Popeless GodFather!

Well, I am going to be my Niece's Godfather this coming Sunday. I've been a Godfather (am a Godfather) to my youngest sister as well. This will be the first time however that I become a Godfather with no Pope. I'm not really sure how that works, but it seems to be a unique event to me.

Sure, I'm Catholic, but I do not practice my father regularly like I used to. I went to Catholic School, was an Alter boy, you name it. Hell I thought I wanted to be a Priest at one time. But I was no fan of our Pope. Frankly, its time for changes, and his reign was long overdue.

I'm Italian too, and as such would certainly like to see an Italian as Pope again. However, whoever becomes Pope, I would like to see a more moderate Papal message to Catholics.

1. Let Priests be allowed to marry.
2. Tell Catholics who are married that it is ok to use a rubber, or any birth control for that matter.
3. Stay the hell out of politics.
4. Embrace Darwin's theory of evolution as God's work.
5. Execute convicted pedophiles who were priests.

I could go on, but to me, these are the most important issues. 26 years under John Paul II was no picnic. Sure he was a "hellava" nice guy, but he was way too traditional. Actually I am not sure that traditional is the right word for him. Let's just say he was a bit closed minded to changing times. Under his strict rule the faithful became fanatical, priests numbers declined, a great many Catholics (myself included) left the church save for special occasions and holidays.

I think it is safe to say that having a pope for 26 years can be likened to that of a dictatorship. It's too long for one man to be in control. I'm not convinced that God guided John Paul II, so much as John Paul II's own agenda guided him and those that followed him.

Anyway, from here on in I have asked that all call me "Don Jer" having been made "Godfather" again!