Benedict XVI speaks on crisis of faith, theme of God's mercy, in new interview

[lovemysix]

I am surprised there is not more noise around these statements by Pope Emeritus Benedict. If it is true that Church dogma has undergone such a “profound evolution” as to be essentially unrecognizable from its original form, what other dogma might be next to undergo “profound evolution” due to our new modern-day perspectives.

Nowhere did I see Benedict stating that dogma can’t actually profoundly evolve like this; rather, he seems to be saying that we need to find new ways of thinking about the issue so that the Church can make sense of the profound evolution of dogma.

It makes me wonder what the next dogma to profoundly evolve might be, particularly with the apostolic exhortation on the family due to be released in a few weeks. Things could get very interesting!

 

[JosieN]

This is what I have been railing on about, both on these forums and among friends. There is this growing sentiment, even among those who are considered good Catholics, that basically everyone is going to heaven regardless of their faith background or lack thereof, and therefore the Catholic faith is not necessary for salvation. To hear the same concern come from a former pope is… refreshing. Because anyone who expresses this concern tend to be blasted by opposition. I have often been labeled a “fundamentalist” for promoting evangelization… I guess that St. Paul is also a fundamentalist too, as well as St. Francis de Sales and basically every other missionary who ever lived before Vatican II. It is amazing to hear a church official for once express the necessity of spreading the gospel and bringing people to faith, and to refer to this growing religious indifference as a crisis of faith, which it is.

I agree.

 

[unafraid]

So wonderful to hear the words of humble, meek, and incisive Pope Benedict XVI. That the world, and the Church, have been in states of tumult and rapid transitional discord, over the last several decades or more, is indisputable, but the fact that the Roman Catholic Church has been graced to be led through this period by three sanctified and dynamic leaders, is equally indisputable

I believe that John Paul II, Benedict, and Francis are three distinct signs that our God is with the Church during this critical time in the history of the world. That we have had three saints (in my view) placed at the head of Holy Mother Church in succession is very telling of the importance of the mission of the Church in this age.

We must hold onto our faith and our trust, regardless of the trials and tribulations. God is with us; He is in charge of everything.

 

[JosieN]

Is Pope Benedict speaking only to the faithful here, or is he also speaking ever so gently to Pope Francis to?

Could it be that Pope Francis is concentrating to much of his time and political capitol on global warming, the poor, and migrant issues, thereby letting the Church drift further and further in a direction that will lead to even more confusion and misunderstanding of just what she stands for?

Pope Benedict did much to bring the Church back to it’s basics and it’s roots, and he told Catholics things that they didn’t want to necessarily hear. I fear, and maybe he does to, that all his hard work is now going to the wayside…

I think the church needs to go back to it’s basics and it’s roots. Sometimes people need to hear the truth even if they don’t want to hear it.

 

[graciew]

Is Pope Benedict speaking only to the faithful here, or is he also speaking ever so gently to Pope Francis to?

Could it be that Pope Francis is concentrating to much of his time and political capitol on global warming, the poor, and migrant issues, thereby letting the Church drift further and further in a direction that will lead to even more confusion and misunderstanding of just what she stands for?

Pope Benedict did much to bring the Church back to it’s basics and it’s roots, and he told Catholics things that they didn’t want to necessarily hear. I fear, and maybe he does to, that all his hard work is now going to the wayside…

Have you read the interview ?

 

[graciew]

I’m not comfortable putting these two popes in opposition just yet. Benedict leans to my view of things and I see your point but it is out of character for BXVI to do as you are suggesting.

Of course. Completely out of character.

 

[jimcav]

Have you read the interview ?

Yes, of course.

Please make your point…

 

[abucs]

On the one hand, faith is a profoundly personal contact with God, which touches me in my innermost being and places me in front of the living God in absolute immediacy in such a way that I can speak with Him, love Him and enter into communion with Him. But at the same time this reality which is so fundamentally personal also has inseparably to do with the community. It is an essential part of faith that I be introduced into the “we” of the sons and daughters of God, into the pilgrim community of brothers and sisters. The encounter with God means also, at the same time, that I myself become open, torn from my closed solitude and received into the living community of the Church. That living community is also a mediator of my encounter with God, though that encounter touches my heart in an entirely personal way. Faith comes from hearing (fides ex auditu), St. Paul teaches us. Listening in turn always implies a partner.

Great description from Benedict regarding the power of prayer.

 

[graciew]

Yes, of course.

Please make your point…

That he specifically referred to both John Paul and Francis.
Since you have read it, you will find the lines and the message.I was gping to quote but in fact ,it is good reading Benedict s message all, as a whole,as usual. And not that I find it súper easy

 

[jimcav]

That he specifically referred to both John Paul and Francis.
Since you have read it, you will find the lines and the message.I was gping to quote but in fact ,it is good reading Benedict s message all, as a whole,as usual. And not that I find it súper easy

Yes, he does mention Popes Francis and John Paul, but to me they weren’t the main points of the story IMHO.

Benedict speaks about the new attitude in the Church where people are less attached to their faith. He speaks of faith and salvation. He speaks to the importance of the sacraments. He speaks most tellingly on the “anonymous Christian” and the danger of indifferentialism , whereby all religions are somehow equal to attaining salvation.

In this, Pope Benedict spoke to me and connected with me and I believe the faithful to, just as he always did. His thoughts about the deep crisis in the Church today, and what should be done to fix them, are clear and concise. It felt good to hear what Benedict had to say, because I think he really grasps the issues and the concerns for the everyday Church-going Catholic. Pope Francis, thus far, hasn’t really spoken to the faithful and their concerns (which he readily admits) and that’s why I said, “could Benedict be ever so gently be speaking to Francis as well as the faithful”?

All good leaders need help once in awhile and what better help than Benedict!

 

[lynnvinc]

Is Pope Benedict speaking only to the faithful here, or is he also speaking ever so gently to Pope Francis to?

Could it be that Pope Francis is concentrating to much of his time and political capitol on global warming, the poor, and migrant issues, thereby letting the Church drift further and further in a direction that will lead to even more confusion and misunderstanding of just what she stands for?

Pope Benedict did much to bring the Church back to it’s basics and it’s roots, and he told Catholics things that they didn’t want to necessarily hear. I fear, and maybe he does to, that all his hard work is now going to the wayside…

Interesting. What I hear when BXVI speaks…

“…there is still a perception that we are all in need of grace and forgiveness…It is mercy that steers us towards God, while justice makes us fearful in his presence. I believe this shows that beneath the veneer of self-confidence and self-righteousness, today’s mankind conceals a profound knowledge of its wounds and unworthiness before God. It awaits mercy.”

… is that we are terrible sinners – whether thru “sins of the left” (debauchery) or “sins of the right” (arrogance, including self-righteous refusal to acknowledge we are harming and killing people and God’s creation thru such things as global warming) – and we need God’s mercy and we should most certainly have mercy on those we are harming and killing, first by acknowledging we are doing so and 2nd, repenting and working to reduce that harm. Justice makes us bound to do those things or face Divine Justice when we get to those Pearly Gates. If we can’t do those things out of our sense of mercy and love, at least do them out of a sense of fear.

BXVI was as much into our need to mitigate climate change and the myriad of other harms & evil we are engaged in (including neglect of the poor & downtrodden, whom in part in various ways we have put in that position), as much as Pope Francis is. It’s just that we have pretty much ignored BXVI, so Pope Francis had to take it a step further with an encyclical and being more outspoken on these issues so people can hear better.

Let those who have ears hear.

 

[JosieN]

I think Benedict XVI is correct there is a crisis in our faith. There is so much talk about mercy from our church today, but I think we may be confused with the meaning of mercy.

God is merciful, but from my understanding we must ask for His mercy as in the prayer “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy”. We need compassion for others if they are poor, or in need of homes etc. and we need God’s mercy for forgiveness for our sins. Divine mercy flows upon us because of the Precious Blood of Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. As in this prayer recited by St. Catherine of Siena

“Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us!
Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace!
Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us!
Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us!
Amen”