Gallup Poll shows Pope Francis is not so “Laudato” these days [Fr. Z]

[lynnvinc]

If you look at the OP, you will find the claim (which I’ve heard several times recently) that Americans are “tired of being berated.” I.e., Pope Francis is a lecturing scold. Or, in other words, he admonishes sinners all the time.

It’s just that he doesn’t focus on the “right” sinners–the scapegoats whom all “righteous” people agree are fair targets.

He dares to criticize the “righteous”–the hard-working middle-class people who go to Mass and work two jobs and are pillars of church and society.

And that, of course, is out of line. That is unforgivable. Admonishment is supposed to be a boundary-policing exercise affirming that “we” are the good guys and “they” are the bad guys. It’s supposed to make the insiders, the faithful, feel good.

Pope Francis doesn’t do that.

I can think of another famous religious figure, 2000 years ago, who didn’t do that either. And his popularity kind of crashed too. . . .

Edwin

Interesting discussion.

In my Carmelite group we are more focused on our own sins than those of others. Our president once drew a distinction between “sins of the left” – debauchery, etc – and “sins of the right” – arrogance for being goody 2-shoes, etc.

We ALL fall short and need God’s forgiveness and grace.

 

[Ridgerunner]

He dares to criticize the “righteous”–the hard-working middle-class people who go to Mass and work two jobs and are pillars of church and society.

Edwin

Did he really say that specifically, and without anything added to it, or is that a personal interpretation of his intent? I don’t ever recall him saying that, or anyone ever saying he did.

 

[Memaw]

Jesus said what he said because he can judge. Can man be the judge. We may have opinions and we can pass on teachings but God is my judge because he is omniscient

I said we have every right to judge the “actions” of sin! I did NOT say we have the right to judge the soul of the one committing the actions. BIG difference. All Catholics should know that!! God Bless, Memaw

 

[Contarini]

Did he really say that specifically, and without anything added to it, or is that a personal interpretation of his intent? I don’t ever recall him saying that, or anyone ever saying he did.

That’s the tenor of a lot of the criticism. This piece by Elizabeth Scalia (whose work I like very much, on the whole) clearly resonated with a lot of folks.

I.e., the people I described, at least in the U.S., seem to feel criticized.

Edwin