I thought
>THIS<
may be of interest to some of you....

How stupid is this! Let the good man rest in peace. I really hope it doesn't happen. Thanks for posting it~.

i am sure that it will happen as it probably "all about the money" --- last year when we visited my family in Foggia my cousin took us to San Giovanni Rotondo ---- we expected to see a little Italian hilltown and a little church ---- boy, were we surprized!! First of all there were a ton of tour buses (there must have been at least 70-80). There were thousands of people. The church looked like a modern sports arena and I think it held at least 5000+++ people. there were a ton of souvenir stands. Padre Pio is big business ---- the shrine must generate thousands of Euros everyday.

There is also a small American shrine to Padre Pio about 1 hour from me in surburan Philadelphia --- there has been an ongoing battle between the family who built this and the local Church officals over control of the revenue it generates.

I am sure that Padre Pio was a good man, but now there is a lot of money being generated from a lot of poor people who come to pray to him.

LOL -- so far I have received almost every possible "Padre Pio" gift from my cousins, including a bottle of Padre Pio wine (which I regifted to my cousin who was a nun stationed in Roma).

I hope that I don't insult anyone with my comments, but I am just stating how I reacted to what was being done.

Charlie..

I understand what you mean. It is big business now. But then again, isn't every thing tragic? We went to go see the Titanic Exhibit yesterday and you should see the money that is being generated off of that. Look how much money has been made because of those poor people and that horrific event!

BUT....putting a man's body on exhibit is a bit too much. Money or no money, he should be left to rest peacefully. If people want, they can always go to his grave to pay their respects.

And no offense taken..ever. We respect each others opinions here. Always!

Ouch ... what ever happened to "Rest In Peace."

That is so stupid, let him rest! I wouldn't want anyone touching me after I was dead, and that's that.

Not being of the catholic faith I don't feel I can (or should) comment either on the practices catholics follow or what they feel about them. I can only respect their religeon and in doing so try and understand why they choose to adhere to certain practices that do seem strange to me. But that goes for any religeous practices which are not my own. It's just - I suppose - a question of trying to understand 'why'!



I wanted to know why this decision had been made regarding the remains of Padre Pio and I found this link which 'sort of ' puts it in context.

>HOLY RELICS<

As I Catholic I have been taught the power, (given by God to his chosen few) of the holy relics. If it does not clash with God’s will, the power to heal and strengthen faith. I never understood how part of someone’s finger (no matter how Holy the person) could heal. I always thought if God wants you healed, He would heal you. God does not need objects. I understand the idea of asking one or more of God’s chosen to “plea your case” before God. I get that. Most of the time, I am not worthy to ask God for anything. But I always thought the idea of “holy relics” horribly morbid. However, I must admit, when I walk into the Shrine of St. Therese, the Little Flower, there is a feeling of peace, reverence and tranquility that comes over me. The shrine does not look like anything special; however, her relics and personal effects are there. A chair she sat in every day and other personal items – dozens of them. The use of Padre Pio holy oil has had shocking results in my family and with friends I have given it to. On the other hand, relics are BIG bucks! It makes me remember Jesus in the Temple turning over the tables of the money lenders. I have a hard time believing that this sort of profit is approved of in heaven.