The War against Pope Francis

[Steeevyo]

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/oct/27/the-war-against-pope-francis

Now this is a sensationalist headline but what I consider a very good long read. I specifically liked the description of the extroverts and introverts in the Catholic hierarchy:

The central dispute is between Catholics who believe that the church should set the agenda for the world, and those who think the world must set the agenda for the church. Those are ideal types: in the real world, any Catholic will be a mixture of those orientations, but in most of them, one will predominate. Francis is a very pure example of the “outer-directed” or extrovert Catholic, especially compared with his immediate predecessors. His opponents are the introverts. Many were first attracted to the church by its distance from the concerns of the world. A surprising number of the most prominent introverts are converts from American Protestantism, some driven by the shallowness of the intellectual resources they were brought up with, but much more by a sense that liberal Protestantism was dying precisely because it no longer offered any alternative to the society around it. They want mystery and romance, not sterile common sense or conventional wisdom. No religion could flourish without that impulse.

 

[OneSheep]

From the article:

This summer, one prominent English priest said to me: “We can’t wait for him to die. It’s unprintable what we say in private. Whenever two priests meet, they talk about how awful Bergoglio is … he’s like Caligula: if he had a horse, he’d make him cardinal.” Of course, after 10 minutes of fluent complaint, he added: “You mustn’t print any of this, or I’ll be sacked.”

Well, I might find such “sacking” understandable, especially if I was a parishioner. The priest appears to be holding a grudge, not forgiving, and all Catholics should carefully scrutinize a leader who does not forgive. Frankly, he should be invited to live the Gospel.

The fact that Cardinal Burke invited Steve Bannon to address the Vatican already says enough about Cardinal Burke. While I hope he remains in communion, the mentality he is coming from is far before Vatican II, it seems. The question to ask is, “what does that viewpoint have to do with God’s love and mercy?” when addressing the ideas of Steve Bannon and others.

Indeed, the article’s author calls Pope Francis “hated” by many. All those who hate are invited to follow Christ, which means to understand and forgive.

 

[BlackFriar]

It seems easy to spot the career priests…just look for a private “Bergoglio hater.”

 

[Steeevyo]

Well this is the Guardian. The introductory paragraph is written for effect and because it addresses a majority very liberal audience most of which probably really hate the Catholic Church.

 

[FollowChrist34]

But love Pope Francis. What do we do with that. Why do liberal, secular ’ Catholic haters’ so love the Pope? And, yes, hate his critics? I can’t remember anything like this in the history of the Church. Can you? The Turks love the Pope, the Catholics are in conflict over him? And why doesn’t this strange situation force more of us to think, to question what is up here?

Speaking as a ‘warrior’ to use the Guardian’s characterization, and one I admit to not being overly reluctant to assume, I often wonder where this will all end up - say 50 or 100 years from now. St. Athanasius was sent away in exile. Are today’s warriors tomorrow’s saints? For those who have faith in the doctrine of the Church, the answer is clear. I am not taunting here; I am asking that Catholics seriously prayerfully consider this. What and whom they follow and why. Is an individual Pope a greater authority than Christ, Scripture, the tradition of the Church?

I don’t believe the Pope is as ‘bad’ as one is led to believe given these conflicts in the Church. But the fact remains that the Pope is not making any effort to dampen or enlighten these conflicts, on the contrary - he allows disinformation, confusion, conflict, alienation to flourish almost as a smoke screen. Is this a failing or intentional? Use your reason here, not your ‘mercy’ when you assess the evidence and come to your answer. Once you have your answer, then use your mercy. Properly. Toward this Pope and the Catholic Church.

For he put on righteousnesse as a brestplate, and an helmet of saluation vpon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeale as a cloake. Isaiah 59:17

I think if you read this verse out loud on a London street corner you would be put in jail. (just for a little more perspective) Your opponents tell you a lot about yourself and your cause - in this case I am ok with where I am at, butting heads with the Guardian. A ‘good sign.’

 

[Jared2914]

The present division in the church is just a continuation of the division during Vatican II. I think things settled down because St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI were both pretty conservative. Now we have Pope Francis that is pushing for more change and those fears that had subsided are back in full force. I do not think our Pope has some hidden agenda to make the Church progressive. I think he just has a lot of trouble explaining things and doesn’t see the need to revisit them when people ask questions. Like everyone, he has flaws. I think it will become clearer after he retires or passes away. When we can see more of his private thoughts, we will understand more.

Of course, because the Pope doesn’t do the best job at explaining things, it’s up to the rest of the Church to cover for him. Even us lay Catholics can help. When someone asks me about a headline like this, I can get to the heart of the issue and dispel all the drama the media adds. The media wants people to see chaos in the Church because it’s exciting and sells papers, but it also leads people away from the Church who may have been considering the faith. We can work to combat that.

 

[mythbuster1]

It also means to be zealous for the salvation of souls. A watchman who fails to sound the alarm when danger approaches is guilty of the blood of those who perish on his watch.