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| St Malachy - Doomsayer? |
According to the 1595 writings of a Benedictine named Arnold De Wyon, who attributed the prophecies to a Saint Malachy, the Irish 12th‑century Archbishop of Armagh.
Allegedly, Malachy was called to Rome in 1139 by Pope Innocent II. While in Rome, Malachy purportedly experienced a vision of future popes, which he recorded as a sequence of cryptic phrases. This manuscript was then deposited in the Roman Archives, and forgotten about until its rediscovery in 1590, and then publicised five years later by De Wyon.
Some Catholic historians both past and present have condemned the prophesies, particularly as they envision the end of the Catholic Church by the appointment of the last Pope, Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman).
However, the prophesies have in the past been uncannily accurate with some of the past Pope`s, and in the minds of many `end of the world` theorists, the prophecy is a portend of terrible things to come.
We of course, do not need reminding of many past failed, `end of the world` theories and prophesies, and this may possibly well be just another. But let`s look more closely to what is allegedly in store for the Church of Rome and ultimately, the rest of the world.
From the original Latin prophesy of the end, which has been translated thus:
In the extreme persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit [i.e., as bishop].
Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations, and when these things are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the terrible judge will judge his people. The End.
However, the prophesy is unclear whether the next Pope after Benedict will actually be the last, as grammatically it leaves open the possibility that there may be several others before it comes to the last Pope.
But, (as noted by the media), the Vatican was struck by lightning (see video at end of article) when the Pope announced he was stepping down. This to some is more proof of God`s displeasure, and the coming end.
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| God`s Displeasure? St Peter`s Basilica struck by lightning on the announced retirement of the Pope. |
It is interesting though in the nature how allegedly Peter the Roman will usher in the end. It states, `(he) will pasture his sheep in many tribulations`.
So, what could that rather cryptic statement mean?
An interpretation of this by some can be viewed as using fine words to falsely allay fears, and to pacify people like sheep who will be willingly led to their slaughter. Placed within a modern context, leaders and politicians often make finely worded statements of which they have no intention of honouring, and their lack of moral fibre in such deeds only adds credence to the prophecy being true. But more probably, this prophesy is nothing more than hot air, and written in a time of grave instability and change. I personally am not losing any sleep over this, and especially after the failed, `Mayan Prophecy`. There are just too many doomed `end of world` scenarios to leave space to worry about.
Article: Chris Halton