Pope's speech to US Congress [full text] [CC]

[pianistclare]

Jake:

I’ve said it before on this forum – before Pope Francis, I thought the phrase “more Catholic than the Pope” was a joke.

But there are many, many people on these forums that feel they know more about the Church, its Catechism, rubrics, etc., than His Holiness.

It’s not only frustrating and sad, at times it borders on the ludicrous.

Indeed. Especially here at CAF.
You’d think everyone wants to bring back the tar and feathers.
Really upsetting.
The prince of lies must be dancing a jig.

 

[Thomas_White]

Indeed. Especially here at CAF.
You’d think everyone wants to bring back the tar and feathers.
Really upsetting.
The prince of lies must be dancing a jig.

Yes, especially here at CAF. In all honesty, I believe this reflects what both Pope Francis and the conclave of Cardinals that elected him to the papacy believe is in urgent need of correction.

 

[Paganus]

What are the spiritual needs of an “obedient” Catholic? Is it an insistence and perpetual focus on the sin of abortion?

If we could ignore the perpetual slaughter of innocent human life, then would we better positioned to understand our Pope? Is this the price that must be paid in order to be in communion with the spirit of the contemporary Church?

 

[Thomas_White]

If we could ignore the perpetual slaughter of innocent human life, then would we better positioned to understand our Pope? Is this the price that must be paid in order to be in communion with the spirit of the contemporary Church?

Who has said that abortion is to be ignored?

 

[Paganus]

Who has said that abortion is to be ignored?

In practice, it would seem that if we are no longer focused on something, then we are ignoring it.

If we remove our focus from abortion, what would you rather that we call that action?

 

[sarah_j]

To express concern about where our Church headed is not only our right as
Catholics, but it’s our duty.

from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
907 “In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess, [lay people] have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons.”

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2A.HTM

Being a cheerleader for a particular Pope is not required of a Catholic.
Expressing our concern that the teachings of Christ be properly
taught by His Church is entirely appropriate.

 

[gilliam]

To expect the Holy Father to push your particular hot button issue and if he doesn’t to deride him is uncharitable.

 

[Thomas_White]

In practice, it would seem that if we are no longer focused on something, then we are ignoring it.

If we remove our focus from abortion, what would you rather that we call that action?

By that logic, if the sin of abortion is the constant focus of Catholic teaching, then what of the rest of Catholic teaching? Is it then ignored? It is the leap in logic that concludes that if Pope Francis did not specifically speak the word ‘abortion’ during his speech to Congress then he is ignoring the moral question, particularly when he did speak of the Catholic teaching that life is to be protected in all its stages. Can you not see that providing the wider Catholic teaching while speaking before Congress, a teaching that transcends partisan politics, was the pope’s message to Congress?

 

[pianistclare]

To express concern about where our Church headed is not only our right as
Catholics, but it’s our duty.

from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
907 “In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess, [lay people] have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons.”

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2A.HTM

Being a cheerleader for a particular Pope is not required of a Catholic.
Expressing our concern that the teachings of Christ be properly
taught by His Church is entirely appropriate.

Sure. Can you cite where he has diverted from Church teaching?

 

[Paganus]

By that logic, if the sin of abortion is the constant focus of Catholic teaching, then what of the rest of Catholic teaching? Is it then ignored? It is the leap in logic that concludes that if Pope Francis did not specifically speak the word ‘abortion’ during his speech to Congress then he is ignoring the moral question, particularly when he did speak of the Catholic teaching that life is to be protected in all its stages. Can you not see that providing the wider Catholic teaching while speaking before Congress, a teaching that transcends partisan politics, was the pope’s message to Congress?

Yes, I can agree with that. I do think he addresses these important moral issues in this way. For anyone who reads carefully the text of his speeches, this is clear; although, frankly, more people will read the headlines or selected excerpts chosen by a reporter then the entire speech. There are many opportunities for misunderstanding, which will be exploited by people who have the means and an agenda to serve.

 

[sarah_j]

Sure. Can you cite where he has diverted from Church teaching?

We will see how he handles the Synod in October. >

“The Pope during the Synod will show whose side he is on,” said Archbishop Lenga. “If he accepts the statement of those who want to distribute Holy Communion to the divorced, there would be a heresy in the Church, and if he does not accept, there could be a schism in the Church.”

Lenga concluded, “Either we are on the side of Christ, or on the side of the devil. There is no third option. The common people are sometimes closer to Christ than priests.”

It seems that many people don’t realize that the Church is in crisis.
The German bishops have said that they “don’t answer to the Vatican”.

I am praying that the Pope will be guided by the Holy Spirit.

The video embedded in this article is informative.
lifesitenews.com/news/explosive-video-pope-will-show-whose-side-hes-on-during-synod-says-archbish

 

[pianistclare]

So we’re worried about something that has not happened.
I think the Pope, perhaps better than anyone else knows that he cannot change Doctrine.
Let’s not jump the gun.
This is fear mongering and most uncharitable, and btw, not permitted on CAF.
I’m out. This thread is not good for the soul.

We will see how he handles the Synod in October. >

“The Pope during the Synod will show whose side he is on,” said Archbishop Lenga. “If he accepts the statement of those who want to distribute Holy Communion to the divorced, there would be a heresy in the Church, and if he does not accept, there could be a schism in the Church.”

Lenga concluded, “Either we are on the side of Christ, or on the side of the devil. There is no third option. The common people are sometimes closer to Christ than priests.”

It seems that many people don’t realize that the Church is in crisis.
The German bishops have said that they “don’t answer to the Vatican”.

I am praying that the Pope will be guided by the Holy Spirit.

The video embedded in this article is informative.
lifesitenews.com/news/explosive-video-pope-will-show-whose-side-hes-on-during-synod-says-archbish

 

[Thomas_White]

We will see how he handles the Synod in October. >

“The Pope during the Synod will show whose side he is on,” said Archbishop Lenga. “If he accepts the statement of those who want to distribute Holy Communion to the divorced, there would be a heresy in the Church, and if he does not accept, there could be a schism in the Church.”

Lenga concluded, “Either we are on the side of Christ, or on the side of the devil. There is no third option. The common people are sometimes closer to Christ than priests.”

It seems that many people don’t realize that the Church is in crisis.
The German bishops have said that they “don’t answer to the Vatican”.

I am praying that the Pope will be guided by the Holy Spirit.

The video embedded in this article is informative.
lifesitenews.com/news/explosive-video-pope-will-show-whose-side-hes-on-during-synod-says-archbish

Why would one think Pope Francis will ‘handle’ the Synod of Bishops? The Synod will present any recommendations to Pope Francis for the purpose of informing him of the wider views of the faithful. Some of those views will be contrary to what others believe, and this was to be expected if a genuine discussion were to occur.

Quite frankly, I don’t see that the question of who doesn’t believe they “report to the Vatican” is limited to German bishops.

 

[sallybutler]

In practice, it would seem that if we are no longer focused on something, then we are ignoring it.

If we remove our focus from abortion, what would you rather that we call that action?

Have you ever watched someone focusing on their cell phone that they end up walking into a tree or another person? Being too focused can also be a problem.

 

[LongingSoul]

Yes, I can agree with that. I do think he addresses these important moral issues in this way. For anyone who reads carefully the text of his speeches, this is clear; although, frankly, more people will read the headlines or selected excerpts chosen by a reporter then the entire speech. There are many opportunities for misunderstanding, which will be exploited by people who have the means and an agenda to serve.

One of the biggest signs that the Pope is apolitical is that he hasn’t watched TV for 25 years after promising Our Lady. He only reads one newspaper La Republica, and only skims it at best for 10 minutes in the morning.

newsmax.com/TheWire/pope-watch-tv-internet/2015/05/26/id/646761/

It makes sense that he continues to speak about Catholic life in a more balanced way than western conservative politics would like. He speaks as the universal leader of the Catholic Church refusing to ignore all areas of sin in human life, including personal and economic greed and inequality.

 

[Paganus]

Have you ever watched someone focusing on their cell phone that they end up walking into a tree or another person? Being too focused can also be a problem.

That’s true. Can we explore your idea? So, while some are focused on the tiny fact that roughly four million American babies are surgically aborted each year, what tree do you suppose these too-focused Catholics might find themselves walking into?

 

[sallybutler]

That’s true. Can we explore your idea? So, while some are focused on the tiny fact that roughly four million American babies are surgically aborted each year, what tree do you suppose these too-focused Catholics might find themselves walking into?

All the issues the Pope said we should also be concerned about.

 

[sarah_j]

To expect the Holy Father to push your particular hot button issue and if he doesn’t to deride him is uncharitable.

Abortion is not **my **“hot button issue” … nor is it merely a political issue.
It is a hot button issue of the Catholic Church,
a grave sin, and one which is being fought tooth and nail at this very time
in the U.S. Congress. Those fighting abortion could have used the considerable
weight of the Pope in their corner had he spoken out clearly against abortion
when he spoke to Congress.

2322 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a “criminal” practice (GS 27 # 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. the Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P82.HTM

 

[pnewton]

In practice, it would seem that if we are no longer focused on something, then we are ignoring it.

I sure hope you don’t ever apply that illogic to parenting! I love it when I read something here that gives me a good chuckle.

 

[pnewton]

If we could ignore the perpetual slaughter of innocent human life, then would we better positioned to understand our Pope? Is this the price that must be paid in order to be in communion with the spirit of the contemporary Church?

Seriously, The Holy Father is addressing the root causes of abortion, not abortion. Abortion is a sinful act that arises from a disordered heart.