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Pope Francis calls for flexibility, patience as he opens talks on church teaching
Religion News Service ^ | February 20, 2014 | David Gibson

Posted on 02/21/2014 10:14:48 AM PST by ebb tide

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Thursday (Feb. 20) opened a major two-day meeting on the church’s approach to the complexities of modern family life, telling the world’s Catholic cardinals that the church needs a “pastoral” approach that is “intelligent, courageous and full of love” and not focused on abstract arguments.

In brief introductory remarks released by the Vatican, Francis pushed the closed-door summit of about 150 cardinals to “deepen the theology of the family and discern the pastoral practices which our present situation requires.”

He asked that they do so “thoughtfully” and by keeping the focus on “the beauty of family and marriage” while at the same time showing that the church is ready to help spouses “amid so many difficulties.” Francis added the phrase “intelligent, courageous and full of love” extemporaneously.

Francis summoned the cardinals to Rome for a weekend of ceremonies at which the pope will appoint his first batch of 19 “princes of the church,” as cardinals are often called.

But he asked them to arrive early so that they could spend time discussing one of Francis’ signature themes: shifting the church’s approach on controversial topics like divorce and remarriage, cohabitation, gay marriage and contraception.

Those issues will also be the focus of two larger and longer meetings of bishops at the Vatican this fall and in 2015.

“The pope has opened a dialogue, he’s not decided anything yet and now he’ll let us discuss,” Cardinal Walter Kasper, a German theologian who is a favorite of Francis, told Reuters on Thursday.

Kasper said the talks were not about changing doctrine or watering down traditional marriage — “that’s not possible,” he said. But “it’s a question of how to apply (church teaching to) the concrete, difficult, complex situation.”

Francis tapped Kasper to open the meetings with an address that would set the stage for the talks. Kasper — a onetime sparring partner of another German cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Benedict XVI — delivered a two-hour talk that centered on marriage and took up most of the morning’s session.

Kasper has pushed for relaxing the ban against Communion for Catholics who have divorced and remarried without an annulment; as a bishop in Germany in the 1990s, he tried to institute a policy that would allow divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion in certain circumstances. The plan was rejected by the Vatican’s doctrinal office, then headed by Ratzinger.

In his talk on Thursday, Kasper did not offer any specific proposals, but repeatedly stressed the importance of pastoral flexibility and realism in dealing with people in challenging or unusual family situations.

The Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican’s chief spokesman, said Kasper’s talk would remain private but he provided reporters with an overview of the address.

“Our efforts are not about restating that the doctrine of the church is thus and so,” Lombardi said in summarizing Kasper’s remarks. “Our efforts are about returning to the beginning of the doctrine itself, which is the gospel.”

Lombardi described Kasper’s talk as “in great harmony” with Francis’ views, stressing the importance of accompanying people in difficult circumstances and the need for patience in helping them.

Even before he was elected pope last March, Francis — then Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires — blasted priests who “hijacked” the sacraments and refused to baptize the children of unwed mothers. He called such clerics “hypocrites” who “drive God’s people away from salvation.”

After his election, Francis continued to make the point, telling a pregnant single woman that he would baptize her baby if she couldn’t find another priest to do it, and baptizing — in the storied Sistine Chapel — the baby of a couple who were married civilly but not in the church.

In other venues Francis has also repeatedly stressed the priority of preaching God’s mercy rather than focusing on the details of doctrine and church rules. That, in turn, has led some to wonder if he was signaling a possible change in some teachings.

But Vatican insiders say the pope prefers to try to change the church’s approach rather than start a civil war over doctrine that would distract from the church’s mission to the poor and marginalized.

That doesn’t mean the shift toward mercy and away from finger-wagging is sitting well with all church leaders. Disagreements were expected as each of the cardinals gets a chance to weigh in with their own views.

“Everybody will have a chance to yell about something,” one cardinal quipped after the first day’s sessions.


TOPICS: Catholic
KEYWORDS: divorce; francis; kasper; remarriage
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1 posted on 02/21/2014 10:14:48 AM PST by ebb tide
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To: ebb tide

Why does this make me nervous?


2 posted on 02/21/2014 10:17:38 AM PST by Paulie (Buy local, bank local, exert your influence locally; the left will fold like a cheap suit.)
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To: ebb tide

But he asked them to arrive early so that they could spend time discussing one of Francis’ signature themes: shifting the church’s approach on controversial topics like divorce and remarriage, cohabitation, gay marriage and contraception.

Fran........wrong will never be right. Flexibility is for Gumby.


3 posted on 02/21/2014 10:17:52 AM PST by shankbear (The tree of Liberty appears to be perishing because there are few patriots willing to refresh it.)
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To: Paulie

Because he seems willing to dilute Catholic teaching?

I am not even a Roman Catholic and this pope makes me nervous.


4 posted on 02/21/2014 10:23:58 AM PST by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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To: Army Air Corps

Having such a “conversation” is just telegraphing what he REALLY wants to do: Compromise God’s teachings.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


5 posted on 02/21/2014 10:31:05 AM PST by afsnco
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To: afsnco

Bingo.


6 posted on 02/21/2014 10:33:22 AM PST by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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To: Army Air Corps
I am not even a Roman Catholic and this pope makes me nervous.

Jesuits will jesuit.

7 posted on 02/21/2014 10:49:36 AM PST by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: ebb tide
World Over - 2014-02-20
8 posted on 02/21/2014 11:00:00 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: ebb tide
But Vatican insiders say the pope prefers to try to change the church’s approach rather than start a civil war over doctrine that would distract from the church’s mission to the poor and marginalized.

Makes it sound as though the Church's social justice mission is paramount, while doctrine is just a pesky distraction to a community organizing "people's church" in which social outreach trumps the mission for the salvation of souls.

9 posted on 02/21/2014 12:00:08 PM PST by BlatherNaut
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To: Berlin_Freeper

“only what is true can ultimately be pastoral”


10 posted on 02/21/2014 12:19:20 PM PST by BlatherNaut
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To: ebb tide

I hope the outcome is very serious pressure on parish priests to actually prepare couples for Catholic marriage, not look the other way at co-habiting and other accommodations to worldliness, such as intent to have just one or two children in order to maintain a certain standard of living, or to keep partying like they are single.

Catholics are supposed to live right and make it last and be unselfish and affectionate in their marriages. Priests can’t just say “at least they’re getting married in church”. Marriage is for mature people, and priests who want to be “nice” are doing couples a disservice by soft-pedaling what God is asking of us, and not explaining why such effort is totally worth it, because it offers a truly happy and lasting marriage.


11 posted on 02/21/2014 1:25:42 PM PST by married21 ( As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.)
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To: ebb tide

And all I can keep thinking is : Why is this even on the table?


12 posted on 02/21/2014 1:37:24 PM PST by piusv
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To: Berlin_Freeper

It amazes me that there was once a time I would watch that show to get the Truth.


13 posted on 02/21/2014 2:27:00 PM PST by piusv
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To: piusv

“And all I can keep thinking is : Why is this even on the table?”

Indeed. I would like to point out something to all Freepers that I have not found referred to on this site.

First, piusv, let me remind you of an article YOU posted regarding the REMOVAL of Cardinal Burke from his position on the Congregation for the Cause of Saints.

(You remember this, I’m sure, but I am posting the link for others.)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3103487/posts

OK, to me at least and perhaps to others, at first glance it could simply mean that Cardinal Burke is out of favor, and this is a little bit of Vatican Romanita.

However, quite apart from that sideshow and without thinking about the story above on the congregation, a question came to my mind. I know little about John XXIII, but some of the things I’ve read led me to be surprised that he was in line for sainthood.

Sooo ... I thought I’d do a little search on the 3 miracles attributed to John XXIII for his canonization which is to take place April 27 along with Pope John Paul II.

Well, guess what ...

“Francis also decided Friday to canonize another pope, John XXIII, even though there HAS BEEN NO SECOND MIRACLE (caps mine) attributed to his intercession. The Vatican said Francis approved a decision by cardinals and bishops.”

Repeat — NO SECOND MIRACLE, and of course no THIRD miracle either.

Source: http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/vatican-announces-popes-john-paul-ii-john-xxiii-to-be-canonized/

It appears that Pope Francis has hijacked the process to rebuff those who were trying to rectify the mistakes made during and after Vatican II. Cardinal Burke may have been trying to defend the PROCESS FOR CANONIZATION, IMHO.

April 27 may be an interesting day at the Vatican.


14 posted on 02/21/2014 2:43:50 PM PST by stisidore (MM, let's see here)
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To: stisidore

Not that I disagree with your post, but I guess I’m unsure of the connection between the current thread and the older one.

Or maybe I’m just dense. ;-)


15 posted on 02/21/2014 3:12:17 PM PST by piusv
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To: piusv

Move along, nothing to see here. Nothing changes in Catholic Social Doctrine. They might get rid of some red tape in the annulment process but noting else. Dogma is dogma.


16 posted on 02/21/2014 3:28:12 PM PST by NKP_Vet ("I never went to college, I was too busy learning stuff!" ~ Ted Nugent)
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To: NKP_Vet

Which is it: Doctrine or Dogma?

And what in the heck is “Social Doctrine”?

As far as annulments, I’ve already seen your knowledge of that subject.


17 posted on 02/21/2014 3:51:22 PM PST by ebb tide
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To: piusv

Up until Francis, popes didn’t put doctrine on the table. He’s doing his best to lessen the primacy of the papacy in deference to “collegiality”.

He needs many prayers.


18 posted on 02/21/2014 3:59:10 PM PST by ebb tide
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To: piusv

You’re point is well-taken.

I am keeping in mind what I believe Bishop O’Malley said, in that we need to hold on to our seats regarding the main point of the actions about to be taken here in your posted article.

MY tenuous point here is that there may be in the offing from this article you posted some ill-advised changes that are not really being ‘discussed’ but in reality are about to be foisted upon us. A fait accompli, if you will, made easier to swallow by a ‘council of advisors’ who with a wink and a nod pretend to hash out an agenda which was agreed to beforehand. A stage opera with bad acting but no singing.

The ham-handed canonization of John XXIII, being done ‘at the advice of cardinals and bishops’ could possibly be illicit. This I am not sure of. However, I do see it as an indication that this papacy is playing fast and loose with serious important issues (here, canonization) and that it does not portend well for the Church.

I did not make that connection well before, and I may not have done so here either. My apologies.


19 posted on 02/21/2014 4:20:15 PM PST by stisidore (MM, let's see here)
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To: ebb tide

Doctrine, dogma. One in the same. Francis is not changing anything that is dogma of the Church. That means abortion, marriage and no women priests. He also is not letting divorced people receive communion unless they get an annulment. The Bible is clear. One marriage is all you are allowed to have. Might as well be written in stone. He could relax the annulment procedures.


20 posted on 02/21/2014 4:30:48 PM PST by NKP_Vet ("I never went to college, I was too busy learning stuff!" ~ Ted Nugent)
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