I think this Pope is challenging us to extend grace and mercy toward people who really threaten our views. I want to be little too. Sometimes is hard to extend grace and mercy to those in my care. I must remember to work on that! God is Good!
I agree. I was a little disheartened and sad that many priests do not understand the pope and would rather live without the inquiries of people who think the Church can now bless irregular unions and situations. I grew up with similar conflict and abuse so I'm not understanding some of the reactions I've been hearing from men especially.
I think you are right about the Pope challenging us and drawing us out of our comfort zone. I would think that when a penitent shows up - or someone interested in becoming Catholic because of what they 'thought' the pope said, that priests and lay people would be happy to kindly explain Catholic teaching to them and help them grasp the truth of things. Acting with great patience and kindness, respecting their sincere, interior, desire for God - even though they can't understand the harder teachings. Compassionate and loving correction, without impatience or exasperation would do wonders I think.
All one needs to do is patiently explain why two men can't get married, or why two divorcees can't have a Church wedding, or can't receive Holy Communion unless they live chastely. The pope has given examples of people with good will and desire for God who live in irregular circumstances in order to show us that even the most marginalized desire reconciliation and sanctity, and possess human dignity as children of God - he is not proposing that their irregular situations be sanctioned - but he is showing that there is a seed, an interior desire and openness to grace, and that grace is preparing them to accept all that the Church teaches.
I don't understand how people misinterpret what the Holy Father says. It seems to me the challenges many face should be welcomed as occasions for evangelization. Jesus said, no one who comes to me will I ever reject - it is the Father who instills in these little ones the desire to come - because they mistake something media spins as changing the rules on marriage, it is no reason to turn them away or scold them for not grasping what it all means right off the bat.
"I would think that when a penitent shows up - or someone interested in becoming Catholic because of what they 'thought' the pope said, that priests and lay people would be happy to kindly explain Catholic teaching to them and help them grasp the truth of things."
I am taking the cynical route here making the claim that unless proved otherwise, online that is, it is easier for the "devout" to dismiss what our Holy Father is saying by claiming "how he is causing confusion and has damaged the faith" rather than as you say Terry, "acting with great patience and kindness, respecting their sincere, interior, desire for God."
Aside from that sad fact, I really like how much a bond has been formed between Papa Francis and Papa Benito. What they had to say to each other had me thinking about the true bond of worship and fellowship in Christ Jesus.
Brothers in Christ! An example for all eternity to the Church and to the world!
I like that bond as well - if there was a problem I think Benedict would make the case privately.
I just read what Donohue had to say - that he doesn't have to apologize to gays - Donohue actually 'gets it'right off the bat, noting media distorted what the pope said:
"Bill Donohue, the president of the Catholic League, is refusing to heed Pope Francis' call for Christians to apologize to members of the LGBT community whom they have offended.
"No,” Donohue said on CNN's "New Day" Tuesday when asked if he would apologize. "As a matter of fact, I want an apology from gays. I’ve been assaulted by gays. I’ve never assaulted a gay person in my entire life."
Donohue then insisted that the media twisted Pope Francis' words.
The pope over the weekend was asked if he feels the Catholic church owes an apology to gay people. Pope Francis said that gay people can be denounced for behaviors that are "a bit offensive for others."
But he added, "I think the church must not only apologize ... to a gay person it offended, but we must apologize to the poor, to women who have been exploited, to children forced into labor, apologize for having blessed so many weapons."
Donohue noted that Pope Francis also said, "The church must say it is sorry for not having behaved as it should many times, many times — when I say 'the church,' I mean we Christians, because the church is holy; we are the sinners."
Donohue argued that the Pope did not call on the Catholic church to apologize, but individual Christians who have offended gay people.
"If a Catholic or Protestant or Jew or Muslim has offended a gay person, or anybody, of course they should apologize," Donohue said Monday morning. "But the idea of a blanket apology because you are a member of some demographic group, I mean, I don’t know what church teaching is it that you have a problem with that maybe the church should apologize for?" - http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bill-donohue-pope-lgbt
I understood what Papa said too when he clarified, "that it was individual Christians who need to apologize." I agree with Mr. Donohue. Why can't folks just take the time to read what was actually said and to do so careful, thoughtfully? Jimmy Akin also had a great post about what our Holy Father actually said and I posted in his combox a big thank you since it really helped me understand everything a whole lot better.
Please comment with charity and avoid ad hominem attacks. I exercise the right to delete comments I find inappropriate. If you use your real name there is a better chance your comment will stay put.
Hi Terry,
ReplyDeleteI think this Pope is challenging us to extend grace and mercy toward people who really threaten our views. I want to be little too. Sometimes is hard to extend grace and mercy to those in my care. I must remember to work on that! God is Good!
I agree. I was a little disheartened and sad that many priests do not understand the pope and would rather live without the inquiries of people who think the Church can now bless irregular unions and situations. I grew up with similar conflict and abuse so I'm not understanding some of the reactions I've been hearing from men especially.
DeleteI think you are right about the Pope challenging us and drawing us out of our comfort zone. I would think that when a penitent shows up - or someone interested in becoming Catholic because of what they 'thought' the pope said, that priests and lay people would be happy to kindly explain Catholic teaching to them and help them grasp the truth of things. Acting with great patience and kindness, respecting their sincere, interior, desire for God - even though they can't understand the harder teachings. Compassionate and loving correction, without impatience or exasperation would do wonders I think.
All one needs to do is patiently explain why two men can't get married, or why two divorcees can't have a Church wedding, or can't receive Holy Communion unless they live chastely. The pope has given examples of people with good will and desire for God who live in irregular circumstances in order to show us that even the most marginalized desire reconciliation and sanctity, and possess human dignity as children of God - he is not proposing that their irregular situations be sanctioned - but he is showing that there is a seed, an interior desire and openness to grace, and that grace is preparing them to accept all that the Church teaches.
I don't understand how people misinterpret what the Holy Father says. It seems to me the challenges many face should be welcomed as occasions for evangelization. Jesus said, no one who comes to me will I ever reject - it is the Father who instills in these little ones the desire to come - because they mistake something media spins as changing the rules on marriage, it is no reason to turn them away or scold them for not grasping what it all means right off the bat.
"I would think that when a penitent shows up - or someone interested in becoming Catholic because of what they 'thought' the pope said, that priests and lay people would be happy to kindly explain Catholic teaching to them and help them grasp the truth of things."
ReplyDeleteI am taking the cynical route here making the claim that unless proved otherwise, online that is, it is easier for the "devout" to dismiss what our Holy Father is saying by claiming "how he is causing confusion and has damaged the faith" rather than as you say Terry, "acting with great patience and kindness, respecting their sincere, interior, desire for God."
Aside from that sad fact, I really like how much a bond has been formed between Papa Francis and Papa Benito. What they had to say to each other had me thinking about the true bond of worship and fellowship in Christ Jesus.
Brothers in Christ! An example for all eternity to the Church and to the world!
Gracias a Dios y a la Madre de Dios!
I like that bond as well - if there was a problem I think Benedict would make the case privately.
DeleteI just read what Donohue had to say - that he doesn't have to apologize to gays - Donohue actually 'gets it'right off the bat, noting media distorted what the pope said:
"Bill Donohue, the president of the Catholic League, is refusing to heed Pope Francis' call for Christians to apologize to members of the LGBT community whom they have offended.
"No,” Donohue said on CNN's "New Day" Tuesday when asked if he would apologize. "As a matter of fact, I want an apology from gays. I’ve been assaulted by gays. I’ve never assaulted a gay person in my entire life."
Donohue then insisted that the media twisted Pope Francis' words.
The pope over the weekend was asked if he feels the Catholic church owes an apology to gay people. Pope Francis said that gay people can be denounced for behaviors that are "a bit offensive for others."
But he added, "I think the church must not only apologize ... to a gay person it offended, but we must apologize to the poor, to women who have been exploited, to children forced into labor, apologize for having blessed so many weapons."
Donohue noted that Pope Francis also said, "The church must say it is sorry for not having behaved as it should many times, many times — when I say 'the church,' I mean we Christians, because the church is holy; we are the sinners."
Donohue argued that the Pope did not call on the Catholic church to apologize, but individual Christians who have offended gay people.
"If a Catholic or Protestant or Jew or Muslim has offended a gay person, or anybody, of course they should apologize," Donohue said Monday morning. "But the idea of a blanket apology because you are a member of some demographic group, I mean, I don’t know what church teaching is it that you have a problem with that maybe the church should apologize for?"
- http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bill-donohue-pope-lgbt
I understood what Papa said too when he clarified, "that it was individual Christians who need to apologize." I agree with Mr. Donohue. Why can't folks just take the time to read what was actually said and to do so careful, thoughtfully? Jimmy Akin also had a great post about what our Holy Father actually said and I posted in his combox a big thank you since it really helped me understand everything a whole lot better.
Deletehttps://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/pope-francis-on-apologizing-to-gays-and-more-6-things-to-know-and-share
But even there, in his combox, some nasty comments are to be had.
Despite all of that, today is a great feast day! Pray for us St. Peter and St. Paul ... two pillars of the Catholic Church, thanks be to God!