In Rome to promote the Italian stage of the international Live 8 concert on July 2, Geldof said he had written to the Pope about his campaign but had only received a photograph of the Pontiff in return."I don't want a picture, I want him to come to Edinburgh," Geldof told a news conference. "Benedict has great theologies. For many years he has been singing the songs of the poor. I want him to come and sing with us in Edinburgh."
One: Why are the rich always whining about poverty and doing "benefit" concerts and whatnot so the middle class can donate to "end poverty"? Poverty in and of itself is not a problem. Our Lord chose to be born into poverty. The problems are things like hunger, poor education, lack of jobs or homelessness and not having the freedom to be able to do what is right. If one is poor, but has food a roof and family, are they truly lacking? Maybe I am being cynical and that is what Mr. Geldof and Bono are getting at, but I get annoyed when I see "poverty" being used as a blanket statement of what ails people. Like social justice should be dedicated to everyone having two cars and a pool. Materialism is more the problem. Things like greedy governments that will not properly distribute food, lack of healthcare etc.
Two: Why is the Pope not allowed to choose which charities he wants to schedule to attend and how he would like to endorse them? Why does not attending Mr.Geldof's concert make him some kind of social justice hypocrit?
"Benedict has great theologies. For many years he has been singing the songs of the poor. I want him to come and sing with us in Edinburgh."Pope Benedict sings?
I am not sure I would want to attend. Does anyone remember Band-Aid? Gosh, the words to that song were so doofy...and condescending:
There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they get this year is life...
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Of course there won't be snow in Africa! Dude, it's like Africa! Granted, the Band-Aid fund raiser was a cute idea and all, and for a worthy cause. But the words...sheesh.
And it was like all these English bands and Kool and the Gang. What was up with that? I have been wondering that for 20 years now. And then Kool and the Gang disappeared... One minute they were so "fresh and exciting", and the next, nothing.
wow.. you are one mad woman today! ;)
i think poverty in this case refers to all those things you mentioned.. poor education, poor nutrition, lack of homes, jobs etc. i'm not sure the live 8 organizers are really just bothered by the fact that some people don't have enough cash to buy a car or add a deck.
also obviously the pope has no reason to participate but i do laud bob geldof for contacting him and seeing past the usual prejudice. personally i think it is embarassing for the church to just have sent an autograph. it's a big deal for all these musicians to get off their butts and do something and i think they deserve to at least be recognized. a personal (or even from the secretary) reply along the lines of "i support your mission blabla although won't be able to participate blabla" would've been much better. there's no reason to snub him like that. "oh some stupid rockstar wants to help relieve 3rd-world-debt. whatever! send him an autograph, we don't care."
I actually appreciate that Bob Geldof & Bono (and the like) do contribute so much of their time and money to worthwhile causes. I think that they are the rallyers, i.e. the ones that actually *do* care about the plight of many third world nations and a lot of (although not all) the other celebrities seem to do it more for sport. I get the impression that these two at least, do it more for the sense of doing good than for the attention that it gives them. A great amount of work is required to get this many people together to perform at one of these concerts.
The only thing about this Live 8 invite to Pope Benedict that bothers me, is the comment that Geldof made about him. It seems more like he's putting our Pope to the test, without full consideration that poverty is an issue dear to this Pontiff's heart, and that his homilies often speak of it and that he already is advocating for the poor from the chair of Peter. Sure, his message would reach a different crowd at the Live 8 function, but it may not be the most appropriate venue for a Pope. I hear the Spice Girls may reunite for that event. lol That says it all. ;) I'm sure the Pope will go to visit many of these poverty stricken countries himself during his papacy, and will be addressing their concerns in his own way.
As far as the signed picture is concerned, I'm certain that the Pope receives so much correspondence and invitations that this particular piece of mail was never even brought to his attention. And I'm also certain that the invitation will eventually be addressed and cordially declined, and perhaps the Vatican may even agree to sending a recorded message for the crowds that day. I'd just be surprised really, if very many well known religious figures would go to an event such as this (thinking the Dalai Lama here as well), but I'm certain that several would send their blessings as they continue to do their charitable works in a way in which they are accustomed. I guess that in the pit of my stomach, it just feels to me that Geldof thinks that the Pope's words on behalf of the poor only count if they're uttered in his concert. I may be wrong, but that's what crossed my mind when I heard of all of this.
Ah, just read another article on this. Seems like lots of people don't want our Pope there anyway. Surprise, surprise. Geldof is getting lambasted by the National Secular Society for his decision to invite the Pope. This isn't surprising of course, considering the Church's stand on ABC, but it's the first I heard of this particular story, so I thought I'd share. :)
Yeah, yeah, you're right, good for Bob Geldof for doing something.
I am just fed up with people knocking the Church for doing wrong or nothing when the Church is and has always been pro-active in social justice.
I am really, really tired of hearing celebrity rhetoric.
And I had to have a an excuse for a "corny back in the 80's" zinger.