From a priestly friend of mine
Hans Grapje was raised in a Catholic orphanage in The Hague and as a young man, he aspired to become a priest. However, he was drafted into military service WWII and spent two years co-piloting B17s until his aircraft was was shot down in 1943 and he lost his left arm. Captain Grapje spent the rest of the war as a chaplain, giving spiritual aid to soldiers, both Allied and the enemy.
After the war, he became a priest, serving as a missionary in Africa, piloting his own plane (in spite of his handicap) to villages across the continent. In 1997, Archbishop Grapje was serving in Zimbabwe when an explosion in a silver mine caused a cave-in. He went down into the mine to administer last rites to those too severely injured to move. Another shaft collapsed and he was buried for three days, suffering multiple injuries, including the loss of his right eye. The high silver content in the mine's air gave him purpura, a life-long condition characterized by purplish skin blotches.
Although Cardinal Grapje devoted his life to the service of God as a scholar, mentor and holy man, church leaders agree: he will never become Pope. No one wants a one-eyed, one armed, flying purple Papal leader.
I'm not saying another word. Know that after this, I'm in a state of disgrace! (Still laughing)
Wrap...
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