How Pope Francis Sees the Church

Commonweal Magazine ^ | March 13, 2015 | Walter Kasper

[ebb tide]

The Bible and Catholic tradition have various images for describing the essence of the church. At the center of Pope Francis’s understanding of the church, corresponding to the approach of the Argentine theology of the people, stands the image of the church as the people of God (Evangelii gaudium, 111–34). It is firmly anchored in the biblical, patristic, and liturgical tradition. The Second Vatican Council renewed that understanding and presented the church as the messianic people of God (Lumen gentium, 9–12). Before long, however reservations grew loud among European theologians.

[ebb tide]

With these and many other statements in the pope’s daily homilies, it appears that the pope has laid the groundwork for allowing Christians in irregular situations, such as divorced and remarried individuals, after examination of their respective situations, to the sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist.

[ebb tide]

Kasper, “the pope’s theologian”, is merely laying the groundwork for Francis’ upcoming SinNod II.

[fhayek]

The pope should concentrate on one’s soul. This social justice thing that he seems caught up in, he is out of his element. At least IMHO.

[BlatherNaut]

Behind the pope’s pastoral style, which is close to the people, stands an entire theology, indeed a mysticism of the people. For him the church is far more than an organic and hierarchical institution.

Christ founded the Church as a hierarchic society. Apparently this "serene" theologian thinks he can improve upon God's intentions.