“Those who follow Jesus for money, trying to take economic advantage of the parish, of the diocese, of their Christian community, of the hospital, or the college… Let us think of the first Christian community that was swayed by this intention: Simon, Ananias and Sapphira… this has been a temptation right from the beginning. And since, we have heard of so many good Catholics, good Christians, friends and benefactors of the Church that – it has been revealed - acted for personal profit. They presented themselves as benefactors of the Church and made money on the side…” -
Pope Francis
[W]e must continue to ask ourselves the question: “in what way do I follow Christ? Only for Him, even to the Cross, or do I do it for power? Do I use the Church, the Christian community, the parish, the diocese to gain some power?”
I see the Pope as a reformer of the clergy and the Church. I think that is why there is a conspiracy of dissent against just about everything he says and does. It comes from within
and without the Church.
Pray for the Holy Father.
Hey Terry:
ReplyDeleteCan you elaborate on what "conspiracy" are you referring?
thanks.
Paul Wagner
Conspiracy is perhaps over statement - but media - secular and religious - sows discord in how they report on the disagreements within the Church. I just posted on Cardinal Kasper and what he has said, and the reporting is done in such a way to suggest that he has at the very least the Holy Father's approval to diss what the CDF said regarding the doctrinal assessment of the LCWR - then people like Fr. Martin posts the links in a gesture of implied support. So the Pope/Magisterium is discredited and error spreads. Does that make sense?
DeleteI just read an article at The Week : Catholics must learn to resist their popes — even Pope Francis. I won't link to it here as it will probably be deemed impious to the sensibilities of some, but it raises valid points I believe.
ReplyDeleteI read that - I agree on some levels - but I have to say the article isn't all that helpful. The Pope's role has changed somewhat in modern times and his importance cannot be exaggerated - unless of course he departs from sound doctrine.
DeleteHas his role changed fundamentally, or only according to perception, or due to modern means of communication? If a Pope could err before, as the writer pointed to, why couldn't he err now? And why would it be any more or less meaningful if he did?
DeleteHey Terry:
DeleteI think you seriously mischaracterized Michael Dougherty’s article: “Catholics must learn to resist their pope’s--even Pope Francis.” Maybe you were oft put by the title, but it was an important article with valuable points made; it deserves another read. Simply put, Dougherty takes to task conservative bloggers, who painfully attempted to spin the recent story of the pope’s call to a woman civilly married to a divorcee in which Francis, “…supposedly counseled her to practically ignore church teaching on divorce, adultery, confession, and Holy Communion.” The incident caused confusion and doubt among some Catholics, while the media posting it as another example of Catholic double standards and hypocrisy. Instead of just facing the topic squarely as honest Christians, the bloggers in question seemed to gush like company men as Dougherty suggests and all seemed to know what was in the pope’s mind. In spite of the cult of the pope that Catholics have created, there may be times as Dougherty contends that Catholics should criticize a gaff prone or wayward pope in the spirit of Catherine of Sienna. I know Catholics don’t want to think about it but believe me, if Catholics don’t honestly and quickly face issues like these, its enemies will be happy to do it for them. Yet some Catholics are so conditioned, that the mere whiff of a papal critique creates instant paranoia, a circling of the wagons with the lament: There out to get our poor holy father! Yes, the pope has enemies, but not everyone is an enemy. There is something to the term “loyal opposition.” Hey, I like Pope Francis, I really do; but maybe in his honorable effort to cast the role of pope in a bit less exalted state, might Francis agree that he’s not a superman but a simple human being who can make mistakes and will not melt when called to task.
Paul Wagner
Thanks Paul - I'll take another look - perhaps it coincides with my own intuitions on the confusion. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. God bless!
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