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New book claims Pope whipped himself as penance

VATICAN CITY—Pope John Paul II whipped himself with a belt, even on vacation, and slept on the floor as acts of penitence and to bring him closer to Christian perfection, according to a new book by the Polish prelate spearheading his sainthood case.

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Of course everyone will now be thinking about Dan Brown's albino monk...

Thanks to Erroll Treslan.

Comments

The Atheist Missionary said…
I'm not sure what's more pathetic - the papal self-flagellation or the Catholics on twitter who are defending it.

In the unlikely event that any proponents of self-moritification visit this site, I have a couple of questions:

1. When you beat yourself, how do you know when you've had enough?

2. Would it be considered more admirable if the Pope had castrated himself? If not, why not?
January 27, 2010 at 9:53 AM
anticant said…
In view of their worldwide disgraceful behaviour, castration should be compulsory for all candidates for the Catholic priesthood.
January 27, 2010 at 12:24 PM
Steven Carr said…
Self-flagellation produces feelings of peace, tranquility and onenesss with the world.

How else do you expect people to get their religious experiences of God,other than by inducing endorphins to flow through their body?
January 27, 2010 at 1:19 PM
Robert said…
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February 14, 2012 at 4:55 PM
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