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

[Suudy]

I am old enough to recall that even Catholic bishops spoke in open defiance of Humanae Vitae when it was released, and the encyclical was widely discussed at all levels of the Church. But yes, the controversy over the papal encyclical Laudato Si is political, isn’t it? That is my point.

And there was political controversy over Humanae Vitae as well. It wasn’t purely clerical. That was my point in bringing up HV and RN.

But is that a reason not to mention the a papal encyclical during Mass following its release when Pope Francis specifically requested that bishops see to it that diocesan priests discussed the encyclical in their homilies during Mass?

I’m not aware of any request by Papa Francis that LS be specifically mentioned. I am aware of Diocesan leadership requesting speaking against euthanasia, abortion, and gay “marriage” that were firmly denied by parish priests.

For example: abcnews.go.com/US/seattle-churches-refuse-petition-reverse-gay-marriage-law/story?id=16140654

Priests often refuse to discuss politically controversial topics. Opposition isn’t limited to Papa Francis. That’s my point.

 

[Thomas_White]

And there was political controversy over Humanae Vitae as well. It wasn’t purely clerical. That was my point in bringing up HV and RN.

Yes, I know, having experience this, but as I recall it only became political later in the Church. Now, the background was that many, including bishops and theologians as well as many among the faithful, were anticipating that there would be a change. This change would have been a change in doctrine, and nobody (by many accounts including Pope Paul VI) had any doubts that this was possible. It was why there was such an uproar following the release of the long-awaited encyclical.

I’m not aware of any request by Papa Francis that LS be specifically mentioned. I am aware of Diocesan leadership requesting speaking against euthanasia, abortion, and gay “marriage” that were firmly denied by parish priests.

I am aware of it, and it was why I mentioned it.

For example: abcnews.go.com/US/seattle-churches-refuse-petition-reverse-gay-marriage-law/story?id=16140654

Priests often refuse to discuss politically controversial topics. Opposition isn’t limited to Papa Francis. That’s my point.

I know priests often do not discuss politically controversial topics. I also know this is largely a reaction to what occurred following the release of Humanae Vitae. If U.S. diocesan priests were to continually refer to the encyclical, which a vast amount of data indicates has been widely ignored by U.S. Catholics, they know this would only serve to drive people apart from the Church. To that I have no answer, but it is futile to deny that are differences in the U.S. Church, in some part political. And your response is that priests often refuse to discuss Catholic teaching because it is also political? Why not? It is Catholic teaching.

With all due respect, you have to some extent been preaching to the choir here. That is meant in a charitable way.

 

[Suudy]

And your response is that priests often refuse to discuss Catholic teaching because it is also political? Why not? It is Catholic teaching.

Yes. I think the priests I’ve met are more concerned with rocking the boat. They focus on less controversial topics, like God’s forgiveness, or God’s love, or the importance of confession and reconciliation, etc because they don’t want to upset anyone. We had one priest in particular that wouldn’t even come right out in RCIA and give Church teaching on contraception and abortion. One of the people in the class asked, “Is it true we can’t use contraception?” The priest responded, “It’s between you and God. Don’t get caught up in the small stuff.” While the first sentence was true, it was incomplete.

Now, if your point is that American Catholics too tightly intertwine their faith with their religion, I would agree to a large extent. There are many Catholics who would walk out the door if the priest were to give a homily against contraception or against gay “marriage.” But I don’t know a single one that would walk out the door on a homily about preserving the environment or being compassionate to gay people. From the parishes I’ve been in–from ultra-progressive Seattle to ultra-conservative Idaho–the people most likely to make a ruckus are the progressives. And it is the progressives (in my experience) that have the most trouble separating their faith from their politics.

With all due respect, you have to some extent been preaching to the choir here. That is meant in a charitable way.

For the most part, when I post, my primary target isn’t the person to which my reply is written, but to the lurker that may be reading what I write. My experience on CAF is that most people–on both sides–have their minds made up, and I have no expectation to actually change their mind. Rather, my posts are to offer a counterpoint to what I’ve seen written.

 

[LongingSoul]

I am old enough to recall that even Catholic bishops spoke in open defiance of Humanae Vitae when it was released, and the encyclical was widely discussed at all levels of the Church. But yes, the controversy over the papal encyclical Laudato Si is political, isn’t it? That is my point.

But is that a reason not to mention the a papal encyclical during Mass following its release when Pope Francis specifically requested that bishops see to it that diocesan priests discussed the encyclical in their homilies during Mass?

Here in Aus. the homilies always relate to the Gospel and readings of the day. Whenever there are any new documents or encyclicals come out of Rome, the Arch Bishop sents out an insert for the newsletter to every parish explaining it in laymans language… or actually does a video that is played just before the final prayers.

Our Arch is a well regarded theologian though to be honest and is one of the two Australian Bishops going to the synod to represent Australia. (Not including Card. Pell who will be there in a different capacity)

But generally speaking the homilies are reserved for teachings around the daily gospels/readings.