Question about Pope Francis' plans for reforms

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snavemarc

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I have just read an article by Christopher Lamb in the Tablet Magazine that covered Pope Francis’ Christmas greetings to the Roman Curia.

The article commented on how Pope Francis drew from comments made Cardinal Martini’s interview in 2012.

So the question I wanted to ask… Do you think any reforms that Pope Francis implements would result in a drastic change to tradition i.e. Rites and Dress and the way Mass is held.

I mean I really hope this wouldn’t change too much. I think Catholic tradition as it is right now is perfect.
 
Well, for me the greatest concern is the apparent lack of importance given to the conversion of the unfaithful. We must remember that God commanded us to baptize all nations in his name. True charity is also seeking the conversion and salvation of every human being in this Earth.
 
Was whatever you read the same as this article that we are discussing in another thread?
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Sandro Magister reports: "The Pope's Latest Speech To the Cardinals Has a Backstory. That Was Supposed To Stay Secret" Catholic News
“The Pope’s Latest Speech To the Cardinals Has a Backstory. That Was Supposed To Stay Secret” Seems “Season of Goodwill” has yet to arrive at the Vatican this year.
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I already posted my thoughts in that thread.

One thing to be aware of as a returning Catholic is that there’s an entire cottage industry of media outlets, primarily online, that specialize in printing scare stories about how Pope Francis is going to wreck the Church in some way. Every day they find something new to get all in a tizzy about, so they can get a lot of hits to their website from people who express all kinds of fear and worry and handwringing.

This is not a productive activity. I also don’t think there is any cause for concern. Simply pray for our Pope, asking God to guide the Pope to lead the Church in the way that God wants it to go, and also pray that the Pope’s flock follows him rather than going off on their own. Then go about your business and focus on your own relationship with the Lord.
 
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This seems to happen more and more these days with social media and not just about the Holy Father either. Conspiracies run amok.
 
There is nothing alarming in what the Holy Father is saying here. He’s literally just explaining the concept of tradition.
 
The Tablet is referred to, in some circles, as “The Bitter Pill”. IOW a lot of people don’t ‘swallow’ what they say as they have a particular kind of agenda. I’d pay no attention to it, myself.
 
Is the Catholic Herald any better? I was looking for a Catholic news source.
 
My advice to you is read all the Catholic news sources, but if any source is taking an extreme position or seems sensational in its coverage, take it with a grain of salt.

If you are looking for something reasonably middle-of-the-road. I would recommend the National Catholic Register (NOT the National Catholic Reporter) and Crux. Even they go off the rails at times. I believe the Register jumped to some conclusion in a recent Archbishop Sheen article and they had to print an updated/ corrected version. I’m not as familiar with Catholic Herald as I’m not from UK, but when I’ve read it, it doesn’t seem too bad. Anything put out by Catholic News Agency (CNA) or the Vatican itself is also generally okay.
 
The Liturgy does have to change over time, but that change is organic and usually gradual. I don’t think much will change. Pope Francis has shown he is very supportive of the Roman Rite’s liturgical traditions as a whole. For example, he allowed the pre-1955 Holy Week to be celebrated widely again.

God bless
 
The Catholic Herald was pretty good up until editor Damien Thompson suddenly left earlier this year. Since then it has noticeably declined with more “soft soap” articles and rumors are that it may soon be up for sale. As for the Vatican, I lost faith (pun intended) in the press dept. when it was exposed as doctoring a photo re Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI supposedly praising Pope Francis last year.

apnews.com

Vatican doctors photo of Benedict's praise for Francis

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican admitted Wednesday that it altered a photo sent to the media of a letter from retired Pope Benedict XVI about Pope Francis.
apnews.com apnews.com
 
snavemarc said:
This was the article I read

From zero to 2020 in 83 years: Pope puts his foot down
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I thought that that was a wonderful article and in fact I’m completely enthused to watch and be part of the reforms! Have faith in the Church. He is right about the fact that there is some kind of ‘imbalance’ behind rigidity. It is not normal for anyone to be so negative and gripey and fearful and angry about the Church all the time. Perhaps it is a spiritual depression? But it is definitely not a normal aspect of a faithful Catholic.
 
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imo said:
Well, for me the greatest concern is the apparent lack of importance given to the conversion of the unfaithful. We must remember that God commanded us to baptize all nations in his name. True charity is also seeking the conversion and salvation of every human being in this Earth.
Click to expand...
We have to work on presenting the love and mercy of Christ first. Who’s gonna want to come into a Church that is constantly sniping and criticising it as a failed experiment or a modernist aberration? Anyone who clicks on a Catholic forum is likely gonna run a mile after reading how bad the Pope is and how bad the New Mass is. The only ones who’ll like that sort of guff are people who love to snipe and fight.
 
He’s the Pope, and is guided by the Holy Spirit. I personally think he’s a bit too liberal, but that’s more me than him. There have been bad Popes in the past who haven’t listened to God and have rejected the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but I prefer to credit this one with good intentions and holiness, until and unless he proves otherwise.
 
So far, I like what I see from the Holy Father. I’ll agree that he seems a little liberal for my taste as I’m a conservative Catholic.

The thing I like most about the Holy Father is his pontificate seems to be focused on mercy and the poor.

I have a copy of his book “ The Name of God is Mercy “ and I’ll make an effort to read it; as I’ve heard it lays out the basics of his pontificate.

Does anyone know more of what his essential agenda is as Holy Father?
 
IMHO this whole “rigid” talk and accusation thereof is a deception to get Catholics to abandon the faith. Maybe many do not realize what damage they could possibly be doing but I dont think the outcome is going to be good. Perhaps it will lead to the small Church Pope Benedict XVI talked about.
God will protect us and always preserve the faith though.
 
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Emeraldlady said:
We have to work on presenting the love and mercy of Christ first
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So, in all charity, one of our bishops recently tweeted, when someone says the Church needs to start being merciful to remind them the Church has always been merciful.

If we think about it, we can realize that for 2000 years anyone with a contrite heart who turned and repented, went through the sacraments of baptism and confession, stayed in a state of grace has been welcomed with open arms to the Eucharist. It’s part of the Church’s tradition of being loving and merciful.
Emeraldlady said:
Who’s gonna want to come into a Church that is constantly sniping and criticising it…
Anyone who clicks on a Catholic forum is likely gonna run a mile…
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I agree, unfortunately people were leaving the Church long before the forums started and this is the age of the internet. Sniping and criticizing happens not just on Catholic forums. But also nonCatholic, secular, political and many other places. It’s not good for anyone really I guess.

Perhaps what is needed is reminding others and ourselves that the Church is about the love of Christ and we here are all sinners working out our salvation.

God bless
 
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Yes this was honestly extremely creepy. The Vatican Press Office deliberately, consciously doctored an image to put words in the Pope Emeritus’ mouth in praise of the Pope…words that were not said, at least not as shown… I am amazed that this particular incident didn’t make more waves in Catholic circles. It wasn’t just reported by Lifesitenews or another traditionalist source…it was in the mainstream media. It was a example of blatant outright dishonest propaganda from the official channels at the Vatican…and it didn’t really lead to anything. Just disturbing on so many levels.
 
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