Tag Archives: Pope Francis

THOUSANDS OF CATHOLICS FLOCK TO CHURCHES WITH THEIR PETS AFTER PRONOUNCEMENT FROM POPE FRANCIS

December 11, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Sao Paulo, Brazil (The Adobo Chronicles) – In Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines and other Catholic countries around the world, scenarios akin to the biblical Noah’s Ark were seen in many churches today, thanks to a pronouncement by Pope Francis during his regular weekly address at St. Peter’s Square in The Vatican.

The pope said that all animals go to heaven, as he tried to comfort a little boy who was upset about the death of his pet dog.

The Catholic Church and other religious groups have always maintained that animals, unlike human beings, have no souls and as such do not have “life after death.”

Upon hearing of the pope’s announcement, Catholics around the world flocked to their churches, tagging along their pet animals — from dogs and cats, to birds and snakes. They were one in fervent prayer that they and their furry, feathery and slimy friends will be reunited with them in heaven when they leave this mortal world.

It wasn’t even a Sunday, the traditional day of the week when Catholics attend mass and services at their churches. Church and parish officials are reportedly bracing for overcrowding and chaos as Catholics — and their pets — attend services this coming Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. It will be a scenario repeated over and over in many countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia.

With close to 127 million Catholics, Brazil has more Catholics than any other country, and 11.7 percent of the world’s Catholic population. Brazil is followed by Mexico (96 million), Philippines (76 million), United States (75 million), Italy (49 million), Colombia (38 million), France (38 million), Poland (35 million), Spain (35 million) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (31 million).

Religion, The Media

FILIPINO CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADER CRITICIZED FOR STATEMENT ON POPE FRANCIS’ PHILIPPINE VISIT

November 22, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Tacloban City, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) gave a piece of advice to Filipinos planning to attend the Masses to be celebrated by Pope Francis during his visit to the country in January.

“Bring your own food and drinks,” Fr. Marvin Mejia, CBCP secretary general, said during a recent press briefing. “There are logistical support being done but with the number of people expected to come… we are expecting thousands so it would be very, very difficult to find food,” Mejia said.

Devout Catholics immediately criticized Mejia’s statement, saying that it seems the CBCP official hasn’t read the bible. They reminded Mejia about two separate stories in the New Testament where Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish that fed thousands of followers who came to listen to him speak near Galilee, and created barrels of wine at a wedding party in the town of Cana where the hosts ran out of wine for their guests.

“Fr. Mejia seems to be a man of little faith,” said one resident of Tacloban who looks forward to attending the mass to be celebrated by Pope Francis at the Tacloban City airport. “The Pope can replicate what Jesus did, and I am not worried about not having anything to eat or drink,” he said.

Tacloban was the hardest hit when typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) devasted many towns and cities in Central Philippines last year.

Music, Religion, Travel

POPE FRANCIS CHOOSES CHARICE TO SING DURING HIS PUBLIC APPEARANCES IN THE PHILIPPINES

November 15, 2014 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

The Vatican, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – Unknown to many, Pope Francis has a very peculiar taste when it comes to music, and he has no problem making his preferences known even if it is frowned upon by The Vatican’s conservative Curia.

Just this week, Pope Francis selected punk singer Patti Smith to play at this year’s Vatican Christmas Concert in Rome next month. Smith’s booking has evoked a mixed response from Christian groups, with the Catholic organisation Portosalvo apparently describing the decision as “blasphemous”, following the singer’s 1975 song ‘Gloria’, which famously featured the lines: “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine.”

Today, the Pope announced that he has chosen Filipino singer Charice to sing ‘The Prayer’ at all his scheduled public appearances in Manila and Tacloban. The pontiff is scheduled to visit the Philippines January 15-19 next year.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is not happy about the Pope’s choice. Charice has come out recently as a lesbian and the Filipino bishops would rather have someone else sing for the Pope – heterosexual singers like Lea Salonga or born-again Christian Kuh Ledesma.

The Vatican, however, said that the Pope is just being consistent with his earlier pronouncement that gay men and women are also God’s children and that he is not in a position to judge them. “The Pope’s selection of Charice reflects that pronouncement, ” The Vatican said.