Posted on 09/19/2013 2:46:04 PM PDT by SkyPilot
VATICAN CITY Pope Francis has warned that the Catholic Church's moral structure might "fall like a house of cards" if it doesn't balance its divisive rules about abortion, gays and contraception with the greater need to make it a merciful, more welcoming place for all.
Six months into his papacy, Francis set out his vision for the church and his priorities as pope in a lengthy and remarkably blunt interview with La Civilta Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit magazine. It was published simultaneously Thursday in Jesuit journals in 16 countries, including America magazine in the U.S.
John Allen, a senior correspondent with the National Catholic Reporter, told CBS Radio News the pope is not changing church policy but makes it clear that he wants a less judgmental church.
"I think he is conscious that he's at a sort of make-or-break moment where the kind of pope he wants to be - if he wants to affect real change - he's got to be explicit about it," Allen said.
Play Video Pope's comments on gays could have ripple effect
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In the 12,000-word article, Francis expands on his ground-breaking comments over the summer about gays and acknowledges some of his own faults. He sheds light on his favorite composers, artists, authors and films (Mozart, Caravaggio, Dostoevsky and Fellini's "La Strada") and says he prays even while at the dentist's office.
But his vision of what the church should be stands out, primarily because it contrasts so sharply with many of the priorities of his immediate predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. They were both intellectuals for whom doctrine was paramount, an orientation that guided the selection of a generation of bishops and cardinals around the globe.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
What the Pope is trying to do, I think, is to get back to the mystical dimension of the Church - in all aspects, as Body of Christ, as Bride of Christ, and as our Mother.
Vatican II theology ignored these traditional formulations and instead went for the dull bureaucratic term, “People of God,” a term that can only lead to smugness and exclusionary behavior. It did, in fact, lead to the development of a Church that was indistinguishable from the Protestant churches: inhabited only by the righteous and a dwindling number of people who saw the sacraments not as spiritual realities but as membership cards. And with a clergy that viewed everything p, including their jobs, in equally bureaucratic and unspiritual terms.
It is this view of the Church that permits people like nancy Pelosi and Katherine Sibelius to consider themselves good Catholics because, after all, their paper work is in order and clearly, since confession is rarely offered anymore and the assembly of the perfect just gathers to shake hands and wave at each other every Sunday (when they bother), they feel they’re good to go. This is the view that Francis wants to change. He wants to bring it back to a matter of life and death, and this is what he feels will convert people.
I agree with what the man said
Dear SoCal, Thank you for your extensive and thoughtful answer. I am a Protestant who also believes that Catholics and all other Christians, such as the Copts of Egypt, Maronites, Greek and Russian Orthodox churches are also Brothers and Sisters in Christ. I believe that we are in agreement that we agree with the Pope in essentials, but disagree with his style/way of presenting them.
One of the things that we are also dealing with is the varities of translation, which might color how we see his style. These are perlous times in which all of Christianity is under attack, and we must focus on what unites us, rather than to focus on internicene squables that makes us “weaker” against the secular and anti-Christian forces in the world.
Marantha.
Dear Boatbums,
I do not understand the point of your reply? I am NOT being cute or sarcastic, but honest that I don’t understand what is the point you are making?
Change these fundamental positions of the church at your own risk.
http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/06/04/elca-has-lost-half-a-million-members/
That's a new one on me.
I'll have to clue in all my Catholic friends who send their kids to those Jesuit-run Catholic schools about that, and then eliminate that affirmation response from my conversation -- "Is a Jesuit Catholic?"
It means we need to bring the good news of the Gospel of Christ to ALL.
Not really. They said the same thing about Blessed Pope John XXIII.
The Good News is for all, and Christ told us to bring it to every people and nation. So what is the Gospel message?
It is the single most important bridge between man and God, recognizing that we cannot wash away our own sins and repair the gulf that separates us from our Creator. Only through belief in Christ and repentance can we be declared guiltless of our sin through the Grace of Christ and be saved from Hell itself.
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:15
Jesus spoke more times in the 4 Gospels about Hell than He did about Heaven. Jesus did not compromise.
Notice that Christ mentioned repentance. Without repentance from our past sinful lifestyles, thoughts, behaviors, and actions - our new commitment to God is a false one. Sin can NEVER be negotiated with - God does not tolerate compromise with His Truth.
Jesus said every jot and tittle of the Law would be fulfilled. Jesus told people what they did not want to hear. Jesus did not go along to get along. Jesus constantly upheld the authority of Scripture.
The pope is not doing what Christ commanded, therefore, the pope is not spreading the true Gospel.
During these most difficult times for Christians world-wide, the focus MUST be on what is most important, the GOSPEL of Jesus.
Oh YES he is. He is taking the good news of the GOSPEL of Jesus to the everyday folks.
The issue, as i see it is this: the sinner out there, whether atheist or homosexual sees these statements and immediately feels better about their sin. “Hey! The Pope says it's OK to be an atheist! As long as i live a good life I'm OK.”
We are told that religious leaders will be judged harder, i think this is the very reason why.
You didn’t even contemplate what I wrote.
Rather “comtemplate” Luke 7:36-50 please. Thank-you.
We have a WINNER!
I agree. Without clarification it leads atheists, gays, and abortionists to think he’s floating trial balloons to move the Catholic Church moral positions to the left.
Without clarification, they would be right in thinking so.
“Salvation – or at least a shorter stay in Purgatory – might now be only a tweet away with news that Pope Francis is to offer “indulgences” – remissions for temporary punishment – to the faithful who follow him on the social media site.”
And this below...threats of catastrophe have always worked well for Obama, why not give it a try, eh?
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/world/europe/pope-bluntly-faults-churchs-focus-on-gays-and-abortion.html?_r=0
It seems OK with this Pope that those who voted for Obama also voted in favor of “Partial Birth Abortion”. So in other words folks, look the other way and keep going to Church, and no matter what, don't forget your weekly contribution!
Spot on.
And also he is doing this because he knows that over the course of time, the attacks against Christians is going to go up so he is also preparing them as well.
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