Pope condemns Christian "triumphalism"

[CutlerB]

Pope Francis has condemned what he calls “triumphalism” in Christianity.

Christians are called to proclaim Jesus without fear, without shame and without triumphalism. That’s the essence of what Pope Francis said at Tuesday morning’s daily mass at the Vatican guesthouse Santa Marta. The Pope stressed the fact that Christ is always the center of our life and hope.

Jesus is the Winner, Who has won over death and sin, said the Pope, focusing his reflections on the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians. To all of us, continued the Pontiff, St. Paul recommended to walk with Jesus “because He has won. Be rooted and built up in Him walking with Him, firm in the faith.” The key point is that “Jesus is risen.” But, it is not always easy to understand. The Pope then recalled that when St. Paul spoke to the Greeks in Athens he was listened to with interest up to when he spoke of the resurrection. “This makes us afraid , it best to leave it as is.” Pope Francis said.

Continuing his Homily the Pope recalled the Apostles, who closed themselves up in the Upper Room for fear of the Jews, even Mary Magdalene is weeping because they have taken away the Lord’s Body . " …they are afraid to think about the Resurrection." The Pope noted that “there are also the Christians who are embarrassed. They are embarrassed to "confess that Christ is risen.

Finally, said Pope Francis there is the group of Christians who "in their hearts do not believe in the Risen Lord and want to make theirs a more majestic resurrection than that of the real one. These, he said are the “triumphalist” Christians.

"They do not know the meaning of the word ‘triumph’ the Pope continued, so they just say “triumphalism”, because they have such an inferiority complex and want to do this …

When we look at these Christians, with their many triumphalist attitudes, in their lives, in their speeches and in their pastoral theology, liturgy, so many things, it is because they do not believe deep down in the Risen One. He is the Winner, the Risen One. He won.

"This, the Holy Father added, is the message that Paul gives to us "Christ “is everything,” he is totality and hope, “because he is the Bridegroom, the Winner”. May the Lord give us the grace to understand and live these things, the Pope prayed.

en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/10/pope_exhorts_christians_to_proclaim_jesus_without_fear,_shame_or/in2-727439

Now, what exactly the Pope means by “triumphalism” is quite obscure to me. He could mean many things, but what does disconcert me is the fact that he speaks of “triumphalist liturgy”. Since he doesn’t qualify the statement any further, it is unclear what he refers to. The posts on this I’ve read often take it to refer to the Extraordinary Form.

As someone who loves the Forma Extraordinaria, that would really sadden me. Surely, in some sense the EF is “triumphalist”, for the simple reason that Christ triumphed over death. There is no other word. It’s not some “yeah cool, you beat death”, it’s a glorious thing worthy of celebration! Moreover, it is not only a Triumph that pertains only to Christ Himself, but He extends that Triumph to us. It is a Triumph for our sake, which renders this kind of “triumphalism” in no way arrogant but rather makes it a joyous thing in thankfulness and praise.

Since the words the Pope uses are quite vague, I can’t say whether he means that sort of thing or whether he is alright with it.

As for his sentence of “because they do not believe deep down in the Risen One”… there’s something for us to think about. I am not ashamed to admit that I struggle very often, and am far from a good Christian. I want to be and try, but fail miserably.

I’d like to hear your comments on His Holiness’ words.

 

[Country_Gal]

Perhaps he is condemning those who put too much stock in one type of liturgical celebration, as if observing a particular form of liturgy recreates the resurrection of Christ better than the real thing?

The trouble with the language in some Church documents is it seems to beat around the bush. They seem to want to purposefully evade spelling things out.

 

[Country_Gal]

Religious triumphalism, generally, refers to a prideful attitude of a religious group about the total superiority of their own way of worshipping and theological notions. A lot of people get irritated by it.

 

[M-Dent]

I’d like to hear your comments on His Holiness’ words.

When I read, “"They do not know the meaning of the word ’ triumph so they just say “triumphalism”, because they have such an inferiority complex…”

I get the clear indication the Pope is speaking of those who give an air of arrogance and superiority. Lacking respect in the dignity of others – even those in error.
I do NOT believe the comment on Liturgy is saying anything negative about the EF of the Mass (1962 Missal) since that would give an air of arrogance or superiority to the current Missal/Liturgy. I believe he is speaking of the Spirit of those involved. My take at least…

 

[CutlerB]

When I read, “"They do not know the meaning of the word ’ triumph so they just say “triumphalism”, because they have such an inferiority complex…”

I get the clear indication the Pope is speaking of those who give an air of arrogance and superiority. Lacking respect in the dignity of others – even those in error.
I do NOT believe the comment on Liturgy is saying anything negative about the EF of the Mass (1962 Missal) since that would give an air of arrogance or superiority to the current Missal/Liturgy. I believe he is speaking of the Spirit of those involved. My take at least…

Makes sense, I surely hope he doesn’t mean that either.

 

[JReducation]

There is a very good thread on the Holy Father’s homilies. I don’t know if it also includes his catechesis at his audiences and at the Angelus.

He has used the term many times. My guess is that he assumed that those who sitting in front of him (remember this is a homily) have heard him before when he used the term. At one point he did refer to those who favor the EF, not because there is something wrong with the EF, but with the way that some people look at the EF. It goes back to that notion that some people have that because they have discovered the EF they have discovered something better than what other Catholics have in the OF. That’s triumphalism.

On another occasion he used it to refer to those people who think that because we’re the Catholic Church and we have the full deposit of faith we can look down upon other faiths, especially the Jews. He declared that this is not Catholic. It’s triumphalism. He said that there was no room in the Church for such an attitude or belief system that we are somehow superior to Jews or to the Jewish faith. He’s speaking here of the attitude of pride, superiority, sometimes antisemitism and this belief that Jews are necessarily going to hell. Which he says is not as black and white as people try to make the official teaching of the Church. He was speaking to the Jewish community at the time.

There was a conversation that he had with major superiors of religious. He spoke of the need to keep an eye on (traditionalist) nostalgic groups. Again, he used the term triumphalism not to define traditionalism, but to describe some people in the traditionalist movement. That’s when he made the statement that was taken out of context by some traditionalist bloggers when he said, “Why do they have to count rosaries? Why can’t they just say that they are sending me a spiritual bouquet of prayers?” His point was that the fact that the message said “we have said X number of rosaries for you,” sounded triumphalist. It was like saying, “I’m giving you a $500.00 gift,” instead of just delivering the gift and not quantifying it.

In a nutshell, he’s teaching the Church Jesuit spirituality. I think I understand what he’s saying, because in many ways Jesuit spirituality is very Franciscan. St. Ignatius said that he wanted to do what St. Francis of Assisi had done and to do it his way. Obviously, the challenges that Ignatius faced where different from those of Francis, so his approach was different. He kept as much of Francis as he could and upon that he built a wonderful and beautiful Ignatian school of spirituality.

If you want to understand this language, try it this way. Take out the word triumphalism and replace it with simplicity. While the Jesuit would say that we are not a triumphalist Church and our worship should avoid all signs of triumphalism, the Franciscan would say it in the affirmative, but mean the same thing. We are a simple Church and our worship must reflect the simplicity of our faith. Our attitudes toward others should be one of a servant, not a master. Just because we’re Catholics does not make us masters in the spiritual life. We are sinners like everyone else. We have the potential to be great saints only if we follow Jesus.

Some good examples of what he means are found in Jesuit life. While most people at the time of Ignatius chanted the LOTH in choir, the Franciscans refused to chant. They recited it to keep it simple. Ignatius went one step further. He took away the choir. Each Jesuit recites it alone, which makes it even more simple.

While Dominicans, Franciscans and Carmelites stood out because of their very distinctive habits, Ignatius went further. There was to be no habit. The Jesuit was to wear whatever the secular clergy wore and when that was inconvenient, they were to dispense with that as well. Even though they were definitely a religious order in solemn vows just like monks and friars, Ignatius refused to use the term “religious order”. Instead, he adopted the term “society”. He refused a religious habit. All of these things were signs of triumphalism. They were often used as a means to communicate, “We’re somehow more Catholic than the pope.” When in fact, these men and women were just as holy and just as sinful as the popes.

You can hear Pope Francis avoid language of triumphalism and language of despair when he speaks about the Vatican Curia. His favorite expression is “There are many holy men working there. There are some people with real issues too.” This is the absence of triumphalism to the Jesuit. To the Franciscan, it’s simplicity. Both mean the same. Things are what they are. The cup is half empty or half full, take your pick.

 

[janeway529]

I found this from Fr. James Martin, SJ’s Facebook page, and I think it is helpful.

What does the Pope mean by triumphalism?

Many people have asked some questions on this page this morning about triumphalism in the church, and what the Pope meant in his homily this morning. Specifically: What is “triumphalism”?

Triumphalism is usually (in Catholic circles) taken to mean a particular approach to our understanding of the Catholic church. Rather than focusing on the “triumph” of the Resurrection, we instead focus on our own “triumph,” as in: “We Catholics are perfect. We are always right. We have all the answers. Everyone else is wrong, and they have nothing to offer us whatsoever, and we’re going to let them know it–often.” Basically, it is a focus on how great we are. In other words, triumphing in ourselves rather than in the Risen Christ.

It also implies assuming, seeking and enjoying a position of power, dominance and even ruthlessness, as well as forgetting the need to be humble, gentle, charitable and–as Jesus asked–a servant rather than a master. Triumphalism, again in Catholic circles, is usually taken to mean the opposite of humility in the presentation of our message–which is, paradoxically, about triumph, i.e., Jesus’s. It is related to the sin of pride.

If you think about the disciples and how they expected the Messiah to behave (in earthly triumph) and how Jesus did behave (in triumph through humility and obedience to the Father) you have an idea of the dichotomy between triumphalism and humility. It took the disciples a while to get this. To paraphrase Paul, if we boast at all, we should boast in, or about Christ, not in ourselves.

At least that’s how I see it. For a better understanding of what the Pope means by this, just look at what he does and the choices he makes, which are all about humility. As with Jesus, his words give meaning to his actions and his actions to his words.

 

[JReducation]

Janeway, thanks for finding that. I see that Fr. James and I are on the same page. That really helped me. The difference between his response and mine is that I was thinking back to the occasions when I heard him use the term and what he was trying to say. Fr. James goes to the description of those people who suffer from “triumphalism” if one could consider it an unhealthy condition.

 

[CutlerB]

Thanks for the two longer posts above! I am going to have a lot of thinking to do, since I count myself somewhere in the middle between the positions discribed… Triumphalism vs. humility. By that I mean, I am of the opinion that the Church has a certain triumph to it which flows from and cannot be independent of the Ultimate Triumph of Christ. I do believe the Church has the fullness of the Faith and should not be ashamed of saying she believes that, either though. But all this “humility!”-talk sounds a lot like “Oh let the others have their way and be nice, lets not argue and avoid all areas that might be controversial.”

That latter bit is of course not what the Pope wants, I think, but I can’t help but understand other people that way. It’s my position that the Church should not put kindness before Truth for the sake of being kind and humble. Humility should always bear in mind that we have nothing of our own virtue. All comes to us through Christ alone, we are totally dependent on Him. Acknowledging that and living accordingly, while not putting anything before Truth is not contradictory in my opinion.

Sorry if this sounds confusing or annoying. It is not meant to.

 

[JReducation]

Thanks for the two longer posts above! I am going to have a lot of thinking to do, since I count myself somewhere in the middle between the positions discribed… Triumphalism vs. humility. By that I mean, I am of the opinion that the Church has a certain triumph to it which flows from and cannot be independent of the Ultimate Triumph of Christ. I do believe the Church has the fullness of the Faith and should not be ashamed of saying she believes that, either though. But all this “humility!”-talk sounds a lot like “Oh let the others have their way and be nice, lets not argue and avoid all areas that might be controversial.”

That latter bit is of course not what the Pope wants, I think, but I can’t help but understand other people that way. It’s my position that the Church should not put kindness before Truth for the sake of being kind and humble. Humility should always bear in mind that we have nothing of our own virtue. All comes to us through Christ alone, we are totally dependent on Him. Acknowledging that and living accordingly, while not putting anything before Truth is not contradictory in my opinion.

Sorry if this sounds confusing or annoying. It is not meant to.

Humility is part of truth. For example to use something that you pointed out. The Church does not put kindness before truth. Truth speaks of kindness. We cannot limit truth to dogmas and moral laws. Truth is much richer. It includes dogma, moral laws, the practice of virtue, human interactions which is kindness comes in, and the exercise of discipline, which is self-control.

Self-control is important. The fulness of the Church of Jesus Christ subsists in the Catholic Church. We know this and we believe it with our whole heart. I hope we do. No one expects us to deny this. If one listened to Pope Francis last Saturday as he spoke about peace to Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and atheists, he repeatedly said that real peace is only found in Christ. There is the difference between the triumphalist and the humble man.

The triumphalist wants to take advantage of the fact that he has all of these non-Catholics in front of him to tell them that we have the fullness of truth. The humble man simple speaks about the truth without making any reference to us.

Such a statement “peace is only found in Christ” triggers the question in the mind of the non-Christian. “Who said so?” or “Why do you say that?” This opens the door for further conversation without triumphalism. There is that simplicity that Fr. James and I are talking about that all of us need to cultivate.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Of course now some of those at PrayTell Blog are cracking out bottles of Dom. Oddly though, many of those one would think would be joining in have not.

 

[triumphguy]

Of course now some of those at PrayTell Blog are cracking out bottles of Dom. Oddly though, many of those one would think would be joining in have not.

Thanks for the link - it looks like a blog worth checking out at least.

I was looking for the free booze, however, and there doesn’t seem to be any in sight… or should that be site?

 

[triumphguy]

Humility is part of truth. For example to use something that you pointed out. The Church does not put kindness before truth. Truth speaks of kindness. We cannot limit truth to dogmas and moral laws. Truth is much richer. It includes dogma, moral laws, the practice of virtue, human interactions which is kindness comes in, and the exercise of discipline, which is self-control.

Self-control is important. The fulness of the Church of Jesus Christ subsists in the Catholic Church. We know this and we believe it with our whole heart. I hope we do. No one expects us to deny this. If one listened to Pope Francis last Saturday as he spoke about peace to Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and atheists, he repeatedly said that real peace is only found in Christ. There is the difference between the triumphalist and the humble man.

The triumphalist wants to take advantage of the fact that he has all of these non-Catholics in front of him to tell them that we have the fullness of truth. The humble man simple speaks about the truth without making any reference to us.

Such a statement “peace is only found in Christ” triggers the question in the mind of the non-Christian. “Who said so?” or “Why do you say that?” This opens the door for further conversation without triumphalism. There is that simplicity that Fr. James and I are talking about that all of us need to cultivate.

Thanks Brother Jay - It takes a lot of time to put so much thought and effort into your posts - which is time away from your community. I appreciate it.

 

[JReducation]

Thanks Brother Jay - It takes a lot of time to put so much thought and effort into your posts - which is time away from your community. I appreciate it.

This is one of my assignments, because I can’t get out much any more. I do a lot of my teaching via the Internet.

Thank you for your kindness. Pray for me.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Thanks for the link - it looks like a blog worth checking out at least.

I was looking for the free booze, however, and there doesn’t seem to be any in sight… or should that be site?

Oh, no, it is not worth checking out.

 

[Country_Gal]

I’m glad the Pope is speaking about this. There is a lot of arrogance in religious communities of all stripes, I see it here, but it’s just as common in other philosophies, including secular ones. Human nature?

It’s not my favorite human trait, would like to see less of it, and more caring and sympathy.

 

[Tighty_Whitey]

I’m not really sure exactly what the Pope is discussing here, however, I love to hear what he has to say! I’m feeling blessed that the Holy Spirit sent us Pope Francis!

 

[JReducation]

I’m glad the Pope is speaking about this. There is a lot of arrogance in religious communities of all stripes, I see it here, but it’s just as common in other philosophies, including secular ones. Human nature?

It’s not my favorite human trait, would like to see less of it, and more caring and sympathy.

When you say religious communities, do you mean religious orders?

I’m not really sure exactly what the Pope is discussing here, however, I love to hear what he has to say! I’m feeling blessed that the Holy Spirit sent us Pope Francis!

This is really an ongoing subject of his. Every week he speaks a little bit about different forms of triumphalism. In short, he’s speaking about Catholic pride. He’s saying that Catholicism and pride are mutually exclusive. The other day he said something to the effect that some people think they are Christian, but they are not, because of their pride and others who don’t know it are practicing Christian virtues, because they’re humble people.

Give my regards to Bishop Noonan. He was our auxiliary. Very funny man. I love his sense of humor.

 

[Country_Gal]

I meant various religions of all shapes and sizes, not specifically Catholic orders.

 

[janeway529]

When you say religious communities, do you mean religious orders?

The first thought I had when I read that was of the SSPX.