennijer.
LGBT Equality and Cale nova
There was a zoophile here at one point?
Ew...
Did anyone know Fennijer's rl surname? If so, then we could get a confirmation of his death :/
45 minutes ago: Felicitaca ceased to exist.
45 minutes ago: Gluecklicha ceased to exist.
45 minutes ago: Freddie queen ceased to exist.
45 minutes ago: Matia bazar ceased to exist.
45 minutes ago: Italian love-lovers ceased to exist.
45 minutes ago: Gay aspirationes ceased to exist.
45 minutes ago: Magniolika ceased to exist.
45 minutes ago: Aqua stella maris ceased to exist.
45 minutes ago: Rainbowya ceased to exist.
45 minutes ago: Denux ceased to exist.
46 minutes ago: The Republic of Cichonia ceased to exist.
46 minutes ago: The Community of Super Gay and Lesbian Heroes ceased to exist.
46 minutes ago: The Democratic Republic of Aurore de la Joie ceased to exist.
46 minutes ago: The Free Land of House Music ceased to exist.
Holy puppet death, Batman!
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