Posted on 04/29/2013 7:19:17 AM PDT by marshmallow
Despite the popular impression that Pope Francis represents a strong break with the past, those who remember the early days of Benedict's papacy can't help but be struck by some obvious parallels by what we've seen over the past month.
Then, as now, people were talking about a demystification of the papacy. Benedict famously appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Square still swearing an ordinary black sweater under his new vestments and declared himself "a simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the lord."
Shortly after his election, Benedict went by his old apartment in Rome's Piazza Leonina to pack his own belongings. The residence is on the same floor with those of three other cardinals, and as he left, the pope rang their doorbells to thank the startled religious women who act as household staff for being such good neighbors.
The gestures seemed to bespeak an ordinary person who didn't allow his new role to override his humanity.
Then, as now, the new pope also moved swiftly to ratify a desire expressed during the general congregation meetings of cardinals prior to the conclave. Today, Francis has created an advisory body of eight cardinals from around the world to foster better collaboration with local churches; eight years ago, Benedict acted on a petition to dispense with the normal waiting period to open the beatification process for John Paul II.
In both cases, the new pope understood himself to be performing a collegial act based on what the cardinals who elected him said they wanted.
In light of these and other similarities, one can't help wondering if Francis will also trip over another parallel from the early period of Benedict's papacy: the risk of overheated expectations.
Eight years ago, excitement about the new pope was most feverish in certain.....
(Excerpt) Read more at ncronline.org ...
Not unlike the US Government, the Vatican is populated by layer under layer of self-serving bureaucrats who will no doubt work to undermine their boss and his policies at every turn.
And since he canceled their bonuses, I have no doubt that they are absolutely chomping at the bit to do so.
These “overheated expectations” seem to me to be a group think among the libs that Church teachings will change “with the times”. While there maybe some change in the bureauracy, there will be zero change in the teachings of the church no matter how much the media thinks they can muster. Somethings missing in most college programs, and perhaps every Journalism school, is morals and ethics. Truths do not evolve nor change over time.
They do if new info is introduced ... like ufos and the studying of the sky in Arizona by the church scientists... it will be an interesting time when the church makes those announcements...
I do think that B16 got a short shrift. For instance, B16 was an environmentalist as well. I think a lot of the differences inpress coverage have to do with personalities. Francis is an extrovert who is having a great time with his new job. I think that he is trying to break the JPII baby kissing record. I also think that B16 had the misfortune of following JPII.
Why would anyone have such an impression?
Considering that it’s National Catholic Reporter, I’m not surprised the author considers incendiary nihilists to be “moderates.” Just reading the first few comments on the site confirms he’s writing for a rather limited audience.
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