April 16, 2010, marks the 83rd anniversary of the birth of Joseph Ratzinger, better known to the world today as Pope Benedict XVI. Today's celebration will be rather low-key; the Holy Father has returned to the Vatican after spending some time at his summer residence, Castelgandolfo, a little ways south of Rome.
Two years ago, the Holy Father celebrated his 81st birthday during his first apostolic journey to the United States. He had a full schedule that day, including an official welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House and a celebration of vespers (evening prayer) and a meeting with the bishops of the United States at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, on the campus of The Catholic University of America in Northeast Washington, D.C. (You can see pictures from Pope Benedict's 81st birthday in my Photo Gallery of Pope Benedict's 2008 Visit to the United States.)
The Holy Father begins his 84th year at one of the most trying times of an extraordinarily difficult pontificate. Inaccurate or downright deceitful reporting of sexual-abuse scandals in the Catholic Church has concealed the fact that no other high-ranking prelate has done as much, both before his election as pope and afterward, to rid the Church of abusive priests. Such headlines, alas, would not sell newspapers; sensationalistic untruths, however, do.
On Monday, when Pope Benedict celebrates the fifth anniversary of his election, I will discuss some of the major initiatives of his very active pontificate. His actions over the past five years have been just what the Church needed; and that, more than anything else, may explain the feeding frenzy among reporters who, to put it mildly, do not care for the theology of Pope Benedict or the Catholic Church.
On the Holy Father's 83rd birthday, please join in showing your support for Pope Benedict and in praying the Knights of Columbus novena for the Holy Father between now and Monday.
May God grant his servant Pope Benedict XVI many more years, as he faithfully preaches the word of His Truth!
(Photo credit: Franco Origlia / Getty Images)
More on Pope Benedict XVI:
- Biography of Pope Benedict XVI
- Pope Benedict's 2008 Visit to the United States
- Photo Gallery of Pope Benedict's 2008 Visit
More on Clerical Sexual Abuse and Pope Benedict:
The pope must stand on the balcony and confess his sins to the molested in St Peters Square. He must beg for forgiveness. The forgiveness will come more easily if the victims were generously compensated for his sins.
Melvin, you might be a little more convincing if you explain what those sins supposedly are.
To you Melvin, I give you the words of Jesus, “If they persecuted Me they shall persecute you even more. If they hated Me for doing good they will do even worse. When all manner of isults and calumny are thrown at you because of my Me, accept that and offer it to Me and pray for your persecutors because your reward will be great in Heaven.
So I ask you, Melvin which sins should the Holy Father confess?. This is the one Pope who has done so much good for the Church during these few years he has been on the Seat of Peter. And those who wish to be truthful and are genuine, will agree with that fact
Melvin’s life shines as white as the heavens. He never commited a sin once! St Melvin, pray for the sinful Pope that he may be like you in sanctity!
And watch it! All these goons who yell out to crucify the pope and the Catholic clergy because of this abuse are themselves perpetrators of heavier crimes in their homes and shops. They have burst their lids now just because the devil has had his field day in the only True Church! Sorry!!! God is still in his Church!!!
Everybody makes a mistake. That some priests in the caothlic church have made a mistake does not mean that the Pope should be crucified. Please let us continue to pray for them. Happy birthday to his Holiness.
I’m surprised that Mr. Richter failed to note the song choice the Bush White House prepared for the Holy Father, the blasphemous strains of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
“May God grant his servant Pope Benedict XVI many more years, as he faithfully preaches the word of His Truth!”
The truth being that the pope is more bothered about the imager of the catholic church than about the priests that raped innocent children and were then hidden within the chuch, instead of being brought to the law.
A curse upon the pope. May God bring about his downfall for sheltering these evil men.
Mr. O’Garr, your remark might be more convincing if you offered any evidence that the Holy Father has sheltered anyone. Instead, he has done more than any other living prelate to rid the Church of the scourge of child abusers.
why Easter Angelus is addressed to St. Mary ?