10.There have been three African popes and all are now saints.
9. The Vatican financed the construction of the Watergate in Washington, D. C.
8. There are more than 4,000 Catholic priests in Korea.
7. There are more Catholics in the U. S. Congress than of any other religion.
6. The Church was initially opposed to the use of a fork, believing it was an instrument of the devil.
5. A Papal theologian stated that the most common sins for men are lust and gluttony while the most common sins for women are anger, pride, and envy.
4. Charles Carroll was the only Catholic to sign the United States Declaration of Independence.
3. Saint Barbara is the Patron Saint Against Death by Artillery and the Patron Saint Against Mine Collapse.
2. Catholic mobster Al Capone’s business card listed his occupation as “Used Car Salesman.”
1. There was a Celtic saint called St. Elvis, who was a bishop of the Irish See of Munster.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Regina 10.26.09 at 10:39 am
Intriguing list , Paul. And as Elvis would doubtless say, (low Elvis voice) “Thankyuhvurrymuch.”
I’m very interested in the three African popes who are saints. Any more information on them?
Regina
Eric 10.26.09 at 3:38 pm
Victor I, 189 – 199
Miltiades, 310/311 – 314
Gelasius I, 492 – 496
Marika 10.27.09 at 3:40 am
Does anybody know in which year/ century the Church was initially opposed to the use of a fork, believing it was an instrument of the devil?
Regina 10.27.09 at 8:11 am
Thanks so much, Eric!
Marika, I’m finding a lot of strange stuff re forks. There’s evidence that they were used in 11th century Venice. Why (and when) the Church opposed their use, I haven’t been able to find out.
Regina
Eric 10.27.09 at 1:09 pm
Regina,
I should have added the comment that these popes reigned at a time when North Africa was still a part of the Roman Empire, and by the time Gelasius I, an area with a large Christian population. I think it will a great day in the history of the Catholic Church when a pope comes from Africa as it is today.
Regina 10.28.09 at 6:38 am
Eric,
That was indeed a long time ago. I think we’ll see an African pope in our lifetime, though.
Paul 10.30.09 at 7:47 am
Marika and Everyone,
Sorry to have been out of the fray for the last few days – things have been crazy busy at work and at home.
I nearly didn’t include the item about the Church being against forks because I knew I couldn’t defend it – I found the reference, without any supporting evidence, on another website.
Paul
Paul 10.30.09 at 8:01 am
Eric,
I think another African Pope is a distinct possibility. NPR reported this week that Pope Benedict’s announcement of Cardinal Peter Kodwo of Ghana as Secretary for Peace & Justice could be seen as an indication that Kodwo is a favorite for succession.
Paul