Pope says he considers it important to be criticized

[luna1234]

Found this on Rorate Caeli recently:

rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2013/11/pope-personally-calls-traditional.html

“Yes, it’s true. I received the telephone call by the Pope. It happened two weeks ago, November 1st, All Saints. But I naturally kept it to myself. No one was supposed to have known it, it was a conversation of an absolutely private nature. But considering that the [news] agencies have mentioned it…”

Mario Palmaro, the Italian traditional Catholic writer and journalist who has authored many books and articles together with his friend Alessandro Gnocchi (many of which have been posted in translation here on Rorate) told Italian daily Libero about the fact. In September and October, after a very critical article published in Il Foglio, Palmaro and Gnocchi were summarily fired by Catholic broadcaster Radio Maria after several years of work in the station.

The phone call, Libero describes, was first reported by Traditionalist website Papale Papale with no mentioned names, and then by VinoNuovo, which mentioned Palmaro, who is currently very ill, by name.

Palmaro’s declarations to Libero on the matter are all mentioned below:

“It bothers me that the news has been made public, and if it had been up to me, and Alessandro, to whom I revealed it immediately, it would never have been known. Also because the Pontiff obviously had no intention that his gesture be made public, as well as the contents of our conversation”.

“Pope Francis told me that he was very close to me, having learned of my health condition, of my grave illness, and I clearly noticed his deep empathy, the attention for a person as such, beyond ideas and opinions, while I live through a time of trial and suffering.”

“I was astonished, amazed, above all moved: for me, as a Catholic, that which I was experiencing was one of the most beautiful experiences in my life**. But I felt the duty to remind the Pope that I, together wih Gnocchi, had expressed specific criticisms regarding his work, while I renewed my total fidelity [to him] as a son of the Church. The Pope almost did not let me finish the sentence, saying that he had understood that those criticisms had been made with love, and how important it had been for him to receive them.” **[These words] “comforted me greatly.”

[The main duty for Palmaro and Gnocchi] “is that of being lucid and watchful regarding the contents of the Catholic doctrine, and, even in what we wrote in Il Foglio, fidelity to the Pope was never called into question.”

[Palmaro says that] “the removal of the interview granted by Pope Francis to [Italian journalist Eugenio] Scalfari from the Vatican website makes us think that something was wrong in the contents of that text, as we had remarked, among other things.”

“Our intention is that of keeping steady on the path that we have always followed, answering before our conscience. This without ever faltering in fidelity to the Pope and the Church, but precisely because of this fidelity and love.”

It is important to the Pope, at least according to this article, that the Pope receives feedback/criticism about his work. As the article also points out, it is not easy to provide that criticism without being labeled anti-pope.

To that end, how is a layperson supposed to provide criticism, which the Pope seems to want, without being labeled anti-pope?

 

[Zekariya]

Found this on Rorate Caeli recently:

rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2013/11/pope-personally-calls-traditional.html

It is important to the Pope, at least according to this article, that the Pope receives feedback/criticism about his work. As the article also points out, it is not easy to provide that criticism without being labeled anti-pope.

To that end, how is a layperson supposed to provide criticism, which the Pope seems to want, without being labeled anti-pope?

Constructive criticism is good for all Christians. We all have blind spots that our fellow Christians need to point out for us. St Paul corrected St Peter according to the Scriptures. Even the greatest of saints never stopped learning and bettering themselves. Humility is a fruit of the Spirit. Popes are still Christians who should exhibit humility like the rest of us. Accepting constructive criticism and learning from it is a good thing.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Galatians 2:11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; …] 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

All legitimate popes are imperfect Christians and go to Confession like the rest of us.

 

[Oren]

I dunno. In my experience people get really mad if you criticize the Pope…especially this one. They label you all sort of things if you do, even if you are respectful. So, if you care about being labeled I’d say don’t do it…if you don’t care about human respect, then go right ahead. Just remember to be reasonable and respectful if you do.

 

[simple_soul]

Like I said on another thread…

The more I read and hear and come to know and understand Pope Francis the more I realize that he is a very compassionate, merciful, humble, loving and holy man.

I pray I learn to be criticize so graciously…

 

[Seamus_L]

I would respectfully request that Pope Francis provide a bit more clarity regarding a number of statements that he’s made during his Pontificate, because already a rather startling number of people both inside and out of the Church, appear to be getting some rather strange notions regarding what the Holy Father believes.

 

[clem456]

The Pope gets a lot of advice from a lot of holy and knowledgeable people. He does not need advice from me as a layman who does not know beans from beads. Critical dialogue should be competent and constructive, or it is just pointless criticism from people who don’t know what the heck they are talking about.

I think the Pope was simply being gentle and gracious in acknowledging the author’s critical comments (which I did not read), and by admitting that he depends on others for (name removed by moderator)ut.
Honestly, we should not presume this as an invitation to express criticism with all our varied opinions.

 

[Seamus_L]

If I respectfully ask my college professor, who know’s more than I ever shall on the subject he teaches, to please clarify a few things he’s stated, because several other students are disputing the meaning of his words, I really don’t think I’m being disrespectful.

 

[clem456]

Yes right, he is the one immediately responsible for your helping you advance. You could equate this situation to pastor/parishioner. You respectfully ask questions and learn.

But, in a physics class you would rightly get laughed out of town if you began to parse Einstein’s writings because he does not write clearly enough for you, or because he says them in a way that is incompatible with your previous understanding. Expressing Einstein’s shortcomings would be pointless criticism and a waste of your time. It’s on you to learn and advance, and accept the teaching with trust. We ask questions of those around us in good faith, not with a spirit of doubt.

Really Einstein couldn’t care less. He is who he is, whatever you or I say really doesn’t matter a bit. By reflexively doubting we only harm ourselves and those around us who desire to come to the water.

 

[Boulder257]

The Pope gets a lot of advice from a lot of holy and knowledgeable people. He does not need advice from me as a layman who does not know beans from beads. Critical dialogue should be competent and constructive, or it is just pointless criticism from people who don’t know what the heck they are talking about.

I think the Pope was simply being gentle and gracious in acknowledging the author’s critical comments (which I did not read), and by admitting that he depends on others for (name removed by moderator)ut.
Honestly, we should not presume this as an invitation to express criticism with all our varied opinions.