Remember that?
When Pope Francis told the new Cardinals earlier this year: "May all of us avoid, and help others to avoid, habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favoritism and preferences."
Yet the blogosphere is lighted up with speculation regarding Cardinal Burke's reassignment, as well as the publication of new books by Cardinals, ostensibly in opposition to Cardinal Kasper's book - the book which Pope Francis happens to like. Fr. James Martin, SJ covers the disparity here.
Don't forget, we still have Cardinal Dolan playing gay politics with the Erin Go Gay parade in NYC...
I'm sorry, but the Papal Court is coming off more tainted than ever. It sure sounds like the classic intrigue, gossip, favoritism and preferential court politics to me.
I'm sorry, but the Papal Court is coming off more tainted than ever. It sure sounds like the classic intrigue, gossip, favoritism and preferential court politics to me.
I have to stop following these stories. I think some people are playing Jesuit politics ...
UPDATE: Fr. Z has an interesting post on Cardinal Kasper here. Sounds to me as if Kasper is creating a bit of intrigue all his own:
Cardinal against cardinal.
UPDATE: Fr. Z has an interesting post on Cardinal Kasper here. Sounds to me as if Kasper is creating a bit of intrigue all his own:
“None of my brother cardinals has ever spoken with me,” the cardinal (Kasper) said. “I, on the other hand, have spoken twice with the Holy Father. I arranged everything with him. He was in agreement. What can a cardinal do but stand with the pope? I am not the target, the target is another.”
Asked if the target was Pope Francis, the cardinal replied: “Probably yes.”
Cardinal against cardinal.
It's times like this that make me want to just keep my head down and put my nose into some good classical Catholic books by saints, and Scripture, tuning it all out.
ReplyDeleteSo true...I read the link Terry gave to Fr. Martin's FB page. So many clamoring for the Church to make changes in her teaching with regards to divorced/remarried folk receiving Holy Communion. It seems some were saying they know folks who do what they want anyway and go ahead and receive the Eucharist and that "it's between them and God."
DeleteAnyway, all I could think about was how disappointed they will be when they realize the Church has the moral obligation to defend the truth and to do so with charity and with clarity.
This confusion has been going on for many years too, long before Pope Francis came into the picture. I have family members who respect what the Church teaches and obey, while others, pick and choose and have raised their kids that way.
We gotta remember too, there are priests who "do things their way" and are not called on it. I see that at my own parish with some sloppy liturgy/abuse and who knows what else. I am in no position to judge nor do I want to but I am only going based on what I have seen.
Anyway, after I read this post and Father Martin's, I understand what it means to be merciful and compassionate. I do not pretend to know what it must be like to marry full of love and hope and then a few years down the line all that blows up, especially where children are involved.
I do know that truly, if one truly loves Jesus and the Church, one can embrace the Church's teaching and take up one's cross in order to remain in communion with Him and His Church. I have a very cousin who did just that. Her husband refused to marry her in the Church and made her wait years before he finally agreed to marry in the Church. She was patient, always hopeful, always praying, and always gentle. She never lost hope either.
I prayed a Chaplet of Mercy for all involved on both sides of the aisle and can only hope the Lord's will reign in the coming Synod and in the year 2015 and onward.
Mercy must reign in the hearts of us all so that rather than bashing, how about praying?
I know that's what I'll be doing.
First of all, should we really believe that what the Cardinals are fighting about is merely 'political' and of no more substance than that?
ReplyDeleteFavoritism? Pope Francis gave Kasper and Kasper only the floor are praised his theology as serene and profound, a theology which undermines the integrity of marriage, penance and the Eucharist. Of course that should be opposed. That Cardinals are writing in open opposition to it is not gossip or intrigue, but an attempt to defend the truth. Anyone who listens to Cardinal Burke speak should be able to discern with near certainty that we are not dealing with a man inclined to "intrigue".
When will these lies cease?!
Fr. James Martin - I don't trust him. Never have.
I'm not sure what you're saying, Mr. Nelson. Are Cardinals Muller, Pell, etc the ones who are guilty of gossip and intrigue? Or is it people like James Martin SJ writing on Facebook who are guilty of gossip?
ReplyDeleteI thought the Jesuit politics remark made that clear.
DeleteIt is definitely not Cardinal Muller or Cardinal Pell and associates - seems to me they are the victims.
And of course, Pope Francis who confirmed Cardinal Muller to his most important post and pulled Cardinal Pell from Australia to head a very important post as well as close advisor to the Holy Father.
DeleteHe trusts these two and I'm glad. I don't know Cardinal Kasper much but he gave this interview:
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/inquiries-and-interviews/detail/articolo/sinodo-synod-sinodo-36384/
It will be one lively discussion for sure and one I hope they make with much prayer, reflection and charity.
Mr Nelson,
DeleteThanks. I agree with your take on the matter.
Thanks Mr. Gibbons. :)
DeleteBTW - I'm confident Burke is not being exiled. I expect an important position is being readied for him.
ReplyDeleteLike maybe fry cook for the Vatican apartments?
DeleteIn all seriousness, bad news usually comes in waves and then things return to normal. There's a lot of confusion out there and more than a few wolves of all stripes, but we should be vigilant and patient. Christ seems to be helping the faithful by allowing some of the wolves to "out" themselves. BTW, weak prelates are just that, while wolves are a whole different problem.
If I was Pope I would take Archbishop Nienstedt and make him Cardinal of Chicago and send Burke to St. Paul/Minneapolis as the first Cardinal here and then he could excommunicate the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Theology staff at the University of St. Thomas - and then, and then, get rid of the apostate priests. And then, and then, bring in the FFI and restore every Catholic church in the area to make them beautiful sanctuaries of prayer and worship.
DeleteYeah!
That's far too pastoral. We need real hard-line action so we can finally have the pure Church we've always dreamed of. Fr. Cekada should do nicely.
DeleteOn a more serious note, I just got an e-mail from a theology teacher and father of four who is interested in joining the street ministry. He's pretty disillusioned about the state of the Church. He's a former evangelical and had considered the Orthodox given the problems with the Church. These scandals have real consequences--it's not just fizz for the poor saps like us who read the blogs. As for myself, I'm actually feeling pretty peaceful thanks to daily mass. God's in charge--no doubt about it.
Amen, Mr. Wolfe! Amen!
Delete"I'm confident Burke is not being exiled"
ReplyDeleteBased on the contents of the email I sent you, I think, should your confidence be confirmed, someone, elsewhere, will be eating foolish humble pie for jumping the gun and reporting it as if true and in a despicable way no less with obvious potshots at our Holy Father.
Ah well...may God's will be done.
You guys have to read this:
ReplyDeletehttp://wdtprs.com/blog/2014/09/card-kasper-accused-other-cardinals-of-attacking-the-pope/