Finally, and without the usual spinning from the usual sources, especially the main stream liberal media with its own political and social agenda, we are seeing the true Pope Francis emerge as he gets a handle on being pope and what it means to be the most major player on the world stage of religion and politics as well as social agendas.
YOU CAN READ A VERY GOOD ARTICLE ON THIS FROM CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT BY PRESSING HERE!
I couldn't have written it better myself, the ultramontane papist I am, and not because I am a priest, but because I am an orthodox Catholic who learned to respect the person and office of the Holy Father from my Baltimore Catechism in the pre-Vatican II Church! In fact, we learned to respect and love all people no matter who and what they did, since all of us are sinners. Love the sinner, hate the sin was emphasized, but respect for persons was foundational! No coloring book Catholicism for my generation of youngster reared by pre-Vatican II parents. Unfortunately today, the least likely source for coloring book Catholicism as it regards the Petrine Ministry is coming from ultra conservatives who should know better and who should be showing the ultra-progressive, post-Catholic, heterodox branch within Catholicism the way, but not they have chosen heterodoxy themselves as it concerns Pope Francis.
22 comments:
It's amazing to see the contortions people are making trying to prove Francis is orthodox in his beliefs and teachings. And I just saw an article by Cardinal O'Malley ( remember he honored Pro abort Ted Kennedy) where he stated conservative Catholics want a pope that is always condemning abortion. Not always but at least once would be nice. How is standing up for LIFE and condemning baby killing hateful? Why will this pope not stand up for life in a specific way. Is he pro abortion or is he afraid that the media will turn on him and the crowds will leave? What is the reason, I can't think of another reason. Why is very clear in expressing his hatred for Tradition/tradition. He love of impoverished liturgy has been made clear. Those interviews made clear his beliefs (his quotes were never denied). So he can make his beliefs known, why doesn't he. Why! I am a Catholic and I demand that the Pope adhere to all Catholic teaching clearly and stop this confusion. He is not free to remake the Church in his or St. Francis image.
The pope has power that you don't have and your power mongering is quite saddening and your vitriolic statements harken make to the know-nothings in the most anti-Catholic period of our country. Seems you've become an Anglican in the mode of King Henry the VIII!
Henry VIII…Anonymous, How many wives you got?
Who are you to judge me? Just because I'm causing a mess, that's what we were told to do. You aren't supposed to condem anymore haven't you got the memo. You are to be more inviting and understanding. I'll have to inform the bishop of Rome that you are not showing compassion. And besides father Canon Law states that as a Catholic I have a right to have priests and bishops teach the Faith correctly. Look it up.
Gene, you unwittingly hit the nail on the head with your implied divorce comment. That's the problem with our society and our divorce culture isn't it. There is no sticking with the spouse through thick or think, in good time or bad, in sickness and in health. Instead, we are like the spouse who thinks they can remake the other spouse rather than accepting the other spouse as that person is. And when that spouse does something we don't like, we divorce that spouse. The protestants started this and infected society and the church with it. We see it hear with the carping against Holy Mother Church and her Supreme Pastor, trying to remake both and thinking we have the power and control to do it and when we recognize how powerless we are, we divorce. It is all rather sad and I wonder how many of these so-called radical traditionalists are alcoholics or addictive personalities or recovering, who want to control everything but of course they can't but make other lives miserable because they think they can. How many are from divorced situations? Does this account for the blatant anti-Gospel, Anti-Church and yes Anti-Christ negativity toward Holy Mother Church as she is with warts and blemishes and her supreme visible head, the Vicar of Christ?
Call it a sabbatical or whatever you want. Just another example of a priest taking an extended European vacation, how many lay people get a sabbatical. How are you following what our Holy Father is trying to teach.
Fr., Your comments are on the money. Most people do not see the connection between abortion, divorce, birth control, homosexuality and the destruction of the Church and, therefore, the impending collapse of our culture. There is also a direct connection between these things and the deconstruction of the Liturgy...
I see that you are engaged in judging and condemning but I must have missed the charity and the prayers being offered for a child of God who is obviously in need of them. I guess you are doing the will of the father after all.....but which "father" are you serving priest?
Anonymous, while you and I are certainly in agreement on most things, Fr. is our ally and not the enemy. If you think he is too middle-of-the-road, check out some other parishes around. They make Fr. look like Fulton J. Sheen...
Fulton J. Sheen? Really? A creepy, puffed up, simple minded, dressed up (bet it was the cape that got you) show-off. Every thing on one side of the line or the other....black or white...with us or against us.
A Different Anon....
Oh, I'm sorry. You are the apostate, chip-on-the-shoulder Anon. Why don't you have the courage and decency to differentiate yourself from the other Anon, who also has problems with identity.
You know, I really did like the cape. It kind of reminded me of Zorro…oh, and I definitely agree, with us or against us. No problem knowing where you stand...
Maybe Fr. McD can bring you a cape from Rome. It would look great with that cool big hat you wear
That is a genuine Akubra Australian hat. It has an opal in the leather band. My son brought it back from his three month Marine Biology foray to Lizard Island/Great Barrier Reef in grad school…which sounded to me more like a three month long party/debauche. Anyway, it is a pretty cool hat. I don't think the Aussies dig capes...
Well Pope Francis said "go back home and start a mess". From all the comments it looks like everyone is following orders. But if I may, the unkind remarks coming from a priests are horrifying. Father your response to some comments are judge mental and unkind. I think you should follow your own advice and go to confession.
Fr, ignore that nonsense. Such stuff is an effort to silence criticism through a juvenile attempt to shame someone. Hey, Anon, if ya' can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. This is a blog, not a Dale carnegie course.
Well, goodness me! The “enemies of the Church” (to employ one of Gene’s favorite phrases) must be well pleased when they read this thread (and others like them) and see bloggers so divided over the Holy Father. Father McDonald did indeed hit the nail on the head with his insightful divorce analogy. So, let’s all get with the program: stick with the Church, stick with the Catechism, and stick with the Pope. It isn’t rocket science, it’s simple Catholicism.
So, shall we paraphrase the sixties and have bumper Stickers that say, "My Pope Right or Wrong?" How about, "My Church: Love It or Leave It." Isn't it funny how libs and moderates can change like chameleons in a few decades and be just as intolerant and one-dimensional as their old enemies.
The Pope can be a heretic, the Pope can't however define heresy :)...
The Pope is Catholic, and I think has finally figured out that opening his mouth with vague statements will not help things. Let us pray for our Holy Father Francis.
Perhaps it is funny, Gene, although I question whether this is as true in the case of “moderates.” But isn’t it also funny how so-called traditionalists (or a certain subset of them at least) can change_their_spots within a few days (never mind a few decades), and go from supporting the Pope strongly to condemning him, because they think the new Pope, unlike the old one, does not live up to their expectations? Protestantism indeed! Luther thought the Church had lost its way too.
One additional thought, Gene – If I understand your paraphrase allusion correctly, aren’t you confusing Caesar with the Pope? Many would argue that criticism of, or even opposition to, Caesar is a patriotic duty, particularly in a representative republic such as ours. Can one seriously maintain that a similar criticism of, or even opposition to, the Pope is a Catholic duty, given the highly different type of polity that is the Church, namely spiritual not secular, and monarchical, not democratically representative?
Well, I do not believe the Church has "lost its way," noir have I "condemned" the Pope. Criticized, yes, but that is not protestantism. Protestantism is an entire theology which runs counter to Catholic theology in several significant doctrines. Slinging the term around any time someone questions the Pope is not helpful.
Luther initially considered himself merely a Priest who was in trouble with the Church over some doctrinal issues (see 95 Theses). Leo was as mule-headed as Luther and Eck was an arrogant bastard. The two sides rapidly polarized to the point where the Reformation became a referendum of their personal mutual hatred. Doctrinal issues that might have been negotiated went out the window.
Several decades later Calvin, in a cool and measured logical theology, codified and systematized these doctrinal differences in such a way as to make them irreversible and non-negotiable. Over years of study and tossing theology books against the wall, I decide the Reformation was the worst thing that ever happened to God's people. So, here I am.
Good point, Anon 2. No, opposition to the Pope is not a Catholic duty, and the Church is not a democracy. But, theological dialogue and criticism do not, it seems to me, constitute democratic reforms.
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