Time For the Pope to Set an Example

As I'm sure most of you, one of the vows future priests and nuns take is that of living in poverty; a humble life. To be fair, most priests live modestly in Church Presbyteries or perhaps in a house or apartment on church land.


The Catholic clergy are forever trying to persuade us to give to charity or to volunteer; to help those less fortunate than ourselves.


This week-end's sermon at my parish was reminding us 


"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  from the Gospel according to Matthew. 


The priest reminded us how  a life of unabashed greed with little charitable endeavour is a sin. I thought it was interesting he would choose to give this sermon this Sunday of all weeks; a week after Michael Moore's new movie came out; not even a week after we hear about nut-jobs rewriting the bible to include the gospel of free markets, hatred and intolerance. Even funnier; I seriously doubt this particular priest has even heard of Michael Moore or even about the Evangelical Christian far-right, as he is very new to Canada and barely speaks English or French. Coincedence or not, it is important to be reminded about the consequences of greed.


As mentioned, the priests and the bishop Moore interviewed confirmed that capitalism, corporate greed were immoral and definitely not  compattible with the teachings of Christ. We heard Moore and those priests cite the Gospel According to Luke. 

"But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation."

" And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God."

I could go  on citing such examples from the bible, but we all get the idea.


I saw an interesting piece on this morning's Huffington Post.  Sarah Silverman sends the pope a message video, strongly suggesting he sell the Vatican in order to end world hunger. 


"You preach to live humbly, and I totally agree. So now maybe it's time for you to move out of your house that is a city."

She has a point. I would go further in saying that currently, the pope is setting a bad example on not only the Catholic Church but to everybody, no matter what denomination. In her video, she does make a persuasive arguement. However will it be persuasive enough to Pope Benedict XVI, himself??

Good pitch, but I don't think the pope would go for it. (sigh) Hope does spring eternal, doesn't it? It is high time the highest member of the Catholic clergy and perhaps one of the most influential people in the world set an example.