It is the first time in my life that I see an embattled Pontif who is more and more isolated in his Apostolic Palace in Rome. Everyday fresh revelations of this horrible pedophile scandal become public. It is very disturbing to see how the protection of status and property and the reliance on antiquated notions from the Middle-Ages appear to guide those very few people around the Pope and the Bishop of Rome himself. I was at the Teatro del'Opera the other night, the opera Tosca was featured, the plot line is easy, a love story between an artist painter who believes in a free Rome and an Italy free of Papal domination and a singer Tosca who are pitted against the Secret Police of the Pope who is desperately trying to hold on to power by arresting and executing anyone who is promoting the Roman Republic. The story is staged around 1810 at the time of Napoleon's march and liberation of Italy. Scarpia is the all powerful Police Chief and is lusting after Tosca, in the final scene of the first act while a Te Deum is being sung in the church of San Andrea della Valle in Rome, Scarpia sings, while surrounded by all the symbols of the Church's power, of his lust and how he will use his powerful office to get Tosca into his bed. In the context of today's news I could not help think how the Opera Tosca is a mirror reflection of absolute corruption. Being in Rome to see this unravel is unsettling especially during Easter week.
Such horrible news about his right-hand man equating homosexuality with paedophilia. How very base - the Antchrist indeed. If that doesn't turn me into an activist, nothing will. In fact I'm going to contact our courageous Peter Tatchell right now.
ReplyDeleteDavid I am going next Tuesday to a talk on the Vatican and Foreign States throughout history being given at the Sacred Apostolic Palace, i.e. residence of the Pope at the Vatican. The talk is being given by the Prelate of the chamber of the Pope, Mgr Bettencourt. Should be interesting.
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