Pope Francis addresses the Roman Curia during
his annual Christmas greeting Dec. 21, 2017.
This is the first year for a Festivus Pole,
which I believe can be seen to the Holy Father's right.
As everyone knows, Festivus begins with the 'airing of grievances' which Pope Francis delicately weaves into his pre-Festivus-Christmas address to the Roman Curia. In keeping with the holiday spirit, the Pope started off the Festivus celebration with the following:
In his closely watched pre-Christmas address to the Roman Curia, Pope Francis again spoke about its reform and focused on the Curia’s crucially important relationship ad extra: to the world outside the Vatican City State. This was his fourth consecutive talk on the Roman Curia; the first three were on the inner life of the Curia. This year he focused on the Curia’s relation to the external world.
Francis emphasized that the Curia must act out of of service, or “diaconal primacy” as he called it, not only to the Petrine ministry (the papacy) but also to the outside world, as it seeks to follow in the footsteps of Christ who made himself a slave for our sakes.[...]
First, those who lose contact with the real world of faith and life and join in the “unbalanced and degenerate logic of conspiracies or of the small circles that in reality represent—notwithstanding all their justifications and good intentions—a cancer that leads to self-referentiality, that infiltrates itself into the ecclesiastical organisms as such, and in particular into the persons that work there.” When this happens, he said, the joy of the Gospel “is lost.”
He described the second group as “the betrayers of trust and the profiteers of the motherhood of the church.” These are “persons who have been carefully chosen to give greater vigor to the [ecclesial] body and to the reform but, not understanding the high levels of their responsibilities, allow themselves to be corrupted by ambition or vain glory, and when they are delicately removed [from those positions] they erroneously declare themselves to be martyrs of the system, of ‘the pope who is not informed,’ of ‘the old guard,’ instead of reciting the mea culpa [‘through my fault’].” - Finish reading here.
Tomorrow is Festivus Eve!
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ReplyDeleteI wouldn't read that book. Bad book. ;) Seriously, I have no problem with the Holy Father - even in these addresses to the Curia. I love what he teaches. As the psalmist says, "If a good man reproves me, it is kindness."
DeleteMerry Christmas dear Father. I always pray for you too. Thanks for remembering me.
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DeleteI just read that Millennials are increasingly interested in the priesthood. As for the book I have read portions as well as reviews by people who want to discredit the Holy Father. It doesn't interest me in the least, especially when we can read exactly what the Holy Father says when a document is published, or an address is made public, such as the recent message to the curia. Critiques of his personal foibles and management style, as well as gossip about how the sensibilities of those in the curia are hurt isn't any of my business, to be honest. If indeed The Dictator book is so factual I have to wonder why it's author remains anonymous? That fact alone discredit both the author and the material itself. The author is exactly the sort of person the Holy Father rebukes in his endless efforts at reform and warnings against gossip and detraction. S. John Paul had accusations of the same nature hurled against him - scandals surrounding his papacy resound today - some conservatives are going after Opus Dei again, and just watch, the canonization of Paul VI will be visciously attacked as well.
DeleteAnyway - you know how and what I think. When I'm troubled I always pray, Jesus I surrender myself to you, take care of everything. I also ask him to undo the wrong I have done, esp. in speech. For everything else, I have recourse to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots.
Merry Christmas my dear Fr. - don't worry. :)
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DeleteThanks Fr. - I'm fine with that - it's all good and will be better.
DeleteBig hug! Merry Christmas and don't let yourself get too tired with all the Masses.
His address to the Curia is best understood when read in its entirety.
ReplyDeletehttp://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2017/december/documents/papa-francesco_20171221_curia-romana.html
Happy Christmas BG - I did read it. It's very good.
DeleteI take to heart what Papa has to say at this time of year when he meets with the Cardinals. I reflect and apply what I relate to as I look at myself and how I can become a better Catholic Christian.
DeleteI bet if we all did that, how much more powerful a witness the Church would be for Christ rather than bicker and snarl at each other or at our Holy Father.
We would see a renewal like no other. That's my hope for 2018!
Any one of us progeny of Adam and Eve would kick, holler and scream (or perhaos even write an book anonymously) if we felt our power, prestige and/or position were threatened. Don’t forget the calumnies and slander slung against many a saint. Gerard Majella and Padre Pio come to mind with “witnesses” to the gossip and allegations of unchastity. And if an author wants to accuse someone on the gorunds of personality, Padre Pio wasn’t exactly Mr. Congeniality. And what about the sainted founders and foundresses kicked out of their very own congrgegations on grounds of “witnesses” and “gossip”.
DeleteI am very far from being the Christian and the Deacon God intends me to be, but by the grace of God I’ve said before and I will say it a million times again: “Thou art Peter” and I for one am staying firmly in hs boat!
Peace and blessings to all, always.
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