Very discouraged by Pope Francis' visit; can you help?

[tws]

I know my thoughts are unfit to post in a forum, but as a relatively recent convert to Catholicism, I am extremely discouraged by the Pope’s visit to the U.S. and am unsure what to do. How do I pray for Pope Francis, when he has left behind the faithful Catholics to please and appease radical secularists?

• Pope Francis laughed with Obama on camera multiple times, Obama the man who refuses to defund the butchers at Planned Parenthood, even if it means shutting down the U.S. government to protect them, and Obama the man who forces Catholic organizations pay for contraceptives and abortion causing drugs.
• In response, Pope Francis could have said something to Congress about abortion or the unprecedented evils of Planned Parenthood, but instead he said nothing at all, leaving those in Congress fighting Planned Parenthood with no support at all.
• Now to his credit he did meet with the Sisters of the Poor, a group of nuns who are suing the Obama administration over the contraception issue. But this symbolic act was overshadowed by other events.
• There were signs of hope when Pope Francis talked about protecting religious freedom for public workers, and even met with the Kentucky clerk who was jailed for not signing same-sex marriage certificates. But couple of days later the Vatican withdrew his support of her cause, completely hollowing the meaning of his earlier words.
• This confused approach took another turn after Pope Francis spoke vaguely about threats to God’s design for sexuality and marriage in his address to Congress, but then met with a longtime gay friend and his partner in search of a “hug” from them. The gay friend even claimed the Pope has never challenged him about his sodomy.

Through these and other conflicted words and actions, it is clear the visit of Pope Francis has only emboldened Obama and people like him to continue their attack on orthodox Christianity. Nearly every media report echoes what secularists now believe: Pope Francis is marginally concerned about the slaughter and sale of the unborn in this country, is an advocate for same-sex relationships, and won’t defend those who are persecuted for standing against gay marriage. As a Catholic Christian who is very concerned about these issues, I believe Pope Francis failed his Church miserably during this visit. He has made grave matters even worse, and I truly wish he had not come here. Pope Francis has lost my trust as a spokesman for truth.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

I understand your angst. But only the Lord knows what good the Pope accomplished during his U.S. visit. We must remember that the Lord Himself was criticized for speaking to prostitutes and other sinners. He ate with tax collectors who were considered traitors. He loved people BEFORE they repented. In this, the Pope is in good company.

When our Lady appeared to the children in Fatima, she did not tell them to make political statements or to correct politicians. She told them to pray and make sacrifices. Only prayer and personal sacrifice can right the wrongs of society. This begins with us; not them.

When St. Peter wanted to walk on water, our Lord encouraged him to try. He succeeded as long as he focused on the Lord. But when he turned his attention to the stormy waters, he began to sink. We can’t afford to allow whatever we consider to be wrong to govern our attitudes. As long as we keep our minds on the blood that He so willingly shed for all of us, we will be at peace and our perspective will be where He wants it.

Welcome home. It is where He is and so it is safe!

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.