Read this today in Jan Phillips book and was so delighted by it that I had to share it.<\/p>\n
If I Were Pope<\/p>\n
If I were pope
\nI’d proclaim the end of my infallibility
\nand banish the word sin from the doctrines of faith<\/p>\n
I’d ask half the bishops and cardinals
\nto replace themselves with a thoughtful woman
\nand complete their ministries in a prison or homeless shelter<\/p>\n
If I were pope
\nI’d pay the mystics to write poetry all day
\nand have their words read at the Sunday Masses<\/p>\n
I’d pay the prophets to upload their message
\nin five minute videos
\nfor youtube viewers around the world<\/p>\n
I’d hire a thousand displaced workers
\nto construct a new Sistine Chapel and cover it with mirrors
\ninstead of male images<\/p>\n
If I were pope
\nI’d announce a contest
\nfor 10 new sacraments that celebrate
\npeace-making, justice, and interfaith creations.<\/p>\n
I’d send envoys to the villages
\nto talk about birth control
\nand distribute condoms wherever they are needed.<\/p>\n
I’d establish a tuition-free college in every country
\nto train young students how to think
\nnon-violently and act ethically.<\/p>\n
If I were pope I’d convert closed churches
\nto housing for the needy
\nand meeting places for the marginal and walking wounded<\/p>\n
I’d buy farms in rural places
\nand dedicate each one to organic farming
\nand cooperative, sustainable, community-based agriculture.<\/p>\n
I’d convert every old Motherhouse and seminary
\ninto a training center for spiritual activists, cultural creators
\nand community collaborators.<\/p>\n
I’d auction off my skullcap, my mozetta cape and my darling red shoes
\nto the highest bidder and send the money to Haiti
\nfor the construction of schools and health care centers.<\/p>\n
I’d sell my Fisherman’s Ring on ebay
\nand donate the proceeds to the Gulf shrimpers.<\/p>\n
I’d trade my red and gold embroidered fascia
\n(the stole with the fringes) for a villa in Tuscany
\nand give free spa retreats to women who’ve served the church
\nfor five years or more.<\/p>\n
If I were pope, I’d throw a party at the Vatican
\nand invite everyone who’s left the church
\nbecause they didn’t feel welcomed.
\n(The overflow crowd would be treated to weekends
\nat Italian vineyards.)<\/p>\n
If I were pope, I’d announce my retirement,
\nand as my last act in office, at the final party,
\nI’d ordain to the priesthood any woman who was ready,
\nmarry any gay couple who wanted my blessing,
\nand marry any priest, male or female.<\/p>\n
Then I’d get in my jammies,
\nsay a prayer of gratitude,
\nand crawl into bed for a much needed nap.<\/p>\n
Excerpt from\u00a0Jan Phillips<\/a>‘ book, ‘No Ordinary Time.’<\/em><\/p>\n Read this today in Jan Phillips book and was so delighted by it that I had to share it. If I Were Pope If I were pope I’d proclaim the end of my infallibility and banish the word sin from … Continue reading