My Issues with Pope Francis: Part Two

"If the faith is in imminent peril, prelates ought to be accused by their subjects, even in public." -St. Thomas Aquinas

On September 20^th, I wrote a post “My Issues with Pope Francis” where I mentioned my own personal issues in not being able to embrace this Pope as I have with others.  I then dug into parts of Pope Francis interview with the rather ‘liberal, far left leaning’ [see link below] Jesuit magazine “America Magazine”.  

I was attempting to show my frustration with HOW Pope Francis faces the tough social issues BATTERING our world today.  Pope Francis might not want to discuss abortion and gay marriage very often but we HAVE to.  These issues aren’t going away and holding hands while singing Kumbaya isn’t going to help us at this point.

We HAVE to deal with abortion and gay marriage and nuns on the bus because these things are happening now.  Nations are voting on gay marriage and legalizing abortions. The Church MUST speak up and tell its members WHY these things can NOT be supported in any way, shape or form.  If we don't talk about it now it will be far too late- as it is in many nations already.

I have a habit of watching “the other side” to see how they react to things.  When President Bush would speak, I would watch the politically liberal side to see how they reacted.  How did they take what was said, did they get it?  Did they fight against it?  How the other side reacts tells a lot.

When Pope Francis became Pope it was very unusual… every side liked him!  Wonderful!  We NEED a Pope that is respected and listened to by ALL people.  This is unity, if only in the listening stage.  Baby steps is an okay place to start, but we must grow.

If you’ve got their attention, you can begin to TEACH them.

Here is where I personally have my first “issue with Pope Francis”.

You see, I want a TEACHER.  He wants to be a HEALER. Not HIS fault, but there it is.  That is MY issue with Pope Francis. It doesn't mean he is wrong, it means I have an issue with what he is doing.  He would only be wrong if he taught AGAINST the Faith.

Right or wrong, it is my personal opinion that GOD is the Healer, and the Church is to TEACH the Faith She was given by Christ.  

That is NOT to say we don’t apologize, do charitable works, be humble, show kindness etc.  But to me, the FIRST thing we are is TEACHERS.  If you TEACH the Gospel Message the love is obvious.  Jesus died FOR LOVE OF US.  Tell people that!  Tell them our sins HURT God and our relationship with Him.  Tell people what sin is and that we MUST repent to repair the damage WE do.  Teach people they ARE responsible for their sins.  If you don’t tell them abortion is a mortal sin, you are NOT loving them because their salvation is in jeopardy.  

A person’s soul is the most important thing to Jesus- He wants ALL to be saved.  They can’t be saved if they don’t repent and turn from sin.  TEACH what Jesus said to TEACH.  The healing will come from knowing God and His love.  He is The Healer.  Trust Him.

Christ’s Great Commission to the Church was “Go out into the world and TEACH” the Gospel Message- which is salvation from Christ our Savior.

Matthew 28 ^18 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The entire world is FULL of hurt and wounded people- it has been since Cain and Abel and it will be until the Second Coming.  Look at the Commission Jesus gave to His Church... you TELL them about Jesus, you baptize them (that comes AFTER repenting) and you TEACH them to OBEY the Church.  Doing those things IS loving them.  That is the GREATEST act of charity anyone can do- bring Jesus to a sinner!  Salvation! 

We have no idea how much time any of us has left on this earth, so we MUST take EVERY opportunity to TEACH the world what Jesus instructed us to teach. 

In July, at the end of World Youth Day, Pope Francis made a statement about gays.  It was interpreted differently by nearly everyone who heard it.

My frustration is, if he had merely said “I believe exactly what the Catholic Church teaches, that gays are called to celibacy and they are to be respected as all people.”

Period!

Done.  

No misconceptions about that.  

No false hope for “progressive” Catholics.  No error to be spread.  Simply the Truth from God through the Holy Catholic Church, as it should be.

"Not to oppose error is to approve it; and not to defend truth is to suppress it; and indeed to neglect to confound evil men, when we can do it, is no less a sin than to encourage them." -Pope St. Felix III

I don’t like ‘gray areas’ (I used to be protestant and I LIVED in those gray areas- I won't go back and I HATE to see others in it) and while I know the Pope isn’t IN a gray area of teaching, his subtly in speaking is putting what he says in a gray area, where anyone can interpreted it any way they like.  And they are!

For example, remember how I said I ‘watch the other side’ to see how they react to things?

After Pope Francis' statements on the plane about gays, the “other side” cheered as if the Pope had suddenly approved gay marriage.  We KNOW he didn’t, but he confused them and others with his words.  These “progressive” Catholics now have a false hope put in their hearts by the Pope’s unclear statements.

The "Freedom To Marry" gay folks have hijacked Pope Francis as their 

see link to their website

POSTER CHILD- literally! 

The Catholic Church Reform came out with a letter to Pope Francis [http://catholicchurchreform.com/newsletters.html ] making five requests to the Pope, 
1) “radical justice”, 
2) “open dialogue”- namely free reign to the liberal nuns and priests, 
3) “equality for all members”- open communion for anyone who wants it and openly gay couples serving in all areas of the Church with no one to tell them gay sexual relationships are sin, 
4) letting the “faithful select” their own bishops- men or women, which ever they want to lead them, 
and 5) confronting and preventing clergy abuse.

They believe (per their website) that Pope Francis is the Pope they have been waiting for to “set them free” of the yoke they’ve been suffering under for so long as progressive Catholics.

The “Catholics United” group came out with:

PRESS RELEASE: Pope to Right-Wingers: I’m Not One of You

Posted September 19, 2013

 In startlingly honest interview, Pope confirms he believes the “imbalance” caused by the far right is damaging to the reputation of the churchWASHINGTON—Today, lay Catholics across the world are celebrating a wide-ranging interview given by Pope Francis to 17 Jesuit-affiliated periodicals. In the interview, published in English by the Catholic magazine America, Francis articulates his vision of moving the priorities of the Catholic faith away from divisive social issues, like what he calls an “obsession” with gay marriage, abortion and contraception, while refocusing on core Gospel teachings relating to poverty.In the interview, found at America’s website, americamagazine.org, Pope Francis makes a number of statements that provide hope to lay Catholics who want a church more rooted in social justice values [end- full story in links below]

And this one from a “Catholics United” Fox News Contributor who wrote the above article: …

Thank God -- Pope Francis tells Catholics they need an attitude adjustment

By James Salt

Published September 20, 2013 

 [In part] “Lay Catholics across the world are celebrating a wide-ranging interview given by Pope Francis to 17 Jesuit-affiliated periodicals. In the interview, published in English by the Catholic magazine America, Francis offers us some of his most startling thoughts, such that our church needs an attitude adjustment and should be more in tune with the needs of the laity.And most notably, he suggests the Catholic Church has become obsessed with divisive social issues like abortion, gay marriage and contraception. In his own words, he suggests that reducing the faith to these issues threatens to collapse the “moral edifice” of the Church and fails to honor the “full fragrance of the Gospel.”To be clear, Francis is not suggesting a change in Catholic teaching. Instead, he is suggesting we must revisit how our teachings are manifested. Rather than leading the culture war against abortion, gay marriage and contraception, perhaps, he suggests, the church would be better served by walking with those who are struggling with these very human conditions. Instead of judging people with the rigidity of doctrine, why don’t we minister to their needs?The pope’s comments are groundbreaking because of their stark contrast with what we’ve been hearing from the American Catholic bishops lately.”

 [More from the same article]

“And this trend offers hope to more than just Catholics. As many fallen away Catholics find renewed hope in a church institution that has lost relevance, so, too, can conservatives learn to be more responsible in how they govern.Francis offers conservative lawmakers a roadmap for how to regain credibility. Instead of embracing socially-divisive issue campaigns, perhaps the conservative movement would be better served by focusing on what can unite us.What if, like Francis, they led by example?Perhaps a more humble, less strident approach would help people better understand the merits of their argument.So this Sunday, I expect to see more faces of formerly lost sheep in the pews. I know many of my progressive friends are planning to give Sunday services a second look. Let’s hope priests and bishops take Francis’ advice and welcome them with open arms.” [Link below]

Here's another one:

Pope Francis: music to my progressive Catholic ears

 As I read the pope's lengthy interview in America, a national Catholic weekly, all I could think was, 'this guy gets it'

 But Francis, as he's done since the white smoke rose, confounded my expectations. His words from a lengthy interview in the latest issue of America, a Catholic weekly, rang more like poetry than prose to my progressive Catholic ears.

The church should be a "home for all" and not a "small chapel" limited to a chosen few? Yes.
"I have never been a right-winger"? Me neither.
"I believe consultation is very important"? Call me anytime.
The church is "the people of God, pastors and people together"? Amen.
All I could think was, "This guy gets it". He gets what Catholics have been saying for years. He gets that Catholics don't want our hierarchy to have limited views that don't reflect our own. He gets why so many Catholics have been searching for the nearest exit. He gets that things need to change.[end quote-link below]

Oh yes, the liberals and/or progressives (some don’t like to be called ‘liberal’ anymore) are beside themselves with joy because they did NOT hear a clear message from Pope Francis.  His subtle way of talking has caused confusion among these Catholics (and others) who are now believing the Pope will ordain women and allow for gay marriage.

This frustrates me on three levels.

1)    Because I personally like things nice and tidy, crystal clear.

2)    Because when these “progressives” finally figure out that Church teaching is NOT going to change for gay marriage, abortion, birth control etc, they are going to be CRUSHED and furious.  Why get their hopes up?

3)    And finally because our Bishops and Cardinals here in America are a bit shell shocked right now. Besides jumping on every media outlet they can to explain what the Pope REALLY meant, now they find themselves unsure what to do next.

Think I’m kidding?

Read Cardinal Burkes interview saying just about the exact OPPOSITE of Pope Francis…

Here is [in part] a Q & A from what I believe is THE BEST Catholic interview this year- a must read! [Link to full interview below]

Question: Many faithful Catholics are troubled when high- profile political figures with unconcealed antilife, anti- family positions are honored in such ways as receiving invitations to speak at Catholic university commencement ceremonies and given honorary degrees or memorialized at public Catholic funeral Masses without having renounced their immoral positions. Faithful Catholics, at the same time, are taught they have committed a serious sin if they vote for these same candidates. How are those who are seriously trying to live out their faith to reconcile this apparent contradiction?

Cardinal Burke Responds: You cannot reconcile it — it is a contradiction, it is wrong, it is a scandal, and it must stop! We live in a culture with a false sense of dialogue — which has also crept into the Church — where we pretend to dialogue about open and egregious violations of the moral law. Can we believe it is permissible to recognize publicly people who support open and egregious violations, and then act surprised if someone is scandalized by it? For Catholic institutions or individuals to give recognition to such persons, to honor them in any way, is a source of grave scandal for which they are responsible. In a certain way, they contribute to the sinfulness of the individuals involved. There is no way to reconcile it; it simply is wrong.

Cardinal Burke talking about Mass attendance:  Sadly, in the time after the Second Vatican Council, there was a reform of the sacred liturgy which made it man- centered and banal. In some cases it actually became hard for people to bear because of illicit insertions, foreign agendas, and imposition of the personalities of priests and congregations into the liturgy to the point that people began to think that the Mass was some sort of social activity. If they did not find it acceptable, they did not go anymore.If one understands what the Mass truly is — Christ Himself coming down from Heaven to renew the sacrifice of Calvary — how could you possibly not be there on Sunday? In the past people understood this and Mass attendance was in the 80- 90 percent range. We have to restore the sanctity of the celebration of Holy Eucharist so that those who have fallen away will return to the practice.Secondly, when people are not coming to Mass in great numbers, as is the case, they do not hear the Sunday homily which is the principal means for instruction of faithful adults in the Church. In some places, even where people do attend Mass, they are not being instructed as they should be. The bishops first, and then the priests with them, must be clear and consistent in presenting the truth about the freedom of conscience and the evils of the health-care mandate.Thirdly, in the situation as it is, which we simply must recognize, lay people giving witness to fellow lay people is the only solution. More and more sincere and informed Catholics must be ready to give an account of their Faith to others even if they are not the most eloquent and articulate. The very fact that they approach and speak with a fellow Catholic about a question like freedom of conscience will not go without a positive effect on that individual. [End- see link to full interview below]

And here we see the confusion among our Bishops over Pope Francis interview:

Pope's blunt remarks pose challenge for bishops

AP-RACHEL ZOLL 

 [In part] “The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops warned Catholics that voting for abortion-rights supporters could endanger their souls. Church leaders in Minnesota, Maine and elsewhere took prominent roles in opposing legal recognition for same-sex marriage in their states. Bishops censured some theologians and prompted a Vatican-directed takeover of the largest association for American nuns by bringing complaints to Rome that the sisters strayed from church teaching and paid too little attention to abortion. 

Terrence Tilley, a theologian at Fordham University, said Francis wasn't silencing discussion of abortion or gay marriage, but indicating those issues should be less central, for the sake of evangelizing. But he noted that bishops have independence to decide how they should handle local political issues."Although Francis is sending a clear signal that he's not a culture warrior, that doesn't mean the bishops will follow in lockstep," Tilley said. 

Few of the U.S. bishops who have commented so far on Francis' interview indicated they planned to change. 

Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, head of the bishops' religious liberty committee, said in a phone interview, "Issues do arise and we cannot always control the timing." However, he added, "Every time I make a statement about one of these things I will certainly take another look at it and ask, 'Does this really lead people back to the heart of the Gospel?" 

And… 

“Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, head of the bishops' defense-of-marriage committee, said in a brief statement, "We must address key issues and if key issues are in the minds of those who are talking with us we will address them."

 "In San Francisco, these issues are very relevant to daily life for the people of this archdiocese," said Christine Mugridge, a spokeswoman for Cordileone. "As long as the people of the archdiocese have particular talking points that are pressing upon them, the archbishop will respond to those talking points."

And…”New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the bishops' conference, said he thought the pope was telling everyone — inside and outside the church — to focus less on polarizing debates on sex and morals." 

I don't know if it's just the church that seems obsessed with those issues. It seems to be culture and society," Dolan said on "CBS This Morning." 

"What I think he's saying is, 'Those are important issues and the church has got to keep talking about them, but we need to talk about them in a fresh new way.' If we keep kind of a negative, finger-wagging tone, it's counterproductive. "

 And…”Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, R.I., just last week had said in an interview with his diocesan newspaper that he was "a little bit disappointed" that Francis hadn't spoken out about abortion. On Friday, in a statement responding to the pope's remarks, Tobin said he admired Francis' leadership.” [End]

**Note: Even Dolan isn't SURE what Pope Francis is saying** 

While the Bishops jumped to attention getting on news program, after news program to CLARIFY what Pope Francis REALLY meant, other Bishops were wondering how to proceed- especially when dealing with Obama’s HHS Mandate.  Had Pope Francis spoken clearly, he would not need Bishops and Cardinals going to the media and social news outlets to tell the world ‘Calm down, it’s not what you think!’.

I know Pope’s have been misunderstood in the past, but have you ever seen one THIS misunderstood THIS often?  He hasn’t even been Pope for a year yet, the world is topsy turvy with trying to figure out just what he means every time he opens his mouth.

That is my frustration.

I KNOW he believes and keeps the official beliefs of the Holy Catholic Church- I just wish the rest of the world knew it too.

So my post “My Issues with Pope Francis” caused a stir with many. One person seemed to think I was going to leave the Church because I couldn’t embrace Pope Francis as easily as I had Benedict before him!

Twitter follower: Pray for Him [Pope Francis], but I highly recommend you submit yourself to the highest authority we have on earth, else soon a Protestant.

One person asked me if I thought the Pope was a heretic and how could I still call him “pope”!  I never suggested the Pope was a heretic.  

My issues- note these are MY personal issues I posted about – are that he does not 1) speak clearly enough (if he did the Bishops wouldn’t be on the media 24/7 clarifying) and 2) that he doesn’t talk about sin and repentance ALONG with all the love and charitable stuff.  Jesus wasn't stingy on teaching against sins and going to Hell, I wish our clergy- from the pope down- wouldn't be stingy either.  Repentance is what the Apostles in the Bible taught, so should our clergy today.

Even atheists are loving and charitable, yet you’ll find no salvation there.

There is nothing on earth more important than the Eucharist and a person’s soul, so when I feel either have been slighted or put in jeopardy in anyway by anyone, I am going to say something. That's just how I'm wired.

My frustration with Pope Francis is that I feel the salvation of people’s souls are in danger because they are confused by his words.  I do not believe he INTENDED to cause confusion; nevertheless, confusion has ensued and must be dealt with.  God bless all the Bishops for going to the media and trying to explain what our Pope means each time he speaks.  Without the Bishops to clarify, we’d be in a far worse predicament.

You HAVE to know that SOMETHING is being lost in translation when you have “progressive” and “liberal” Catholics CHEERING for a pope.  Watch the “other side” and you will see what a mess they are in over all of this.

That is my opinion.  

I am not, now nor ever leaving the Catholic Church- not even if Obama himself was made pope.  I know there is no other place in the world for me, but the Catholic Church.  I will love Her and defend her to my last breath, regardless of who is sitting at the Vatican.  Because who the pope is doesn’t affect the official teachings of the Church. Our Church has survived far too many ‘Bad Popes’ to worry about a new pope who makes some confusing statements.  I didn't join Christ's Holy Catholic Church because of who the current pope is and I wouldn't leave because of any pope either. I am Catholic because it is the ONLY Church Jesus Christ created on earth and that is all I need to know.

My hope is that Pope Francis gets tired of having to have the Bishops explain what he means all the time and will instead learn to speak more clearly in the future to prevent confusion.

I will pray for him, my Church and myself to find more patience, understanding and that I come to love this pope as I have loved others before him.  Love isn't always at 'first sight', sometimes it takes time.

I hope I have clarified myself on my personal views of Pope Francis.  And I hope you all will pray for me and with me.

In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner

May God bless us all and strengthen our Holy Catholic Church.

Related Post [My Issues with Pope Francis]: http://connecticutcatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-issues-with-pope-francis.html

Is America Magazine liberal? [Wiki]- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America_(magazine)

Related Post [Progressive Catholics in the Church]: http://connecticutcatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2013/09/progressive-catholics-in-church.html

Catholic Church Reform: http://catholicchurchreform.com/

Catholics Unitied: http://www.catholics-united.org/

FoxNews: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/09/20/thank-god-pope-francis-says-catholics-need-attitude-adjustment/

Cardinal Burke Interview: http://www.thewandererpress.com/ee/wandererpress/index.php?pSetup=wandererpress&curDate=20130905

Bishops dealing with Pope’s statements: http://news.yahoo.com/popes-blunt-remarks-pose-challenge-bishops-171737440.html

Bad Popes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bad_Popes

Freedom to Marry: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/as-catholic-support-for-marriage-grows-pope-francis-makes-inclusive-stateme

Pope Francis: Music to my Progressive Ears: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/20/pope-francis-stance-gays-women-progressive

My Issues with Pope Francis

Is Pope Francis a wishy-washy spineless pope?  Perhaps a pawn, to be used by the liberals inside and outside the Church?  Does he see what others see happening in our Church?  Does it bother him?  

I have a very dear Catholic friend who is freaking out because I am “having issues” with Pope Francis.  It’s not that I don’t WANT to like him and think highly of him, I do.  I really, really do.  But… it’s just not happening for me.  

I tried to give it time after the whole “Holy Week Debacle”[Muslim women foot washing etc]… he was ‘new’, he was a “different kind of pope”… he “needed time”… Well he still hasn’t grown on me, instead I have more issues now with him than I did months ago!  That is not to say, I've tossed in the towel, I haven't. I will continue to pray for him, my Church and myself to come to some sort of peace with "my issues with Pope Francis".

My most recent "issues" (like oh so many other Catholics out there) are from his interview. *sigh*

Here are my thoughts on what the Pope said in his recent American Magazine interview.  Please share your views as well in the comments or in email to me (see sidebar).

Pope Francis says: “Vatican II was a re-reading of the Gospel in light of contemporary culture,” says the pope. “Vatican II produced a renewal movement that simply comes from the same Gospel. Its fruits are enormous. Just recall the liturgy. The work of liturgical reform has been a service to the people as a re-reading of the Gospel from a concrete historical situation. Yes, there are hermeneutics of continuity and discontinuity, but one thing is clear: the dynamic of reading the Gospel, actualizing its message for today—which was typical of Vatican II—is absolutely irreversible. Then there are particular issues, like the liturgy according to the Vetus Ordo. I think the decision of Pope Benedict [his decision of July 7, 2007, to allow a wider use of the Tridentine Mass] was prudent and motivated by the desire to help people who have this sensitivity. What is worrying, though, is the risk of the ideologization of the Vetus Ordo, its exploitation.”

Me: The “enormous fruits” from Vatican II are less than 30% of Catholics actually believe the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. We had nearly 60,000 priests in the United States in 1965 and now we can’t even reach 40,000.  Only 12% of todays Catholics attend Mass for Holy Days of Obligation when they don’t fall on a Sunday. And 57% of Catholics miss Mass because they do not believe it’s a sin to do so.  I don’t know what “fruits” you are looking at Papa, but the fruits I see are sadly too often ROTTEN.

The Bible:  Matthew 7 “15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus you will know them by their fruits.”

Pope Francis says:  “How are we treating the people of God? I dream of a church that is a mother and shepherdess. The church’s ministers must be merciful, take responsibility for the people and accompany them like the Good Samaritan, who washes, cleans and raises up his neighbor. This is pure Gospel.”

Me:  I think you are wrong Papa, that is PART of the Gospel, but not “pure” Gospel. A good parent CORRECTS his/her wayward children, lest they have an obnoxious brat to spawn on society. And you failed to mention some or ALL the Bible parts about repenting, sinning no more and the fact that you will go to Hell if you don’t repent.  Jesus was big on preaching warnings about HELL and the dangers of sin.  Now that Papa is PURE Gospel.  

The Bible: Matthew 5 “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.^{[l] 30} And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.”

Pope Francis says: “The ministers of the Gospel must be people who can warm the hearts of the people, who walk through the dark night with them, who know how to dialogue and to descend themselves into their people’s night, into the darkness, but without getting lost. The people of God want pastors, not clergy acting like bureaucrats or government officials. The bishops, particularly, must be able to support the movements of God among their people with patience, so that no one is left behind. But they must also be able to accompany the flock that has a flair for finding new paths.”

Me: “a flair for finding new paths”, oh yes, like “Catholics for Choice” and “Catholic Reform Church” where their “new paths” hoping to lead to women priests, gay marriages, abortions, sinless masturbation, free birth control for all and nuns on the bus.  Oh yes, Papa, we’ve seen the “new paths” and they scare the Hell out of many still practicing Catholics. [By “practicing” I mean the Catholics who still believe ALL the Church teaches.]  We need CLEAR and SPELLED OUT leadership teaching the Faith so there is no (or at the very least) LESS confusion IN our Church.

The Bible: 2 Peter 2 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned. ³ And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced against them long ago, has not been idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

Pope Francis says: “Instead of being just a church that welcomes and receives by keeping the doors open, let us try also to be a church that finds new roads, that is able to step outside itself and go to those who do not attend Mass, to those who have quit or are indifferent. The ones who quit sometimes do it for reasons that, if properly understood and assessed, can lead to a return. But that takes audacity and courage.”

Me: Forgive me Papa, but just HOW do you purpose to do that when parishes are closing, and we can’t even find priests to reside at the parishes still open?  Do you have any idea what the Church in the United States looks like?  My own priest runs around like a chicken with his head cut off between two parishes in two different towns.  The poor man is nearly out of breath as he RACES from one parish to another then back again to make all the masses he has to do by himself! You want him to go bagging door to door begging Catholics who rejected the teachings of the Church to come back?  Just when should he pencil that into his schedule Papa?  Sorry, but I think you have a FANTASY view of what the Church is today.  Not all of us live in Catholic dominate cultures. 

Pope Francis is asked: I mention to Pope Francis that there are Christians who live in situations that are irregular for the church or in complex situations that represent open wounds. I mention the divorced and remarried, same-sex couples and other difficult situations. What kind of pastoral work can we do in these cases? What kinds of tools can we use?

Pope Francis responds: “We need to proclaim the Gospel on every street corner,” the pope says, “preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing, even with our preaching, every kind of disease and wound. In Buenos Aires I used to receive letters from homosexual persons who are ‘socially wounded’ because they tell me that they feel like the church has always condemned them. But the church does not want to do this. During the return flight from Rio de Janeiro I said that if a homosexual person is of good will and is in search of God, I am no one to judge. By saying this, I said what the catechism says. Religion has the right to express its opinion in the service of the people, but God in creation has set us free: it is not possible to interfere spiritually in the life of a person.”

Me: Yes Papa, actually you ARE to judge those inside the Church- read 1 Cor. 5 and pay close attention to verses 12 & 13. If you don't judge their actions and words you can't correct error- that's been a huge problem since Vatican II.  Which Gospel Papa?  The warm fuzzies or the part about sin and repenting? In my catechism it clearly says homosexuals are “disordered” and “called to chastity”. Period.  What does yours say?

The Bible: Romans 1 “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, ²⁷ and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.²⁸ And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to things that should not be done. ²⁹ They were filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, craftiness, they are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, God-haters, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, rebellious toward parents, ³¹ foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. ³² They know God’s decree, that those who practice such things deserve to die—yet they not only do them but even applaud others who practice them.” 

The Catechism: #2357 - Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,¹⁴¹ tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."¹⁴² They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.” 

#2358 – “The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.”

Pope Francis continues: “A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: ‘Tell me: when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’ We must always consider the person. Here we enter into the mystery of the human being. In life, God accompanies persons, and we must accompany them, starting from their situation. It is necessary to accompany them with mercy. When that happens, the Holy Spirit inspires the priest to say the right thing.”

Me: The problem with that statement Papa is you assume ALL clergy are listening to the Holy Spirit. Look around… you can’t possibly fail to see the morally bankrupt clergy still heading parishes and dioceses around the world- no one is that blind.

Francis continues: “This is also the great benefit of confession as a sacrament: evaluating case by case and discerning what is the best thing to do for a person who seeks God and grace. The confessional is not a torture chamber, but the place in which the Lord’s mercy motivates us to do better. I also consider the situation of a woman with a failed marriage in her past and who also had an abortion. Then this woman remarries, and she is now happy and has five children. That abortion in her past weighs heavily on her conscience and she sincerely regrets it. She would like to move forward in her Christian life. What is the confessor to do?”

Me:  Preach the REAL PURE Gospel, not the warm fuzzies for itching ears [2 Tim.4].  Do you think the Nancy Pelosi’s and Joe Biden’s in the Church “sincerely regret” supporting and promoting abortion and gay marriage?  THOSE are the people who need you to STAND UP, POINT YOUR FINGER IN THEIR FACES AND TELL THEM THEY ARE IN MORTAL SIN AND IF THEY DON’T STOP THEY WILL GO TO HELL.  How about preaching THAT pure Gospel Papa?  It’s the one they need to hear.  It’s the ONLY one that will bring them salvation.

The Bible:  Matthew 5 ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.”

Luke 12 ⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. ⁵ But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”

Matthew 13 ^40 “Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, ⁴² and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!”

Pope Francis continues: “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible. I have not spoken much about these things, and I was reprimanded for that. But when we speak about these issues, we have to talk about them in a context. The teaching of the church, for that matter, is clear and I am a son of the church, but it is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.”

Me:  You must be the “Pollyanna” Michael Voris was speaking of to even suggest such a thing.  Since WHEN is it “not necessary” to preach what sin is and the destruction it brings to the soul? What's more important than saving souls? To say I am ‘disappointed’ with your statement Pope Francis does not begin to convene my feelings right now.

Pope Francis says: “The dogmatic and moral teachings of the church are not all equivalent. The church’s pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently. Proclamation in a missionary style focuses on the essentials, on the necessary things: this is also what fascinates and attracts more, what makes the heart burn, as it did for the disciples at Emmaus. We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel. The proposal of the Gospel must be more simple, profound, radiant. It is from this proposition that the moral consequences then flow.”

Me after I pick myself up off the floor:  “not all equivalent”?  The “essentials”? How about CRUCIAL TO SALVATION? We saw what the Reformation did when the Reformers decided some of Catholic teaching was “not all equivalent”… do you really think that was helpful to Christianity Papa? The “essentials” Papa, are 1) teaching who Jesus was, 2) teaching what sin is and the need for repentance, 3) teaching the Sacraments and 4) that salvation comes through Christ’s Holy Catholic Church because Christ created Her for the SOLE purpose!  The Great Commission [Matthew 28:19-20]! Those are the “essentials” to salvation if you want to get down to the very basics.  What “new balance” does the Church suddenly need now, that Jesus Christ didn’t give to Her two thousand years ago?   You got some new ideas Papa for this "new balance"?

The Bible: Matthew 28 ^18 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [note the ‘teaching them to OBEY EVERYTHING I commanded you”- not just the warm fuzzy parts]

Pope Francis continues: “I say this also thinking about the preaching and content of our preaching. A beautiful homily, a genuine sermon must begin with the first proclamation, with the proclamation of salvation. There is nothing more solid, deep and sure than this proclamation. Then you have to do catechesis. Then you can draw even a moral consequence. But the proclamation of the saving love of God comes before moral and religious imperatives. Today sometimes it seems that the opposite order is prevailing. The homily is the touchstone to measure the pastor’s proximity and ability to meet his people, because those who preach must recognize the heart of their community and must be able to see where the desire for God is lively and ardent. The message of the Gospel, therefore, is not to be reduced to some aspects that, although relevant, on their own do not show the heart of the message of Jesus Christ.”

Me: It must be me, but I don’t understand YOUR version of “the message of Jesus Christ”, Papa and I am trying, honest I am.  Oh I get the “be charitable” and “be humble” parts… but what about all the rest? The "love of God" is this: Jesus DIED FOR OUR SINS. That's the "love of God"- notice how "love" and "sin" are together? Jesus mostly preached about sin, repenting and going to Hell if you didn’t.  He SHOWED mercy and love in his actions, but he SPOKE the words the people needed to hear whether they liked it or not.  

You Pope Francis (and all our clergy) would do well to mimic our Perfect Example in Christ Jesus.  Let your actions be charitable and loving, let you words strike the depths of mankind’s hearts with the FULL Gospel Message- not the warm fuzzies for the salvation of souls, which IS your commission from Jesus Christ.  Stick with the mission you were given.

The Bible: 2 Timothy 4 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: ² proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. ⁵ As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.”

Source: http://www.americamagazine.org/pope-interview

Anyone else out there feel as I do?

Have any suggestions on how to “get over it” and love my Pope in spite of the “issues” I have with him?

All opinions are my own…

In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner

***UPDATE: MUST READ -> PART TWO OF THIS POST: 

http://connecticutcatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-issues-with-pope-francis-part-two.html

Related post: "Who am I to judge?" You're Pope! Teach the Faith! link: http://connecticutcatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2013/07/who-am-i-to-judge-youre-pope-teach-faith.html

Related post: Did Michael Voris just call Pope Francis a "Pollyanna"?

link: http://connecticutcatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2013/09/did-michael-voris-just-call-pope.html