23Feb
Successive popes have transformed the Vatican into an absolute monarchy
Fr John P Mannion argues that while the western world has moved from absolute monarchy to participant democracy, the Catholic Church has moved in the opposite direction, concentrating all power in the Bishop of Rome. Even the Commandments can be re-written as a result - as can be seen in the then Cardinal Ratzinger's reply to the US bishops, apparently allowing exceptions to the fifth commandment. (This a condensed version of his article: original can be obtained from the author at Killoran, Clonfert, Co Galway.)