The Times has a review of the Pope's new book, which apparently contains the phrase "Everyone is free ... to contradict me." Though I'd love to know what's in the ellipsis, I feel as shocked by this as I did when a French eBayer first tutoyed me. I *do* feel shocked, but simultaneously think that it's rather inappropriate that I should even care.
I'm reminded of Rex Mottram (Julia Flyte's fiancé in Brideshead Revisted, converting to Catholicism):
'Supposing the Pope looked up and saw a cloud and said 'It's going to rain', would that be bound to happen?'
'Oh, yes, Father.'
'But supposing it didn't?'
He thought a moment and said, "I suppose it would be sort of raining spiritually, only we were too sinful to see it.' Presumably there is is a difference between the pronouncements of the man, and those of his office: Canon Law 212 appears to say that there is. But still, I find myself in the rather interesting position of wanting to read a book written by the Pope. Apparently, this argues that the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith are, and always have been, one and the same. I was always firmly steered away from the historical Jesus by my own religious teachers, presumably for fear that I'd find not the Messiah, just a very naughty boy. So the idea that B16 himself might have something to say on the matter intrigues me no end. |
