In latest interview, Pope Francis reveals top 10 secrets to happiness

[Teelynn]

I’m not Catholic but I deeply respect Catholicism and Pope Francis. It appears to me that he has brought a simple and genuine approach to the faith without a lot of bells and whistles.

I presume that his Top 10 Secrets to Happiness list was meant for a wider audience than just Catholics since he doesn’t touch much on God or the Catholic faith and he emphasizes to not proselytize.

A possible secondary motive may have been to plant a seed of evangelization in the hearts and minds of those with little or no faith who have a secular mindset.

Perhaps he thought that if they listened to him on the topic of happiness, they might listen to other things that he has to say in the future when it comes to faith and morals.

Perhaps – If he had used a lot of religious language – it may not have been as effective.

In short, I think he was reaching out in evangelization to the secular community and used his words accordingly so they could relate to him. If I were a Catholic, I’d give him the benefit of the doubt.

I AM Catholic, a (what you would call) Cradle Catholic. But I stand pretty much where you stand on this. Give him the benefit of the doubt that he was reaching out to non Catholics and even non Christians. That said I am hoping, however, that he has noticed that within his own Church the pews are not very full at the moment. Within evangelization there is a great need to ‘re evangelize’ the flock. Lots of Catholics that no longer believe that it’s necessary to go to Mass on Sunday. No longer necessary to support the Church. They may go when the mood strikes them, maybe on Christmas and Easter, or then again, maybe not, doesn’t matter, they’ve bought the lie that they will end up in heaven anyway, or maybe they were never taught true Catholicism to begin with. Maybe it was all the watered down Catholicism since Vat ll…‘let the fresh air in’, relax and do what you want, the Lord is all LOVE AND MERCY, no need for any of those old archaic ‘rules.’ What I think may be dangerous, is the ‘live and let live’ mentality that the Holy Father seems to be reinforcing since Vat ll. He may be doing that for ecumenism, but Catholics need to hear they have an obligation to be faithful to Christ in His One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church. I do believe he has sort of alluded to that once, with his ‘No Church, No Jesus’ homily. He needs to do a lot more of that and encourage his own flock in his own Church. Maybe that’s coming…wait and pray. Pray for the Holy Father.

 

[ringil]

So we are supposed to turn our brains off and not question the Pope’s approach simply because he is the Pope? There are plenty of warning signs about Pope Francis … it would only take blind loyalty not to see them.
.

You might find fisheaters.com to be a useful site. I’m not trying to be funny either.

 

[ringil]

Check out Buchanan’s article ‘Papal Neutrality in the Culture War’.

Should Pat have not written this thoughtful article because it’s “not his place”? He’s a lifelong, faithful Catholic, steeped in the history of the Church … and he should keep his opinions to himself?

I don’t particularly care for what Pat Buchanon has to say.

Rush Limbaugh and that Sarah Palin had some things to say about Pope Francis as well if I remember rightly.

 

[JohnPaul]

Because like I said better men than me with far more understanding an insight picked him to be our Pope. You seem to think you know more than they do. Plus, I wasn’t anywhere close to being as worked up as you seem to be.

Pope Francis comes out with the keys to happiness and mentions nothing about God and you don’t find that alarming? He states “whom am I to judge” if a person is engaging in mortal sin in a gay union. He thinks that we “obsess” over the slaughter of 3000 unborn in the US alone … and you direct me to leave the Church because I find all of this troubling?

The idea that we shouldn’t make rather obvious observations about the Pope’s statements, that we should keep our mouths shut or leave the Church, is a bunch of malarkey.

As for whether I know more than the Cardinals who elected him, I have heard that many of the Cardinals would not have voted for him had they known the kinds of things that would come out of his mouth.

 

[JohnPaul]

I don’t particularly care for what Pat Buchanon has to say.

Find, but you said that it’s not our place to criticize the Pope … Buchanan puts out a thoughtful essay on the matter, and in your mind, he should keep his opinions to himself.

 

[ringil]

Find, but you said that it’s not our place to criticize the Pope … Buchanan puts out a thoughtful essay on the matter, and in your mind, he should keep his opinions to himself.

Yes.

Or rather he should work to change his ideas.

 

[ringil]

As for whether I know more than the Cardinals who elected him, I have heard that many of the Cardinals would not have voted for him had they known the kinds of things that would come out of his mouth.

You have “heard” this.

You must have some amazing access to some privileged information.

Your tone is inappropriate and even offensive- to me at least.

There were some Cardinals which I would have been wary to see as Pope- but you know what- if they were made Pope it would be my duty to listen to them and take in what I could.

Not disparage them. That is patently wrong for a Catholic.

 

[alexandratm]

Matthew 7:3
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Let’s not play the more-holy-than-the-Pope game. It’s unbecoming.

 

[JohnPaul]

Your tone is inappropriate and even offensive- to me at least.

Inappropriate tone? Is there something in the Catechism that states we can’t be blunt and to the point?

 

[ringil]

Inappropriate tone? Is there something in the Catechism that states we can’t be blunt and to the point?

I don’t know if something like that is in the CCC.

I do know that the Pope is “our man” and we are to listen to Him and be obedient to him- not disparage him.

We are layman and not in a religious order but to them they listen to what their authority tells them- even if they disagree- even if they deeply believe the advice or command is wrong.

Because NOTHING done in obedience to proper authority- save sin- will be held against us by God. He wants us to speak in support and “pump up” our Holy Father.

Why don’t you get that?

 

[JohnPaul]

I’m not Catholic but I deeply respect Catholicism and Pope Francis. It appears to me that he has brought a simple and genuine approach to the faith without a lot of bells and whistles.

I am glad that you respect the Church/Pope, but has Pope Francis said anything to make you want to become Catholic? Or has he perhaps suggested to you by his ‘live and let live’ approach that it doesn’t really matter if you convert?

To those on the board who think I should keep my opinions to myself regarding Pope Francis, I will concede the point if Tommy converts.

 

[JohnPaul]

He wants us to speak in support and “pump up” our Holy Father.

Why don’t you get that?

Because he is supposed to be our leader … constantly pandering to the secularists and ignoring lifelong faithful Catholics is not “pumping me up” … as a leader, he should go first.

 

[Drew518]

I don’t know about anyone else, but I see God all over this list. Look closer at the list. Pope Francis is talking about looking forward, being generous, keeping our cool, staying positive, looking out for others, and focusing on the family. Are these not things Jesus would teach us? We are called to love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. Do we not do both by doing these things?

 

[shelby_sun]

I am glad that you respect the Church/Pope, but has Pope Francis said anything to make you want to become Catholic? Or has he perhaps suggested to you by his ‘live and let live’ approach that it doesn’t really matter if you convert?

To those on the board who think I should keep my opinions to myself regarding Pope Francis, I will concede the point if Tommy converts.

You don’t have to keep your opinion to yourself. You can keep getting yourself worked up over a situation you can do nothing about but if focusing on all the negatives gets you through the day and makes you feel like a better Catholic than feel free. You are not going to change my mind. Seem you just want to get a convert out of someone.

 

[shelby_sun]

Pope Francis comes out with the keys to happiness and mentions nothing about God and you don’t find that alarming? He states “whom am I to judge” if a person is engaging in mortal sin in a gay union. He thinks that we “obsess” over the slaughter of 3000 unborn in the US alone … and you direct me to leave the Church because I find all of this troubling?

The idea that we shouldn’t make rather obvious observations about the Pope’s statements, that we should keep our mouths shut or leave the Church, is a bunch of malarkey.

As for whether I know more than the Cardinals who elected him, I have heard that many of the Cardinals would not have voted for him had they known the kinds of things that would come out of his mouth.

Well shame on those Cardinals for not knowing more. The Jesuits have been around for centuries all over the world. There beliefs and ways should be very well known to any Cardinal, please. Why don’t you take some time and energy to learn about them if so are so concerned, you might be enlightened and see that everything to them is about God and serving Him. Or you can just live upset until the next Pope, your choice.

 

[shelby_sun]

I don’t know about anyone else, but I see God all over this list. Look closer at the list. Pope Francis is talking about looking forward, being generous, keeping our cool, staying positive, looking out for others, and focusing on the family. Are these not things Jesus would teach us? We are called to love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. Do we not do both by doing these things?

:thumbsup:The Jesuits live a very simple life and try guide people into the church not scare them into the church. They know the decision in the end is God’s and he is capable of anything. They also stress that He loves all His children, not just the “good” ones.

 

[JohnPaul]

You have “heard” this.

You must have some amazing access to some privileged information.

Source: 9-20-13 Transcript of Mclaughlin Group.

MR. BUCHANAN: Well, for himself he’s getting off to a good start. He has not changed anything doctrinally, John. But there’s no doubt he has moved leftward in terms of his public perception. And if the cardinals had known this, he would not be pope, if they knew this was what he was going to say.

 

[ringil]

Source: 9-20-13 Transcript of Mclaughlin Group.

MR. BUCHANAN: Well, for himself he’s getting off to a good start. He has not changed anything doctrinally, John. But there’s no doubt he has moved leftward in terms of his public perception. And if the cardinals had known this, he would not be pope, if they knew this was what he was going to say.

So how does pat know this?

 

[Tommy999]

I AM Catholic, a (what you would call) Cradle Catholic. But I stand pretty much where you stand on this. Give him the benefit of the doubt that he was reaching out to non Catholics and even non Christians. That said I am hoping, however, that he has noticed that within his own Church the pews are not very full at the moment. Within evangelization there is a great need to ‘re evangelize’ the flock. Lots of Catholics that no longer believe that it’s necessary to go to Mass on Sunday. No longer necessary to support the Church. They may go when the mood strikes them, maybe on Christmas and Easter, or then again, maybe not, doesn’t matter, they’ve bought the lie that they will end up in heaven anyway, or maybe they were never taught true Catholicism to begin with. Maybe it was all the watered down Catholicism since Vat ll…‘let the fresh air in’, relax and do what you want, the Lord is all LOVE AND MERCY, no need for any of those old archaic ‘rules.’ What I think may be dangerous, is the ‘live and let live’ mentality that the Holy Father seems to be reinforcing since Vat ll. He may be doing that for ecumenism, but Catholics need to hear they have an obligation to be faithful to Christ in His One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church. I do believe he has sort of alluded to that once, with his ‘No Church, No Jesus’ homily. He needs to do a lot more of that and encourage his own flock in his own Church. Maybe that’s coming…wait and pray. Pray for the Holy Father.

I think there is work underway by Catholic leadership to re-evangelize Catholics if I understood correctly from listening to the EWTN interview that Raymond Arroyo had with Pastor Rick Waren not too long ago. It’s on YouTube if you haven’t seen it already. I enjoyed the interview.

I agree that tending to the Catholic flock should be the primary focus of any pope and I had assumed it already was.

Your points are valid ones in my opinion, and I had assumed that Pope Francis was already doing those things in addition to reaching out to the secular world through evangelization efforts like this article, or at least that is how I interpreted it.

By the way, my interest in Catholicism started through stumbling onto ‘Catholic Answers Live’ by chance on the car radio when I was on my way home from work one day a few months ago.

I’ve been fascinated and have been listening ever since, although I am still happy in my AOG church and serve there as an usher every Sunday come hell or high water, so to speak. However, I can’t predict the future and have an open mind and heart as I continue to grow in Christ.

My interest in Catholicism had nothing to do with Pope Francis, by the way, although he appears to be a genuinely godly man and I like him a lot, but then I viewed Pope John Paul II favorably as well.

Side note: The differences of opinion expressed on this thread by Catholics – in one sense – is a relief to me in that I now realize that Catholics are not a monolithic group of sheep who have to walk in lockstep in their views on everything.

However, in the end I would think all faithful Catholics would give Pope Francis the benefit of the doubt and defer to him on matters of faith and morals when all is said and done because that is his position as leader of the Catholic Church.

 

[JohnPaul]

Side note: The differences of opinion expressed on this thread by Catholics – in one sense – is a relief to me in that I now realize that Catholics are not a monolithic group of sheep who have to walk in lockstep in their views on everything.

However, in the end I would think all faithful Catholics would give Pope Francis the benefit of the doubt and defer to him on matters of faith and morals when all is said and done because that is his position as leader of the Catholic Church.

Tommy - thanks for contributing … yes we are bound to follow Pope Francis on matters of faith and morals if he states them as Pope (as opposed to a personal opinion).