Vatican reveals a selection of historic documents from its secret archives

A preview of the official video for the exhibition-event Lux in Arcana -- The Vatican Secret Archives reveals itself http://www.luxinarcana.org. Filmed inside the Vatican Secret Archives, it shows rooms and bunkers in the Archive of the Popes, together with some of the 100 original documents that will leave the Vatican City for the first time in history. 12 centuries of history, 400 years of life, 85 kilometres of shelving: the world's most famous Archive reveals itself in the extraordinary halls of Rome's Capitoline Museums. Conclaves, heresies, popes and emperors. Crusades, excommunications, ciphered letters. Manuscripts, codices, ancient parchments. An exceptional and once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn History through its sources. February-September 2012.

Galileo's retraction of his theories and the excommunication of Martin Luther are among the closely guarded documents that the Vatican has put on display to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the establishment of its archives at its current location in Rome.

The Holy See on Wednesday opened an exhibition of 100 documents -- a tiny fraction of its archives -- in Rome’s Capitoline Museums. The exhibit is entitled “Lux in Arcana: The Vatican Secret Archives Reveals itself.”


It is the first, and possibly the only time, the documents will be seen outside the Vatican walls, according to the exhibition’s website.

Britain’s Telegraph newspaper live-blogged the exhibit's opening on its website on Wednesday. 

Some of the documents on display include:

  • A letter from an English nobleman to Pope Clement VII in 1530 that demands that King Henry VIII be allowed to divorce Catherine of Aragon in order to marry Anne Boleyn.
  • An 1887 letter from a Native American chief written on a strip of bark that refers to the pope as the "Grand Master of Prayers."
  • The astronomer Galileo’s retraction of his theories of the galaxy after his trial on heresy charges in 1633.
  • Documents from the trials of the Knights Templar.
  • The excommunication decree of reform leader Martin Luther.
  • The abdication deed of Queen Christina of Sweden. Rumored to be a hermaphrodite, she gave up her throne in 1654 to convert to Catholicism and move to Rome.

The documents in the exhibition are only a tiny fraction of the hundreds of thousands of documents in the pope’s archive, which also includes the popes' correspondence with such historical figures as Michelangelo, Voltaire, Mozart, Hitler and even Abraham Lincoln.

The Vatican archives are typically only seen by closely scrutinized researchers and scholars.

Business Insider contributed to this report.

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Wow.. What clear hatred from these people.... No human group is perfect and to each of the individuals spewing their own brand of hatred, take a look at your own church, group, life etc first. Remember the old saying that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Take a look at this country where protestantism has discriminated, openly, against Catholics since its founding. The UK, Finland and Sweden all teach in their school ciriculums their own brand of discrimination. People forget that the RCC started hospitals and universities at the very least and allowed Europe to produce some of the greatest art the world has ever known.

As a reverted Catholic I am proud to be back in the fold, flaws and all. I look at the Church's history in totality and feel they do the most for the most without regards to adherence to the RCC. The same can not be said for my protestant brothers.

Lastly, the issue of pedophilia is a crime and those guilty should and will be punished, either in this life or in the next. Many people that are on the sex abuse band wagon are blissfully unaware that their own church/organiszation faces the same issues on the same scale as the congregation size (it appears large in the RCC as there are over 1 billion members). Several protestant scholars have stated openly that Protestant churches should take note of the issues facing the RCC as they will soon face the same issues soon. From what I see these cases get buried in the back of the newspaper if it makes it at all. How about the preacher who sent nude shots to children in the congregation recently? His wife left him, but he still has his television show and has not faced any charges or public scrutiny. Why?

I hope and pray te sacred institution of the RCC will regain its strength as a smaller more unified church.

  • 1 vote
Reply#55 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:08 PM EST

Yes the American colonies (At least the English and Dutch ones) where chartered by protestant Sovereigns. Sovereigns who were also heads of their churches. And the melding of state and church was carried over into governments of those colonies.

And on sex abuse several years ago on public radio there was a story about pedophile priests. They interview a person that had been brought in by one of the Lutheran Synods in the late 80's to address sex abuse. It was a very pro active program and they were able to deal with it and get it behind them in a matter of years. I wish the RC Bishops had paid attention to how others had addressed this issue instead of dragging this out for decades.

    #55.1 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 11:15 PM EST
    Reply

    Other Vatican Secrets;

    Adam's wife was Lilith, not Eve... God punished the wife for asking for a divorce & he approved of cheating on marriage vows

    Peter struggled with doubt, and we hear all about it.

    Elijah dealt with depression; Naomi raged with bitterness against God; Hannah struggled for years under the burden of her unanswered prayers.

    David had an affair and then arranged to have his lover's husband killed. Noah was a drunk, Abraham a liar, Moses a murderer. Job came to a place where he found it necessary to make a covenant with his eyes not to lust after young girls (Job 31:1).

    It's easy to make "Bible heroes" (as Protestants might say) or "saints" (as Catholics might refer to them) out to be bigger than life, immune from the temptations that everyone faces.

    I find it encouraging that Jesus never came across as pietistic. In fact, he was never accused of being too religious; instead he partied so much that he was accused of being a drunkard and a glutton (Matthew 11:19).

    Jesus never said, "The Kingdom of God is like a church service that goes on and on forever and never ends." He said the kingdom was like a homecoming celebration, a wedding, a party, a feast to which all are invited.

    This idea was too radical for the religious leaders of his day. They were more concerned about etiquette, manners, traditions and religious rituals than about partying with Jesus. And that's why they missed out.

    That's why we miss out.

    According to Jesus, the truly spiritual life is one marked by freedom rather than compulsion (John 8:36), love rather than ritual (Mark 12:30-33) and peace rather than guilt (John 14:27). Jesus saves us from the dry, dusty duties of religion and frees us to cut loose and celebrate.

    http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/25/my-take-stop-sugarcoating-the-bible/?hpt=hp_c4

    • 2 votes
    Reply#56 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:09 PM EST

    Jim,

    I recognized one of the problems I would like to point out about organized religions...the need to have someone else explain what is in the bible to them. You did this by claiming that Adam's wife was Lilith. That is not found in any bible or reliable historical reference. You depended on the word of some individual you probably have never met but their "theology" sounded good too you. Why not read from the source and know the truth for yourself. www.religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/25/my-take-stop-sugarcoating-the-bible/?hpt=hp_c4 is not the source of anything but someones take on the bible.

    If you ask a priest you will get one huge distortion of scripture...they prefer tradition to the bible.

    Asking some Tom, Dick, or Harry, will just render an opinion not a fact. Check the source document not some Wiki.

    Did you not learn anything about researching an article in college?

      #56.1 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:48 PM EST

      The whole Adam & Eve story is Jewish,, Lilith is as much of the story as Eve is.. The Bible's version leaves out a lot, Lilith became the serpent in the story

      • 1 vote
      #56.2 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:51 PM EST

      Jim - Are you aware every culture had an "Adam and Eve or a similiarity?" And man has been trying to explain our existence for thousands of years - while trying to deny evolution

      • 1 vote
      #56.3 - Thu Mar 1, 2012 3:57 AM EST
      Reply

      I wish I could see these items. I adore all history...Especially ALL accounts...

      • 1 vote
      Reply#57 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:10 PM EST

      They are also hiding proof that Jesus was married and had 3 kids. He married Mary of Bethany not Mary Magdaline. The Catholic church is hiding more than we will ever know.

        Reply#58 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:10 PM EST

        Robin - Actually you are wrong - Mary Magdalen was Jesus's companion - there were three Marys - his mother - Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalen

        In France - there are Catholic Churches - called St Mary Magdalen - accordingto the bible she was the one who met Jesus on the path when he left his tomb - and he said "Do not touch me"

        The Catholic Church has painted her as a prostitute - but I believe he cured her from her female menses

        Interesting when Peter asked Jesus "Lord why do you love her more than I" Pretty obvious don't you think?

        As far as children - totally blanked out - why not Jesus was a man and a Jew and in the Jewish tradition men married - the Catholic Church can't have any of that after all Paul was a mysogonist

        • 1 vote
        #58.1 - Thu Mar 1, 2012 4:06 AM EST
        Reply

        one can only imagine the secrets kept in the closets of the Vatican???

        • 2 votes
        Reply#59 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:11 PM EST

        their broke from all the canadian and american indians sueing them for crimes against humanity!!

        • 1 vote
        Reply#60 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:12 PM EST

        We have here a conondrum. The Catholic Church beliefs are diametrically opposed to most Chtistian idelogies,

        My question, is it A RELIGION OR A POLITICAL ENTITY. Richest entity in the world, surrounded by intrigue and secrets. Headed by a German Pope who was a leader in Hitlers Youth Movement, they spew their venom on all other religions, castigating followers of Judaism, Protestants, etc.

        They would also like to push their beliefs down every elses throat. Abortion, birth control, etc.

        Any one ever hear of the separation of church and state.........Thomas Jefferson himself stated one of his biggest fears threatening the new Republic was Religion and it is coming true.

          Reply#61 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:13 PM EST

          Jesus had no revolutionary intention of forming an underground organization of followers to pursue secret purposes. In the book Early Christianity and Society, Robert M. Grant wrote regarding the defense made of the early Christians by second-century apologist Justin Martyr: "If Christians were revolutionists they would remain in hiding in order to reach their goal." But how could Christians "remain in hiding" and at the same time be like "a city . . . situated upon a mountain"? They dared not hide their light under a measuring basket! The government, therefore, had nothing to fear from their activity. This writer went on to describe them as "the emperor's best allies in the cause of peace and good order."
          Jesus did not want his disciples to keep secret their identity as members of a so-called religious sect. (Acts 24:14; 28:22) Failing to let our light shine today would be displeasing both to Christ and to his Father, the Revealer of secrets, and it would not leave us happy.
          Jehovah "does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11; Acts 17:30) The basis for forgiveness of the sins of repentant humans is faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all—not for just a few—so that "everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) It is vital that people be helped to take the necessary steps that will qualify them to be judged as sheep, not goats, during the coming judgment.—Matthew 25:31-46.
          True Christianity is not to be hidden; it is to be made known in every appropriate way possible. Jesus himself set the proper example. When questioned by the chief priest about his disciples and his teaching, he said: "I have spoken to the world publicly. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret." (John 18:19, 20) In view of this precedent, what God-fearing person would presume to keep secret what God has declared must be made public? Who would dare hide "the key of knowledge" that leads to eternal life? Doing so, would make him like the religious hypocrites of the first century.—Luke 11:52; John 17:3.
          *

          • 1 vote
          Reply#62 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:16 PM EST

          Well said

            #62.1 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:52 PM EST
            Reply

            This is a bit off topic, but this religion and holy secrets are starting to get really dangerous these last few months, so I just want to say something ok?

            I know I shouldn’t be mentioning this on such a delicate subject, but I see what is about to unfold with the possible war against Iran with Israel, and it makes me mad as I am a non believer and don’t wish to see anyone die for what ever reason.

            I do blame religion for this blood bath that is about to happen, and it pisses me off because the so called religion of each of these nations are so telling of the way they think of each other, and they really don’t give a damn what happens to us atheist or people of other faiths.

            If you are of this nationality and faith then that is your right, but when you start shooting off at the mouth and trying to start WW3 that is when I say enough.

            There is plenty of hate and blame to go around on both sides meaning Iran and Israel, but since Israel is the one trying to dictate terms against Iran and keep the Palestinian people in bloody ghetto like hell conditions close to those of the old Nazi camp days.

            Well let’s just say I have a bone to pick with you lot, and your reason for wanting to start a possible world war that has really been burning for thousands of years because of your view points about faith.

            The Jews are still looking for their Messiah to come, in fact some are waiting for 2, but that is of no concern to me.

            Iran has said the Holocaust never happened?.........ya right, they know it did, they just want to piss Israel off for all the BS that has been going on between there religious foes so lay that one to a sucker punch OK?

            It did happen, and it was bad, real f---king sadistically terminating human beings because of one basic fact, and it was because Hitler had his own idea on religion, and guess what?

            It included some guy named Jesus go figure?

            So to the leader of Iran…………go f----k you’re self it did happen OK?

            The only thing out of all this religion that I really dislike as I am a non believer, is that these 2 nations are about to possibly f---k up my nice free little no religion needed world, and this really pisses me off.

            Now we come back to this guy named Jesus to some, and he has many other names depending on where your come from, but he is the main reason for this f---king war that is about to happen, and these people on both sides don’t even give a sh-it about the guy WTF?

            The Jews rejected Jesus because He failed, in their eyes, to do what they expected their Messiah to do (Hint Jesus)--destroy evil and all their enemies, in this case the Romans, (Hint Iran by today’s new problem) and establish an eternal kingdom with Israel as the preeminent nation in the world.

            Now that is some heavy sh-it right there, and I don’t want anyone being the ruler of me or any one so Israel you can shove that one up the *&^&% OK?

            The Jews believed that the Messiah, the prophet which Moses spoke about, (Hint..Jesus again) would come and deliver them from Roman (Hint…Iran today) bondage and set up a kingdom where they would be the rulers.

            Rulers?

            WTF?

            I don’t like the idea of either of these 2 nations thinking they have the right to snuff me out or anyone that is not like them.

            So to both Iran the ones who don’t like the guy Jesus, and the others Israel who don’t even believe in the guy, why the f---k don’t you both just admit your religion is going to kill everyone one day and just hug and do what that guy Hint Jesus would of wanted?

            A nice big fat hug and peace bother.

            Thanks but keep your religion of WW3 to yourself because as an atheist I wish you both the best and hope you don’t end up killing one another plus the rest of world for some guy you don’t even know.

            Oh ya and the Pope is German? LMFAO.........I think Pope John did that one as a sign of forgiveness since he was Polish, I liked him even though I did not share in the religion he taught, but he was a nice man ok?

            Later.

            • 1 vote
            Reply#63 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:18 PM EST

            You certainly have a lot to say , and thats ok . Why Love Your Neighbor?
            EVERLASTING life depends on our love of God and neighbor. That point was made during a conversation that took place nearly 2,000 years ago.
            A Jewish man versed in the Mosaic Law asked Jesus Christ: "By doing what shall I inherit everlasting life?" Jesus replied: "What is written in the Law? How do you read?" Quoting the Law, the man said: "'You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole strength and with your whole mind,' and, 'your neighbor as yourself.'" "You answered correctly," said Jesus. "Keep on doing this and you will get life."—Luke 10:25-28.
            At that, Jesus' inquirer asked: "Who really is my neighbor?" Instead of answering directly, Jesus told an illustrative story about a Jewish man who had been robbed, beaten, and left half dead. Along came two Jews—first a priest and then a Levite. Both of them observed their fellow Jew's condition but did nothing to help him. A Samaritan came by next. Moved with pity, he dressed the wounds of the injured Jew, took him to an inn, and provided for his further care.
            Jesus asked his inquirer: "Who of these three seems to you to have made himself neighbor to the man that fell among the robbers?" Clearly, it was the merciful Samaritan. Jesus thus showed that true neighbor love transcends ethnic barriers.—Luke 10:29-37.
            A Lack of Neighbor Love
            Today there is growing hostility between people of different ethnic groups. For instance, neo-Nazis in Germany recently threw a man to the ground and trampled him with their heavy boots, breaking nearly all his ribs. They then doused him with a highly alcoholic beverage and set him ablaze. The man who was left to die was attacked because he was thought to be a Jew. In an unrelated incident, a house near Hamburg was firebombed, burning three people of Turkish origin to death—one of them a ten-year-old girl.
            In the Balkans and farther east, ethnic wars were claiming thousands of lives. Others died in clashes between people of different backgrounds in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. And in Africa, intertribal and interracial conflicts claimed the lives of still others.
            Most people are appalled by such violence and would never do a thing to harm their neighbor. In fact, large demonstrations in Germany have condemned ethnic violence there. Yet, The New Encyclopædia Britannica says: "Members of nearly all the world's cultures regard their own way of life as superior to that of even closely related neighbours." Such views get in the way of neighbor love. Can anything be done about this, especially since Jesus said that life depends on love of God and neighbor?

            • 1 vote
            #63.1 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:24 PM EST

            Love of Neighbor Is Possible
            JESUS CHRIST'S illustration of the Samaritan showed what genuine neighbor love really means. (Luke 10:25-37) Jesus also taught: "'You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.'"—Matthew 22:37-39.
            Like many people, do you find it difficult to love your neighbor of an ethnic group other than your own? Perhaps this is so because you have learned about or have personally experienced discrimination and injustice. You or your loved ones may even have suffered abuse at the hands of people of another group.
            Since Jesus indicated that one of God's commandments is that we love our neighbor, it must be possible to overcome such strong feelings. The key to doing so is to view people as God and Christ do. In this regard let us consider the example of Jesus and the early Christians.

            • 1 vote
            #63.2 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:29 PM EST

            Jesus' Fine Example
            First-century Jews had strong feelings against the Samaritans, a people living in an area between Judea and Galilee. On one occasion Jewish opposers contemptuously asked Jesus: "Do we not rightly say, You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" (John 8:48) So strong was anti-Samaritan sentiment that some Jews even cursed Samaritans publicly in the synagogues and prayed daily that the Samaritans would not be granted everlasting life.
            Knowledge of this deep-seated hatred doubtless prompted Jesus to give the illustration about the Samaritan who proved himself to be a real neighbor by taking care of the Jewish man beaten by robbers. How might Jesus have answered when the Jewish man versed in the Mosaic Law asked: "Who really is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29) Well, Jesus could have replied directly by saying: 'Your neighbor includes not only your fellow Jew but also other people, even a Samaritan.' Jews would, however, have found it difficult to accept that. So he related the illustration about a Jew who received a Samaritan's mercy. Jesus thus helped Jewish listeners to draw the conclusion that true neighbor love would extend to non-Jews.
            Jesus had no anti-Samaritan sentiments. Traveling through Samaria on one occasion, he rested by a well while his disciples went to the nearby city to obtain food. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, he said: "Give me a drink." Since Jews had no dealings with Samaritans, she asked: "How is it that you, despite being a Jew, ask me for a drink, when I am a Samaritan woman?" Jesus then bore witness to her, even declaring openly that he was the Messiah. She responded by going into the city and calling others to come and listen to him. The result? "Many of the Samaritans out of that city put faith in him." What a fine outcome because Jesus was not fettered by the prevailing attitude of his Jewish contemporaries!—John 4:4-42.

            • 1 vote
            #63.3 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:33 PM EST

            God Is Not Partial
            It was God's purpose that Jesus preach chiefly to the Jews, "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24) Hence, his early followers were of Jewish background. But just three years after the outpouring of the holy spirit at Pentecost 33 C.E., Jehovah made it clear that he wanted Jewish believers to extend the disciple-making work to people of the nations, the Gentiles.
            To the Jewish mind, loving a Samaritan as oneself would be hard enough. It would be even harder to show neighbor love to uncircumcised Gentiles, people having less in common with Jews than did the Samaritans. Commenting on the attitude of Jews toward Gentiles, The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia states: "We find, in N[ew] T[estament] times, the most extreme aversion, scorn and hatred. They [Gentiles] were regarded as unclean, with whom it was unlawful to have any friendly intercourse. They were the enemies of God and His people, to whom the knowledge of God was denied unless they became proselytes, and even then they could not, as in ancient times, be admitted to full fellowship. Jews were forbidden to counsel them, and if they asked about Divine things they were to be cursed."
            While many held these views, Jehovah caused the apostle Peter to experience a vision in which he was told to 'stop calling defiled the things God had cleansed.' God then directed him to the home of the Gentile Cornelius. Peter gave a witness about Christ to Cornelius, his family, and other Gentiles. "For a certainty," said Peter, "I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him." While Peter was yet preaching, holy spirit came upon the new believers, who were then baptized and became the first Gentile followers of Christ.—Acts, chapter 10.
            Jewish followers accepted this development, realizing that Jesus' command to "make disciples of people of all the nations" was not limited to Jews in all lands but included Gentiles. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 11:18) Overcoming any anti-Gentile feelings they may have had, they zealously organized a preaching campaign to make disciples among the nations. Less than 30 years later, it could be said that the good news had been preached "in all creation that is under heaven."—Colossians 1:23.

            • 1 vote
            #63.4 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:37 PM EST

            That's straight to the point a good way of putting it across. Don't like the obscenities though but that's alright.

            Love it. Religion is the cause of all what has happen and is happening makes one wonder of the purpose.

            One of the best commands of God was/is LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR and this is what is lacking in us as a people today instead mankind is killing each other in the name of God.

              #63.5 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:38 PM EST

              Spearheading this preaching work was the apostle Paul, himself a Christian of Jewish background. Before becoming a follower of Christ, he had been a zealous member of the religious sect of the Pharisees. They looked down on not only Gentiles but even the common people of their own nationality. (Luke 18:11, 12) But Paul did not allow those views to hold him back from showing neighbor love to others. Instead, he became "an apostle to the nations [Gentiles]," devoting his life to the work of disciple-making throughout Mediterranean lands.—Romans 11:13.
              During the course of his ministry, Paul was stoned, beaten, and imprisoned. (Acts 14:19; 16:22, 23) Did such harsh experiences cause him to become embittered and to conclude that he was wasting his time among certain nations and ethnic groups? Not at all. He knew that there were honesthearted individuals scattered throughout the many ethnic groups of his day.
              As Paul found Gentiles willing to be taught God's ways, he came to love them. For instance, to the Thessalonians he wrote: "We became gentle in the midst of you, as when a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, having a tender affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8) These heartfelt words show that Paul truly loved the Gentile Thessalonians and allowed nothing to spoil the joy of a good relationship with them.

                #63.6 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:41 PM EST

                Neighbor Love in Action
                Today, as in the first century, those who attach themselves to the Christian congregation cultivate neighbor love for people of all ethnic groups. By developing a godly view of others and by sharing the good news of the Kingdom with them, true Christians have broadened their understanding of people they might never have come to know. They even have brotherly love for them. (John 13:34, 35) This can be your experience too.
                Such love exists among Jehovah's Witnesses, though they are found in 229 lands and represent "all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues." (Revelation 7:9) As a global brotherhood, they are united in the worship of Jehovah, in their refusal to take part in ethnic conflicts and rivalries, and in their rejection of prejudices that rob people of warm relationships with fellow humans.
                Associate with the Witnesses, and you will observe how people of all ethnic backgrounds are doing God's will. You will see neighbor love in action as they proclaim the good news of God's Kingdom. Yes, and in their congregations, you will meet kind, sincere people who show by their lives that they have truly learned to love their neighbor

                • 1 vote
                #63.7 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:46 PM EST

                Freemannogod,

                I am going to say this with some delicacy. Evil men use god. Good men are used by God. There is a huge difference in the concept. You are closer to the ideals that Jesus taught than some who call themselves Christians. He did not come to raise an army but to forgive us for turning our backs on him. As a result he gave up his life willingly for you. Read his own words about Him having the ability to lay down His life and take it up again. If you want to see the other view read a book called "The Shack" by William Young. It is a fictional story that is true in its portrayal of who Jesus was and what he intended. It is a wrenching and compelling story and may make you think. It has not bible versus or quotes...just a story... what have you got to lose?

                  #63.8 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:03 PM EST
                  Reply

                  Will, I don't know what your information sources are, but check your sources, if you want to know what the Catholic Church teaches, get your hands on a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. that'll give you the whole defenition of church teaching. And to you, Beaverslide; we believe in most of what your statement mentioned, the one thing in there that is nonsence is saint worship, worship belongs to God Alone, and the church gives worship to God Alone!

                  Right On MichaelPA

                    Reply#64 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:19 PM EST

                    Ah, another Protestant. Yes, I've read a little of the catechism and I bristled at it. But I was revisiting my childhood; my mother wanted both my sister and I to become Catholics and it didn't work. I had a little picturebook of saints, but the book did more to foster my interest in art than in religion.

                      #64.1 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:13 PM EST

                      The Catechism is an excellent read. Very well referenced with the Scriptures.

                        #64.2 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:31 PM EST
                        Reply

                        Church leaders ran by men just don't get it!

                        Since the beginning of the assimilation of Old Testament data & records they have been writing women out of it, Gospels of Mary? Not in the Bible

                        God had a wife ---- Asherah

                        High time for the Church to stop their war against women & stop trying to restrict their lives

                          Reply#65 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:20 PM EST

                          So what is it? Is our Mariology sexist too? All the female saints, a smokescreen?

                          Nope, you're just making @!$%# up as you go along.

                            #65.1 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:33 PM EST

                            God's wife, Asherah, was a powerful fertility goddess, according to a theologian.

                            http://news.discovery.com/history/god-wife-yahweh-asherah-110318.html

                              #65.2 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:35 PM EST

                              To..Jim"""

                              Thank you...this is why I keep coming back here.. learning something I didn't know of or even thought of before...

                                #65.3 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:42 PM EST
                                Reply

                                I agree with Fred Appl. Why? The pope needs to get out of politics, stay in thier own world and leave rest the world alone.

                                  Reply#66 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:20 PM EST

                                  Would you agree that the same could be said of another head of state? The President of the United States? I'm an equal opportunitist, so take your pick, Obama or Bush. This, unless you're truly dense, will take the politics out of it. What is your answer and why. And if the Pope should stay out of it and stay in his own world why shouldn't he take his special secret super Vatican archives with him. Just trying to figure out peoples real motivations here.

                                  • 1 vote
                                  #66.1 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:28 PM EST
                                  Reply

                                  Lots of entertaining comments. As long as the church is being run as a government there will always be secrets to hide until some of us human dies then they will release some at some given point in time.

                                  The internet is making information quite readily for us and this is making leaders frighten so give the public a little at a time just to satisfy our curiousity of the past dealings of the church is away of trying to be transparent in this time of disbelief in the catholic church. By the time the archives are open a new generation who don't care about religion will be born - that is being smart.

                                  Secrets reveal now will cause chaos.

                                    Reply#67 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:23 PM EST

                                    What a joke. They have only chosen those documents that solidifies their position. I do not, and never have believed the version of the Catholic religion the Vatican has put out. A pity they are the ones who get to pick and choose which truthful documents to release.

                                    • 1 vote
                                    Reply#68 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:24 PM EST
                                    Luke Gilbertvia FacebookDeleted

                                    Earth quicks,tornados,ice,land slides,and water disasters won't save the pope or the Vatican. The Vatican know they been lying for many years. But when GOD comes they will have to answer to him. Think about that?

                                      Reply#70 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:25 PM EST

                                      Now I'm curious.. to all those who claim the church has been lying for years.. hiding the "truth", how do you know they are lying and how do you know what they are hiding? And just how do you know "the truth" and nobody else does? What is your source of intel?

                                      • 1 vote
                                      Reply#71 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:35 PM EST

                                      Charlie,,, Common Sense & Reason

                                      When people tell you that an angel knocked up a Virgin,,, That should have caught your attention right off the bat

                                      Those who doubt simply keep their eyes open & do a bit of objective research

                                      Objectivity is the basis of both science & reason, without it you have nothing but false beliefs in what others tell you

                                      • 2 votes
                                      #71.1 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:38 PM EST

                                        #71.2 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:42 PM EST

                                        Jim 372206....when I hear somebody "knocked up a virgin" all that tells me is that woman is not a virgin anymore. Now what is your point moron?

                                          #71.3 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:42 PM EST

                                          I'm a moron because I don't believe a spiritual entity can knock of a virgin?

                                          Who's the "moron" here Ra, I'd say that moron is you!

                                          • 1 vote
                                          #71.4 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:46 PM EST

                                          The point is, if Mary wasn't a virgin, it wasn't a miracle birth, which would mean jesus wasn't a demi-god(part god\part man), but a man who came into the world like everyone else did

                                            #71.5 - Thu Mar 1, 2012 11:04 AM EST
                                            Reply

                                            Really, what a bunch of haters always show up on these blogs. It is amazing so much hatred from something they obviously don't understand but seem to be such experts on. I am glad everyone is such an expert on Catholicism, and yet you say Catholics don't read the bible. What a load. Get your facts straight. Deprogrammer, so sad you let a slap across your face rule your life, maybe you are just disrespectful, and still don't get it. Sounds like you still have alot of deprogramming to do! This country was built off the backs of Christian immigrants(and yes Catholics are Christian, the first Christians) just so you guys can believe and tear down whatever you dont agree with or understand. God Bless America!

                                            • 1 vote
                                            Reply#72 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:36 PM EST

                                            this country is STILL being built on Catholic immigrants. illegal ones yes, but still immigrants that are influencing the way this country is going. good or bad. It just goes to show Mexicans are the modern day Irish. The Irish the most hated immigrant group at one point. Mainly because they were catholic. Same goes with the Mexicans. but the bleeding hearts will ignore the Mexican people's Catholic heritage.

                                            • 2 votes
                                            #72.1 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:40 PM EST

                                            Yes, hated by other Christians! Says a lot for those protestants doesn't it?

                                              #72.2 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:44 PM EST

                                              Oh Come on Now - It's not about hate - nobody hates fairy tales and a good read - it's about one group of people trying to force their beliefs on another

                                              The Old Testament was written from memory years after - "the old game - ten people sitting in a circle and whisper into one ear and see what happens at the end

                                              The New Testament was written by men in their own image - to foster a diocese of control

                                              My test to everyone if you believe in Jesus - take care of nature and the earth you live upon - it only comes once!

                                              • 1 vote
                                              #72.3 - Thu Mar 1, 2012 4:58 AM EST
                                              Reply

                                              TVAR....looks like your resorting to grade school tactics and calling people stupid after you've failed in arguing. These records have nothing to do with the whole world and everything to do with what the Vatican has done. they are VATICAN records. Good or bad. It doesn't belong to the world. and "stoopid" has a point..

                                              • 1 vote
                                              Reply#73 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:38 PM EST

                                              Actually Ra, they do. If one entity(in this instance the RCC) has so much power globally, and has the ability to gain so much wealth from being tax exempt and all the money they get from their followers, then the people of these governments effected around the world have a right to see what makes this the "one true religion". If they had nothing to hide, SELECT new information wouldn't be coming out 1700-1800 years later. In my opinion I don't believe any religious group should have tax exempt status, but lets get honest, in the scheme of things, my opinions aren't going to change many minds

                                                #73.1 - Thu Mar 1, 2012 11:10 AM EST
                                                Reply
                                                trubgDeleted

                                                Let me know where the documents on pedophile activities are located. Oops, no such documents must exist, as the saintly folks in the Vatican would never abuse the little children. My bad.

                                                  Reply#75 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:44 PM EST

                                                  Tom Hanks & Audrey Tautou could find more secrets. Let's send them back to the Vatican

                                                    Reply#76 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:48 PM EST

                                                    Were all your Great-great grandparents bafoons for wanting to hop on the boat with NOTHING so YOU could could live better than them or did they say "this religion is crap so let's throw everything away and go to another place where our children can live under REAL torture".

                                                    Just treat others as you wish to be treated.

                                                      Reply#77 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:52 PM EST

                                                      I don't think there will be much in it, anything making the church look bad would be left out, and that would prob be alot, we know how corrupt and false the Catholics are, they are like a cancer.

                                                        Reply#78 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:52 PM EST

                                                        The same could be said for your pappy and his sister. Yet, here you are, the product of a incestuous relationship in the back room of a 14X80 trailer, Yet still, I would hesistate to call you a cancer. An anal wart perhaps, on the @!$%# of mankind...

                                                        I

                                                          #78.1 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:01 PM EST

                                                          Benjamin, didn't jesus say love thy neighbor, not try and belittle them because they view things differently than you?? way to go, jesus is proud

                                                            #78.2 - Thu Mar 1, 2012 11:12 AM EST
                                                            Reply

                                                            Let us see the TRUTH and reveal the books that should have been the complete bible, rather than the edited version that was concocted to control society for your own gain! Not to mention what was revealed to the children of Fatima that YOU kept a secret!!! That is what I WANT to SEE. Otherwise you are LAME figuratively speaking and soon to be by your own devices! Ha, take that you liars.

                                                              Reply#79 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:56 PM EST

                                                              Since we do not have a say in the Catholic Church's actions, why not focus more on what we do have some influence----ourselves. Why are we obsessed with the historical inaccuracies or accuracies? We know there is deception, we know the church was the "government" for hundreds of years, we know there are and were crimes commited in the protection of the church and this is all "known" by evidence. We already know the answers to the queries of these comments. The reason? Power. To have the "knowledge" is to be "God", and god is untouchable, unreliable, moody, angry, vengeful, all knowing, unpredictable and alsp merciful. If we believe in "God", then we must accept the actions of "God" having some higher purpose we cannot comprehend, and if we don't believe, we see these as traits of human beings. The church is an organization of humans, flawed and as power hungry as any dictator, and as kind and generous as many saints and of Jesus himself, and in the end ignorant of our true nature and our need for external answers to the questions of "why". There is no answer unless you align yourself with a faith or belief, where why is provided--It is the will of God. So, if we want to unveil actions of the Catholic Church, we need only to look inside, become more self aware and by recognizing our nature we become more capable of stopping the very behaviours we are complaining about. "God" didn't create the church, we did.

                                                                Reply#80 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:57 PM EST

                                                                Fascinating stuff! However, you'd have to be expert in Latin, Greek, and 16th century English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German to read all those documents and understand what they say. You'd also have to be pretty expert in navigating all that heavy Gothic type, as book printing was just getting started back them.

                                                                @wurl girl: I assume you're a Protestant to say that Catholics are not true Christians. Rick Santorum aside, Roman Catholicism was and is a Christian faith; it was the first branch of Christianity to come into being. From it came Eastern Orthodox Catholicism. And Martin Luther triggered the Protestant Reformation by nailing his articles on a church door in Germany.

                                                                • 1 vote
                                                                Reply#81 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:57 PM EST
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