Category: The Pope

Ack!!!

Y’all are too kind!

I didn’t expect the kind of response I got down yonder (and by e-mail) in regard to my request for help stripping some material out of papal encyclical files.

It seems that it might be the best thing if I was more explicit about what I’m looking to have done, as it might help clarify matters.

First, though, thanks to all who wrote and offered help! Sorry I wasn’t more explicit the first time.

Here’s the basics:

So far as I can see, there are three things that need to be stripped out:

1. Footnotes. In most of the encyclicals these are numeric strings set off by being a superscript with a hyperlink, though in one encyclical at least they are superscripted only. Searching and deleting any numeric string that is superscripted, and any hyperlink should get rid of them.

2. Parenthetical remarks containing Scripture citations. These are more varied. Some contain only one Scripture citation. Some contain more than one. Some are preceded by "cf." just inside the opening parentheses. It may be the case that *all* parenthetical remarks fall into this class, though I haven’t verified that (and may not be able to), but it seems to me that deleting anything in parentheses *if* if contains a colon (used in verse divisions) would likely do the trick.

3. I’m also thinking about whether the paragraph numbers should be deleted for the project I have in mind. If so, this would involve deleting any numeric string at the beginning of a paragraph that is followed by a period (e.g., "22.").

I have all fourteen encyclicals in a zip file that I can send anyone willing to take a crack at it. The zip is about a meg in size, but for a sample file, HERE’S ONE.

I’m very thankful for the many offers that have come in regarding this, and want to thank everone who’s commented or e-mailed offers!

I want to make sure that folks don’t do redundant work, so maybe folks could use the combox if they think they’d be up for this (assuming no more clarification is needed), and I’ll use the combox to take someone up on the offer so that there’s no confusion.

Again, thanks to all and much obliged!

A reader writes:

Is there some lowercased tradition against a pope taking the name Peter? Some unspoken (or spoken) rule against it? Or does it seem people are just afraid to fill such shoes?

There is no spoken rule against it. If a pontiff-elect insisted, he could and would be called Peter.

But there’s a strong unspoken tradition against it. Any pope daring to call himself Peter would be regarded as extraordinarily presumptuous ("Who is this guy to hold himself up as the Successor of Successors–the only guy down through all the ages with the temerity to call himself ‘Peter’???"). It would be an extraordinary hamper to the pontiff’s ability to relate to his cardinals, the bishops, and the Church as a whole.

It also would be really asking for a lesson in humbling from God.

A reader writes:

Is there some lowercased tradition against a pope taking the name Peter? Some unspoken (or spoken) rule against it? Or does it seem people are just afraid to fill such shoes?

There is no spoken rule against it. If a pontiff-elect insisted, he could and would be called Peter.

But there’s a strong unspoken tradition against it. Any pope daring to call himself Peter would be regarded as extraordinarily presumptuous ("Who is this guy to hold himself up as the Successor of Successors–the only guy down through all the ages with the temerity to call himself ‘Peter’???"). It would be an extraordinary hamper to the pontiff’s ability to relate to his cardinals, the bishops, and the Church as a whole.

It also would be really asking for a lesson in humbling from God.

I have a project that I want to do with the encyclicals of John Paul II to make them more accessible to folks, but I need some help from someone with more scripting experience than me.

Here’s the deal: I’ve got the encyclicals in HTML format, but I need to have the footnotes and (preferably) the parenthetical Scripture references STRIPPED OUT of them.

I could do this with my limited scripting experience, but it would be a needlessly long and painful process.

THEREFORE,

If someone with more scripting experience than I would like to step up to the plate and volunteer, I’d be most appreciative.

Lemme know.

More details on request.

Much obliged!

So long, and thanks for all the fish!

The former president has succumbed to the temptation to go in for snipish remarks regarding the late holy father, commenting to the press that John Paul II “centralized authority in the papacy again and enforced a very conservative theological doctrine. There will be debates about that. The number of Catholics increased by 250 million on his watch. But the numbers of priests didn’t. He’s like all of us – he may have a mixed legacy.”

LESS.

The former president has succumbed to the temptation to go in for snipish remarks regarding the late holy father, commenting to the press that John Paul II “centralized authority in the papacy again and enforced a very conservative theological doctrine. There will be debates about that. The number of Catholics increased by 250 million on his watch. But the numbers of priests didn’t. He’s like all of us – he may have a mixed legacy.”

LESS.

In Christianity Today, Lutheran writer Uwe Siemon-Netto writes:

For the last quarter of a century, this non-Catholic has had a pope. Now that John Paul II is gone, I am even more of an orphan than the Christians in the Roman church. For they will surely have another pope, but that one may not be mine, since I haven’t converted.

I am sure I am reflecting the views of many Protestants. Who else but John Paul II gave voice to my faith and my values in 130 countries? Who else posited personal holiness and theological clarity against postmodern self-deception and egotism? Who else preached the gospel as tirelessly as this man?

GET THE STORY.

In Christianity Today, Lutheran writer Uwe Siemon-Netto writes:

For the last quarter of a century, this non-Catholic has had a pope. Now that John Paul II is gone, I am even more of an orphan than the Christians in the Roman church. For they will surely have another pope, but that one may not be mine, since I haven’t converted.

I am sure I am reflecting the views of many Protestants. Who else but John Paul II gave voice to my faith and my values in 130 countries? Who else posited personal holiness and theological clarity against postmodern self-deception and egotism? Who else preached the gospel as tirelessly as this man?

GET THE STORY.

A friend of mine who is a priest and a Benedictine (and a really good guy!) writes:

I obtained from the Vatican website the Homily that Pope John Paul II preached at the Mass for the inauguration of his pontificate, October 22, 1978. I’ve translated it from the Italian (minus his brief greetings in several other languages). It has turned out to be a prophecy of his person and work as pope. In case you are interested in it, I have attached it to this e-mail in two forms so that you can open at least one.

GET THE HOMILY.

Continue reading “In The Beginning: John Paul II's First Homily”

A friend of mine who is a priest and a Benedictine (and a really good guy!) writes:

I obtained from the Vatican website the Homily that Pope John Paul II preached at the Mass for the inauguration of his pontificate, October 22, 1978. I’ve translated it from the Italian (minus his brief greetings in several other languages). It has turned out to be a prophecy of his person and work as pope. In case you are interested in it, I have attached it to this e-mail in two forms so that you can open at least one.

GET THE HOMILY.

Continue reading “In The Beginning: John Paul II’s First Homily”