What Would Jesus Drive? Pope Tells Priests To Buy Humble Cars

[DaveBj]

Jesus wouldn’t drive. He would have a 15-passenger van, probably donated by Joseph of Arimethea (sp?), but Peter would do the driving.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Apparently, Francis does use a compact car when going to appointments around the Vatican rather than the “official Mercedes limo.” And he uses JPII’s open air jeep for public appearances. (Which Vaticanistas have pointed out Benedict used when in St. Peter’s Square as well.)

I don’t see why that’s special, given what you have in parentheses, which is true.

 

[JamesCaruso]

Depending on the diocese, a private plane might actually be a necessity. I know when I was living in Fairbanks the bishop at the time was a licensed private pilot who flew out to the remote villages (since many villages in Alaska have no roads to them).

Then a humble private plane is in order. Makes sure it’s safe though.

 

[JamesCaruso]

Of course, I agree with The Holy Father in needing to be humble. However, I’d think that Jesus would have driven a large SUV. After all, he had a lot of Apostles and Disciples traveling with him.

Are you kidding me? He came from humble people and he likely could not even afford a car. It’s my understanding that his earthly Father, Joseph, did not even charge for his carpentry work, but took whatever people in the village he helped would give him, literally depending on God for his subsistence. This was what Mary of Agreda wrote from her visions, anyway; you don’t have to believe them. Has Jerusalem and surrounding area changed all that much over 2,000 years? After all, that was his mission, not the U.S.

 

[JamesCaruso]

Nah…obviously it would have a Latin name…FIAT…of course!

Peace and all good!

Definitely not Ferrari!

 

[JamesCaruso]

Me neither. However, most of the priests I know drive fairly new cars. That’s a good thing, by the way. Most live alone and are responsible for large geographic areas. A reliable car with a warranty is a necessity in order to do their pastoral work.

I am a little confused by one part of the Pope’s remarks. He seemed to group all priests and religious together. My understanding is that the perspective about material goods is, by design, very different between religious (priests, nuns, sisters, etc.) and secular priests.

Then maybe some of their designs need to change.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Depending on the diocese, a private plane might actually be a necessity. I know when I was living in Fairbanks the bishop at the time was a licensed private pilot who flew out to the remote villages (since many villages in Alaska have no roads to them).

Plate, as in license plate. Not plane.

 

[Corki]

Then maybe some of their designs need to change.

I hope not.

 

[Sunbreak]

I’m glad the pope said this. The previous pastor at my parish bought an expensive luxury car. It just seemed inappropriate at the time since this was at the same time when the banks were failing, the housing market was crashing and people were losing their jobs.

 

[kag1982]

I don’t see why that’s special, given what you have in parentheses, which is true.

I was associating it with JPII, which is how most people associate the open air Jeep. And then pointing out that Benedict (and JPII after the assassination attempt) both used it. That being said… Francis has certain vehicle preferences and WYD should be an interesting battle of wills.

All that I have seen through Googling on this is secular news reporting (AND editing). Therefore, it is entirely possible that the confusion is caused by the news MEDIA and not by the Holy Father himself. I am sure that a Jesuit AND an archbishop (now Pope) is not ignorant of the difference between religious and secular with regard to material goods, whereas a lot of the ‘religion writers’ are often quite woefully ignorant.

The Holy Father meant what he said. I don’t think that he wants any priest driving a flashy car… religious or non-religious. Even if they receive a family inheritance, he doesn’t think priests should be driving flashy cars.

 

[Corki]

The Holy Father meant what he said. I don’t think that he wants any priest driving a flashy car… religious or non-religious. Even if they receive a family inheritance, he doesn’t **think **priests should be driving flashy cars.

That may very well be but that’s not what the title says. He can certainly have an opinion about the kind of cars he thinks secular priests should/should not drive but I don’t think he can (authoritatively) **tell **them not to buy certain kinds of cars with their own money or what kind of cars they can accept as donations.

 

[kag1982]

That may very well be but that’s not what the title says. He can certainly have an opinion about the kind of cars he thinks secular priests should/should not drive but I don’t think he can (authoritatively) **tell **them not to buy certain kinds of cars with their own money or what kind of cars they can accept as donations.

Actually, I believe that if he wanted to, he could do so. But that would be like Jimmy Carter regulating the White House tennis courts (something Carter did… a waste of his time.) Francis is a “big picture” guy, not a details oriented/ down in the weeds type person. In fact, he mentioned he was “disorganized” in the infamous CLAR leaked discussions. Let’s take this at face value; it was friendly advice from an older, wiser cleric to young adults who are currently starting their religious vocations. I’m not sure how driving a flashy car is going to help a priest minister to his flock; in fact, it may hinder him. I partially think that then Cardinal Bergoglio used publicly transportation in Argentina because it made the residents of the villas less suspicious of him.

 

[Corki]

Actually, I believe that if he wanted to, he could do so.

I think he would have to get it into Canon law, though, in order for it to be authoritative.

But that would be like Jimmy Carter regulating the White House tennis courts (something Carter did… a waste of his time.) Francis is a “big picture” guy, not a details oriented/ down in the weeds type person. In fact, he mentioned he was “disorganized” in the infamous CLAR leaked discussions. Let’s take this at face value; it was friendly advice from an older, wiser cleric to young adults who are currently starting their religious vocations.

And that’s how it should be - friendly advice.

I’m not sure how driving a flashy car is going to help a priest minister to his flock; in fact, it may hinder him. I partially think that then Cardinal Bergoglio used publicly transportation in Argentina because it made the residents of the villas less suspicious of him.

Flashy is in the eye of the beholder. I wouldn’t think twice about a priest driving a Mercedes sedan, for example. Some might call that “flashy” but I would call it dignified. And I would much rather see my Archbishop drive a Mercedes than a Mini.

There is also the issue of a priest’s own time. Secular priests are required, for example, to take vacations. Would you say it’s a hindrance for a priest to drive a “flashy” car on his own time when he is not engaged in pastoral activity?

 

[DaveBj]

**Actually I believe the Pope drives the Popemobile **for his protection. Its specially made for that purpose
. Look at history and we see Popes martyrdoms or attempted assasinations including Pope John Paul’s attempted assassination. I feel it is the churches duty to protect the one who lives to serve God and the Church.

The Pope himself doesn’t personally drive anything.

As far as priests’ cars are concerned, we need to bear in mind that the car a priest drives may not be his personal vehicle; it may have been provided as a donation for his use, and therefore the priest doesn’t have any control over how flashy it is (or isn’t).

 

[Cat]

I’ve never seen a great car owned by a priest.

The first priest that my husband and I ever met and talked to was an extremely conservative priest when saying Mass–he never rushed the liturgy, he spoke gently and with precision, and gave pithy homilies. A lot of the people in the parish said that he was a throwback to an earlier age of priests. We really loved him.

And he drove a big, brand new (therefore not cheap), black, shiny, bodacious motorcycle!

It was so weird to see this priest in his cassock driving away on that bike!

Bless his heart, I hope he’s having a great ministry wherever he is now.

 

[Fairwinds]

I’m glad the pope said this. The previous pastor at my parish bought an expensive luxury car. It just seemed inappropriate at the time since this was at the same time when the banks were failing, the housing market was crashing and people were losing their jobs.

how do you know it was bought? it might have been donated by a local car dealership or the dealer might have picked up the lease for him.

 

[Christ_in_Linda]

The Pope himself doesn’t personally drive anything.

As far as priests’ cars are concerned, we need to bear in mind that the car a priest drives may not be his personal vehicle; it may have been provided as a donation for his use, and therefore the priest doesn’t have any control over how flashy it is (or isn’t).

I ,personally, do not like to see anyone driving an old dilapitated vehicle; there is nothing humble about doing so.People need reliable cars; families need larger vehicles to transport their children. Priest, or anyone else, need not despair because they are blessed with a nice vehicle. We sometime make statements that ‘sound’ humble, but it is actually very critical. We do not ‘love’ these material things, we use them. If God blesses a ministry with a jet plane to travel to do His work, then I say Amen. God made sure when Jesus was born that His earthly family was able to do everything God had ordained and that is why the wise men went to their house when Jesus was about two to give them gold. God will provide as we remain good stewarts.

 

[kag1982]

Flashy is in the eye of the beholder. I wouldn’t think twice about a priest driving a Mercedes sedan, for example. Some might call that “flashy” but I would call it dignified. And I would much rather see my Archbishop drive a Mercedes than a Mini.

There is also the issue of a priest’s own time. Secular priests are required, for example, to take vacations. Would you say it’s a hindrance for a priest to drive a “flashy” car on his own time when he is not engaged in pastoral activity?

I’m actually shocked that there aren’t more bishops who suddenly have become enamored with public transportation.

And I think that image matters a lot. Pope Francis understands that symbolism/ image is really important. The priest might drive a “flashy” car or go away to a nice golf weekend on his own time or using his own money, but I’m sure that parishioners or even strangers might question how the priest could afford such a car. They might intellectually know that everything is above board, but it doesn’t help the image of the Church that the Pope is trying to project. (And Francis is an incredibly astute politician, his gestures are sincere but he understands exactly how they play in the media.)

 

[Fairwinds]

I’m actually shocked that there aren’t more bishops who suddenly have become enamored with public transportation. …)

the diocese of las vegas covers half the state of nevada and is geographically bigger than several states. public transportation???

no.

 

[CatholicLife]

I had to post this…

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