A modern pope gets old school on the Devil

[Stylteralmaldo]

VATICAN CITY — A darling of liberal Catholics and an advocate of inclusion and forgiveness, Pope Francis is hardly known for fire and brimstone.

Yet, in his words and deeds, the new pope is locked in an epic battle with the oldest enemy of God and creation:

The Devil.

After little more than a year atop the Throne of St. Peter, Francis’s teachings on Satan are already regarded as the most old school of any pope since at least Paul VI, whose papacy in the 1960s and 1970s fully embraced the notion of hellish forces plotting to deliver mankind unto damnation.

Largely under the radar, theologians and Vatican insiders say, Francis has not only dwelled far more on Satan in sermons and speeches than his recent predecessors have, but has also sought to rekindle the Devil’s image as a supernatural entity with the forces of evil at his beck and call.

More:
washingtonpost.com/world/a-modern-pope-gets-old-school-on-the-devil/2014/05/10/f56a9354-1b93-4662-abbb-d877e49f15ea_story.html

 

[Cojuanco]

VATICAN CITY — A darling of liberal Catholics and an advocate of inclusion and forgiveness, Pope Francis is hardly known for fire and brimstone.

Yet, in his words and deeds, the new pope is locked in an epic battle with the oldest enemy of God and creation:

The Devil.

After little more than a year atop the Throne of St. Peter, Francis’s teachings on Satan are already regarded as the most old school of any pope since at least Paul VI, whose papacy in the 1960s and 1970s fully embraced the notion of hellish forces plotting to deliver mankind unto damnation.

Largely under the radar, theologians and Vatican insiders say, Francis has not only dwelled far more on Satan in sermons and speeches than his recent predecessors have, but has also sought to rekindle the Devil’s image as a supernatural entity with the forces of evil at his beck and call.

More:
washingtonpost.com/world/a-modern-pope-gets-old-school-on-the-devil/2014/05/10/f56a9354-1b93-4662-abbb-d877e49f15ea_story.html

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned about Jesuits, it’s that one of their old preaching standbys is to talk about our struggle, nay, our all-out war, with the Father of Lies. It’s a very, very Jesuit thing, like military-style structure and three-part homilies.

 

[3DOCTORS]

I have to laugh when those who attempt to pigeonhole Francis get the rug pulled out from under them time and again - they never learn!

Francis has reason to be concerned about how we often don’t get down to brass tacks and see that we’re all engaged in a spirtual battle of good vs. evil. It’s not just “a Jesuit thing,” or shouldn’t be, anyway. The devil likes it best when we dismiss him as a fairytale or mythical figure.

I feel strong and safe when Francis speaks against the devil. As the vicar of Christ, the Pope should lead the charge for us on earth! :knight1::knight2:

 

[ae22]

“Had Pope Benedict done this, the media would have clobbered him.”

Ain’t that the truth. The secular news media portrays the Holy Father as someone who is extremely progressive (which, in some ways, he is) and as someone who is open to changing Church teachings (which not only CAN’T happen, but Pope Francis has stated in no uncertain terms that he would never, ever do - the media just doesn’t want to hear it)

Not that I mind the fact that the media has been portraying the Church in a much more positive light during his Papacy than at any time at least since the sex abuse scandal broke, but it’s extremely intellectually dishonest to characterize the Holy Father as someone who is markedly different from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, because the substance of what he has said hasn’t been that much of a departure from his predecessors at all (with some exceptions, like washing the feet of women and non-Catholics on Holy Thursday)

 

[McCall1981]

The article seems a little condescending towards Catholicism, but nevertheless I hope there are more articles that point out things like this. Glad he has emphasized this topic.

 

[Cojuanco]

I have to laugh when those who attempt to pigeonhole Francis get the rug pulled out from under them time and again - they never learn!

Francis has reason to be concerned about how we often don’t get down to brass tacks and see that we’re all engaged in a spirtual battle of good vs. evil. It’s not just “a Jesuit thing,” or shouldn’t be, anyway. The devil likes it best when we dismiss him as a fairytale or mythical figure.

I feel strong and safe when Francis speaks against the devil. As the vicar of Christ, the Pope should lead the charge for us on earth! :knight1::knight2:

Of course, but Jesuits since Saint Ignatius have been especially concerned with spiritual warfare and diabolic influences. He is following the mind of Ignatius, as he should. It is always good when religious are true to the intent of their founders.

 

[po18guy]

VATICAN CITY — A darling of liberal Catholics…

Just goes to show that they haven’t been paying attention.

 

[3DOCTORS]

Of course, but Jesuits since Saint Ignatius have been especially concerned with spiritual warfare and diabolic influences. He is following the mind of Ignatius, as he should. It is always good when religious are true to the intent of their founders.

You are correct, it is part of their charism. I guess the bigger picture is - the Holy Spirit saw fit to give us this Jesuit Pope at the time when we need him! :extrahappy:

 

[Sunflake9]

God bless Pope Francis for all he does!!! He is so desperately needed in these times.

 

[pollylodges]

Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†

 

[EIF5A]

from the article:

But by focusing on old-school interpretations of the Devil, some progressive theologians complain, the pope is undermining his reputation as a leader who in so many other ways appears to be more in step with modern society than his predecessor.

“He is opening the door to superstition,” said Vito Mancuso, a Catholic theologian and writer.

What??? There’s a Catholic theologian who thinks the devil is superstition…? Who are these progressive theologians? Is the Washington Post exaggerating after finding like, 1 person, who believes this?

What else do they think are superstitious rituals? Sacraments? Why are they even Catholic/Christian, then?

Although I guess this is a sign of what is to come: ridicule for our beliefs in “superstition”.

Lord, grant us the grace of faith and perseverance…

 

[McCall1981]

from the article:

What??? There’s a Catholic theologian who thinks the devil is superstition…? Who are these progressive theologians? Is the Washington Post exaggerating after finding like, 1 person, who believes this?

What else do they think are superstitious rituals? Sacraments? Why are they even Catholic/Christian, then?

Although I guess this is a sign of what is to come: ridicule for our beliefs in “superstition”.

Lord, grant us the grace of faith and perseverance…

I’ve seen the name before, he’s one of the go to “theologians” the MSM uses when they need an anti-Catholic type of comment for something like this. It’s like how whenever they use a quote from a Priest it’s always from one of the same two or three Priests, the ones that they know will say something to suit their agenda.

 

[EIF5A]

I’ve seen the name before, he’s one of the go too “theologians” the MSM uses when they need an anti-Catholic type of comment for something like this. It’s like how whenever they use a quote from a Priest it’s always from one of the same two or three Priests, the ones that they know will say something to suit their agenda.

I guess that’s a bit reassuring that it’s not a large contingent of Catholic scholars teaching…unorthodox…things.

On the other hand, this will only lead people who are “undecided” to have the false idea that the Church is “flexible” when it comes to beliefs.

 

[Son_of_Niall]

Can we get a petition together to ban the phrase “old school” from the english language?

 

[edwest2]

Can we get a petition together to ban the phrase “old school” from the english language?

I’m in. “Old School” as opposed to two weeks ago?

Sheesh,
Ed

 

[edwest2]

"Bl. Pope John Paul II said “the evil that surrounds us today, the disorders that plague our society, man’s inconsistency and brokenness, are not only the results of original sin, but also the result of Satan’s pervasive and dark action.” Pope Benedict (then Cardinal Ratzinger) recognized that Satan “is a powerful reality . . . evident if we look realistically at history, with its abyss of ever-new atrocities which cannot be explained by reference to man alone.” Pope Paul VI warned that we are struggling not “only against one devil, but against a frightening multiplicity of them.”

"These Popes, Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, are among the holiest men of the past century. Living in the light of truth, and being so close to the light, they could truly understand the pernicious power of darkness. If they could see this so clearly, and warned us so vehemently, ought we not listen?

“The Catechism has a frightening observation in the commentary on the final phrase in the Lord’s Prayer: “But deliver us from evil.” It teaches, “In this petition, evil is not an abstraction, but refers to a person, Satan, the Evil One, the angel who opposes God” (no. 2851).”

---

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-504969/Popes-exorcist-squads-wage-war-Satan.html

Peace,
Ed

 

[TCEL]

I don’t get how people, especially Christians, could not believe the Devil is real. I know nothing about the different religious orders’ charisms, but I guess one could say I’m particularly Jesuitical in this regard. You need to know what you’re fighting. Maybe it’s my military family background.

 

[McCall1981]

I don’t get how people, especially Christians, could not believe the Devil is real. I know nothing about the different religious orders’ charisms, but I guess one could say I’m particularly Jesuitical in this regard. You need to know what you’re fighting. Maybe it’s my military family background.

I agree. It’s not like the Devil is some obscure detail of Christian doctrine; it’s pretty central to the Christian faith.

 

[goodguy2342]

I have to laugh when those who attempt to pigeonhole Francis get the rug pulled out from under them time and again - they never learn!

Francis has reason to be concerned about how we often don’t get down to brass tacks and see that we’re all engaged in a spirtual battle of good vs. evil. It’s not just “a Jesuit thing,” or shouldn’t be, anyway. The devil likes it best when we dismiss him as a fairytale or mythical figure.

I feel strong and safe when Francis speaks against the devil. As the vicar of Christ, the Pope should lead the charge for us on earth! :knight1::knight2:

Seriously… Why does the church not speak on modern day evils? Going to Mass and observing will never scratch the surface of how to navigate daily life in the best way possible in the modern age.

 

[commenter]

Seriously… Why does the church not speak on modern day evils? Going to Mass and observing will never scratch the surface of how to navigate daily life in the best way possible in the modern age.

I’m not sure what you mean by modern day evils…but never underestimate the power of the Mass. If anyone is going to just to observe, or to get a weekly religious experience, that under-response probably is one of the greatest of the modern day evils (and I am guilty at times). One of the 3 kinds of evil we face in the world is directly supernatural, and the Mass is directly opposed to it. The Mass also strengthens us in our battle regarding the other 2 kinds of evil, the World and Flesh.

The Church has always warned against either over emphasizing and under emphasizing the Devil. For the past several decades, the slant is clearly to under emphasize. Thank God for Pope Francis.