There were two Catholic boys, Timothy Murphy and Antonio Secola, whose lives parallel each other in amazing ways. In the same yearTimothy was born in Ireland , Antonio was born in Italy .
Faithfully they attended parochial School from kindergarten through their senior year in high school. They took their vows to enter the priesthood early in college, and upon graduation, became priests.
Their careers had come to amaze the world, but it was generally acknowledged that Antonio Secola was just a wee cut above Timothy Murphy in all respects.
Their rise through the ranks of Bishop, Archbishop and finally Cardinal was swift to say the least, and the Catholic world knew that when the present Pope died, it would be one of the two who would become the next Pope.
In time the Pope did die, and the College of Cardinals went to work. In less time than anyone had expected, white smoke rose from the chimney and the world waited to see whom they had chosen.
The world, Catholic, Protestant and secular, was surprised to learn that Timothy Murphy had been elected Pope!
Antonio Secola was beyond surprise. He was devastated, because even with all of Timothy's gifts, Antonio knew he was just a bit better qualified.
With gall that shocked the Cardinals, Antonio Secola asked for a private session with them in which he candidly asked, "Why Timothy?"
After a long silence, an old Cardinal took pity on the bewildered man and rose to reply.
"We knew you were the better of the two, but we just could not bear the thought of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church being called POPE SE-COLA!
*No groaning now! You know you're going to share it with Catholic and non-Catholic friends alike!*
I've already asked Doug to leave the stage. :-)
This is, of course, why the Popes always change their names... to protect the innocent (?)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tobias. And now you know what you must do.
ReplyDelete"To protect the innocent" Or the not too Pius.
ReplyDeleteGroan.
ReplyDeleteCathy, why didn't you carry on? Give us another groanworthy pun.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of when Picabo Street (skier, actual, famous) was impressed by the medical care given to her father when he had a heart attack. But the hospital's Intensive Care Unit was not fully adequate for the patient load, so she gave them a large donation to fund a new unit: the Picabo ICU.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone not heard that? There must be some, becuse Snopes has taken the trouble to debunk another variant of this joke.
Okay, okay, just what is going on here? This is lent and you all will be required to bow your heads and pray for forgiveness. ( And blaming poor Doug is not a sound justification.)This whole thing is just aPAULing.
ReplyDeletePorlock, I haven't heard that one, but it made me laugh. It's rather wonderful, isn't it, whether it's true or not?
ReplyDeleteOf Fred! Offstage will be really crowded when you join the rest of them.
I wish I could give y'all a pun, but I'm not clever with punning.
I have begged forgiveness, Fred, and I will be required to stay in today because the weather is inCLEMENT.
ReplyDeleteI'd actually quite like to see a Pope Secola. Whenever he appeared on that balcony at the Vatican he could have a can in one hand which he could wave at the assembled peoples. He could have the logo painted on the side of the popemobile.
ReplyDeleteBex and Mimi,
ReplyDeleteI can take this no more, I am hopeful this will all PETER out. If that does not happen soon, then I am heade to the JOHN.
Fred, the potty mouth!
ReplyDelete