Pope holds Easter candle at basilica vigil – Yahoo! News
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VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI, carrying a tall, lit candle, ushered in Christianity’s most joyous celebration with an Easter vigil service Saturday night, but voiced fears that mankind is groping in darkness, unable to distinguish good from evil.
Easter for Christians commemorates Christ’s triumph over death with his resurrection following his crucifixion.
“Life is stronger than death. Good is stronger than evil. Love is stronger than hate. Truth is stronger than lies,” Benedict, wearing white robes in a symbol of new life, told the faithful in a packed St. Peter’s Basilica.
Still, Benedict worried in his homily: “The darkness that poses a real threat to mankind, after all, is the fact that he can see and investigate tangible material things, but cannot see where the world is going or whence it comes, where our own life is going, what is good and what is evil.”
“The darkness enshrouding God and obscuring values is the real threat to our existence and to the world in general,” the pope said.
“If God and moral values, the difference between good and evil, remain in darkness, then all other ‘lights,’ that put such incredible technical feats within our reach, are not only progress but also dangers that put us and the world at risk,” Benedict added.
The service began dramatically. Except for the twinkle of camera flashes, the basilica was almost pitch-black as the thousands of faithful in pews awaited Benedict’s arrival through the rear entrance. After aides lit the candle, Benedict climbed aboard a raised platform that was wheeled up the long main aisle to the central altar. The wheeled device is used to save wear and tear on the pontiff, who turns 85 on April 16.
Benedict, who has made protection of the environment a theme of his papacy, made a reference to urban pollution in his homily. “Today we can illuminate our cities so brightly that the stars in the sky are no longer visible,” he said. “Is this not an image of the problems caused by our version of enlightenment?”
“With regard to material things, our knowledge and our technical accomplishments are legion, but what reaches beyond, the things of God and the question of good, we can no longer identify,” Benedict added, saying that faith was the “true enlightenment.”
During the vigil ceremony, Benedict welcomed eight adult converts to the church, pouring water over their bowed heads in baptism.
On Sunday morning, Benedict will lead Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square, then deliver a speech from the central balcony of the basilica, at the end of stamina-testing Holy Week appearances.
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2,388 comments Popular Now Newest Oldest Most Replied
Oldsky – Mountain Home, Arkansas – 1 hr 25 mins ago
“mankind grouping in the dark unable to distinguish good from evil”. I don’t see the problem, just read the Epistles of Paul, “the law is given to man so that he can tell what sin is”. So, for those who can use deductive reasoning, follow the law. Evil is where the law does not prevail.
Ed – Bremerton, Washington – 42 mins ago
Atheists need to take MG out of their OMG texts, as they don’t have a God to begin with, so they can’t say MY, either. Let’s be politically correct, here.
Short3gears – Fayetteville, North Carolina – 2 mins 46 secs ago
He is suggesting that technology be turned off, people should give up their material goods. These things cause the darkness….
Welcome the Church to Agenda 21
I wasn’t sure if they would put the ring on or not… looks like they are married 
ISABELLA – St Albans, West Virginia – 22 mins ago
The religion is not fake,it’s whats been made of it.count on the bibel and the ten comendments that is what god wont’s you to do.when people fail,we have the wirtten word.
R D – Capitol Heights, Maryland – 1 hr 35 mins ago
the people of God keep the world going. the self center world revolve around them evil people from time to time in history always try to destroy the world.thank you Lord for giving the strength and wisdom to show your people how to get though the madness of man
Tizawiza – Englewood, Colorado – 1 hr 39 mins ago
The world indeed is in darkness. Think of darkness as lies.
Think of truth as light, as life.
If you see the truth in the Scriptures, truly seek it, ask, humble yourself to hear, and try to live by the truth, your darkness will become no more. Didn’t say it was easy, though. But it’s much better than walking in darkness, death.
ISABELLA – St Albans, West Virginia – 15 mins ago
To jm=
you do not pray to statues,you pray true them,like having a mental picture of a thing,like god.we know what mary looked like,we know what jesus on the cross looked like the statues are only focal points.
Short3gears – Fayetteville, North Carolina – 52 mins ago
The speech fits nicely with the upcoming Agenda 21 actions. No more private property, no more racism, no more dissension… google Agenda 21 and find out more.
Shairk. – 37 mins ago
The voice of Satan speaks!
Julie – 2 hrs 24 mins ago
I feel sorry for those who don’t believe in Christ and have never felt his guiding hand in their lives. There’s no reason for the hate below. How can you hate something so strongly that you don’t believe in?
KR K – Los Angeles, California – 34 mins ago
The pope is hardly one to call the kettle black as his organization is laden with pedophiles. Darkness may be upon mankind but hundreds of priests are descending upon boykind!
If this was a “new” religion, it would have been shut down by the law years ago.
James – Brooksville, Florida – 1 hr 41 mins ago
This is in response to Todd. Documentation of the facts regarding church history can be accessed by anyone with desire to do so. Clearly, it is a fact that the early church fathers did indeed vote on what would be included in the Cannon. Just off of the top of my head, I believe it was the Council of Nicaea 325 in the common era to name just one. Historical accounts of this Synod are available at your fingertips via the internet. I like to argue the points more common to the layperson in regards to what is accepted scripture. I am by no means qualified to take on the scholars who comment on these writings. I merely point out what we have at this given date namely the Bible as it is faithfully translated in the language of our common era. I believe the Bible was intended to be read and taught by average people. I would tend to avoid the clergy of an institution who has put to death many in the past that would have afforded me the ability to hold in my own hands the very Words of Almighty God.
Old Dude – Manila, Philippines – 25 mins ago
The Cathlic Church is out of touch with the scientific realities of this todays world they refuse to move in to the modern era,they are lossing convents and presit are quitting the church in almarming numbers.Abortion,no divorce and man over women are old church ideas today women want equal rights birth control is fast becoming a need as the world population is out growing its baseic needs supply,food and water,Divorce people will break the law to separate from an abuseive partner,i did three times.In the filippines the power of males is forifred by no divorce they do as they choose and women are second class citzen because of no family court or judges that believe in bad marriages because of the philippine cathlic church at least three centruies behind the Roman Cathlic church.If the Pope does not step in in the philippines they will loss asia in the next genaration.
Bruce – Atlanta, Georgia – 2 hrs 27 mins ago
All the “Darkness” is caused by the cult of liberalism/leftism which facilitates socialism,fascism and Islamism at every turn….destruction of liberty and freedom…….more misery….more death…..
SAM – Reedley, California – 57 mins ago
the Catholic Church is a disgrace. may it fall.
Anonymous – 1 hr 20 mins ago
Still unable to reconcile the Catholic Church’s ongoing problem with pedophiles in its ranks. n the good Pope should realize that from bad trees come bitter fruit. The Catholic Church is a bad tree.
Ty – Columbus, Ohio – 55 mins ago
Darkness is descending on mankind. White countries are being consumed in a sea of third world unevolved peoples. Soon, there will be no first world, at least not in european nations and the americas. Hopefully, Asia can muster some form of first world standards.
Ann – 1 hr 29 mins ago
Happy Stolen Pagan Fertility Festival, everyone!
Nothing like re-purposing an ancient festival to suit the needs of the latest religion!
James – Brooksville, Florida – 1 hr 16 mins ago
Others have made the claim to me that somehow there is no dispute as to the Catholic Church’s claim that they alone were the protectors of the Holy Scriptures in the years of the early church. History clearly documents that this claim is indeed a false one. I do reject the notion that the books of the Apocrypha are inspired. The only seal of approval for these writings is the Roman Catholic Church. These books were written before the common era and contradict the clear teaching of Jesus in the Gospel accounts and in the epistles. I merely wanted to comment on statements given in this venue. I did not want them to stand without challenge as though they were accepted fact.
Jackrabbit – 1 hr 15 mins ago
Headline “Ex-Nazi says child molesting priests can’t distinguish between good and evil”
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