NORMAL LIFE: The Seven Year Late Blessing

I might be a little behind on the news, but when I saw this picture of Pope Benedict XVI praying at New York City's Ground Zero on April 21, I couldn't help but think: you're late, mate! Ground Zero is the site which saw the destruction of the once mighty World Trade Center twin towers on September 11th, 2001.

My belief is such that you should live for today. Praying will not help you pay for your mortgage when the credit crunch well and truly arrives. Praying will not prevent evil fathers from imprisoning their own daughters in a cellar for 24 years and fathering, incestuously, seven kids with said daughter. Praying will not make Zimbabwe reveal the results of so-called democratic elections held more than a month ago.

Through the ages, the Catholic Church has acted as nothing short of a repressive regime to be feared. "Don't do this, don't this that, or you will go straight to hell!" Well, where was the Pope seven years ago or is he just conforming to the 21st Century norm of being 'fashionably late'? Perhaps someone should visit with the Pope and, pointing a finger at him, mock: "Don't be so late next time there is a disaster of such magnitutde!" If the Pope wasn't need in the last seven years, he certainly isn't needed now.