German Website Lets Users Rate Their Priests And Church Officials, Even The Pope (SCREENSHOTS)

Many people would never think of saying something negative about their priest in person.

But online, things are a different story.

Hirten Barometer, which translates in English to "Shepherds' Barometer," is a German site that allows its users to actually rate church officials, based on a number of different criteria. The basic assessment includes categories such as worship, credibility, "Finger on the Pulse," youth work, and senior work.

Using the image of a sheep the site includes mainly German priests, but extends a bit further into the clergy. There are even ratings for the current Pope, Benedict XVI, and his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

You can see both of their ratings below, translated into English. Who do you think ranked better?

The site launched in April and now includes 25,000 parishes and some 8,000 priests, according to Reuters.

According to TIME, the rating system actually changes the color of the sheep associated with each priest. Good priests get white sheep and more poorly rated priests are assigned sheep with black wool.

The true aim of the site is for a bit more honesty and the hope of bringing better priests the attention they deserve. Like other ratings sites (notably RateMyProfessor.com), the site's founders hope to draw attention to the spiritual leaders who really grab the attention of their clergy, much like finding a professor who truly reaches his students.

"Pastoral work should be qualitative," Andreas Hahn, one of the founders told Reuters, adding that they hoped "to stimulate dialogue to improve pastoral work."

Pope Benedict's Rating (Translated via Google Chrome):

Pope John Paul II's Rating (Translated via Google Chrome):

Comments

[Demetrios423]

05:25 PM on 08/05/2011

This is tacky, but I support their right to do it.

[SmotPoker]

10:21 AM on 08/05/2011

The religious kids in our neighborhood say the local priest gives the best head ever and has the best parties with free beer and wine.

[Demetrios423]

05:24 PM on 08/05/2011

That's like me saying all pot smokers are lazy unemployed losers. Only some are. Stop stereotyping people.

[Hysterian68]

02:32 AM on 08/05/2011

The real sheep here are the Catholic laity. These two papal charlatans talked a good game in their sermons and writings, but we're discovering the current Sheep-in-Charge is just a Bavarian autocratic bureaucrat who demands total obedience.

Catholics need to wake up and see through both of these hucksters.

[Tanrioldu]

01:08 PM on 08/04/2011

They should all get zeros for being lying swindling charlatans.

[Veritas is Pro Life]

11:24 AM on 08/04/2011

Once again as I read the comments, I am amazed at how bigotted so many HPrs are against the Church. Like the saying says, hating the Roman Catholic Church is the last allowable form of biggotry. This tells me though, that we are doing things well, since Jesus told us the evil one would attack when we are on the path to Him. Best to all. Veritas.

[OtayPanky]

11:31 AM on 08/04/2011

They just arrested some RC honcho in charge of cleaning up your pedophiliac church - for pedophilia. He had a huge stash of kiddie porn on his computer. So no, you're not doing things well.

And when the Prime Minister of Ireland expresses his disgust at your institution - which pretty much runs Ireland - no, you're not doing things well.

The darkness in the RC church is vast, and palpable. Its victims are legion. So no, you're not doing things well.

Your self-congratulatory attitude is a delusional defense mechanism.

[Veritas is Pro Life]

04:07 PM on 08/04/2011

satan is hitting the Church through its weak members. Thank God the vast majority of Catholics are stong Christians, doing tremendous good for their neighbor. Veritas.

[Bearthoven]

03:13 PM on 08/04/2011

Did you count the Church's taking money from the wealthy for a place in heaven as being on the path to Jesus?
Was the Spanish Inquisition on the path to Jesus?
Were the Crusades on the path to Jesus?
Is the Church's active cover-up of pedophile priests on the path to Jesus?
Was the Church's slaughter of native Americans that refused to convert on the path to Jesus?

As a Catholic I am embarrassed by Church's sordid history. As a Catholic I am disillusioned by the Church's unwillingness to move away from archaic idolatry. As a Catholic I am dismayed that the Church willingly ignores scientific and medical information to continue with a man-made ideology that is alienating and killing people.

[Veritas is Pro Life]

04:21 PM on 08/04/2011

Wow, Bear, you are spitting out the most common misconceptions about the Church, one by one. Not very original. Since I am limited in space, I will ask you to read the following for the real Truth. THis will take some time, but if you want the Truth and not the fictional account, I challenge you to read them.
Bottom line is that the Church has had some terribly sinful people in it, but it is the institution placed on earth by Christ and has done tremendous good in His name. None of the bad is excusable in any way, but your bias against the Church is obvious. Open your eyes.
Indulgences: http://www.catholic.com/library/Myths_About_Indulgences.asp
Spanish Inquisition:http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2007/0711tbt.asp
Crusades: http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2006/0603tbt.asp
Priest sexual crimes: http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0211fea2.asp
Native Americans: http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2009/0904fea2.asp

Please let me know what "archaic idolatry" you are talking about, that is forbidden in the 10 commandments and very sinful, not a Catholic doctrine. What science and medical info is the Church ignoring leading to killing. The Church is about life, all life, from conception to natural death. You have your information mixed up. The Church clearly teaches there is no conflict between Faith and reason.
hope this helps, Veritas.

[retawob26]

05:31 AM on 08/04/2011

Religion is like a ponzi scam - they take your money and give nothing in return .

[Tanrioldu]

01:09 PM on 08/04/2011

i beg to differ, it gives you false hope! and plenty of it!

[bgofca]

02:55 AM on 08/04/2011

why does the pope look like a disney villian?? and why does the pope, supposidly a man of god, wear prada shoes when some of his flock are hungry and without housing or decent clothing?

[Dragosurfer]

10:30 AM on 08/04/2011

Because he is an Evil SOB.

[Veritas is Pro Life]

11:17 AM on 08/04/2011

Of course, you are wrong, basing your observations on rumors spread by Catholic haters. The Catholic Church now, and has for thousands of years spent more money on the poor and hungry than any other organization on earth. Of course you have heard of Catholic Relief Services, Mother Theresa's Sisters of Charity and St. Vincent de Paul Society, among the many, many others that not only donate things, but time, to the poor.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/06/26/Popes-shoes-not-made-by-Prada/UPI-36321214491465/

Pope's shoes not made by Prada
Published: June 26, 2008 at 10:44 AM

AdvertisementROME, June 26 (UPI) -- Rumors that Pope Benedict XVI wears shoes made by high-fashion Italian designer Prada are "of course false," Vatican sources say.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/06/26/Popes-shoes-not-made-by-Prada/UPI-36321214491465/#ixzz1U4aoi9mS


Hope this helps, Veritas.

[Tanrioldu]

01:10 PM on 08/04/2011

you seem to be spending a good amount of effort defending these pedophiles, while not use your energy towards more useful endeavours?

[AntithiChrist]

12:07 AM on 08/04/2011

Lovely. One more step along the way.

The internet is where religions go to die.

Thank you, Hirten Barometer.

[Dragosurfer]

10:34 AM on 08/04/2011

I agree, and the other place where religions go to die is most institutions of higher learning; because education is religions biggest enemy. All the Atheist I know started out as Christians and Jews. And through education, became Atheist. Educated people have no need for primitive myths and superstitions.

[Veritas is Pro Life]

11:20 AM on 08/04/2011

Wrong again Drago, read your history, the Roman Catholic Church started the University system and since there is no conflict between faith and reason, it still has many great universities that ensure the Truth is taught. A few come to mind: Franciscan University of Stubenville and Ave Maria U. I have nearly finished my Master of Theological Studies degree at a Jesuit college and have deepened my faith tremendously through my study and the prayer that accompanies it. I recommend the experience to all who are honestly seeking the Truth.
Veritas.

[jimfromcanada]

06:20 PM on 08/04/2011

You're right. Atheists need more sophisticated myths and superstitions, like the idea that humans are inherently good.

[TaoistG]

11:47 PM on 08/03/2011

i thought the headline initially said, at a glance - german website lets users rape their priests... lol (is that funny? not really.. but i did laugh for a moment, that kind of awkward laugh you can't stop...)

[Tanrioldu]

01:11 PM on 08/04/2011

would be nice retribution for them raping thousands of children.

[charlesrfd2003]

11:26 PM on 08/03/2011

Since the curia ignores the people, this looks like a very good way to allow people to respond. I hope it catches on in the English speaking world. I suspect that the average may be misleading. I suspect that it would reflect bimodal distribution depending on the view point of each person.

There is an article on today in the National Catholic Reporter about clerical narcissism in connection with the recent Ireland-Vatican spat. I think this is a great response to narcissism we all see.

[jacobmaiden]

11:07 PM on 08/03/2011

i wonder if theres a "best molester" section?

[CubanRN]

05:07 AM on 08/04/2011

Going back with the molestation subject. While I agree with everyone that priest who where involved in molestation should be punished to the maximum, I do, however, think that the catholic church has done as much as they can at this time to remove these bad apples. There are lawsuits going around against many protestant "reverends" trending from child molestation to renting a male prostitute and buying illegal drugs. Also, I believe that most of those child molestations claims against the catholic church are true, while others have no merit because are simply people going after the sound of the coins. By the way, I'm sorry about my English, I don't speak it nor do I type it very well. Thanks for letting me opine here.

[OtayPanky]

11:35 AM on 08/04/2011

CubanRN: I do, however, think that the catholic church has done as much as they can at this time to remove these bad apples.

---

Get back to us when the Vatican sends Boston's former Cardinal Law back to face charges. Right now he's sitting in the catbird seat somewhere in Vatican City, thanks to the soon to be sainted John Paul II.

[jacobmaiden]

07:00 PM on 08/04/2011

well first i think your english was pretty good. second i'm neither protestant nor catholic, i'm methodist and ish happens in every sect of religions, i just get a kick out of making fun of them.

[Retrofuturistic]

10:11 PM on 08/03/2011

Hmmm. Why isn't there an option for "Sexual Abuse"?

[brokerthanu]

09:18 PM on 08/03/2011

I noticed they left out the "pedo support" category.

[StrangeChanges]

08:12 PM on 08/03/2011

"Pastoral work should be qualitative," Andreas Hahn, one of the founders told Reuters, adding that they hoped "to stimulate dialogue to improve pastoral work." Yes, it should; and no, it won't. Amen.

[ZENNEPHI]

08:01 PM on 08/03/2011

..."Bhaw, Bhaw Black Sheep, have you any Wool? Yes Sir, Yes Sir,
Three Bags full...One for the Money, Two For the OSHO, Three to get
Ready...and Four to Go..." {Author Unknown }

A Herculian Call to the Vatican: Less Sheep, More Shepards!!!

[ZenSufi]

12:29 AM on 08/04/2011

Osho? A blast from the past.