"Never in my lifetime have I heard of bishops and cardinals being so disrespectful of a pope, challenging his organization of this synod, even a few referring to him as a Protestant and threatening a fractured church if he goes against their wishes." - Fr. Thomas Reese, S.J.
Neither have I.
It Has been very shocking. & I think Pope Francis' humility and littleness draws out the bully in some of these people: like....blood in the water for sharks. Their obtuseness is rather stunning to me: don't know why it should be. I do certainly believe he will triumph over his adversaries: but how Odd that they are ( or are supposed to be...) of the one body of the Church. I think recently you observed that he is a living saint: I agree. Just think of all the saints who drew great hatred upon themselves, to the death. but, um: the hands that dealt it were not fellow Catholics, were they ? hummm....
ReplyDeleteActually it is always fellow Catholics - you're familiar with some of the saints who exiled, deposed, or harshly treated by their own communities. Founders of religious orders were even dismissed by their own communities. I don't know I have ever prayed so much for a pope as I do Francis.
DeleteThe Church has become like all other institutions today. The message is, "I am right, you are wrong. I will get my way and to hell with you." I see schism coming. There is no avoiding it. It fulfills prophecy. It will be a bumpy ride.
ReplyDeleteI do think the way many Catholics online discuss these issues is very similar to how they argue over politics and vilify politicians.
DeleteI see nothing coming - but I pray the Holy Spirit comes with his convincing power and grace of repentance.
Terry, which is it? There seems to be a contridiction in your statements. The right wing block will not tolerate any loosening of procedures or doctrine. The left likewise. The middle will be torn apart. It is a schism to be sure. I see no way around it Terry.
DeleteHe can't change church teaching. I think he wants to know what they really think and boy are they letting hm know.
ReplyDeleteHe won't change teaching and I agree - he wants open discussion.
DeleteWho were the bishops who referred to Pope Francis as a "Protestant"?
ReplyDeleteNot sure - I wonder if he's mixing it up with Catholic blogger statements?
DeleteI don't think any bishop called Pope Francis a "Protestant". Unless someone can produce a quote from a bishop, it sounds like a reckless comment.
DeleteI don't think any bishop called Pope Francis a "Protestant". Unless someone can produce a quote from a bishop, it sounds like a reckless comment.
DeleteHe maybe misspoke. Those darn Jesuits.
DeleteDo you mean that he was misinformed like Rick in "Casablanca"?
DeleteCaptain Renault: What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?
Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
Captain Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert.
Rick: I was misinformed.
I think that's about right.
DeleteThat's an ironic comment, coming from Fr. Reese.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a reader of NCR on a regular basis - I'm not that familiar with Reese but I think many Catholic bloggers have issues with him - Fr. Z among them, I think.
DeleteSomebody here has got to start hearing what Leo Lyon Zagami knows about the Vatican, the Jesuits and what has really been going on with the Catholic Faith for past 50 years.
ReplyDeleteIt is always so amazing to hear how you envelope-pushing Leftists start drawing your chizzeled-in-stone "lines in the sand", upon which sand the Church is now collapsing--becuase it ain't built on the Rock anymore--when it suddenly pleases you !
For Pete's sake, this Synod's 'bishop of Rome' has a strategy to change doctrine. You guys love it and can't stant them that don't !
I'm not pushing envelopes and I'm not a leftist or a rightist - although I'm sure I'm wrongist.
ReplyDeleteSo anyway Walter - Leo Lyon Zagami? You're kidding, right? Please be kidding.
I have always said Terry Nelson is synonymous with Leftie-Pinko Socialism...go Walter go!!!
DeleteEnvelope pushing hippie!!! : )
Oh thanks Mack - now everyone knows.
DeleteSorry Terry, I was just trying to stir the pot ! You were not in mind when I came up with 'Leftists'. I was thinking of the heterodox synod "bitchips". NOT YOU ! That's for sure. And Leo Zagami is my FAVOURITE transylvania-speaking Gnostic ! As an insider MASON however, he's got the goods on all those Masonic loving, Moslem-converted cardinals: the Beast of the Apocalypse IS RUNNING Vatican City: that is for sure. I won't step down on that point. I've been watching this daily since 1970 ! actually earlier...say 1967 full time...!
DeleteWhew! Thanks Walter - you had me worried. I'm actually thrilled to have discovered Zagami however.
DeleteFr Reese's comment re cardinals and bishops makes me wonder about Jesuit dining rooms and lounges when John Paul II and Benedict were serving. Especially dedicated to the papacy, did the Fathers most of the time come off as reverent or even respectful in their comments and observations about these two Popes? Just wondering...
ReplyDeleteWhat?!
That is true - to be sure.
DeleteActually, I'm old enough to remember how Pope Paul VI was opposed, by so-called liberals and conservatives.
Freshly back to the sacraments, I recall priests making fun of me for being a 'papist' and even calling the pope, Holy Father. It was my first experience of clergy not supporting a pope.
Fr. Reese must be younger than us, Fr. P. ;)
Yes, what Francis is doing is very much in the Jesuits wheelhouse....bring up points, thoughts and idea, maybe controversial and let people mull over them, talk, even argue. A Jesuit will just jump in to clarify some points but for the most part will let other people come to conclusions. It was Francis said about making a mess. Some people might call it radical or stirring the pot but I think it is letting everyone talk about doctrine and the Church in a way which, I am sure he intends, to bring people back to the truth and WHY we have that doctrine. As he said, its not about people being a "Church of Rules." But the Truth behind the rules. Francis is nothing if not a doctrinal conservative so there will be no change, but he wants discussion and passion and energy and he is getting it!
ReplyDeleteI think there is a lot of anger out there about all of the changes in the world. I also think there are a certain segment of Catholics who like to be spoon fed things and told exactly what the rules are and like to have a rigid set of rules to rely on (in a world of constant change I can understand partially why they would like that...) Like when the nuns taught us they did not explain the whys and the deeper meaning of it all..you just remembered the "Act of Contrition,' and "Our Father," and you abided by the rules or you went to hell (AND they threw a mean eraser..I always thought nuns would be the last to survive the zombie apooclypse, they are so damn good with their aim and can see from the back of their heads.)
Change is scary but Franis is not trying to "change," doctrine just how we see it, how we teach it, how we live it.
You have good insight - Francis would hug you and kiss you on the cheek. :)
DeleteSeriously - I agree - I sincerely think he wants everything in the open and he's letting people talk openly.
I also think everyone - every single one - is showing their true colors and there is a lot of fear being expressed - but not much faith.
So the nuns were preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse, not being mean to schoolchildren?
DeleteDid you notice that something else begins with Z besides Zombie?
What?
I fully expect to see an 80 year old Ursaline sister in full habit marching alongside Michone and Carol and whipping those erasures and shoving those No 2. pencils in the Walkers ears to kill them!
Delete