Patriarch Teoctist, R.I.P.

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) -- The head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, who made history when he invited the late John Paul II to his Orthodox country in 1999 but was criticized for being too close to former Communists, died Monday. He was 92.
Patriarch Teoctist died of a heart attack following surgery on his prostate gland earlier Monday, doctors at the Fundeni hospital told Realitatea TV.
Teoctist was appointed to head the church in November 1986, but briefly stepped down after anti-communist protesters in 1989 said he had been too conciliatory toward former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. He had refused to condemn Ceausescu's destruction of Orthodox churches in Bucharest. He was reinstated a few weeks later.

I wonder how much longer the "church men who collaborated with the oppressors" scandals will go on after the effective fall of communist socialism.
Nazis, Communists, tribal warlords... weak men with good intentions have always made deals with the devil.

Of course the genocides in Africa (how hideous that that word must be used in the plural!) , and the primal urge to "find a way" guarantees more accusations and perhaps more revelations (not always the same thing.)

I also note, completely aside, that the Patriarch was 92. I note this with joy.

I pointed out to Himself just yesterday that Benedict is a vigorous eighty, he has led a temperate life, he takes exercise, he has immediate access to the very finest medical care, and perhaps most important, THIS IS THE 21st CENTURY!

He will, God willing, have time to accomplish much.

Anyone reading this, please offer up a prayer right now for the Holy Father.