Bush may convert to Catholicism

[KaloMatt]

Bush ‘may convert to Catholicism’

President George Bush was given such a splendid welcome by Pope Benedict XVI yesterday that rumours started flying that the President, like Tony Blair before him, was on the verge of converting to Catholicism.

It was a Vatican visit such as no other head of state has ever enjoyed. Instead of greeting him, like all previous high-ranking visitors, in the papal library of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope took Mr Bush round the medieval St John's Tower then gave him a tour of the Vatican gardens, culminating in a brief open-air concert by the Sistine Chapel Choir.
The Pope waited for the President at the entrance of the tower. As he arrived, the President was overheard gushing "What an honour" as the two men disappeared for a half-hour tête-à-tête, details of which have not been made public.
The special reception was seen as a return of favours for the magnificent party thrown for the Pope two months ago when he turned 81 during his US tour, attended by up to 9,000 guests. But yesterday the Vatican was seething at rumours that there was much more to it than protocol: George Bush,lifelong Methodist, was about to convert.
The notion was given extra mileage by the fact that the President's brother Jeb, the former governor of Florida, converted to Catholicism on marrying his wife Columba, a Mexican.
The Vatican differs from the White House on immigration and the death penalty but on other issues including stem cell research, gay marriage and abortion there has been, as the Catholic daily L'Avvenire put it, "total harmony."
Cardinal Pio Laghi, the papal envoy to the White House, said: "Bush believes in the values of the Church and his brother is a convert."

Source: Bush ‘may convert to Catholicism’ - World news - News - Belfast Telegraph

[Ricardo Reis]

Is converting to Catholicism a kind of a new trend?

[Errigal]

In Britain and the US the neocons seem to have formed alliances with quite a few Roman Catholics. I don't know why but there seems to be a bit of a link.

[Marcus Marulus]

Originally Posted by Errigal

In Britain and the US the neocons seem to have formed alliances with quite a few Roman Catholics. I don't know why but there seems to be a bit of a link.

Yes, there is a thing like "neoconnish Catholicism". It infected some supposedly traditionalist cicles as well, unfortunately and regretfully. It is the phenomenon of so-called "theocons", which might sow a lot of confusion in the future.

[Errigal]

I would add though that I doubt Bush will convert; he's too stupid to understand the catechism.

[Menydh]

What's next? Elizabeth of England appointed as cardinal?

[Llywarch Hen]

Nah, even worse, me!

[Menydh]

"There is no worse jew than the convert"
-old Castillian saying-

So you'll become a New Marrano too?

[Savorgnan]

Originally Posted by Menydh

"There is no worse jew than the convert"
-old Castillian saying-

So you'll become a New Marrano too?

Jewarch coHen?

[Menydh]

There is nothing that the Inquisition can't fix with these false converts Marranos.

[Savorgnan]

OK, then. I'll call Bernat Gui.

[Errigal]

Originally Posted by Menydh

"There is no worse jew than the convert"
-old Castillian saying-

So you'll become a New Marrano too?

The funny thing is that by Jewish law I am already Roman Catholic. My mother was baptised RC.

You are right about converts though, they seem to be strange people.

One of the funny sayings in Ireland though is if there is one last piece of food on the plate, and the guests are too polite to take the last cake or sandwich, the host sometimes says "c'mon, don't let it die a Protestant!"

[Salford]

Originally Posted by Ricardo Reis

Is converting to Catholicism a kind of a new trend?

Apparently so! I'm not quite sure if I'd be considered a convert, since I'm not converting from any other religion.

Though I was born into a family of mainly Roman Catholics and High Church Anglicans (and a smattering of scary Presbyterians ), my parents never baptised me. They thought religion should be my choice alone, I suppose. I attended Mass with relatives from an early age, and I always expressed a desire to become Catholic. However, no one ever took me seriously enough to enter me in any sort of catechism program, sadly.

Finally becoming officially Catholic is something very recent for me (though I've been surrounded by Catholics my entire life), and it is quite a task to undertake in Lutheran saturated Finland. I regret not doing this sooner, though.

[Kernunnos]

Originally Posted by Errigal

In Britain and the US the neocons seem to have formed alliances with quite a few Roman Catholics. I don't know why but there seems to be a bit of a link.

It is much simpler than that.


Protestant are deadly serious with sinners, especially with liars.

Catholics are open to embrace anybody willing to repent even of the worst crimes ... and lying is not on top of Catholicism most wanted sins.

So for Bush there are good hopes of a real absolution in the maternal arms of Rome...

[Germanicus]

Originally Posted by Errigal

I would add though that I doubt Bush will convert; he's too stupid to understand the catechism.

How true....When Tony Blair was met by Bush, he called out "yo blair"
he could not even recall his name was Tony, so how will he be able to remember all the saints?.....and even what they are patron of?

[daspit]

Originally Posted by Salford

Apparently so! I'm not quite sure if I'd be considered a convert, since I'm not converting from any other religion.

Though I was born into a family of mainly Roman Catholics and High Church Anglicans (and a smattering of scary Presbyterians ), my parents never baptised me. They thought religion should be my choice alone, I suppose. I attended Mass with relatives from an early age, and I always expressed a desire to become Catholic. However, no one ever took me seriously enough to enter me in any sort of catechism program, sadly.

Finally becoming officially Catholic is something very recent for me (though I've been surrounded by Catholics my entire life), and it is quite a task to undertake in Lutheran saturated Finland. I regret not doing this sooner, though.

Congratulations on entering the Catholic church, especially under such difficult circumstances! There are a number of people on this site, including myself, who are experts in Catholic theology and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.