Priestly Divide & Pope Francis I

[Jguerra]

My pastor noted something at the Chrism Mass. When the bishop referred to our new Holy Father Pope Francis I and his practice of humility and outreach to the poor, many priests nodded approval but some others more or less showed disapproval.

It made me think: I am willing to bet there are priests who believe Pope Francis I is a breath of spring air much needed in our Church. These same pastors of souls will look to him as a role model to encourage them in their specific ministries to the poor. Maybe they will adopt more austere measures of priestly living in terms of poverty and humility.

Yet, there are those priests who secretly resent Pope Francis’ spirituality. These pastors will not give up their fancy clothing, nicer cars, the finer things in life. As far as their outreach to the poor and marginalized–keep the status quo–do the bare-bones minimum.

Will we see a division in the priesthood along these lines? I hope not.

Joe

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Yet, there are those priests who secretly resent Pope Francis’ spirituality

How do you know this?

Incidentally, it’s Pope Francis, not Pope Francis I

 

[jesus4ever]

I like the sound of a Pope for the Poor but we must never foget that short sentence of him
is not only for the poor people but also for the rich in all societies because even thou a rich man/women may have everything one might want in this world he or she may still be poor in not knowing GOD and not having GOD in their lives

 

[thomasf]

I have no doubt some people will resent Pope Francis for his work and outreach to the poor and some of the choices he makes. Why? It makes people feel uncomfortable, it challenges their view of what he should do and be. It’s a sad situation, but there’s always going to be someone who disagrees.

 

[Suslar]

A friend of mine posted this yesterday on Facebook.

“Many people may be surprised to learn that in 2007, Pope Benedict XVI visited the inmates at the same detention center Pope Francis visited today, and shared Mass with the kids, although it was not on a Holy Thursday.

I mention this because of the weird remarks I am seeing from people who would like to pretend that until now the church and its popes have been negligent of the poor and the marginalized. These are sentiments that can only come from a place of ignorance or willful malice.

Speaking of papal humility, while I am certainly admiring of and challenged by the examples of Pope Francis, it’s worth mentioning that Benedict seems content to be maligned, misunderstood or even cast aside for the sake of Christ and his church, and the workings of the Holy Spirit. That’s a pretty admirable sort of humility, too, every bit as self-abnegating and Christlike as the willingness to live simply and wash the feet of others. Worth pondering all of our examples of papal humility, this Triduum, don’t you think?” – Elizabeth Scalia

 

[louisak]

Yet, there are those priests who secretly resent Pope Francis’ spirituality. These pastors will not give up their fancy clothing, nicer cars, the finer things in life. As far as their outreach to the poor and marginalized–keep the status quo–do the bare-bones minimum.

That is a pretty harsh judgement that you are passing. I think that Christian charity would oblige you to be more cautious about such judgement. You don’t know what those priests were thinking, what they really disapprove of. You assume that they have fancy cars and clothing - how do you know that?

 

[john78]

hilarious, pastors with fancy clothing, nice cars, and the finer things in life, what is even more humerous to me is everyones facination of a Pope focusing on the Poor !

What kind of bonkers world are we living in where people think Priests are living the high life because they are not in shabby clothes and eating a can of beans every night, or that the new Pope is so extreme for acknowledging the poor and wanting to maintain a simple lifestyle that he has always lived.

There is no divide, if there is a divide it comes from closed minded or hearts that have gone cold.

 

[Jguerra]

That is a pretty harsh judgement that you are passing. I think that Christian charity would oblige you to be more cautious about such judgement. You don’t know what those priests were thinking, what they really disapprove of. You assume that they have fancy cars and clothing - how do you know that?

I was passing on what my pastor observed. He has attended the requisite meetings and conferences at the chancery and broke bread with many priests from all over the diocese. It was he who made a conclusion and relayed it to me and my wife (the church secretary). He knows pastors who tool around town in Tahoes and Suburbans and those who manage to get around in clunkers. He heard comments pro and con about Pope Francis at the Chrism Mass.

In every papal reign, there will be Catholics, laity and clergy alike, who will wholeheartedly support the Sovereign Pontiff. There will be those who won’t.