Posted on 09/16/2015 10:17:32 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
ROME — On the eve of a trip to the United States, Pope Francis has called himself a “son of immigrants” and confirmed the point by issuing a blunt warning to any religious orders in Europe that spurn his recent call to open their doors to refugees because they want to make money off their properties instead.
Go ahead, the pope said, but be ready to pay taxes just like everybody else.
“Some religious orders say ‘No, now that the convent is empty we are going to make a hotel and we can have guests, and support ourselves that way, or make money,’” the pontiff said.
“Well, if that is what you want to do, then pay taxes! A religious school is tax-exempt because it is religious, but if it is functioning as a hotel, then it should pay taxes just like its neighbor. Otherwise it is not fair business.”
Renting space to help with operating expenses is a common practice among religious orders in Europe. For example, in Rome, a pensione operated by an order of nuns just outside St. Peter’s Square offers a room, breakfast, and Mass at 7 a.m. each day for $90 a night. They also rent their rooftop to CBS during major papal events.
The pope also announced that the two refugee families he plans to take in at the Vatican have been identified, and that they will remain “as long as the Lord wants.”
His comments came in an interview with veteran Catholic journalist Aura Miguel of Portugal’s Radio Renascença.
In the interview, Francis once again blasted what he called “a bad and unjust socioeconomic system” in the early 21st century that he faults for Europe’s current refugee crisis.
The International Organization for Migration estimates that more than 350,000 migrants arrived at the European Union’s borders between January and August this year. Some believe those estimates are low: According to Eurostat, 662,000 people applied for asylum in the EU in 2014.
“Nowadays the world is at war against itself … in installments, bit by bit, but it is also at war against the land, because it is destroying the land, our common house, the environment,” the pontiff said, referring to the theme of his recent encyclical letter on ecology, “Laudato Si’.”
Francis also complained of corruption among public officials “at all levels,” saying he detects special frustration among a new generation of younger politicians.
“People are disappointed,” he said, “partly because of corruption, partly because of inefficiency.”
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Reprising a familiar theme, Francis talked about his preference for a “bruised” Church to a “stale” one.
“If somebody has a room in his house which is closed for long periods, it develops humidity, and a bad smell. If a church, a parish, a diocese, or an institute lives closed in on itself, it grows ill and we are left with a scrawny Church, with strict rules, no creativity,” he said.
“On the contrary – if it goes forth – if a church and a parish go out into the world, then once outside they might suffer the same fate as anybody else who goes out: have an accident. Well in that case, between a sick and a bruised Church, I prefer the bruised, because at least it went into the street.”
With an eye to a synod on the family in October, Francis said it’s important to emphasize that Catholics whose marriages have broken down “are not excommunicated and should be integrated into Church life.”
“Drawing closer to the Mass, to catechesis, their children’s education, charity …. There are so many different options,” he said.
The pontiff also entertained a few personal questions, such as what keeps him up at night. The answer, it turns out, is nothing.
“The truth?” he said. “I sleep like a rock!”
Francis departs Saturday for three days in Cuba, followed by a Sept. 22-27 swing through Washington, DC, New York, and Philadelphia.
An English translation of the full text of his interview with Radio Renascença can be found here.
Actually, I believe that tribute is always paid back up the line. This so-called Pope should be footing the bill, IMO.
Can’t wait til the next conclave.
Hope the College of Cardinals doesn’t screw up like this again.
Francis and Obama, brother Leftists, both possessing the art of screwing up every situation into which they insist on inserting themselves. How did God manage to rule the universe before these two showed up?
Cant this guy be ousted? Doesn’t the CC have a version of impeachment?
Pope Che serves the New World Order.
It’s openly accepted now.
Yep. POS Obama and this Pope will get along very well. Two peas in a pod.
I believe he meant say the Jizyah tax.
I will take in all refugees and kill all healthy, male jihadi's in my country to cause havoc and war
Br., Sr., Fr., ___________________
Actually, the most scary quote of all of this is: “I sleep like a rock!”
Remember when several million Italians got in rubber boats and landed in Argentina all at once?
What a crazy world.
As a side note, I looked it up. Vatican City has an area of 110 acres. That's roughly 44,000 square feet. Assuming each immigrant needs roughly 60 square feet of living space, that Vatican should be able to accept a minimum of 700 refugees.
And that's the bare minimum. Many Vatican buildings are multi-level. So 1500 refugees would certainly not be out of the question.
Yes, that’s what I thought too!
what do you expect from a diehard socialist! capitalism poof that is bad for the pope. The American Catholics support the the vatican. Cut off the american catholics money supply and the Vatican would definetly have some monetary problems
If he is sentient, probably wishing he had stuck it out. This whole process reminds me of something out of a Malachi Martin novel. It is actually very scary and I prefer not to dwell on it. On another note, how many refugees is Argentina accepting & what is the established ‘refugee salary’.
So the Vatican can take in a minimum of 80,000 refugees, assuming each refugee needs, say, 60 square feet of living space.
My rough calculation above does not consider uninhabitable spaces like, say, a garbage dump, But it also does not consider multi-level buildings.
For Nazis or the others?
Here’s a thought: is Francis even the legitimate Pope? After all, Benedict is still alive. Can a Pope really abdicate? If Catholics can’t divorce, how can a Pope abdicate?
In the evangelical church in which I was raised some believed a pope would be the Anti-Christ. To me that
Was always seemed a silly thing to say; however, now it doesn’t seem all that silly.
As Catholic his ignorance on maters religious and secular alike are an embarrassment.
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