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Owing to all this kerfuffle, I've recently been reading quite a few old papal encyclicals and apostolic exhortations.....some of them very old, going back centuries. One of the things which most of these writings have in common is that they invariably address the issue of scandal somewhere along the line. The writer will address the question at hand and give the theological and doctrinal reasons why something should or should not happen but then will also offer something along the lines of...."and besides all of the above, dear brethren there is the additional reason tha we are concerned that all of this might have on the conscience, faith and morals of our dear brethren...."

One never sees this in Francis' writings and AL is a case in point. Quite the contrary. If objections are raised to his words, then that's your problem, you pharisaical "Doctor of Laws"!! There seems to be absolutely no concern whatsoever for the question of scandal which could be given to faithful Catholics and this in turn, IMHO, speaks to a fundamental lack of charity. Indeed, faithful Catholics seem to be the object of a particular loathing on Francis' part.

This was what first got my attention with Francis; before the questions of doctrinal orthodoxy started to appear; so much of what he said seemed uncharitable. It was insulting to someone, crass and sometimes vulgar. The lack of concern for scandal in his words and writings confirm my first impression and indicate that all this talk about "the smell of the sheep" is nothing more than hot air and an intellectual head trip for "El Lider Maximo".