New Pope and questions regarding changes

[Cider]

I have no idea where this thread should go, so I chose this forum.

This is my first papal election since becoming Catholic and I find it very odd that there are so many discussions on CAF over possible changes in the Church. Is this the norm after a new Pope is elected? I’m not talking about secular media drumming up controversy, I’m talking about the multitude of discussions about what does the Pope think of this teaching or that teaching or will the Pope change this or change that. Not sure if we are allowed to reference other threads so I’ll just speak generally.

I find this really disconcerting. Aren’t we as Catholics supposed to be all about maintaining Church teachings and traditions? Why all this emphasis on possible changes? I’d think that the Church as a whole would be just going on as usual secure in what it believes instead of wondering what is going to happen next.

 

[rfournier103]

I think all the emphasis on change is really media-created.

There are changes the Pope can make, and some he cannot. I do not think women priests, seme-sex marriages, or approval of abortion are doctrines that CAN be changed; given Sacred Scriptures’ prohibition against them…

Besides, Francis is a tad on the conservative side.

The changes he may make will be in the day-to-day running of the Vatican. Things could run a lot more smoothly, and it may be time to ‘shake things up’ over there.

However, your guess is as good as mine as to what is actually going to happen.

 

[Ducklyn]

I have no idea where this thread should go, so I chose this forum.

This is my first papal election since becoming Catholic and I find it very odd that there are so many discussions on CAF over possible changes in the Church. Is this the norm after a new Pope is elected? I’m not talking about secular media drumming up controversy, I’m talking about the multitude of discussions about what does the Pope think of this teaching or that teaching or will the Pope change this or change that. Not sure if we are allowed to reference other threads so I’ll just speak generally.

I find this really disconcerting. Aren’t we as Catholics supposed to be all about maintaining Church teachings and traditions? Why all this emphasis on possible changes? I’d think that the Church as a whole would be just going on as usual secure in what it believes instead of wondering what is going to happen next.

As no matter what our decisions the will of God is always done I really do not understand
anyone’s concern with the matter of a new pope or other issues. God has done okay so far.

 

[Arrependida]

This is my first papal election since becoming Catholic and I find it very odd that there are so many discussions on CAF over possible changes in the Church. Is this the norm after a new Pope is elected? .

I am craddle catholic and I remember 4 diferent papal elections. No this is definetely not the norm!
Like you,I also find very odd all the division, doubts, confusion and fears that arose among catholics, including myself, after this pope was elected. I never felt this way in regards to anything in the church before.
It is just all too unexpect and sudden and it just feels kind of weird, I think. Maybe we are overreacting, we will see.
Actually, if you told me 5 years ago that I would be loosing my sleep over a papal election, I would laugh.
I decided, to just trust the Lord, for he is the one with the bigger plan, not me…

 

[McCall1981]

I have no idea where this thread should go, so I chose this forum.

This is my first papal election since becoming Catholic and I find it very odd that there are so many discussions on CAF over possible changes in the Church. Is this the norm after a new Pope is elected? I’m not talking about secular media drumming up controversy, I’m talking about the multitude of discussions about what does the Pope think of this teaching or that teaching or will the Pope change this or change that. Not sure if we are allowed to reference other threads so I’ll just speak generally.

I find this really disconcerting. Aren’t we as Catholics supposed to be all about maintaining Church teachings and traditions? Why all this emphasis on possible changes? I’d think that the Church as a whole would be just going on as usual secure in what it believes instead of wondering what is going to happen next.

Wow, this is exactly what I’m feeling too.

“I do not think women priests, seme-sex marriages, or approval of abortion are doctrines that CAN be changed; given Sacred Scriptures’ prohibition against them…”

The only “hot-button issue” that could change is Priestly Celibacy, since it is a discipline, not doctrine. The others cannot change.

In a weird way it’s good to know that others are feeling the way I am, I guess I’m not alone.

 

[Nicea325]

I have no idea where this thread should go, so I chose this forum.

This is my first papal election since becoming Catholic and I find it very odd that there are so many discussions on CAF over possible changes in the Church. Is this the norm after a new Pope is elected? I’m not talking about secular media drumming up controversy, I’m talking about the multitude of discussions about what does the Pope think of this teaching or that teaching or will the Pope change this or change that. Not sure if we are allowed to reference other threads so I’ll just speak generally.

I find this really disconcerting. Aren’t we as Catholics supposed to be all about maintaining Church teachings and traditions? Why all this emphasis on possible changes? I’d think that the Church as a whole would be just going on as usual secure in what it believes instead of wondering what is going to happen next.

Nothing new. The liberal media and cafeteria Catholics are the ones on the “changes-needed” tempo. I heard a Catholic say after the pope was elected:

Maybe Francis I will consider women ordination?

 

[georget]

No you’re not alone. I too am a cradle catholic and this is my sixth Papal election and I’ve never seen anything as disconcerting as this. My wife and I were talking earlier, the barrage of negativity, the constant in your face agenda driven media, divide and conquer politics, the “Hey I’m evolving” politicians, the mockery of any Ideal that’s older than 1963, no, we’re at a crosswords, and everybody is going to have to choose.

 

[Verbum]

Hi Cider,

As someone said above, these speculations are largely media-created. Very few of them know what is really involved.

Pope Francis is not going to make any changes in doctrine.But his style promises to be vastly different. It will be more in the manner of Jesus Christ who ate with “sinners and publicans” and who came to save the errant sheep. A lot of Canadian Catholics were hoping that Cardinal Ouellet would not be elected because of his style as Archbishop of Quebec Cilty. He more or less called a murderer a woman who got an abortion after being raped. Strictly speaking, he may have been right. But is that the way of Jesus Christ?

In Buenos Aires,.Pope Francis took to task priests who refused to baptize children of non-practicing Catholics. That is more in the style of Jesus Christ.

Verbum

 

[SuperLuigi]

I think all the emphasis on change is really media-created.

There are changes the Pope can make, and some he cannot. I do not think women priests, seme-sex marriages, or approval of abortion are doctrines that CAN be changed; given Sacred Scriptures’ prohibition against them…

 

[coachdennis]

No you’re not alone. I too am a cradle catholic and this is my sixth Papal election and I’ve never seen anything as disconcerting as this. My wife and I were talking earlier, the barrage of negativity, the constant in your face agenda driven media, divide and conquer politics, the “Hey I’m evolving” politicians, the mockery of any Ideal that’s older than 1963, no, we’re at a crosswords, and everybody is going to have to choose.

As a cradle Catholic as well and this is my sixth papal election as well, please keep in mind:

We have to keep in mind that the AMOUNT of media and media outlets has risen exponentially since 1963, not to mention the technology of the internet, so we live in a world of instant communication so we are hearing opinions and engaging with discussions that we would not have been exposed to except in 2005, certainly not 1978 or 1963 or 1958.

Also with 24/7 air to fill, the media has to talk about something!!

I do not find any negativity among the people in my parish. In fact, many have commented how this pope reminds them of John XXIII, and I have seen already a sense of rejuvenation in some people. It is not the hope of major changes in theology, but a sense of his simplicity and humility gives people a “joy” in being Catholic again.

In my opinion, American Catholicism is plagued by the political polarization of the culture and we are so saturated by it that we don’t see how it affects our view of Church and other Churchgoers.

 

[paulrxp]

It’s the 4th election for me. Sure I was a little worried when Pope Benedict decided to step down, but I don’t feel uneasy at all since Pope Francis was selected. Just from the reactions I’ve seen in non religious forums, I’ve read some nice things from all different types of people, many , many non-Catholic. I was more worried about those who despise the Papacy for being too nice, made me wonder why. My Google circle was flooded with nice comments, I had to shut it off because I was getting too many emails.

I read a report yesterday about some Methodist Church in N Carolina where the pastor said he’d cease all marriages in his congregation unless all homosexuals were allowed to marry. If the Church reversed on any of its doctrines such as this one, the ones that cannot change, I would worry. I mean really worry. I don’t feel the Church has to represent my beliefs; that’s what politics are for. I feel the Church has to preserve truths that I’m obligated to respect and follow. And as other Catholics follow and do the same, the truth is preserved universally and we’re closer to Christ. That’s what our Church is all about. We all know real moral truths do not change, there’s no compromising there, and the Church has never let me down on these things like politics has.

I’ve told this to many non-Catholics that have asked me, and I’ve cited the position of the Vatican on issues that were in question. You can read and be swayed with what the media speculates as change, but the chances of doctrines and moral truths changing are highly unlikely if not impossible.Being away a few years from the Church, I’ve never been closer to it as I am now, so no worries, none at all.

 

[georget]

As a cradle Catholic as well and this is my sixth papal election as well, please keep in mind:

We have to keep in mind that the AMOUNT of media and media outlets has risen exponentially since 1963, not to mention the technology of the internet, so we live in a world of instant communication so we are hearing opinions and engaging with discussions that we would not have been exposed to except in 2005, certainly not 1978 or 1963 or 1958.

Also with 24/7 air to fill, the media has to talk about something!!

I do not find any negativity among the people in my parish. In fact, many have commented how this pope reminds them of John XXIII, and I have seen already a sense of rejuvenation in some people. It is not the hope of major changes in theology, but a sense of his simplicity and humility gives people a “joy” in being Catholic again.

In my opinion, American Catholicism is plagued by the political polarization of the culture and we are so saturated by it that we don’t see how it affects our view of Church and other Churchgoers.

Well, Im glad you agee

 

[Genesis315]

I’ve had that disconcerting feeling and am hoping it’s just media hype. The problem is, I don’t remember the media fawining over Benedict XVI as a “hope and change” Pope or making it seem like everything’s on the table for discussion. I also don’t remember censured theologians rejoicing, like some are now. I’m hoping it’s just because Cardinal Bergoglio was more of an unknown than Cardinal Ratzinger was and they’re projecting, rather than them being onto something…

 

[CalCatholic]

I’ve had that disconcerting feeling and am hoping it’s just media hype. The problem is, I don’t remember the media fawining over Benedict XVI as a “hope and change” Pope or making it seem like everything’s on the table for discussion. I also don’t remember censured theologians rejoicing, like some are now. I’m hoping it’s just because Cardinal Bergoglio was more of an unknown than Cardinal Ratzinger was and they’re projecting, rather than them being onto something…

Cardinal Ratzinger (before he was elected Pope) had been serving in the Vatican for many years under Pope John Paul II. He was also a prolific writer, so we kind of knew what we were getting when Cardinal Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis has been in Argentina his whole time serving the Church, so he is an unknown for many people in and outside the Catholic Church.