Francis: Spirit works in laypeople, 'is not property of the hierarchy'

[gilliam]

Pope Francis has again sharply denounced the culture of clericalism among priests in the Catholic church, calling it “one of the greatest deformations” that must be confronted by the global faith community and saying it helps “diminish and undervalue” the contributions that laypeople make.

The pontiff has also strongly reaffirmed the right of laypeople to make decisions in their lives, saying that priests must trust that the Holy Spirit is working in them and that the Spirit “is not only the ‘property’ of the ecclesial hierarchy.”

In a letter to Cardinal Marc Ouellet in his role as the head of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, released by the Vatican Tuesday, Francis says he wants to speak to the members of the commission about how to better serve what he terms “the Holy Faithful People of God.”

“Evoking the Holy Faithful People of God is to evoke that horizon which we are invited to look at and reflect upon,” states the pope. “It is the Holy Faithful People of God that as pastors we are continually invited to look to, to protect, to accompany, to sustain and to serve.”

“A father cannot imagine himself without his children,” he continues. “He can be a great worker, professional, spouse, friend but what makes him a father has a face: they are his children.”

“The same happens to us,” states Francis. “We are pastors. A pastor cannot imagine himself without his flock, which he is called to serve. The pastor is a pastor of a people, and he serves the people from amongst them.”

ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-spirit-works-laypeople-not-property-hierarchy

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

Pope Francis has again sharply denounced the culture of clericalism among priests in the Catholic church, calling it “one of the greatest deformations” that must be confronted by the global faith community and saying it helps “diminish and undervalue” the contributions that laypeople make.

The pontiff has also strongly reaffirmed the right of laypeople to make decisions in their lives, saying that priests must trust that the Holy Spirit is working in them and that the Spirit “is not only the ‘property’ of the ecclesial hierarchy.”

…

The Catholic Church doesn’t believe in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Only Vicars General are allowed to have those.

 

[J_Peterson]

The pontiff has also strongly reaffirmed the right of laypeople to make decisions in their lives, saying that priests must trust that the Holy Spirit is working in them and that the Spirit “is not only the ‘property’ of the ecclesial hierarchy.”

I think this is something that laypeople need to pay attention to as well. That person that you don’t think should be receiving communion has a direct line to the Holy Spirit and knows better than you do.

 

[LittleFlower378]

Pope Francis has again sharply denounced the culture of clericalism among priests in the Catholic church, calling it “one of the greatest deformations” that must be confronted by the global faith community and saying it helps “diminish and undervalue” the contributions that laypeople make.

The pontiff has also strongly reaffirmed the right of laypeople to make decisions in their lives, saying that priests must trust that the Holy Spirit is working in them and that the Spirit “is not only the ‘property’ of the ecclesial hierarchy.”

In a letter to Cardinal Marc Ouellet in his role as the head of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, released by the Vatican Tuesday, Francis says he wants to speak to the members of the commission about how to better serve what he terms “the Holy Faithful People of God.”

“Evoking the Holy Faithful People of God is to evoke that horizon which we are invited to look at and reflect upon,” states the pope. “It is the Holy Faithful People of God that as pastors we are continually invited to look to, to protect, to accompany, to sustain and to serve.”

“A father cannot imagine himself without his children,” he continues. “He can be a great worker, professional, spouse, friend but what makes him a father has a face: they are his children.”

“The same happens to us,” states Francis. “We are pastors. A pastor cannot imagine himself without his flock, which he is called to serve. The pastor is a pastor of a people, and he serves the people from amongst them.”

ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-spirit-works-laypeople-not-property-hierarchy

I have heard dissenting Catholics twist this “Spirit of the Laypeople” to excuse themselves and preach against Church teaching especially promoting liberal ideas.

I wonder if someone inside is telling the Pope to talk about these things or is this something the Pope is truly concerned about? Or maybe I know nothing, and in other countries clericalism is dominating the laypeople?

 

[dmar198]

I have heard dissenting Catholics twist this “Spirit of the Laypeople” to excuse themselves and preach against Church teaching especially promoting liberal ideas.

I wonder if someone inside is telling the Pope to talk about these things or is this something the Pope is truly concerned about? Or maybe I know nothing, and in other countries clericalism is dominating the laypeople?

One of the things that I like about Pope Francis is that he has clarified that following your conscience does not mean doing whatever you like. One of the times he pointed this out was in an in-flight press conference where he was asked about the politicians in Italy who were faced with a vote on same-sex unions. On that occasion, the pope said: “a Catholic in Parliament must vote according to his or her well-formed conscience… I say ‘well-formed’ because the conscience is not ‘whatever I think’. I remember when same-sex marriage was voted on in Buenos Aires, there was a vote, and at the end one said to the other… ‘if we reach a quorum, we’ll give the vote to [same-sex marriage]!’, and the other [said]: ‘I would rather give the vote to [same-sex marriage] than to Bergoglio!’, and so forth. This is not a well-formed conscience! And regarding people of the same sex, I repeat…what is in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.” source

I appreciated this clarification because for several popes now it has seemed to me that some people in the hierarchy have called people to act on their conscience without pointing out the limitations of conscience. As a result of not looking up the full Church teaching, many people have come away thinking they can do whatever they want. The pope’s clarifications are, I think, a good step toward putting a stop to this.

And this is very related to what you are talking about. Some people misuse the name of the Holy Spirit in the same way that others misuse the word Conscience as a license to do whatever they want. Instead of saying “I can do X because my conscience says so,” where X is a bad thing, they’ll say “I can do X because I’m just as in touch with the Holy Spirit as anyone else.” Thus I think the pope’s clarifications apply here as well: following the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean doing whatever you want. On moral issues, including same-sex attraction, we are supposed to seek our guidance from Church doctrine, particularly the Catechism, and form our conscience according to that. I hope that helps. God bless!

 

[zz912]

I think this is something that laypeople need to pay attention to as well. That person that you don’t think should be receiving communion has a direct line to the Holy Spirit and knows better than you do.

There’s no evidence to support such an assertion, especially considering the horrific state of catechesis that has existed for 60 years in the US.

 

[HCTC]

After reading Pope Francis’ comments quoted in this article, I am so overwhelmed that I cannot stop weeping…It seems to me that our Holy Father accepts all my failings, and only asks that I keep trying to live my faith ever more fully…

 

[J_Peterson]

There’s no evidence to support such an assertion, especially considering the horrific state of catechesis that has existed for 60 years in the US.

If that’s the case, maybe you shouldn’t be receiving communion? I have no evidence that you are in a state of grace.

 

[J_Peterson]

After reading Pope Francis’ comments quoted in this article, I am so overwhelmed that I cannot stop weeping…It seems to me that our Holy Father accepts all my failings, and only asks that I keep trying…

That’s how I feel about Pope Francis as well. I think he gives us all hope.

 

[Polyphony]

That person that you don’t think should be receiving communion has a direct line to the Holy Spirit and knows better than you do.

I’m confused by this.

Are you saying some people have direct revelations from God the Holy Spirit about the state of their soul? And are you saying this is extensive enough that there may be some even in my parish?

… and are you saying it’s even unlikely that certain individuals might just need to examine themselves and their lives a bit more truthfully?

 

[Polyphony]

It seems to me that our Holy Father accepts all my failings, and only asks that I keep trying to live my faith ever more fully…

What’s even better is that that’s exactly what Jesus thinks as well.

 

[ProdglArchitect]

The Catholic Church doesn’t believe in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Only Vicars General are allowed to have those.

I really, really hope you’re joking, because if you’re not then I have to say that you are grossly misinformed about the Catholic Church.

There’s no evidence to support such an assertion, especially considering the horrific state of catechesis that has existed for 60 years in the US.

 

[1neophyte]

What’s even better is that that’s exactly what Jesus thinks as well.

You beat me to it!

 

[zz912]

If that’s the case, maybe you shouldn’t be receiving communion? I have no evidence that you are in a state of grace.

I’m not publicly and manifestly contradicting, objecting to and rejecting Church teaching.

There are many such public figures who are, and who we can say should not be receiving.

 

[otjm]

I think this is something that laypeople need to pay attention to as well. That person that you don’t think should be receiving communion has a direct line to the Holy Spirit and knows better than you do.

Particularly if you think they should not be receiving because you don’t know the facts. In such cases, what you don’t know, and what they do know, are the operating principles. Gossip is a poor way of judging reality.

 

[otjm]

I have heard dissenting Catholics twist this “Spirit of the Laypeople” to excuse themselves and preach against Church teaching especially promoting liberal ideas.

I wonder if someone inside is telling the Pope to talk about these things or is this something the Pope is truly concerned about? Or maybe I know nothing, and in other countries clericalism is dominating the laypeople?

The Pope has been commenting on clericalism almost from the start of his pontificate, if that is any help.

 

[J_Peterson]

I’m confused by this.

Are you saying some people have direct revelations from God the Holy Spirit about the state of their soul? And are you saying this is extensive enough that there may be some even in my parish?

… and are you saying it’s even unlikely that certain individuals might just need to examine themselves and their lives a bit more truthfully?

I only meant that the Spirit is given to each and every baptized believer. We all have access to God through prayer. My point was that we don’t know what an individuals relationship with God looks like. Our Lord specifically told us not to judge others.

 

[Waylon102]

I wouldn’t want Pope Francis to teach RCIA or CCD to my kids. He is not very well versed in the Faith, which you would think
would be required of a Pope. Strange times we are living in.

 

[1neophyte]

I wouldn’t want Pope Francis to teach RCIA or CCD to my kids. He is not very well versed in the Faith, which you would think
would be required of a Pope. Strange times we are living in.

Then go start your own church.

 

[dmar198]

He is not very well versed in the Faith

Can you give an example?