Pope Francis names 17 cardinals: 3 of them USA moderates

[irenaeus1]

I’ve always thought that the media’s portrayal of progressiveness as mercy was just plain wrong. To be merciful one has to admit that wrongdoing has been done, and so often progressives aren’t being merciful so much as they’re being permissive.

I, too, don’t like how mercy is always portrayed as being opposed to orthodoxy - as if both cannot be true simultaneously. And if the Catholic Church as a whole moves toward “progressiveness” as a form of mercy, that won’t bring people into the Church either. The experiment has been tried already. Just look at all the mainline Protestant churches who have accepted everything from contraception to abortion, acceptance of remarriage following divorce, approval of or even blessing same-sex unions, ordaining openly gay clergy, etc. all in the name of tolerance and mercy. Membership in these communities are not exactly bursting at the seams. After all, if one’s outlook and worldview is no different than the ‘unbelieving’ world, why get out of bed on Sunday mornings to go to church.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I agree that having morals or being Conservative should not be portrayed as lacking mercy.

If we do this then it implicitly bullies a group of people for a lack of mercy which is not true.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I, too, don’t like how mercy is always portrayed as being opposed to orthodoxy - as if both cannot be true simultaneously. And if the Catholic Church as a whole moves toward “progressiveness” as a form of mercy, that won’t bring people into the Church either. The experiment has been tried already. Just look at all the mainline Protestant churches who have accepted everything from contraception to abortion, acceptance of remarriage following divorce, approval of or even blessing same-sex unions, ordaining openly gay clergy, etc. all in the name of tolerance and mercy. Membership in these communities are not exactly bursting at the seams. After all, if one’s outlook and worldview is no different than the ‘unbelieving’ world, why get out of bed on Sunday mornings to go to church.

good post!

 

[7_Sorrows]

I’ve always thought that the media’s portrayal of progressiveness as mercy was just plain wrong. To be merciful one has to admit that wrongdoing has been done, and so often progressives aren’t being merciful so much as they’re being permissive.

As per his naming of Cardinals, it’s difficult to figure out the where Pope Francis is coming from. The easiest answer is that he’s a progressive (even if that doesn’t quite align with what Americans mean when they mean progressive) and therefore wants to elevate progressives to positions of authority. It’s possible that this is a little real realpolitik and he feels that if progressives Shepard the Church, the Church’s position in contemporary culture will improve and ultimately more people might be willing to listen to the Church and become Catholic (although the experience of mainline Protestantism suggests this isn’t the case). It’s also possible that Pope Francis ultimately agrees with conservative “culture war” positions but is reluctant but feels that other, important elements of Catholicism have been neglected and he’s trying to bring about a more holistic balance. Perhaps diversity in opinion within the Church might encourage an exploration of all virtues.

I always thought Chaput would be a good candidate for Cardinal.

Your post is very good.

 

[Seamus_L]

According to a study at Georgetown, the number of millennials receiving Ashes at Lent in 2016 is down 10 pct from 2008, and numbers observing Lenten penances is down similarly.

 

[MacBP]

I always thought Chaput would be a good candidate for Cardinal.

Your post is very good.

Well thank you!

According to a study at Georgetown, the number of millennials receiving Ashes at Lent in 2016 is down 10 pct from 2008, and numbers observing Lenten penances is down similarly.

Anecdotally, I’ve been going to a mid-tier Canadian university since 2010 (first for undergrad and now for grad school) and whereas before the Ash Wednesday was held in a rather large and packed conference hall, the last service was held in a very small room and had about 30 or 40 people. Similarly, I’ve been involved with Catholic Ministry on Campus and after an initial period of growth, we saw involvement for some events decrease from 150-230 to maybe 50-80. Of course that might be due to our approach rather than any sweeping change in the character of our youngsters, but it has been striking to see the drop in numbers.

 

[Lormar]

Bishop Cupich emptied out our seminary before leaving for the Windy City.

It will be years before we have another ordination.

 

[Paganus]

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis named 17 new cardinals Sunday — three of them American moderates, including Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich and Indianapolis Archbishop Joseph Tobin — in a clear signal to the conservative U.S. church hierarchy that he values pastors focused more on mercy than morals.

Tobin’s nomination also carries a political message ahead of the U.S. election next month, given that he openly opposed a request from Indiana Gov. Michael Pence, now the running mate of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, to not settle Syrian refugees in the state.

apnews.com/a56968a860d0416db7861b47237a5ab6/Pope-Francis-names-17-cardinals:-3-of-them-USA-moderates

What is a ‘moderate’ Catholic? Does this mean ‘lukewarm’ in their faith - or merely their politics?

 

[gus]

What is a ‘moderate’ Catholic? Does this mean ‘lukewarm’ in their faith - or merely their politics?

I was thinking the same thing
Your either Catholic or not .If the gentlemen apointed weren’t Catholic I suspect that would be quite a story. The I fact that they got appointed because of their politically views is equally scadaleous

 

[OraLabora]

I was thinking the same thing
Your either Catholic or not .

That’s correct. If you have been baptized in the Church, you are Catholic for life. One can be wayward, fallen, disobedient, rebellious, heretical, a notorious sinner. But the Church still considers you Catholic and all that is needed, in most cases, to get back into a state of grace, is a good confession.

If you weren’t baptized in the Church, then you are not Catholic. It’s that simple.

 

[irenaeus1]

What is a ‘moderate’ Catholic? Does this mean ‘lukewarm’ in their faith - or merely their politics?

Possibly both.

 

[CaptFun]

Moderate Cardinals? … what could THAT be like?

*"Take and eat this … it very well might be my body … "

"Abortion in some cases could be … not so good … might even displease God as much as … global warming! … Or unfettered capitalism. *

*-- could moderate refer to moderate drinking or something.

(I hope).*