Someone at the Vatican must have had way too much time on his hands lately, or been sniffing immense quantities of incense after Mass. The latest news out of the Vatican is a ‘revamping’ of those Seven Deadly Sins…or as I like to call them, my road map.
The last time anyone at the Vatican sat down and thought of the 7 debaucherous things that human beings indulge in, it was the 6th Century. For those of you unfamiliar with the ultimate list of depravity, here it is: Luxuria (extravagance, later lust), Gula (gluttony), Avaritia (greed), Acedia (sloth), Ira (wrath), Invidia (envy), and Superbia (pride). I can just see some poor bastard at the time looking at that list and thinking “Well, my life is over. Might as well knock myself off!” Nope, can’t do that either…it’s a sin too! Shit!
Well, Monsignor Gianfranco Girotti — head of the Apostolic Penitentiary,(now that sounds like a fun department to work in), has just released 7 more sins that add to the fun we’re already having. These are: Polluting, genetic engineering, obscene riches, taking drugs, abortion, pedophilia and causing social injustice.
Now while most of us wouldn’t take too much objection to most of these, what I find hilarious is the sin of ‘obscene riches’. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but the Vatican has….how much money? It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the proceeds from entrance fees into the Vatican to goggle at the marvels of art and architecture would regularly feed a large peasant community in South America…for years! For the Vatican to put this into its updated list of things that will give you a one way ticket to the fiery depths is akin to Barack Obama choosing a Ku Klux Klan member as his Presidential running mate!
To say I nearly choked on my sandwich as I saw this on the news, is an understatement. I was too flabbergasted to think clearly, so I found someone who could. I quote from “The Vatican Billions”, written by Avro Manhattan:
“Jesus, the founder of Christianity, was the poorest of the poor. Roman Catholicism, which claims to be His church, is the richest of the rich, the wealthiest institution on earth. How come, that such an institution, ruling in the name of this same itinerant preacher, whose want was such that he had not even a pillow upon which to rest his head, is now so top-heavy with riches that she can rival – indeed, that she can put to shame – the combined might of the most redoubtable financial trusts, of the most potent industrial super-giants, and of the most prosperous global corporation of the world?” (http://www.cephas-library.com/catholic/catholic_vaticans_billions_1.html)
Is hypocrisy a sin? Or can we at least add it to this new 21st Century list? Does that now mean that all those who work at the top level of the Vatican and have access to the wealth and luxury that come with the job are now sinners of the highest order? Come on Benedict XVI, how much does your pure silken attire cost to make? And how many costume changes do you have each week? How much did it cost to house, feed, clothe, and generally serve 117 Princes of the Church during the last papal conclave that elected you?
For those of you visiting the Vatican in the next few days, be patient. The queue outside the confessional boxes is bound to be circling around the block, as hundreds of high end officials from the Vatican line up to purge themselves of this horrible new stain on their souls. Enjoy your day.
