Was Pope Benedict Fired by the Knights of Malta?

Abu Sina · Feb 26, 2013

The Ideals and Realities of Chivalry During the Crusades

"It has been said that the distinctive qualities of a knight were at their best honor, piety and love; at their worst ferocity, superstition and lust. The virtues of chivalry were courage, faith and devotion; its vices murder, intolerance and adultery" (Oakeshott, 18.

As warriors, knights were expected to be brave and loyal to their leaders. This is seen in some of the literature of the time such as the Chanson de Roland, wherein Roland goes willingly to his death with courage and loyalty to his commander Charlemagne, and without calling for help which might be seen as dishonorable (Barber, 52).

Knights functioned as the secular arm of the Church during the Crusades, and as such they were bound by the code of honor given to the crusaders by Pope Urban II in 1095. This gave rise to the idea of the "Code of Chivalry." Every crusader had to "swear to defend to his uttermost the weak, the orphan, the widow and the oppressed; he should be courteous, and women should receive his especial care. Thus to his bravery and love of adventure, the knight was enjoined to add gentler qualities" (Swettenham, 26).

Gradually the songs and poetry of the court combined with the urging of the church to defend women, led the idea of romance to dominate chivalry, taking a priority above religion and feudal loyalty. "Only war, a glorious and exciting pastime and a stimulating way of winning wealth, kept its high place as a gentleman's most cherished occupation; but the influence of love as the mainspring of warlike aspiration gave a much lighter rhythm to it, and to literature and life itself" (Oakeshott, 187). It is the idea of romance and the large influence that it began to have over chivalry that led to such orders of knights as the Order of the Garter (Barnie, 66).

In spite of all of this, chivalry remained centered on an idea of courtesy and courtly behavior that was found in the courts of kings and nobles of the times (Barnie, 66).

If war remained the most glorious pastime for these knights, the reality of war was far from their idea of chivalry. Religion also seems to have played a part in this separation from reason. During the first crusade, a small group of knights who may have started out with sincere piety came to believe that they were the instruments of God's wrath here on earth. In 1096 after taking the town of Marat, Radulph of Caen says that they engaged in cannibalism and ate those who were killed in battle, both men, women and children. They then decided to go directly on to Jerusalem with the rest of the army or not. In the town of Antioch they killed people regardless of Christian, Muslim, or Jew with no bias to age, sex or religion. With the firm belief that they were under the direct leadership of God almighty, no atrocity was too terrible for these fanatics to commit. After every engagement they would return to camp with the heads of the Muslim dead on top of poles, and sometimes making the captured carry the heads of their fellow soldiers.
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The Muslims of the Holy Land were made terrified by stories of the Crusaders cannibalism.

danielpalos · Feb 26, 2013

I hope modern women don't mind if "opt out" of traditional forms of chivalry in modern times, simply due to a lack of a shining suit of armor and the noble Art of the chastity belt maker.

skeptic-f · Feb 26, 2013

Abu Sina said: ↑

were those the ones that were the cannibals who ate the Muslims at one of their crusades?
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No. There were a couple of incidents of cannibalism during the First Crusade, particularily just after the siege of Maarat (am I spelling that correctly?) in Syria. I suppose its possible some of those Crusaders became Knights Hospitaller, but that's the only possible connection.

mikezila · Feb 26, 2013

Abu Sina said: ↑

http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2013/...friar-homosexuality-is-the-ticking-time-bomb/

50% !!!

Wow that's nearly as many as are in the Israeli military
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but only half the rate of the muzzie brotherhood.

Jack Napier · Feb 26, 2013

Whig Out said: ↑

Okay now this thread should definitely be in the conspiracy section of the forum!
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Why not add something, or start your own thread...

smalltime · Feb 26, 2013

Whig Out said: ↑

Okay now this thread should definitely be in the conspiracy section of the forum!
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Ya think?

Jack Napier · Feb 26, 2013

Whig Out said: ↑

Why are you angry? .
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At you?

Ha ha.

Look.

Just take part of go away.

Jack Napier · Feb 26, 2013

Looks like someone has done a timely hatchet job of Cardinal O'Brien..?

The BBC has been told Cardinal Keith O'Brien is "very upset" over the circumstances of his resignation.

A source within the Catholic Church also said the cardinal "doesn't know who his accusers are and doesn't know what they're accusing him of".

The ex-Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh has been accused of inappropriate behaviour towards priests in the 1980s - allegations he contests.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21584820

Cardinal O'Brien will no longer take part in the election of the new Pope

Toro · Feb 26, 2013

The Illuminati fired him.

We, er, I mean "they" had no use for him any more. So we canned him.

I mean "they" canned him.

catalinacat · Feb 26, 2013

Jack Napier said: ↑

Popes, Bishops, Cardinals, Priests, Rabbi's, none of this is needed,and all of it attracts corruption, cover up's, abuses, and people that get drunk on their own perceived powers.

By all means, if someone wishes to have a spiritual essence to their life, sure, they can do that. It's a personal thing though, and you don't need this cabal of self important and v costly people.

Indeed, you don't need the central establishment of it, at all, imo.

**
British Cardinal OBrien accused of sexually abusing priests

Britains most senior Catholic clergyman, Cardinal Keith O'Brien has been implicated in possible sexual abuse scandals dating back 30 years ago by three priests and a former priest in Scotland, local media reported.

Cardinal O'Brien, who is an outspoken opponent of gay rights, condemning homosexuality as immoral, has been reported to the Vatican by the four, from the diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, the daily The Guardian reported.

They complained to nuncio Antonio Mennini, the Vatican's ambassador to Britain, that they had fallen victim to OBriens inappropriate behaviour at the time, and called for his immediate resignation.

Their claims had been submitted to the nuncios office the week before Pope Benedict's resignation on 11 February, nurturing speculations that Benedict's shock move may be connected to further scandals to come. Allegations of sexual abuse by members of the church have dogged the papacy of Benedict XVI, who is to step down as pope at the end of this month.

One of the priests claims that the cardinal developed an inappropriate relationship with him, resulting in a need for long-term psychological counseling.

"It tends to cover up and protect the system at all costs," said the complainant. "The church is beautiful, but it has a dark side and that has to do with accountability. If the system is to be improved, maybe it needs to be dismantled a bit."

The first allegation against the cardinal dates back to 1980. The complainant, who is now married, was then an 18-year-old seminarian at St Andrew's College, Drygrange, where O'Brien was his "spiritual director". He claims O'Brien made an inappropriate approach after night prayers.

Out of fear, the seminarian says, he did not report the incident at the time.

But my personality changed afterwards, so much so that my teachers told me I was becoming depressed. I was ordained but resigned when O'Brien was promoted to bishop. I knew then he would always have power over me. It was assumed I left the priesthood to get married. I did not. I left to preserve my integrity", he said.

In a second statement, "Priest A" describes being happily settled in a parish when he claims he was visited by O'Brien and inappropriate contact between the two took place.

In a third statement, "Priest B" claims that he was starting his ministry in the 1980s when he was invited to spend a week "getting to know" O'Brien at the archbishop's residence. He alleges that he found himself dealing with what he describes as unwanted behaviour by the cardinal after a late-night drinking session.

"Priest C" was a young priest the cardinal was counseling over personal problems. Priest C's statement claims that O'Brien used night prayers as an excuse for inappropriate contact.

They believed the cardinal abused his position. "You have to understand," explains the ex-priest, "the relationship between a bishop and a priest. At your ordination, you take a vow to be obedient to him.

"He's more than your boss, more than the CEO of your company. He has immense power over you. He can move you, freeze you out, bring you into the fold he controls every aspect of your life. You can't just kick him in the balls."

Britain's most senior Roman Catholic has recently said he believes priests should be able to marry if they wish to do so. Cardinal O'Brien said it was clear many priests struggled to cope with celibacy, and should be able to marry and have children.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/02/24/290491/cardinal/

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Well, you could either moan on and on, or pick out facets, or comments from others, about this situation, and make something of it.

How about that?

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This was covered on CNN just last night. It is definitely to be considered.

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