What Is Wrong With This Picture?

I guess I am jaded . . .  But I this caught my eye.

The Daily Mail posts a story on Pope Benedict decrying the greed of the international banking system along with an increasing lack of concern for the poor.   According to the article, the Pope "made the accusation in his annual peace message, 'Fighting Poverty to Build Peace', in which he also called for a 'common code of ethics' in a globalised world that would narrow the gap between the 'haves and the have nots'."

Of course, the Pope has every right to address these issues--he is the head of Catholic church, after all. 

But then the Daily Mail posts this picture along with the article.  Is it just me, or is the picture rather incongruous with the Pope's concern about gap between the "haves and the have nots"?  Here's the Pope, holding a solid gold cross, wearing a rather large gold ring, and standing in front of a mosaic that is probably not covered in faux-gold nor synthetic jewels.  And all the while he laments the greed of the modern world?  Hmmm . . .

Cheap shot?  Maybe.  But the Pope could make himself a smaller target if he wished.  That said, there was a reason why Luther and Calvin repeatedly and loudly lamented Rome's greed and avarice, although Rome's rejection of justification sola fide was the true "make or break" issue then, just as it is now. 

But the gold, jewelry, mosaics, and vestments sure reek of the very things Benedict laments.

Comments

[Rev. Z. Bartels]

So...what? He should sell the priceless ancient ornaments, relics, ceremonial garments and help a hundred people make their mortgage payment once? How about the church buildings too?

If there weren't Roman Catholic charities and social services in every town in the Western world, your critique might bear more weight.

Your comments are usually so insightful. Please leave this junk to Jack Chick.

[Douglas]

I had heard that there is more gold in the Vatican vaults than there is in Fort Knox.

Is Roman Catholicism the counterfeit church?

http://www.tecmalta.org/tft310.htm

[Pastor Mark Pertuit]

Amen! The Vatican's excess is bad enough in photos -- to see the real thing in person is absolutely gross. All of this reminds me of John Paul II's burial -- in a simple pine box. That was supposed to be a sign of humble servanthood, to be buried in a simple pine box. Too bad he lived in splendor until he died, and waited until then for the trappings of humble servanthood. Absolutely ridiculous. They don't even need a parody; parody comes included!

[Ryan Carr]

That's a lot of bling when a coin in the coffer rings