I received the most disturbing email last evening informing me of a couple of blog posts suggesting the Holy Father is a homosexual and that that his relationship with Monsignor Ganswein is inordinate. I knew this type of vindictive defamation would surface eventually. Gay people have a way of attributing their particular foibles and follies onto personages they are either profoundly attracted to, or whom they consider their nemesis. I have prayed every day for the person of the Pope as well as the papal secretary Monsignor Ganswein, and I will continue to do so.
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These accusations are beneath contempt and are without parallel, the unjust accusations against Pope Paul VI notwithstanding. This type of libel is reminiscent of the wicked men of Sodom who demanded that the two angels staying with Lot be delivered into their hands: "Bring them out to us that we may have our way with them!" [Genesis 19:5] I refuse to link to the sources of these revolting calumnies, or to permit comments on the post. (FYI: The blog posts deal with Colm Tóibín's review of Angelo Quattrocchi's book The Pope Is Not Gay.)
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+ May the Lord rebuke them, we humbly pray.
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+ Arise O Lord and let your enemies be scattered, and may those that hate you flee from before your Holy Face.
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+ Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI
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Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to Your shepherd, the Pope, a spirit of courage and right judgement, a spirit of knowledge and love.
By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build Your church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
