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PTL
Guest
Amen!
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Tampa_Dave
Guest
Very good point. My focus is on the Church, rather than whoever the current Pope may be. So long as their words and actions reflect proper Church teachings, I’m fine. When you first mentioned “cult of personality”, Obama immediately came to mind.
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clem456
Guest
We’re all very comfortable here in the US (well, generally speaking anyway)
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adawgj
Guest
If it wasn’t for Pope Francis I probably wouldn’t have thought about a vocation to the priesthood. When he got elected I started becoming more interested in Catholicism than I did before.
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ProVobis
Guest
Okay, but the road to the priesthood is generally long. You need to consider this: would you still continue if a new Pope is elected and is against everything you like about this Pope?
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lutheran_farmer
Guest
They need to be patient. He’s only been Pope for nine months and it takes longer than that for us to call ourselves Catholic. Shoot, it’s going to take us at least a year. Hence the 4% in my description…
As far as saying people might not stay because Popes don’t serve forever, well, if they come, make them feel welcome. They stay when they find out the Catholic church is not what they thought it was (that’s why hubby and I are in RCIA). Someone like Pope Francis may bring them in the door, but it’s the parish’s job to keep them coming. I guess our parish did a good job.
As far as saying people might not stay because Popes don’t serve forever, well, if they come, make them feel welcome. They stay when they find out the Catholic church is not what they thought it was (that’s why hubby and I are in RCIA). Someone like Pope Francis may bring them in the door, but it’s the parish’s job to keep them coming. I guess our parish did a good job.
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sagimore
Guest
I think there are families on the fence. My situation is similar to a few I know. Remarried Catholic, I remarried a Methodist, kids are being brought up Methodist as I don’t attend mass often. Ex-wife left me for her new age- yoga instructor 
…Pretty sure she is Buddhist now. If I want another divorce I could tell my current wife we need to live as brother and sister, but then the kids will be hurt. I’m in a position where the Church/Christ can not forgive without me hurting my children first.
I do not think remarried people should be able to take communion, Its pretty clear from the gospels that we should not.
I am following the Pope closely but my family is still attending Methodist services while I stay home. My current wife is has all but said she would convert over if I could get an annulment, but the process is very confusing. I’m not really sure I would qualify. I know infidelity is not cause but we never did receive confession from the priest, we didnt really understand or believe at the time of marriage The Pope did mention making it more understandable and streamlined.
FYI - Surprisingly, I know of many churches where the Priest give communion to remarried folks. I dont think that is my answer however.
…Pretty sure she is Buddhist now. If I want another divorce I could tell my current wife we need to live as brother and sister, but then the kids will be hurt. I’m in a position where the Church/Christ can not forgive without me hurting my children first.I do not think remarried people should be able to take communion, Its pretty clear from the gospels that we should not.
I am following the Pope closely but my family is still attending Methodist services while I stay home. My current wife is has all but said she would convert over if I could get an annulment, but the process is very confusing. I’m not really sure I would qualify. I know infidelity is not cause but we never did receive confession from the priest, we didnt really understand or believe at the time of marriage The Pope did mention making it more understandable and streamlined.
FYI - Surprisingly, I know of many churches where the Priest give communion to remarried folks. I dont think that is my answer however.
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China123
Guest
I certainly see an increase in my parish of people in the pews. I was away for 20+ years and came back about 1.5 years ago. I have seen a steady increase in the numbers just in my parish. I have close friends that have come back too or are coming back, most raised Catholic but fell away for various reasons. I have met quite a few converts too recently so I think the numbers are increasing.
It may be the Frances effect or maybe people are tired of the secularism that is running rampant through our nation. Maybe it could be the Holy Spirit moving through the world at this time giving us all a little nudge
The article could just be parroting info from the mainstream media which is certainly a problem now with reporting whole truth 
I think thing are happening here in the US as well. Maybe not as measurably as one would hope. But as other posters have said…give it time.
It may be the Frances effect or maybe people are tired of the secularism that is running rampant through our nation. Maybe it could be the Holy Spirit moving through the world at this time giving us all a little nudge
The article could just be parroting info from the mainstream media which is certainly a problem now with reporting whole truth I think thing are happening here in the US as well. Maybe not as measurably as one would hope. But as other posters have said…give it time.
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JReducation
Guest
ONe has to remember that most people come to Jesus through a person whom they respect, trust and admire.
In my case, it was Francis of Assisi who brought me to Catholicism, not Jesus Christ. I knew all about Jesus. I was exposed to Catholics all my life. My father was a Catholic and my mother was a Jew. I was raised Jewish.
But what called me to pay attention to Jesus Christ was the Capuchin Franciscan friars. They were the poster boys of charity. To Jews, charity is the most important of the virtues. You would be surprised. But as I listened carefully to everything they said and did, every other sentence began with, "Francis . . . . "
I wanted to know about this man whom they looked up to. I began to study him. I eventually realized that to be like him, I had to embrace Jesus Christ. Franciscans and their founder served as the bridge to Christ. This happens for many people.
St. Edith Stein came to Christ not through him or the Church directly. She came through Teresa of Avila. After reading The Way of Perfection, he concluded, “This is truth.” She wished to follow Teresa to Christ.
Interestingly enough, Teresa of Avila came to Christ through Francisco de Osuna. She was already a nun. She was not a very devout nun until she read The Third Spiritual Alphabet.
St. Maximilian Kolbe describe his journey to Christ through the Immaculate. God uses many instruments to reach his people.
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canis73
Guest
Interesting points brother. Thank you.
Hope you are doing well.
Will keep praying for the brothers. Un abrazo.
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SurfingTheTiber
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Add to this the people who are willing to re-engage in dialogue about a Church they thought they had left behind long ago and we see even more.
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RPRPsych
Guest
To believe that US Catholics *(note: I mean in general; I am not referring to individuals!)*are going to respond to any change in Pontiff, until Kingdom come, betrays a naivete that is both child-like and touching. We’ve already had both political parties weigh in on him, and unfortunately, US Catholics often have an unnatural marriage between their faith and their political affiliations.
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johnnyc176
Guest
Hey God Bless you! Keep seeking the Truth. It’s good that you are following the Pope but remember that the Pope is a servant of the Church. Focus on the Truth of the Church’s teachings and salvation through Jesus who founded the Catholic Church. You should go and talk to a priest.
Well we don’t really know the situation of other people. Keep your focus on your own spiritual journey for now. It’s always a good idea to keep 1 Cor 11:27-29 in mind (which you seem to be doing).
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rfournier103
Guest
I agree with the poster that said that American Catholics seem to love Francis, but haven’t gone back to Mass yet (paraphrased).
I think there are a few reasons for this.
One would be that Americans as a people have become lazy. “Who wants to get up on Sunday morning and waste an hour of the day going to church? I’d rather sleep in. The pope is cool and all… but I can see him on TV and read about him on the interweb on my own time”.
Another reason could be that to many American Catholics, reading and hearing about Francis is like following the royal family in Britain. No real effect on their lives directly, but kind of fun/interesting to watch.
Pretty discouraging, huh?
HOWEVER, I think that the “Pope Francis Effect” won’t be fully understood until many years after the end of his pontificate. His Holiness hasn’t been in office for a full year yet. I think his stewardship will need a little more time than less than a year to get the kind of results any of us would like to see. After all… Rome wasn’t built in a day! (bad joke)
I think there are a few reasons for this.
One would be that Americans as a people have become lazy. “Who wants to get up on Sunday morning and waste an hour of the day going to church? I’d rather sleep in. The pope is cool and all… but I can see him on TV and read about him on the interweb on my own time”.
Another reason could be that to many American Catholics, reading and hearing about Francis is like following the royal family in Britain. No real effect on their lives directly, but kind of fun/interesting to watch.
Pretty discouraging, huh?
HOWEVER, I think that the “Pope Francis Effect” won’t be fully understood until many years after the end of his pontificate. His Holiness hasn’t been in office for a full year yet. I think his stewardship will need a little more time than less than a year to get the kind of results any of us would like to see. After all… Rome wasn’t built in a day! (bad joke)
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ProVobis
Guest
I think there’s some truth to that. I seem to remember how cool it was when Pope Paul allowed use on one’s conscience, vernacular in Mass, and meat on Friday. But not so cool when he issued Humanae Vitae. None of those things though seemed to have prevented a major drop in Church attendance.
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