A Life, Lived

I Papa

Not being Catholic the selection of a new Pope holds a different significance for me than it does for the world's billion+ Catholics.

Someone said to me 'why would you care?'

To which I replied 'why would you not?'

This is history being made dramatically before your eyes . . . from a current events perspective alone I am fascinated.

So fascinated that during each of the five times I have been in Rome I have secretly thought 'wouldn't it be cool if a new Pope were selected while I was here?' Of course, given that a new Pope is usually selected after the previous Pope has died I am sure that very thought has me heading straight to hell for inadvertently hastening the previous Pope to his eternal slumber.

There are a few things in the past week which have me curious ...

Many people have seen this instantly classic photo of St Peter's Basilica being hit by lightning on the day Pope Benedict resigned his office - the first Pope in 600 years to do so.

This pulls one back to a prediction made by Nostradamus who warned that the next-to-last pope would “flee Rome in December when the great comet is seen in the daytime.” Given all the changes in the calendar in the past 5 hundred years he was accurate with the date. Then there was the bolt of lightning. Oh yes, a comet has been visible in Italy for the past two weeks.

These predictions are also close to those of St. Malachy, who had a strange dream while on a visit to Rome. He “saw” all the names of the future popes – complete with identifying characteristics – who would rule the church until the end of time.

Malachy’s “Prophecy of the Popes,” as his vision is called, named Benedict XVI as the 111th – and penultimate – pope. The vision ended with the 112th pope; Pope Francis.

Speaking of eerie . . .

This guy was spotted three days before the conclave started with this banner 'Francesco, I Papa'. In an interview he declared that he wanted a Pope who would work for the poor.

A few days later the new Pope surprised everyone by taking the name of Francis and declared that he wanted a church which was for the poor.

Ohhhhh

Enough with conspiracy theories and end of the world gloom and doom . . .

look at the difference 8 years has made in technology . . .

A clear indication of the changes wrought in how we view, process, and save media. Much has changed since the onset of smartphones and iPads.

Finally, many will have seen images similar to this one circulating the internet:

Retirement? What is that?

A Proposition

We always seem to be in California when there is an election for something going on (or a drive to recall the Governor). We like to watch the ads, sitting there shocked at the breadth of them, and the abject negativity of them. I think Elizabeth Dole's 'Godless' Ad is the worst ever BTW - I guess you get cranky if your husband is the national spokesperson for Viagra (but I digress, as usual).

When we were in CA we were struck by the ads for Proposition 8. Proposition 8 will amend the Californian constitution to make same-sex marriage illegal. Obviously we were somewhat taken with this. We hissed appropriately when we passed cars with a Yes on 8 bumper sticker and waved at those drivers sporting a NO on 8 sticker.

It was interesting to hear the arguments being put forward - the side supporting the amendment used the same tired arguments that were used in Canada three years ago when Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage.

Same sex marriage will be taught in school - it isn't taught in schools here.

People will be fired for refusing to preform same-sex marriages - hasn't happened here.

Churches will be fined or lose their tax-free status for refusing to preform same sex marriages - nope, they're still sailing along.

Next people will want to marry their pets - haven't seen any suggestion of this in Canada . . .

Californians just need to look to their brothers and sisters north of the border for proof of what will or will not happen.

In short, the world will not come to an end. People will continue to get married and living their lives in bliss (well, some of 'em anyway). The doom and gloom predictions of the Phelps' were proven to be nothing but fear mongering, Canada has yet to be smitten with a bolt of lightning from above (although this MAY explain John Baird).

It is interesting to me that such a decision would be put to a plebiscite. There was a suggestion of this in Canada and the Prime Minister of the day refused (although he wasn't a supporter of same-sex marriage himself) stating that it was inappropriate for the majority to decide upon a right for a minority.  It was one of those moments that made me proud to be a Canadian.

Why the fuss about same-sex marriage? Is marriage such a sacred institution these days? Am I missing something?

Of course not. If it were, Las Vegas would be shut down, Britney Spears would have the words 'I do' struck from her vocabulary, and Hollywood 'stars' would have no access to a church.

If marriage were so sacred there would be no divorce.

If marriage were so sacred it would only be allowed to take place in churches.

If marriage were so sacred no one would be allowed to shack up.

Now, I fully understand that for some folks it still means all of these things. I respect that completely. I believe that people are entitled to their views, and I mine.

Some suggest that because the bible only mentions marriage between men and women that that is all that should beallowed. This argument doesn't hold water - the bible condones slavery yet we as a society have come to recognize that it isn't acceptable. I don't hear a hue and cry to reinstitute slavery because that bible says it is OK.

The arguments for same-sex marriage state that anyone, regardless of sexually orientation, should have the right to get married. Of course, there are many out there saying 'watch what you ask for!'  However,  it wouldn't be OK to deny blacks or handicapped people the right to marry - it certainly isn't OK to deny it for gays and lesbians. 

In our society marriage brings many more things other than a ring, a party, and happily ever after - it brings a defined legal status. It means you can visit your partner in the ICU. It means you can inherit your joint estate. It means you can have access to benefits. It means you can make decisions for your partner if s/he is not able to do so themselves. Marriage has a legal status and I think that it is this status that is far more important than the simple certificate.

For some it is seen as yet another form of acceptance by society. It was heart warming to watch couples who had been together for decades, living their lives in private, getting married when the legislation change here in Canada. To see the joy on their faces was amazing. it made me proud to be a Canadian. 

Folks have asked if Paul and I are heading down the aisle any time soon. While the prospect of being registered at Williams-Sonoma is a wonderful one, we don't see the need for a marriage certificate anytime soon. It is nice to know that if we want to we can do it though. We have the same choice that other people have. That is all folks in California are asking for.