generalspeaking

No Problem, Have a Nice Day

Truly, the Vatican over-extends itself in informing and indeed, surprising those of us unaware of its deep heritage in forgiveness of one's sins through absolution. The deep and abiding kindness that is the foundation of Christianity is truly amazing. To be absolved of sins of vile commission, to no longer suffer the burden of absolute knowledge of responsibility for deeds ill done, must be a great relief to a great many.

Of course, as has been recently revealed by the Vatican - in its very recent attempt to persuade greater numbers of penitents to approach and be blessed - there are quite particular levels of sin. Some can be readily forgiven, others are so beastly in their atrocious commission that it takes a good deal more than a casual blessing to relieve the sinner of guilt.

The mechanisms of forgiveness that relate to the Apostolic Penitentiary, considered to be reflective of a "tribunal of conscience" have been in use by the Holy Roman Catholic church for the past eight centuries. No one would deny that represents an awfully long period of observance - and patiently loving forgiveness for those truly penitent of their sins.

The Apostolic Penitence, we are informed, represents as the Vatican's highest court. Brought to their patient attention are those acts, dreadful deeds so dire that only the Pope himself, the Good Father, the Shepherd of God and of Hope, may undertake to lead the sinner toward righteousness and ultimately, forgiveness, shedding the sinner's conscience of guilt.

And what, the curious among us enquires, represents a deed so grave that it must require, singularly, the intervention of the Holy Father to absolve the guilty? Why, for example, one who would, in their depravity, defile the Eucharist. Make light of the wafer and the wine, the body and the blood of the living Christ.

On the other hand, commit another kind of atrocity, say for example, murder - multiple murders - serial murder - genocide, and that's another thing altogether. For those expressing true humility and repentance, absolution is quite a bit closer at hand. A local bishop, or a priest may be tasked with the consoling task of hearing such a confession, and healing the troubled soul.

What a truly sensible dispensation of God's mercy. The utility of which was recognized by Pope Alexander II, and which he established in 1179, that good and wise man. So that should any think to pursue a crime so heinous as to blaspheme against the symbol of divinity, sacrifice and torment, only the intervention of a pope may save that malefactor from eternal damnation.

Commit homicide, triple homicides, and try out for genocide, and forgiveness is at hand. Makes sense, after all. We've seen or heard of just such loving forgiveness extended to repentant Nazis immediately post-WWII, when the Vatican extended its forgiveness for the slaughter of countless innocents, spiriting the forgiven offender to safety from prosecution by the courts of justice set up by the Allies.

Deploring, doubtless, the Nuremburg Trials sitting in temporal judgement against mass murderers - those who obediently, unquestioningly followed orders, and committed countless acts of inhumanity, exemplifying untold atrocities - and throughout the process holding the convicted to a different standard altogether.

Choices, responsibility, humanity and guilt; all in the eye of the beholder. Behold the deliberations of the Roman Catholic Church. All can be forgiven. Almost.

Labels: Justice, Realities, Religion

posted by Pieface @ Friday, January 16, 2009