Probably a lucky thing for Catholicism that the College of Cardinals does not have the authority to "advise and consent" on Pope Francis's appointments. The "Republicans" there would be sure to filibuster them.
5 more years should do it. Hang in there Francis!
'His Vision'? Another instance where the secular media doesn't get it. The Spirit of the Risen Christ is the Vision guiding the Church now and unto this World's Ending. No wagging of a finger at the media: 'You got it wrong. The vision of an individual pope isn't directing. Some One else calls the ultimate shots. Who might that Person be: "When the work which the Father had given the Son to do on earth was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that He might forever sanctify the Church, and thus all believers would have access to the Father through Christ in the one Spirit (cf. Mph. 2:18).
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The quicker this pope leaves the better the Catholic Church will be. He doesn't understand the world and fame has hurt his direction so he spent more time back tracking then going forward.
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The Pope needs to tell its cardinals and bishops to stop paying millions of dollars to lobbyists to fight sensible Child Sex Abuse reform. The church is fighting bills in Pennsylvania and New York right now, which would give adult victims of child sex abuse a window for justice and compensation for what horrible, unspeakable sex abuse that they endured. Do right by the victims of sexual abuse by priests. Come on! Quit hiding behind statutes of limitations. Why the church has any say-so and influence on our politicians is beyond me. We don't have separation of Church and State in the U.S. The Catholic Church is the largest pedophile ring in the world! Shame on you! My 46 year old brother, who was abused by a priest when he was 10 years old does NOT believe in God because he questions what bishop would knowingly transfer a priest who abuses children to unsuspecting parishes, allowing those priests to continue sexually abusing children, knowing that in a short period of time that bishop will come face to face with God. This is one practicing Catholic who has stopped giving money to the church until it stops spending millions of dollars on lobbyists to protect pedophile priests. Shame on you, Pope Francis! Do the right thing! Protect children NOT Predators!
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The writer of this article Doesn't Understand the Church from its spiritual source. The Pope is not in control of anything. He is merely a steward. The Church cannot change any doctrine it can only develop its understanding. These are not political questions but moral ones. The mission of the Church does not change from one pontif to another, what JPII wanted is what B16 wanted is what Francis wants. How they go about achieving it is up for discussion. The idea that the Church would change its doctrine to please the people has the roles reversed. The Church does adjust its presentation of doctrine to the people depending on the cultural norms of the time so they can understand it. The Church is the keeper of the Standard for the people . The People can choose to Ignore it at their own peril. It all happens with Gods Grace through Our Lord Christ in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
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I commend the Pope on his efforts to adapt the Church to this period of time. Many people are adamant about keeping society and tradition as similar to the biblical era as possible. His progressivism isn't changing the Church to represent his own version of christianity, but simply helping the Church to adapt along with society.
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If you actually attended Mass you might understand that is not how the Catholic Church works. You need to go to that big church where thousand attend and it feels good because you can do No wrong.!
What difference does it make whom Pope Francis appoints?
The pontiff made it abundantly clear that the outdated sexist rules of the Church will never change. He says “No women can be priests.”
That sums it up for me as a lapsed Catholic woman. The church tells me I am not equal to a man, voids any rights to MY reproductive health, whether that be use of an IUD for birth control to telling me I MUST carry all pregnancies to term...and the life of the fetus--a “potential” life is more important to the church than the life of the mother!
When I was in the fourth grade at a Catholic School, the nuns told us that the life of the “baby” was a priority over the mother. I had four siblings...the idea that the church felt that taking away my mom, the mother of five living children was more important than “saving” an unknown quantity of a fetus made NO sense.
I then COMPLETELY stopped all faith when I told a nun that I was going to be a priest. “You can’t--you’re a girl.”
Lapsed Catholics make up the third largest “religious group” in the USA. “We’re not going to take it anymore.” So many of us went over to the Episcopalian Church where women and openly LGBT folks can become part of the church hierarchy. Where the pope is NOT seen as infallible. You know--where some common sense rules.
Or they became agnostics such as I or right out atheists.
The pontiff made it abundantly clear that the outdated sexist rules of the Church will never change. He says “No women can be priests.”
That sums it up for me as a lapsed Catholic woman. The church tells me I am not equal to a man, voids any rights to MY reproductive health, whether that be use of an IUD for birth control to telling me I MUST carry all pregnancies to term...and the life of the fetus--a “potential” life is more important to the church than the life of the mother!
When I was in the fourth grade at a Catholic School, the nuns told us that the life of the “baby” was a priority over the mother. I had four siblings...the idea that the church felt that taking away my mom, the mother of five living children was more important than “saving” an unknown quantity of a fetus made NO sense.
I then COMPLETELY stopped all faith when I told a nun that I was going to be a priest. “You can’t--you’re a girl.”
Lapsed Catholics make up the third largest “religious group” in the USA. “We’re not going to take it anymore.” So many of us went over to the Episcopalian Church where women and openly LGBT folks can become part of the church hierarchy. Where the pope is NOT seen as infallible. You know--where some common sense rules.
Or they became agnostics such as I or right out atheists.
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If you were born into the Catholic religion a long time ago, it remains apparent the rules we were given for participation, haven't really changed at all. Over time wealthier countries questioned such main rules, namely birth control, and divorce, to name two, but new membership in poor countries are really accepting the original model.Participation in north America is way down. Africa's is the new hot spot for new members.
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The only way this church can be saved is if it comes into the modern era. If it remains locked in an antiquarian, patriarchal, pyramidal world with the pope at the apex, then it will be viable no longer.
The world moves, the church must remove itself from its enclave, its bubble, and participate.
The world moves, the church must remove itself from its enclave, its bubble, and participate.
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The best way anyone could ever reshape the church is by disbanding and abolishing it.
But I don't see that happening any time soon.
So in meantime, please just leave this sinner alone, because I really don't care what so-called "progress" you're bringing to your endlessly evil organization. No amount of good can ever cover up all the ills your church has spread... kthxbye
But I don't see that happening any time soon.
So in meantime, please just leave this sinner alone, because I really don't care what so-called "progress" you're bringing to your endlessly evil organization. No amount of good can ever cover up all the ills your church has spread... kthxbye
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The Pope may reshape the church to allow progressives to say they are Catholics...but, he cannot change the words of Jesus Christ and the new Covenant God made. The Pope, a progressive himself, thinks it is his right to change as he sees fit, whether his ideology is good or bad is not material to his thinking...it's what he thinks, a typical progressive method!
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@sharinlite
Wait--what?
You DO realize that most theologians don’t even think a “Jesus Christ” even existed--more likely he was a composite of several different self-proclaimed prophets.
And this “New Covenant God made?” Can I see the source for that?
Face it...religion is NOT based on any real world proof. It’s Faith. And if you are born into a Catholic family, you somehow are MUCH better than the kids you played with who were born into a different religious family whether Presbyterian or Muslim.
That’s why I “believe” in science. No one has to “believe” in gravity or in Newton’s principles for them to exist. And while many in the Church such as you feel that NOTHING should ever be changed as it was in the beginning (amen) makes NO sense.
Wait--what?
You DO realize that most theologians don’t even think a “Jesus Christ” even existed--more likely he was a composite of several different self-proclaimed prophets.
And this “New Covenant God made?” Can I see the source for that?
Face it...religion is NOT based on any real world proof. It’s Faith. And if you are born into a Catholic family, you somehow are MUCH better than the kids you played with who were born into a different religious family whether Presbyterian or Muslim.
That’s why I “believe” in science. No one has to “believe” in gravity or in Newton’s principles for them to exist. And while many in the Church such as you feel that NOTHING should ever be changed as it was in the beginning (amen) makes NO sense.
Matthew 16:18 & 19
"Peter's Confession of Christ
"… [18] And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
The passage described the Pope's 'marching orders' as directed by Jesus to the first 'Pope' - Peter the Apostle: [18] Build my Church, and [19] set and remove rules of my Church and they will be sanctioned in life afterlife.
"Peter's Confession of Christ
"… [18] And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
The passage described the Pope's 'marching orders' as directed by Jesus to the first 'Pope' - Peter the Apostle: [18] Build my Church, and [19] set and remove rules of my Church and they will be sanctioned in life afterlife.
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Globalizing the Catholic church would be a wonderful development. To maintain European dominance hints at ghosts of colonialism. After all, European citizens have largely left the Church in recent generations.
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Diane, below, is correct The Pope can never really know what future cardinals will do.
Like a President of the United States he can steer a course that impacts the present and the near future.
This Pope is steering a good course for the present and the near term.
That is about all we can ask.
Like a President of the United States he can steer a course that impacts the present and the near future.
This Pope is steering a good course for the present and the near term.
That is about all we can ask.
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Dear Mr. Pope,
Open up The Bible
Follow Instructions.
There, I solved your problem.
Open up The Bible
Follow Instructions.
There, I solved your problem.
Hard to believe this continues to be relevant in this day and age. And, as Hypatia so eloquently put it, "Same circus, different pointy-hatted clowns."
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Nonetheless, given that it is relevant for many people (not me), it's at least nice to have a more open-minded leader for the followers. Given how fascist the world is becoming, we're going to need as many humanists as possible to try to counter it.
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How about a church that serves Christ and keeps his commands? That should take care ofFranny's PC agenda!!!
This one article condenses the Bergoglio problem for Catholics...From the outset of his tenure, he has been trying to change the Church into his image of it, instead of CHRIST'S image...A pope is not infallible...only the teachings of the Church are infallible, and, any formal attempt to do so, automatically discualifies Francis' papacy...So, he has been trying to make changes pastorally, instead, in order to get what he wants and still remain "pope"...After the coup against Benedict, Benedict's "resignation" statement of his papacy has been carefully analysed and what has been perceived is that, at best, we have here a diarchy, because Benedict only resigned as Bishop of Rome...Interestingly, Francis/Bergoglio himself admitted this early in his tenure, saying, albeit in a casual encounter: "oh, I am not really the pope... I am only the Bishop of Rome"...
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The Bishop of Rome is automatically also the Pope of the universal Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is infallible "ex-Chathedra" - look it up. where he does call the play and make pronouncements that are binding. Benedict resigned as Pope due to age-related health issues and his diminished abilities to manage the various public and private issues confronting the Church. He carries the title of Pope Emeritus in retirement (he prefers to be called, "Father Benedict"). He does not have an office in the Church other than his honorarium. All else you claim is 'conspiracy theory'.
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Now if only the church would dump the man made traditions such as required celibacy,the apostle Peter had a wife. Also a paid clergy is not scriptural, Jesus said in Matthew 10:8, "you received free,give free". Infant baptisms contradict Bible teachings along with the trinity doctrine, the naming of so-called saints, and many other traditions not based on the Bible.
Reading the Bible book of Acts of the apostles go a long way to expose how far Catholic and other groups have drifted from first century Christianity.
Tim Kaine being a catholic said he expects the church to embrace homosexual so-called marriage and then misapplied a Scripture to make his point.
Reading the Bible book of Acts of the apostles go a long way to expose how far Catholic and other groups have drifted from first century Christianity.
Tim Kaine being a catholic said he expects the church to embrace homosexual so-called marriage and then misapplied a Scripture to make his point.
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But I thought one of the characteristics of being Pope was that he was immortal now. Oh wait, it's infallible, so no matter what he does it's the right thing to do.
Really it's not too much of a worry though. If the Catholic church rolls back Pope Francis' notions of inclusion and helping the poor, then its membership will dwindle and it will lose relevance. The only thing the Catholic church can do to remain a powerful influence on the world is to keep slowly modernizing, and continue the course Pope Francis has set, going further than he did eventually.
Really it's not too much of a worry though. If the Catholic church rolls back Pope Francis' notions of inclusion and helping the poor, then its membership will dwindle and it will lose relevance. The only thing the Catholic church can do to remain a powerful influence on the world is to keep slowly modernizing, and continue the course Pope Francis has set, going further than he did eventually.
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Papal infallibility lies in faith and morals only.
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Without the snark about infallibility yours would have been a good post.
The Church must move with the times. If it chooses irrelevance it disappears.
The current Pope clearly understands this.
Some future Popes will, and some wont
I hope the balance is towards modernization.
The Church must move with the times. If it chooses irrelevance it disappears.
The current Pope clearly understands this.
Some future Popes will, and some wont
I hope the balance is towards modernization.
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Correct, Papal infallibility does not insure that he wins steadily when playing three-card-Monty.
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While I hope that Francis gets to nudge the future Roman Catholic church through cardinal appointments, I dearly wish that the Americans could break away and form their own Catholic institution and identity, one that would be more inclusive of women, LGBTQ's and others that the Roman Catholics have marginalized.
Parts of the Catholic church are splendid, and parts are so chained to patriarchy and palaces that they can't do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.
Parts of the Catholic church are splendid, and parts are so chained to patriarchy and palaces that they can't do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.
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It already exists. It's called the Episcopal Church.
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How is it that you cannot do justice; be loving and merciful; and walk humbly with God? Indeed, nothing needs to change about the human institution for that to occur. It is the very essence of The Church that you carry around with you every waking moment.
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PM - I am a devoted Episcopalian.
But I disagree with you - the Catholic church is quite different in a lot of ways, both theological and cultural. My Catholic friends want to change the church but not abandon it.
But I disagree with you - the Catholic church is quite different in a lot of ways, both theological and cultural. My Catholic friends want to change the church but not abandon it.
Reshape the church? Only when women are ordained and gays free to marry.
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I agree on the women part, but gays are free to marry (until Jeff Sessions and the Trump packed court deny them).
A Church, where nuns are excommunicated for focusing on relieving the misery of the poor while pedophile priests are simply shuffled and sheltered, needs an exorcism rather than an ideological face lift.
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Truthfully, I haven't a clue what Pope Francis' values are.
Well, except for women becoming priests.
That he was absolutely clear on: NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! EVER!!!!
That one I got.
Well, except for women becoming priests.
That he was absolutely clear on: NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! EVER!!!!
That one I got.
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The Catholic Church has always served the "poor a s marginalized" - from its inception to the present day. It is also one of the largest providers of healthcare on earth. It continues to provide education to mainly poor and marginalized people. Pope Francis is continuing a long established tradition.
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What vision? A committee on pedophiles - like they don't know enough to proceed with severe punishment. And no advancement for women. Same old. same old.
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Wait... is Pope Frank going someplace we don't know about yet?
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He must have at least four years to reshape the church and give us hope in a world of Trumpian dispair.
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Keep in mind that Francis was elected by Benedict and JPII cardinals, as John XXIII was elected by Pius XII cardinals. You can't predict what cardinals will do based on who appointed them.
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Any more than you can determine the number of angels that can stand on the end of a pin.
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Can you imagine what a moment it will be when we have an African pope? Looking forward to that day!
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The Catholic Church has already had African popes -- several of them -- it has also recognized a number of African Saints. There are a number of African Cardinals and bishops and a large number of African priests are now working throughout America.
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Well, if you are looking forward to having the Catholic Church go back to being super-conservative, since that is what most African bishops are like.
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Most African Catholics are extremely conservative.
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What a nonsensicle article. The cardinals selected by Benedict XVI and John Paul II elected Francis so this notion that Francis is in a race against time to appoint cardinals who will think differently than the cardinals who elected him is, on the face of it, absurd.
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Perhaps not. In a piece in the New Yorker last year, a Vatican insider stated, “If a conclave were to be held today, Francis would be lucky to get ten votes.” Buyers, meet remorse.
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A few mealy-mouthed remarks about how gay and divorced people might not be completely forsaken by God "reshapes" the Catholic Church about as much as I can "reshape" Mount Rushmore by wishing really hard. Same circus, different pointy-hatted clowns.
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As usual, anti-Catholic sentiment is quick to rear its ugly head
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Judging by the recommendations, the true face of NYT readers.
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