Category Archives: Religion

OBAMA’S AUDIENCE WITH POPE FRANCIS WILL BE VOID OF THE USUAL PROTOCOL

January 22, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

The Vatican – When in Rome, do as the Romans do; when in The Vatican, do as the Pope does.

Both The Vatican and The White House have confirmed that U.S. President Barack Obama will meet with Pope Francis on March 27. It is no secret that Obama had always wanted to have an audience with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Obama’s official visit to The Vatican will not be like any other by a sitting U.S. president. Pope Francis has insisted that any bureaucratic and elitist protocols by The White House or the U.S. State Department must be thrown out the door the moment Obama steps into Vatican territory.

No secret service agents will be allowed past the gates of The Vatican. There will not be any presidential limousine that will take Obama into and around The Vatican (Instead, the Obamas will share rides with the Pope in his old, borrowed Fiat). Both Barack and Michelle will stay in the same apartment that Pope Francis is staying in along with other Roman priests. And instead of the usual state dinner, the Obamas will join Pope Francis that evening in sneaking out of The Vatican to minister to the homeless.

The Obamas seem not to have any problems with The Vatican’s conditions, except for one thing: the Obamas cannot bring First Dog Bo into the papal apartment because Pope Francis is allergic to dogs. That means Bo will have to stay behind in Washington, D.C. in the care of the Obamas’ pet sitter.

Religion, Technology

CONFESSION? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT; OPPOSED BY PHILIPPINE BISHOPS

December 20, 2013 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Cupertino, California – Last week, The Adobo Chronicles reported that The Vatican confessionals were being overwhelmed by women and gay Catholics as a result of the 2014 Vatican Priests calendar which features the best-looking Catholic priests in Rome.

Now, thanks to an iPhone app, the number of Catholics going to confession has dramatically increased in the final week before Christmas — no priests needed, at least not during the digital part of the confession. The app is called “Confession: A Roman Catholic App.” Designed to be used in the confessional, this app is the perfect aid for every penitent. With a personalized examination of conscience for each user, password protected profiles, and a step-by-step guide to the sacrament, this app invites Catholics to prayerfully prepare for and participate in the Rite of Penance.

The text of this app was developed in collaboration with Rev. Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, Executive Director of the Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Rev. Daniel Scheidt, pastor of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mishawaka, IN. The app received an imprimatur from Bishop Kevin C. Rhodes of the Diocese of Fort Wayne. It is the first known imprimatur to be given for an iPhone/iPad app. The features include:

– Custom examination of Conscience based upon age, sex, and vocation (single, married, priest, or religious)
– Multiple user support with password protected accounts
– Ability to add sins not listed in standard examination of conscience
– Confession walkthrough including time of last confession in days, weeks, months, and years
– Choose from 7 different acts of contrition
– Custom interface for iPad
– Full retina display support

While the app has gained popularity in the U.S., Europe and Latin America, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has publicly and vehemently rejected its use in the Philippines, admonishing the country’s estimated 75 Million followers to keep the tradition of confessing “in person.” Pressed on by reporters, CBCP admitted that its main objection to the app was that it would lead to a significant decline in church attendance which would also mean a sharp decrease in church revenue from the collection basket.

The CBCP is listed among the top investors in the Philippine Stock Exchange. A decrease in revenue would have a negative impact on the church’s investment portfolio.

International, Politics, Religion

CATHOLIC CARDINALS GO ON HUNGER STRIKE OVER POPE FRANCIS’ NEW DIRECTIVE

December 18, 2013 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Rome, Italy – Pope Francis continues to surprise the Roman Catholic Church with his unprecedented papal lifestyle changes. He has chosen to abandon the plush papal residence to live in a modest Vatican apartment with other clergy. As previously reported by The Adobo Chronicles, the pontiff has also auctioned off his popemobile, red shoes and pure gold jewelry on eBay.

Now, his cardinals are vehemently protesting his latest directive banning the church’s princes from wearing the traditional magna capa, the ceremonial robe that has a long train much like a wedding dress. In issuing the directive, Pope Francis reminded his cardinals that “we are fishermen, not royal kings or queens. Our power comes from God, not from the worldy symbols of opulence like thrones and scepters and robes.”

As part of the protest, the cardinals have threatened to go on a hunger strike beginning at midnight on Christmas. They said they will call off the strike only if Pope Francis rescinded his directive. “His Holiness must understand that the magna capa is the one last remaining pleasure we are privileged to have as bishops of Rome,” said one of the protesting cardinals.