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I'm now at RebelMouse!

You can find my social front page at http://www.rebelmouse.com/caitriona_3/

I've updated all of my links in my DW profile to my "other services"! Find me anywhere!

Speaking as a Catholic woman (single, not married) & wiling to lose "friends" over it:

The Pope is allowed to retire. It doesn't happen very often, but it is within his rights to do so. Personally, more respect should be shown a man who knows when it is time to step back and let younger hands take over. We've got politicians I wish had HALF that much common sense.

It would be nice if Catholics could get a little of the respect people seem to automatically give to other groups. You don't have to agree with our beliefs, but tearing us down? Insulting them just because you don't like them? Who does that say the most about? I don't tear down people who I disagree with - similar respect would be appreciated.

In answer to some of what I've been hearing on the net and in RL -

American Catholics are NOT going to separate from Rome - to do so would make us Protestant, not Catholic, and there are other churches we could go to if we wanted to do that.

The new Pope is not going to overturn Church teachings on women priests, contraception, abortion, gay marriage, etc.

The Church is not going to throw everything out and suddenly become "politically correct" according to the secular world's desires just because there is a new Pope.

I am grateful for the time we have had with Pope Benedict as our shepherd. This is a time of prayer for all Catholics as we wait for our new Pope to be chosen.

May God bless Pope Benedict and his successor.