[Catholic Caucus] A Curious Absence in “Gaudete et Exsultate”

The Catholic Thing ^ | April 15, 2018 | Alan L. Anderson

[ebb tide]

Much has been and will be written about the Holy Father’s latest teaching in his Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate. Some have latched onto it as an opportunity to bash their perceived opponents in the Church. One writer felt compelled to rush a tweet gleefully proclaiming certain passages as “taking aim” at particular Catholics with whom the well-known tweeter obviously has problems. Others have used the words of the exhortation to support their pet political agendas.

Witness the headlines of major news organizations, which quickly latched on to the seeming moral equivalency posited by His Holiness between opposition for abortion and support for immigration. Considerable ink will be spilled and or electronic bytes consumed in the coming weeks and months trying to parse the Holy Father’s words as to whether a) the Holy Father meant to posit such an equivalency and b) whether such an equivalency does in fact exist.

[marshmallow]

Good article.

As much can be learned about Francis from what he doesn't say, as from what he says. He seldom mentions traditional Catholic devotions, especially those involving the Eucharist, such as the importance of making frequent Holy Hours before the Blessed Sacrament. He himself never kneels before it but stands like an insolent schoolboy with a scowl on his face.

All things considered, including his cavalier attitude to who may receive the Blessed Sacrament, his infrequent references to devotion to it and his obnoxious attitude when in its presence, I've come to the conclusion that Francis does not truly believe in the Real Presence.

[Salvation]

From the article:

**Thus, I find it curious so little attention is paid in His Holiness’s exhortation to the pivotal role played by the sacraments in attaining holiness. Indeed, to attempt holiness without them would be, well, to flirt with neo-Pelagianism, wouldn’t it?**

[ebb tide]

And in the same exhortation, Francis blasted the contemplative religous.

[Marchmain]

http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2018/04/15/how-much-do-catholics-and-protestants-really-disagree-about-the-eucharist/

Focusing on the real presence is “not helpful” for the “community” or ecumenism. That old-style devotion is now considered unhealthy and narrow-minded. The denigration of the blessed sacrament is a deliberate and widespread movement in the church, led by clergy.