Posted on 09/20/2013 6:55:31 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o
Pope Francis encouraged Catholic doctors to refuse to perform abortions today in a bizarre U-turn on comments yesterday that condemned the church's obsession with 'small-minded things'.
In a remarkable 12,000 word interview published on Thursday, Francis said he was resolved to reform the church, which had a tendency to get caught up in 'small minded things'.
‘It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time,’ he said. ‘We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods.’
But today he seemed a different man, telling gynecologists: 'Every child that isn't born, but is unjustly condemned to be aborted, has the face of Jesus Christ, has the face of the Lord.'
He also talked fervently about the impact of money and greed on society.
'The widespread preoccupation with profits and today's throw-away culture, that enslave the hearts and minds of us all, come at a high cost: they serve to destroy the human race, above all the weak.'
'Greed,' he said, 'is a sin against the First Commandment. One cannot worship God and money.
'Here is why. Money becomes idolatry. And Jesus tells us that you cannot serve money and God. It must be one or the other.'
Describing money as 'a seduction that makes you to slide slowly into perdition', he added: 'Money corrupts thought, it corrupts faith.'
The medical profession, he added, is a paradox because 'while we allow people new rights, we do not always protect life as a primary value and a basic right of every man.'
Speaking to a congregation of Catholic gynecologists in Rome, he declared, "Every unborn child, though condemned to be aborted, has Christ's face." He urged them to refuse to participate in abortions.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Now, I actually disagree with pope on one point. I don't think that the Church obsesses about gays and abortion and such. I think that the Church is always defending itself and that the Progressives are obsessed.
That being said, I agree with his new tone. But just because he tells us not to obsess about rules and put love first, he is not selling out on the fundamentals.
The Left can't comprehend this-- if you are not with them on the issues, you are obviously a BAD PERSON.
I knew from the start that this Pope would confound every part of the spectrum.
The only thing that comes to mind here for me is ‘you can’t be all things to all people”
My impression is that Pope Francis didn’t articulate well by using the phrase “small minded things”.
I’m guessing he meant to say The Church can only evangelize by being loving and welcoming first.
If you are always in condemnation mode - people will tune you out.
This does not mean - as the MSM- would have us believe- that he has any intention of changing one iota of the teaching.
The Pope is still Catholic - oh the horror!
First they create this narrative, with their selecting, their cropping, and their framing, that Pope Francis is a wonderful enlightened progressive fellow who is following the secular modernist line.
A prime example: they interpret the phrase "small-minded things" to mean the Moral Law as it relates to the Sanctity of Sex, the Sanctity of Life, and the Sovereignty of God. (!) (!) and (!) --- an interpretation which simply effaces several millennia of Judeo-Christian moral teaching and Pope Franicis' lifelong role as a diligent expounder of that Law.
Then they are bumfoozled when it turns out that's not what he meant. Duh?
Pope Francis' point about "not obsessing" about the currently disputed moral principles, is that the first duty is always to evangelize: to invite people into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.
What is our Gospel? Not the Bad News (law, law, and More Law) but the Good News (Know Jesus, the Lord, the Savior!) If they know and love the Lord, they will receive the grace to know the Law and do it, because the Law will be in their hearts.
Can I please have an Amen?!
Daily Wail is stooping to printing AP articles now?
Kind of disappointed that the Pope let himself be so unclear. He’s a Jesuit, they’re supposed to be the smartest.
No bias in the AP these days, I see.
I suppose.
I’m just glad no one is watching my every word just so people can twist and turn meaning where there is none.
Add in the factor of translating the real meaning from the original language, and you’ve got plenty of opportunity for ant- Christian forces to make mountains out of mole hills.
He is a smart man - he will clarify his position
AMEN!!
IMHO, Francis is playing the media. This isn’t the first time he’s said something provocative that gets the global media scrambling, misquoting, hearing what they want to hear, and then having their balloon popped when everybody is paying attention.
Amen.
They could use a lot of popping.
And the funny thing is... They are still reporting on this as if HE is the one who is confused!
I suppose one should look to occupy places of blessings and with people of blessings rather than go after transgressors or transgressions which are symptoms rather than the disease of the heart - wrong consciousness. Money is a byproduct of fruitfulness which like the flesh can be turned into an object of desire or force instead of applying it as a well funxtioning vehicle.
Kind of disappointed that the Pope let himself be so unclear.I agree! He can be confusing.
Every new pope that does not already have a reputation as a conservative is hailed as the new liberator of homosexuals and abortionists, etc., as essentially a mainline Protestant or Unitarian. The Press et al are hoping they can overwhelm the new pope with Approval so that he becomes what they acclaim him for. Doesn’t work.
Very well put.
True- hence their mistreatment of Benedict XVI.
They already knew where he stood, and attacked him from day one.
Yes, but does he have such a tin ear that he is completely unaware, insensitive, and totally oblivious to the massive, intense controversy and embroiling brouhaha that ensue every single time he dons those fancy, luxurious, expensive, fuzzy pink bunny slippers, especially being so close to all the hungry chipmunks who live right there in the forest, directly behind that tree line?!?!?!?
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