Jesuit superior general: ‘We have formed symbolic figures such as the devil to express evil’

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Ok you guys,

Pope Francis is NOT ambiguous about the existence or workings of the devil.

The Jesuits statement has nothing to do with the existence or not of the devil. It’s about symbolism, culture.
Think about it.

Hoosier daddy I have no idea what gunshy means.

And yes, I see these attacks on Jesuits by media that is reading a translated document as subversive attacks on the Pope, as he is a Jesuit. If one can cry fake news for a politician, one can also cry fake news on a poorly translated document.

dictionary.com/browse/gun-shy

Do you think the jesuits and the pope agree on all theological matters?

 

[commenter]

Ok you guys,

The Jesuits statement has nothing to do with the existence or not of the devil. It’s about symbolism, culture.
Think about it.

And yes, I see these attacks on Jesuits by media that is reading a translated document as subversive attacks on the Pope, as he is a Jesuit. If one can cry fake news for a politician, one can also cry fake news on a poorly translated document.

It is not an “attack” to point out if a religious order is muddying things that the secular culture is already making ambiguous. If many people are already strongly inclined - **tempted **- to deny the reality of the devil, it is prudent to affirm - specifically - those truths which are **currently **in danger of being ignored.

This has nothing to do with Pope Francis. He does affirm the reality of the devil and rejects the position of the secular intellectual establishment - that is, that the devil is just a symbol.

The Jesuits were being justly criticized under Francis’ predecessors for their excessive attachment to the secular academic establishment on many issues. This criticism is not “attack” but trying to call the Jesuits back to their former prophetic role: to affirm whatever truths are **currently **forgotten by the World. I know a Jesuit who has taken a lot of criticism on campus for his support of prolife, and for the Church’s position on Marriage, both of which are bitterly unpopular in today’s world.