Clericalism and the Servant of the Servants of God.

85-year-old sister Maria Concetta Esu kisses the hand of Pope Francis

This isn't the first time I've been disappointed in a Pope.  

I suppose it is no big deal that the Pope pulled his hand away from laity who sought to venerate the office of the papacy by kissing the 'Fisherman's' ring.  It seemed rude to me, and so I had trouble believing it.  While it is true there may be a good reason, sore hand, fatigue, a signal to discourage clericalism, it just seems to me another option would have been more kind, more respectful to those who were simply following pious tradition.  In the old days, instructions were given to those who would be able to approach the Pope and greet him in audience.  I remember S. Therese and fellow pilgrims were forbidden to speak to the Pope unless he spoke first.  

Kiss cam.

Now we know what not to do.

I guess Popes can be rude, and of course we know even saints can be.  Padre Pio dismissed people for various reasons, his wounds hurt, and sometimes he was gruff with devout women, and people who concealed their sins.

Ratzinger slapped Brian Ross' hand when he tried to get him to comment on Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado. JPII used to look down the reception line instead of having eye contact with those greeting him - this according to Harry Flynn, something noticeable in photos as well. So men will always disappoint us when we encounter their human foibles. 

I have to say, this incident showing Pope Francis rebuffing the pilgrims to the Holy House helps me become more detached from the person of the Pope without diminishing my respect for the Papacy.  P. Francis has made it clear to me that he abhors any sign of clericalism. So I will let it go.

Perhaps it would be more humble for the Servus servorum Dei to kiss the hands of the laity instead?  What?

Ratzinger slaps the hand of Brian Ross.

The Archbishop speaks.

Bishop Cordileone explains what happened... 

While visiting in San Diego this past weekend, I had dinner at the home of some friends along with a priest friend visiting from outside the country and my mother*, who lives near San Diego State University. While driving my mother home, I passed through a DUI checkpoint the police had set up near the SDSU campus before I reached her home, and was found to be over the California legal blood alcohol level.

I apologize for my error in judgment and feel shame for the disgrace I have brought upon the Church and myself. I will repay my debt to society and I ask forgiveness from my family and my friends and co-workers at the Diocese of Oakland and the Archdiocese of San Francisco. I pray that God, in His inscrutable wisdom, will bring some good out of this. - CCD - land of fruit and nuts.

 

It could happen to anyone.  The big lesson here?  Like I said yesterday, "Don't drink and drive."

Crazy people are already spewing conspiracy theories about this.  The man was stopped at a DUI check point - that's it.  I'm sure he will be installed as Archbishop - as ordained.   Not to worry.

Just don't drink and drive.


Photo:  Bishop Cordileone saying the EF Mass.  Conspiracy theory #2:  He was set up by the Novus Ordo, Spirit of Vatican II, Lavender Mafia crowd, who work for the San Diego police department.

*I blame the mother.  What?
 

Countess Veruschka von Lehndorff

She was the model in Antonioni's Blow Up (1966).  For nearly as brief a time as her performance in that film, she was Vogue.  Today is her birthday.

A woman I worked with way back when, discouraged my admiration for Verushka, proclaiming her condemnation of the model, she scolded me: "She is completely amoral!  Bear!  How can you possibly like someone like that?"

And yet, Verushka's detractor went on to earn a similar reputation herself.

"Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned."



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