It happened at the General Audience.
December 29, 2021. Catholic media pretty much ignored it.
"“Courage is synonymous with fortitude, which together with justice, prudence and temperance is part of the group of human virtues called ‘cardinal,’” Pope Francis said.
“It is a common misconception to consider courage a virtue exclusive to the hero,” he added. “In fact, the daily life of every person — you, me, all of us — requires courage: one cannot live without courage. Courage to face the difficulties of every day.”
“In all times and in all cultures we find brave men and women, who in order to be consistent with their beliefs have overcome all kinds of difficulties, enduring injustice, condemnation, and even death,” he stated." - CNA
Some of my friends always feel slighted that Pope Francis seems to ignore Courage Apostolate, never officially endorsing the group. Rather he praises Sr. Jeannine Gramick, New Ways Ministry and Fr. James Martin for their outreach to LGBTQ persons who either do not agree with Catholic teaching and the principals of Courage, or resent those who consider Courage the only path to sanctity for gay people, and of course to those who reject Catholic teaching on sexuality outright and yet desire to live in communion with the Catholic Church. It's another sign of contradiction on so many levels.
Seriously, when the Holy Father applauds 'courage' he is endorsing the faithful Christian who lives his life in courageous witness to Catholic teaching. How can we not see that? “It is a common misconception to consider courage a virtue exclusive to the hero,” he added. “In fact, the daily life of every person — you, me, all of us — requires courage: one cannot live without courage. Courage to face the difficulties of every day.”
My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.
Again, to understand the Holy Father, we need to turn to the Gospel, in this case Luke and the story of the prodigal son - and in this instance, the father's gentle rebuke to the older son.
He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. - Luke 15
In fact, that whole chapter reveals the Holy Father's method. Calling souls, inviting them into the 'wedding feast' because the Father wants his house to be full - when the Bridegroom comes, he will separate the good from the bad.
Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. - Matthew 22
Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.
I'm convinced the Pope recognizes that many go out to be with those on the peripheries, to accompany them, to be present, despite the risk of scandal and misunderstanding. Some make mistakes, others remain faithful and sacrifice a great deal, but all are sinners in need of mercy - just like me.
This closeness is beautifully exemplified by the Little Sisters of Jesus, especially one the sisters who recently passed away, her name, Sor Barbara.
Last farewell to Sor Barbara, the 'sister of Muslims', in a mosque in Hermel (Lebanon)
At the funeral of Barbara of Jesus, the Shiites recited an invocation of Islam, Al-Fāti ḥa, which constitutes the first surah of the Quran, by the soul of the religious who worked in the poorest neighborhoods
A poster synthesized the popular feeling: «All the people miss it as a model of devotion, charity and purity»
Christians also mourn the death of the sister: “Great sorrow on earth and great joy in heaven for the passing of sorrow
During the years of the Lebanese conflict, that house represented a symbol of peace and peaceful coexistence for the inhabitants of the area. - Source
There is another nun who does similar work with transgender persons in Argentina - a Discalced Carmelite, la Hermana Monica Astorga. I've written about her before, when the Holy Father praised her work, as well. We all know the Holy Father is against gay marriage and gender ideology, yet he praises the sort of outreach, accompaniment these religious do. It is a sign of contradiction.
The New Evangelization.
It is obvious that the Holy Father has a different perspective on evangelization than what we have been accustomed to - one that is closer to the mission and vocation of the Missionaries of Charity and followers of St. Charles de Foucauld. I may be wrong, but it is how I understand the Pope. Pope Francis' letter to Sr. Jeannine:
December 10, 2021
Sister Jeannine Gramick, SL
Dear sister,
Many thanks for your letter. It made me happy to receive the news about your 50th anniversary.
Your letter reminded me of “the style” of God… God has his own style to communicate with us. And we could summarize that style in three words: closeness, compassion, tenderness.
And I am thinking of your 50 years of ministry, which were 50 years with this “style of God,” 50 years of closeness, of compassion and of tenderness.
You have not been afraid of “closeness,” and in getting close you did it “suffering with” [compassion] and without condemning anyone, but with the “tenderness” of a sister and a mother.
Thank you, Sister Jeannine, for all your closeness, compassion and tenderness.
I pray for you. Please do not forget to pray for me. Greetings to Yayo (Obdulio).
May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin protect you.
Fraternally,
Francisco
It's a remarkable recognition and turn from the many censures Sr. Jennine has suffered in her outreach. Because of those, I at times lacked charity and understanding towards her, New Ways and even Fr. Martin on occasion. I apologize for that and pray in reparation for my sins against them. I have lived my life in a great struggle to live according to Catholic teaching on sexuality and marriage, and I have no regrets - except for the times I failed to do so - or thought I was better because of it. Thank God for the grace to recover through the Sacrament of Penance and the Eucharist, and for this Pope who has taught me so much.
'If I had not been accepted in Carmel, I would have entered a Refuge (for fallen women) and lived out my days there, unknown and despised among the poor penitents.' - St.Therese of Lisieux
Thank you Terry. You have one of the most charitable and insightful Catholic online publications I have seen. And sometimes quite funny.
ReplyDeleteThis is all too rare.
In terms of humour, I was thinking of your Grinch reference a little while back.
DeleteMany thanks.
DeleteMy dear Terry - I must say, I very much admire your strength and purpose in life. I know you sometimes belittle your efforts to live a faithfully Catholic life. But we all have a cross to carry and I think you do well, no matter what you say. It is not always easy to follow God's plan for us, at least not when it's happening.
ReplyDeleteAs for Sr. Jeannine, Fr. Martin, et. al. - I suppose it is not pleasant to speak up for those who do not fit in with the majority. I do not understand why they seem to advocate for the sin of those who are burdened by it, but I can admire their compassion for those who live in difficult circumstances.
I wonder if His Holiness was somehow differentiating from Sr. Jeannine and the agenda of New Ways Ministry? NWM has been condemned by various Catholic leaders, from local bishops to Pope Benedict, and I can see why. Some of the things they advocate are toxic to a soul that is dedicated to being faithfully Catholic. I think perhaps Pope Francis was highlighting the charitable aspect of her service to the LGBTQ community, at least that is my take.
God bless and protect you, Terry, and all here!
Thanks Susan. I think the Pope is completely aware of Sr. J and NWM and their purpose and differences with aspects of Catholic teaching. He has written to Francis DeBernardo in the past with similar acknowledgements. Any 'mental reservations' he may have are unknown, but it is clear that he wants the 'Good News' brought to the 'marginalized' therefore he encourages those who do that. I have no idea how one can justify homosexual acts and ss marriage - the Holy Father has made it clear he doesn't - but he respects the person of those who do. Grammick and NWM obviously think that it may not be sinful - regardless, the ministry emphasizes God's love and self-acceptance. My conscience was formed very early and is rather sensitive, thus I couldn't live with myself and approach holy Communion in that state of compromise - therefore I could never follow the Dignity/NWM agenda, much less any compromise with Catholic teaching.
DeleteThat said, they have been lobbying for decades and no doubt with Fr. Martin's help they have gained a hearing. Some years ago Ganswein arranged for them to be at a General Audience and noted. Bishop are now listening and recognizing their existence and engaging in dialog. In 2014 they met with Archbishop Cordileone and I think Sr. may have met with Paprocki. So Francis encourages such dialogue. Pope Francis knows gay marriage can't happen - but he concedes it exists on a civil level and therefore insists persons in such situations have access to humanitarian civil rights/benefits. He knows same sex sexual relations are sinful and can never be approved - he also knows normal homosexuals are not sex machines but persons - thus they are to be recognized as productive human beings who have a soul - a spiritual life - hence some sort of inclusion and participation as baptized Catholics in the Church is warranted. Just like anyone else in an irregular situation - divorced, remarried, and so on.
I'm also convinced that the Pope is horrified by the hypocrisy that has corrupted bishops and priests, whose inclinations and indulgence in homosexuality has been exposed - unknown before, often covered over by their constant insistence on the damnable aspects of homosexual behaviors - all while they led a double life of sexual abuse of minors, fellow priests, male prostitutes and participating in escapades at their beach house, at the seminary pool, or on a tropical sex-vacation. These same prelates and clergy condemning the likes of Sr. G and other priests who actually ministered to gay people used their protests in the same way that closeted homosexuals used a woman or a cause as a 'great beard' to disguise their homosexuality. Where I am, Archbishop Nienstedt covered himself up with a huge investment in the anti-ss-marriage political issue. Then we know of McCarrick and his secret life.
Having said all of that we all know - the Pope included - that Catholic teaching can't change and won't - but I think you are right Susan - the Pope highlights the charity, conviction and faith in Sr.'s outreach - and that goodness which exists within the groups she accompanies. I do not attribute any malice or 'gay-agenda' to the Holy Father. Sadly, some Catholics are insisting just that.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. It helps me think this through and makes sense of everything. God bless you.
I think you are spot on about the hypocrisy that exists in certain members of the hierarchy. That is why it is especially difficult for those of us in the pews to deal with it when the hypocrisy is exposed. They preach a good game, but cannot live up to their own exacting standards, and have no sympathy for those who fall into sin.
DeleteSadly, there is a large segment of the Church which is waiting on the edge of their seats for Pope Francis to make a mistake or disgrace himself in some way. I can recall a great many Catholics were very vocally against Pope JP II - now a saint. They were horrified that he kissed a Koran, or sometimes wore funny hats, and they were horribly disrespectful and hateful in their comments. It just goes to show what a priest said in a homily from my childhood - "Every one of us has the potential to be a saint - and God *expects* it of us!"
Peace to you, dear Terry, and all here!
How convenient for His Holiness to promote the cardinal virtue in general, ignoring the Courage Apostolate entirely, while praising censured religious specifically who promote false compassion for people blinded by grievous sin.
ReplyDeleteWell I manipulated the story to sound like he promoted Courage. It worked for me. ;)
DeleteI just want to add - I know how it hurts not to be acknowledged/endorsed. I know you and so many Courage people - and many outside that paradigm - have done the incredibly hard work of coming to terms with ssa/gay personality and accepting Catholic teaching as the truth about ourselves. The sad thing is, over the years, when I fell, I ran into Dignity/NWM advocates who made fun of me for believing all that, laughing at me and mocking me because here he is - out in the bars! How could I blame them? or even dispute them? I would cling to my faith, go to confession and avoid that scene - until I failed again. What I am so trying to say is that these same people firmly reject the idea that they have an issue, they believe, to their core, that they were born this way, they refuse any teaching or therapy to counter their understanding of themselves. They are 'fixed' and don't need anyone to fix them. Grammick and others are still telling them that the heavens which were opened at the baptism of Christ are still open for them - that God the Father loves them, right now, just as they are. That is the truth. They already know what the Church teaches, they may even know they are all condemned - just like us may be - but the heavens are opened, and some, too weak to do the work, may be saved - solely on the merits of Jesus Christ. I may have done a lot of work, but I have not merited my salvation - Jesus picked me up off the street, dressed my wounds, and so on. Is that meaningful? Does it help to understand where I'm coming from?
DeleteI don't need his acknowledgement for myself or for the good of the Apostolate (beneficial as that may be); I/we know the truth, where we stand, and what we ought to do. No, what angers me the most is the CONFUSION he sows in the hearts of those sitting on the fence, in need of real guidance or prompting for conversion of heart. Instead this "you're ok/I'm ok" BS is life threatening. I have a niece who is now not only living the lifestyle but excommunicated herself by entering into a "marriage" contract with another woman. Her excuse? "How can more love be wrong?" She cannot understand the distinction between philia and mis-directed eros. I've been there as have you. Yes we have the catechism, church documents, the saints but what good is all that when the most potent influence is the Godless culture we are marinating in, and a Pope who let's it slide with a wink and a nod to NWM, Fr. Martin, et al?
DeleteWell, you got me there.
Delete