In his parting message of goodwill to Muslims at the end of his trip to Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI stated: “You know well that the church wishes to impose nothing on anyone, and that she merely asks to live in freedom” (Dec. 2).

Impose nothing on anyone? Merely asks? Zeus, how the Catholic tune hath changed!

Seven centuries ago, Pope Boniface VIII made a pronouncement of an entirely different character, in terms undeniably intended to be taken as infallible and, therefore, true for all time: “We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” (Unam Sanctam, 1302)

Now if that isn’t the grandest, damnedest imposition ever on “every human creature,” I’m the town bobblehead.

William LaRochelle, Lewiston