Ratzinger reinforces traditional piety; ignores the poor

After reciting the Marian prayer, before which he described the sign of the cross as a “fundamental gesture of Christian prayer”, Benedict XVI said that the Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano will take part in a meeting of heads of state and government on Wednesday at the UN. This meeting, he continued, will “tackle important themes concerning world peace, respect for human rights, the promotion of development and the strengthening of the Organisation of the United Nations”.

“I pray fervently that the rulers united there will find suitable solutions to reach the great aims predicted, in a spirit of agreement and generous solidarity. I hope especially for success in putting in place effective and concrete measures to respond to the most urgent problems posed by extreme poverty, sicknesses and hunger, which afflict so many peoples”.

The memory of 11 September was evoked in the greeting which Benedict XVI made in English. The Pope mentioned also “victims of terrorist violence in the world” and asked God to inspire “men and women of goodwill to renounce hatred and to build a world of justice, solidarity and peace”.

Er….not.

Ratzingerian Curia issues guidelines on head-bobbing, ignores suffering

Pope Benedict XVI is sending papal envoy Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, to meet with Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans, Bishop Robert W. Muench of Baton Rouge and other state and local officials September 12. Others expected at the meeting include Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, Father Larry Snyder, President of Catholic Charities USA and Gov. Kathleen Blanco.

1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Meetings with Victims and Rescue Workers throughout the afternoon

1) Red Cross Shelter–Baton Rouge River Center, River Road at Government Street

2) Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, 5000 Hennessy Blvd, Baton Rouge

3) St. Anthony of Padua shelter (Vietnamese evacuees) 2580 Tecumseh, Baton Rouge

4) Second Harvest/Food for Families, 14741 Plank Road @ Groom Road, Baker, LA

Monday, September 12

Morning; Tentative Navy helicopter ride from Baton Rouge to Biloxi to meet with Bishop Thomas Rodi of Biloxi and survey damage there.

2 p.m. Meeting with bishops and local and state government officials, Catholic Life Center, 1800 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70821

3 p.m. Press conference, same location

Er….not.