Mulling over LEE LOFASO to STEVE ASHER 23 Apr 2005

Hi Lee,

>LL>It has long been a desire of popes for reunification with the
>LL>Orthodox church.

>SA>I haven't specifically followed this issue, as it isn't prominent
>SA>in Oz.

>LL>It has been a dream of Roman Catholic pontiffs for a thousand
>LL>years.

SA>Hmmm... I wonder if the various Orthodox Metropolitans (etc) shared
SA>the same dream. Even in Oz, there is occasionally a small scale feud
SA>if some out-of-favour (arch)bishop arrives without an invitation or
SA>welcome from the heirarchy - they seem to be very territorial, though
SA>even Catholics can be, as I recall. It is apparently a no-no for the
SA>head of one diocese to turn up in another diocese without invitation.

 LL> The diocese is the functional unit of the church.  Whether Roman or
 LL> Orthodox, a bishop is the head of a diocese.  That is why it is
 LL> considered a definite no-no for a bishop of one diocese to show up
 LL> in another diocese uninvited.  IOW, an RCC bishop would not show up
 LL> in another RCC diocese uninvited, same as an Orthodox bishop would
 LL> not show up in another Orthodox diocese uninvited.

The RCC bishops observe the protocol (and probably Anglicans, Assembly
of God, Baptist etc do also), but the Orthodox have factions which get
a bit passionate at times, especially if a bishop of the wrong faction
arrives in Oz uninvited. It doesn't happen all that often, but it does
happen.

 LL> Even the pope, who is the bishop of Rome, would not show up in
 LL> another diocese uninvited.  Even though most RCC bishops would love
 LL> for him to visit.  :)

His visit certainly wouldn't go unnoticed! :)

>LL>As well as better relations with other Christians,

>SA>I have specifically followed this, e.g. ARCIC (Anglicans and Roman
>SA>Catholics in Communion); Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue;
>SA>rise of Pentecostal / Charismatic movements, etc. It will make
>SA>it easier to promote Europe as a united continent if its various
>SA>Catholic & Protestant churches unite and recognise the Pope as
>SA>head of the "Universal Church"; Presidents and leaders are
>SA>fawning all over JP 2 (and now B 16) as great moral authorities.

>LL>JPII was a theological conservative.  Benedict XVI appears to also
>LL>be a theological conservative, following in the footsteps of the
>LL>late JPII. But JPII was definitely NOT a political conservative.

I guess it depends on how one views a theological conservative; to me,
the notion of seeking Christian and wider religious unity, as expounded
in B 16's inaugural outdoor mas, smacks of rejection of the biblical
concept of separation, and plays into the hands of the "god of this
world" (Satan) and his false Messiah, the Beast 666.

Theologically conservative Christians would do well to ponder Revelation
17 and 18, and consider whether the current push for unity is leading to
Mystery Babylon, and heed the injunction in Revelation 18:4 to come out
of her, not partake of her sins, and not receive of her plagues.

Interesting that the Pope had a "pallium" of white wool, embroidered with
red crosses, placed around his neck ... the pallium was apparently worn
by Roman emperors, and now symbolises a pope's pastoral authority.
(paraphrasing http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200504/s1352429.htm )

SA>JPII was very much his own man, much to GWB's discomfort over Iraq etc.

 LL> I would expect B 16 to be much the same.

>LL>And I would tend to doubt that B XVI is a political conservative,
>LL>although I could be wrong on that matter.

SA>I would expect him to be very Euro-centric, and active in shaping the
SA>EU's religious "destiny", constitution, etc. Whether he will have the
SA>energy to devote to the rest of the world, Islam, Israel etc, I don't
SA>know. He may delegate to a number of subordinates.

 LL> I'd say that is an accurate assessment. Obviously, no pope can do
 LL> everything, and must delegate some authority to his bishops,
 LL> diplomats, etc.  

There will be a profile of B 16 on [Aust] ABC's "Four Corners" current
affairs show tonight (Monday) which will be worth watching ... if, as
some claim, his papacy will be "for a limited time only" he seems to
have an ambitious agenda, and is already moving quickly to achieve it.

 LL> However, do not expect this pope (or any pope) to
 LL> allow subordinates complete control.  Especially on doctrinal
 LL> matters.

Especially when it will, potentially, have quite an impact on the
non-Catholic world ... hmmm, would a Pope stoop so low as to have
a religious equivalent of "9/11" to move his agenda along? 

>LL>along with Muslims and Jews.

>SA>Finding a political / spiritual leader which appeared to be
"Christ",
>SA>"Messiah", "Mahdi" (etc) might be a means of
unifying humanity, and
>SA>deceiving them into accepting an imposter, whose number is 666.

>LL>That is why Antichrist is more likely to come as "spiritual"
>LL>leader, rather than a "political" leader.

SA>Who ever he proves to be, I think any Pope can be ruled out, unless
SA>the Jews suddenly accept him as Messiah. Hasn't happened over the
SA>last 2000 years, and does not appear likely in the near future;

 LL> Antichrist will appear suddenly, out of nowhere.  It won't be the
 LL> pope, but it could be an anti-pope.

Maybe, but he would need popular appeal outside the RCC church, as
well as within it.

SA>with all the books / literature portrating or identifying the Pope
SA>as the Antichrist / "vicarius filii dei" etc etc, I suspect he
SA>will just be a handy scapegoat, possibly at the hands of the real
SA>antichrist.

 LL> The Antichrist will use deception in order to get folks to believe
 LL> a lie.  He will use the powers of darkness to his advantage, but
 LL> most will not recognize such darkness until it is too late.  It is
 LL> even possible that Antichrist might get the pope to believe the
 LL> lie, thus leading many Catholics to believe the lie.

>LL>Of course, there is always the False Prophet, kind of like a
>LL>modern-day John the Baptist.  ;)

SA>As I understand things, when the Jews check out the "credentials"
SA>of the one they accept as Messiah, it will be with the help of
SA>that very "prophet", acting as a pointer to the [false] messiah.

 LL> There is a mini-series on television, "Revelations", that I am
 LL> taping. The first two parts have been aired, with four more parts
 LL> remaining. It's an interesting take, about the end of days.  I'll
 LL> post a few messages on the subject, but it won't be complete until
 LL> I have watched the entire series.

I have heard about it, and it will more than likely be shown here,
perhaps sooner rather than later.

Cheers, Steve..

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