Watch LIVE coverage of Pope Francis' address to US Congress [CNA]

  • Thread starter Thread starter CNA_News
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
ringil said:
Or you could be struck by the “deep concern” of what is apparently lacking in the words of the Holy Father.

Celebrate the words of the Pope- don’t sit back and divide them.
Click to expand...
??? Lacking in the words of the Holy Father?? What??
Celebrate the words of the Pope- don’t sit back and divide them.*
Click to expand...
Is it understood that this is a discussion forum? Those who discuss are not in the wrong place. Saying something like “haters are going to hate” would seem to be calling names at someone and the first that would come to mind are any people participating in this thread.

This is not a Christian attitude.
 
Ranp said:
I cannot watch the Pope’s speech to congress but I just read the speech. Not once in the speech did I see the name “Jesus Christ”. I also did not see the words “abortion”. Those of you who did watch the speech please tell me that the Pope did reference our Lord Jesus Christ and make at least some comment about the evil of abortion.

Let me guess, the Pope sounded very “Nice”. :rolleyes:

Ran Pleasant
Click to expand...
What he did was bring the Catholic Church and it’s doctrine to Congress. Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church are One and the Same so Jesus was very much there. You encounter people where they are. If you are talking to someone who does not believe in Jesus you speak to them in a way that prompts them to ask ‘where do you get this from?’ Then you tell them the Good News.
 
In the end, it all begins with ourselves. It is how we act, how we act towards the stranger in need, to the hungry and so on.
 
Today Pope Francis gave a speech to the U.S. Congress. He is the first Pope to ever do this. I would love to hear any responses on this.

During the Pope’s speech what inspired you the most?
 
Here is what Pope Francis said

news.yahoo.com/full-text-pope-francis-remarks-congress-144829262.html

Mr. Vice-President,
Mr. Speaker,

Honorable Members of Congress, Dear Friends,

I am most grateful for your invitation to address this Joint Session of Congress in “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. I would like to think that the reason for this is that I too am a son of this great continent, from which we have all received so much and toward which we share a common responsibility.

Each son or daughter of a given country has a mission, a personal and social responsibility. Your own responsibility as members of Congress is to enable this country, by your legislative activity, to grow as a nation. You are the face of its people, their representatives. You are called to defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good, for this is the chief aim of all politics. A political society endures when it seeks, as a vocation, to satisfy common needs by stimulating the growth of all its members, especially those in situations of greater vulnerability or risk. Legislative activity is always based on care for the people. To this you have been invited, called and convened by those who elected you.

Yours is a work which makes me reflect in two ways on the figure of Moses. On the one hand, the patriarch and lawgiver of the people of Israel symbolizes the need of peoples to keep alive their sense of unity by means of just legislation. On the other, the figure of Moses leads us directly to God and thus to the transcendent dignity of the human being. Moses provides us with a good synthesis of your work: you are asked to protect, by means of the law, the image and likeness fashioned by God on every human face.

Today I would like not only to address you, but through you the entire people of the United States. Here, together with their representatives, I would like to take this opportunity to dialogue with the many thousands of men and women who strive each day to do an honest day’s work, to bring home their daily bread, to save money and –one step at a time – to build a better life for their families. These are men and women who are not concerned simply with paying their taxes, but in their own quiet way sustain the life of society. They generate solidarity by their actions, and they create organizations which offer a helping hand to those most in need.

I would also like to enter into dialogue with the many elderly persons who are a storehouse of wisdom forged by experience, and who seek in many ways, especially through volunteer work, to share their stories and their insights. I know that many of them are retired, but still active; they keep working to build up this land. I also want to dialogue with all those young people who are working to realize their great and noble aspirations, who are not led astray by facile proposals, and who face difficult situations, often as a result of immaturity on the part of many adults. I wish to dialogue with all of you, and I would like to do so through the historical memory of your people.

My visit takes place at a time when men and women of good will are marking the anniversaries of several great Americans. The complexities of history and the reality of human weakness notwithstanding, these men and women, for all their many differences and limitations, were able by hard work and self- sacrifice – some at the cost of their lives – to build a better future. They shaped fundamental values which will endure forever in the spirit of the American people. A people with this spirit can live through many crises, tensions and conflicts, while always finding the resources to move forward, and to do so with dignity. These men and women offer us a way of seeing and interpreting reality. In honoring their memory, we are inspired, even amid conflicts, and in the here and now of each day, to draw upon our deepest cultural reserves.

I would like to mention four of these Americans: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton.

This year marks the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, the guardian of liberty, who labored tirelessly that “this nation, under God, [might] have a new birth of freedom”. Building a future of freedom requires love of the common good and cooperation in a spirit of subsidiarity and solidarity.

All of us are quite aware of, and deeply worried by, the disturbing social and political situation of the world today. Our world is increasingly a place of violent conflict, hatred and brutal atrocities, committed even in the name of God and of religion. We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism. This means that we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind. A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms. But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners. The contemporary world, with its open wounds which affect so many of our brothers and sisters, demands that we confront every form of polarization which would divide it into these two camps. We know that in the attempt to be freed of the enemy without, we can be tempted to feed the enemy within. To imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place. That is something which you, as a people, reject.

follow link for more…
 
Songcatcher said:
He didn’t specifically mention abortion but certainly alluded to it. As I mentioned earlier, he talked about the need to value life at all stages of development and then singled out the death penalty as something he would like to see abolished.

I don’t think he specifically mentioned Christ but the entire speech was based on Christ’s teachings.
Click to expand...
In fairness, beyond the abolition of the death penalty, he didn’t talk with great specificity. He didn’t address how to handle our broken immigration system, only to maintain a welcoming spirit. He didn’t address Cap and Trade or Carbon Credits vis a vis the environment.

I am sure politicians on both sides of the aisle will be able to pull nuggets to support their arguments or policies. I found some of the vagueness to be of little pratical use to any lost souls. He talked about the family, but didn’t define it. In America, a child’s can be raised in a family in any way we want to define it. Two men, two women, multiple spouses. Without defining what a family is in front of Congress, he merely gets assent and nods, because who can disagree with what he said? It is obvious to those who support gay marriage and adoption, and those who defend actual marriage. “Do what’s best the children.” Well, duh?

I did find it staggering though, that he did not specifically talk about the US funding the murder of children in the womb, and further allowing their body parts to be sold.

How any religious leader can avoid that is beyond me. Again, would the Pope avoid mentioning concentration camps? He didn’t avoid mentioning the refugee crisis or the death penalty (and I am glad he did mention them), but it is just hard to fathom how calling out abortion and PP got left out, especially since he touched on the need to protect children (whatever that means…).

My personal opinion was it was a cool, historic moment, an average speech that won’t likely have much impact due to its nebulous nature, and yet one that makes me proud to be Catholic.
 
What a wishy washy speech from the Pope. He was less than forceful on abortion and deviant lifestyles, instead focusing on wealth redistribution and climate change. This is a disappointing speech from the Vicar of Christ. He’s a nice man but he missed a golden opportunity.
 
Colorad007 said:
You celebrate the pope’s call to unity and charity by labeling good people “haters?” Better read that speech again, friend. Are you really interested in charity, or do you just want something to shove down the throats of conservatives?
Click to expand...
Of course it is the latter. Rather than discuss points made, it is easier to take three word shots at people.
 
Adonia said:
What a wishy washy speech from the Pope. He was less than forceful on abortion and deviant so called marriages, instead focusing on wealth redistribution and climate change. This is a disappointing speech from the Vicar of Christ. He’s a nice man but he missed a golden opportunity.
Click to expand...
I kind of felt that way as well, though it still made me swell with pride to see our Church’s Holy See standing before the Congress of the country I love.

And if I held up my left hand the entire time, I could even block out Joe Biden from the screen.
 
Maximilan_Kolbe said:
In fairness, beyond the abolition of the death penalty, he didn’t talk with great specificity. He didn’t address how to handle our broken immigration system, only to maintain a welcoming spirit. He didn’t address Cap and Trade or Carbon Credits vis a vis the environment.

I am sure politicians on both sides of the aisle will be able to pull nuggets to support their arguments or policies. I found some of the vagueness to be of little pratical use to any lost souls. He talked about the family, but didn’t define it. In America, a child’s can be raised in a family in any way we want to define it. Two men, two women, multiple spouses. Without defining what a family is in front of Congress, he merely gets assent and nods, because who can disagree with what he said? It is obvious to those who support gay marriage and adoption, and those who defend actual marriage. “Do what’s best the children.” Well, duh?

I did find it staggering though, that he did not specifically talk about the US funding the murder of children in the womb, and further allowing their body parts to be sold.

How any religious leader can avoid that is beyond me. Again, would the Pope avoid mentioning concentration camps? He didn’t avoid mentioning the refugee crisis or the death penalty (and I am glad he did mention them), but it is just hard to fathom how calling out abortion and PP got left out, especially since he touched on the need to protect children (whatever that means…).

My personal opinion was it was a cool, historic moment, an average speech that won’t likely have much impact due to its nebulous nature, and yet one that makes me proud to be Catholic.
Click to expand...
Yes, I’d say it was a speech given in a low tone but I would also look at his actions and the total picture. He did apparently visit the Little Sisters of the Poor, I can directly feel the connection to that because I have humbly done volunteer work for them. And as in the past, he said “Who am I to judge”; and so on. I think he recognizes some limitations on what he is going to say.
 
johnnyc176 said:
Very telling that he ended with the the need to protect the unborn and the acknowledgement of the attack on the family. He pretty much was saying to not forget the beginning of Genesis with God blessing the family and to be fruitful and multiply. Respecting and treasuring life from it’s conception.
Click to expand...
I agree. Everyone knew what he was speaking about, even if he wasn’t aggressive.
 
Maximilan_Kolbe said:
In fairness, beyond the abolition of the death penalty, he didn’t talk with great specificity. He didn’t address how to handle our broken immigration system, only to maintain a welcoming spirit. He didn’t address Cap and Trade or Carbon Credits vis a vis the environment.

I am sure politicians on both sides of the aisle will be able to pull nuggets to support their arguments or policies. I found some of the vagueness to be of little pratical use to any lost souls. He talked about the family, but didn’t define it. In America, a child’s can be raised in a family in any way we want to define it. Two men, two women, multiple spouses. Without defining what a family is in front of Congress, he merely gets assent and nods, because who can disagree with what he said? It is obvious to those who support gay marriage and adoption, and those who defend actual marriage. “Do what’s best the children.” Well, duh?

I did find it staggering though, that he did not specifically talk about the US funding the murder of children in the womb, and further allowing their body parts to be sold.

How any religious leader can avoid that is beyond me. Again, would the Pope avoid mentioning concentration camps? He didn’t avoid mentioning the refugee crisis or the death penalty (and I am glad he did mention them), but it is just hard to fathom how calling out abortion and PP got left out, especially since he touched on the need to protect children (whatever that means…).

My personal opinion was it was a cool, historic moment, an average speech that won’t likely have much impact due to its nebulous nature, and yet one that makes me proud to be Catholic.
Click to expand...
Yes, he could have really shaken things up had he talked forcefully about abortion and the selling of baby body parts. He was far too diplomatic. But in the end, he is the man God has placed as our Bishop for this period in time and that’s that. He is an extremely spiritual and down to earth man and I like him for those qualities.
 
Here’s one nugget from the address:

Yet I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without. Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and the family. I can only reiterate the importance and, above all, the richness and the beauty of family life.

To me, it is clear what the Pope is referring to here. If the redefinition of marriage that some are pursuing was a good thing, then how would marriage be threatened or what fundamental relationships would be being questioned?

I get that people what the Pope to lay down the hammer on these social issues. I would feel a certain amount of satisfaction if he had done so. But, as Pope Francis said, he sees himself as a bridge builder. If he went in there with both barrels blazing, it would increase polarization, not diminish it. It would burn bridges rather than build them.

Now, we might disagree with that approach, but I think the pope is taking the long view. Hearing him speak on specific issues might make me feel better in the short term, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it would produce the best long term results.
 
I also want to say that I would have done a far worse job. Not saying he did a bad one. His is not a pulpit I want.
 
Joe_5859 said:
Here’s one nugget from the address:

Yet I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without. Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and the family. I can only reiterate the importance and, above all, the richness and the beauty of family life.

To me, it is clear what the Pope is referring to here. If the redefinition of marriage that some are pursuing was a good thing, then how would marriage be threatened or what fundamental relationships would be being questioned?

I get that people what the Pope to lay down the hammer on these social issues. I would feel a certain amount of satisfaction if he had done so. But, as Pope Francis said, he sees himself as a bridge builder. If he went in there with both barrels blazing, it would increase polarization, not diminish it. It would burn bridges rather than build them.

Now, we might disagree with that approach, but I think the pope is taking the long view. Hearing him speak on specific issues might make me feel better in the short term, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it would produce the best long term results.
Click to expand...
👍 I completely agree with you
 
I think the Pope is wiser than most of us so I will trust his judgement. I think too often many of our calls for an aggressive approach have an underlying often subconscious want to be able to use it as ammunition to say I told you so.
 
NormW said:
I think the Pope is wiser than most of us so I will trust his judgement. I think too often many of our calls for an aggressive approach have an underlying often subconscious want to be able to use it as ammunition to say I told you so.
Click to expand...
No. I think that most of us just want the encouragement from the Holy Father that when we are attacked as bigots and fundamentalists for believing that what the Churches as true, that we aren’t doing it in vain, that wr are right to stand forarriage and even as we are the only ones left bothering with it. That the courageous souls saying Rosaries outside Planned Parenthood aren’t deluded quacks, after all.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top