The poor misunderstood Pope.
But most of the e-mails the archbishop received were from catechists, priests, and laymen who felt confused or disillusioned by the interview: “A priest said the Pope ‘has implicitly accused brother priests who are serious about moral issues of being small minded,’ and that ‘[if you’re a priest,] being morally serious is now likely to get you publicly cast as a problem.’
They're not going to treat the slave better than they treated the Master.
The good news is, I don't think the bureaucrats in the Chancery could possibly get any more corrupt.
This is an eloquent synopsis:
Let’s be honest: Francis is no poet. His ambiguity lends no richness. It creates confusion, especially when he follows this up by saying, “The church sometimes has locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules.” This line about “small-minded rules” opens up treacherous territory: He doesn’t define which rules are small-minded. Perhaps he means the Church’s teachings on sexual morality. Who knows?
Here's another worthy read:
Pope Francis, the Catholic Obama.
This is a loving, affectionate and faithful Pope but I firmly believe we have to have an open dialogue in the public square about the Tom Foolery.
9 comments:
Carol, great to see you back at the keyboard!
I can't recall a Pope that needed a troupe of pooper-scoopers to inform the masses of "what the pope meant to say". The newest twist is that he has been poorly served by "translations".
The recent letter on the joyful proclamation of the Gospel veered off into reading like the 2008 and 2012 Democratic party platform. I understand that the social teachings of the Church do not give an imprimatur to capitalism but the Pope needs to avoid the ideological Leftist lingo, Hadley Arkes has a useful piece at the Catholic Thing website.
Catholics should be aware of several things regarding Pope Francis:
1. He grew up in an Argentina run by Juan Peron, in which the government used social justice as a means to collectivize power.
2. Arguably, he is the first pope who grew up under Vatican II, instead of trying to influence it (unlike Benedict). He would have been in his early 20s and in seminary when the council started.
3. The first two points emphasize the idea that all leaders, to some extent, are creatures of their earliest surroundings. This was true of JPII and Benedict no less than Francis.
4. It is entirely possible that Francis is not a man of great intellectual depth or insight, or even of basic foresight. He certainly doesn't express himself clearly, or understand the consequences of his comments -- or, if he understands, doesn't give a rip.
5. If the fourth point is true, then that's as bad an indictment of the post-VII hierarchy as can be found.
6. The idea of Pope Francis as the Catholic Obama is more than coincidental, I think. Neither man appears to be intelligent, to value common sense or to understand the consequences of their impact. Their interpretations of their power are far, far too personal. Perhaps both will play pivotal roles in ushering in what Christ called, "the great tribulation."
I think this comment from "Olivia" on Rod Dreher's blog sums it up nicely:
"Pope Francis is probably a kind man, but he truly lacks the wisdom that is required of someone in his position."
This pope probably a decent fellow, but I believe he's a total incompetent in dealing with the real world. He doesn't seem to understand what his office is all about, because he seems uncomfortable with it, preferring to be called the bishop of Rome. His strange relationship with Rabbi Skorka and his calling Islam a religion of peace, tells me he doesn't understand the two oldest enemies of the faith we hold dear. I hope he wises up soon, for we don't need a naïf in power in these dangerous times.
Thanks Breathnach - it's great to be back. I missed you all!
Great comments above. Thanks to all.
Steve, what makes you think any of Pope Benedict's other potential replacements wouldn't be naive when it comes to economics and geopolitics? Just look at Cardinal Dolan, for example.
Besides, Pope Benedict wrote an encyclical, "Caritas in Veritae," that advocated an international body "with teeth" (quote from encyclical) that would manage the economics of individual nations with a view toward collective economic stability, peace and environmental protection.
True, the Catholic Church has never officially or directly endorsed socialism as such. Nevertheless, Church officials historically have leaned toward a collectivist view of economics. The only reason they reject socialism is because socialism has little place for religion (and Marxism none at all).
Remember, most "with it" Catholic apologists and "intellectuals" advocate distributism, which is nothing but a modern revamping of the medieval guild system.
Anon at 12/08/13 at 11:25 PM, I'm well aware that many of our high ranking clergy are as naïve as the current pope. It's a scandal and a half that men who are so powerful in influence are so dang dumb.
It's ridiculous that so many of our fellow Catholics are so ignorant of economics. Many of them, such as Popes BXVI and JP II grew up under some kind of socialism, and should have realized it's flaws, weaknesses, and dangers, but incredibly enough, they endorse the lunacy they grew up under in their writings.
The distributism thing is a real hoot too. These zealots can talk about this grand concept until the cows come home, but the reality is they have never demonstrated that it would work in the real world. The disties are all talk, and no action.
The 'apologists' who argue that authentic Catholic teaching promotes 'distributism' are 'with it' all right...'it' being the devil, of course.
Distributism involves the seizing of the government by murdering tyrants.
I believe the reading of people interpreting the Pope's writings as the promotion of distributism are way out there with Shirley McLaine - but the fact that the Pope's writings are so unclear that he gives the appearance that he promotes these types of governments,is more than irresponsible as it puts liberty and lives in danger.
The ramifications of the continued irresponsible conduct sickens those who are able to see the ramifications to souls.
Here's how you know the Church doesn't advocate distrubutism.
When you drive by the empty Churches, there's a for sale sign on it with a price tag of millions of dollars.
Carol, the "Popepallooza" has become the "Poopallooza."
Post a Comment