[marshmallow]

........the church has "no right" to stay locked up in an ivory tower, engaging in "byzantine" philosophical reflection, Pope Francis told.....

Any ideas about what this phrase means? Is he referring to the study of theology? Philosophy? Doctrine?

Is he saying that theology and philosophy are getting in the way of the Church's mission? Close down the theology departments and convert the faculty into missionaries? Too many academics, not enough pastors? Burn the works of Aquinas?

[one Lord one faith one baptism]

Mumbo jumbo gobbly gook that doesn’t mean anything.

Here I thought we were supposed to preach the Gospel..........

[livius]

Sadly, Pope Francis is very anti-intellectual. But what people are actually looking for is not just emotion, but a rational foundation for their lives.

Nobody has been talking about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin for about 7 centuries now, so he’s fighting a straw man. But on the other hand, everybody wants to know the question they asked of Jesus, “how should I live?” Theology clarifies the purpose of your life and helps establish the conditions that would be most helpful in getting towards that goal.

I fear the Pope is in the “it’s nice to be nice” category. In Spanish, the phrase “pensamiento debil” (literally, weak thought) sums up Vatican II theology, and it’s unfortunate that this Pope, at a time when we have probably never had more need of a clear and profound theological/philosophical approach to the questions of human existence, just blows the whole thing off.

[Kolokotronis]

"...the church seems like a field hospital," where the first order of the day "is heal the wounds, not measure people's cholesterol."

Actually, that's a Byzantine inspired comment:

"The Church is a hospital, and not a courtroom, for souls. She does not condemn on behalf of sins, but grants remission of sins." + John Chrysostomos

[piusv]

In his audience with members of the movement Sept. 26, Pope Francis said the new evangelization must go out to everyone, "starting with the poorest and excluded," so they, too, may experience "hope, brotherhood and joy in humanity's journey toward unity."

Obama would be proud.

[Delta 21]

The Roman Catholic Pope encouraging me to drop some of my spiritual baggage.

Thats rich!

[CodeToad]

“starting with the poorest and excluded,” “

Who, exactly, is “excluded”? Sounds like a screaming bleeding heart liberal.

[Jim Noble]

Is he saying that theology and philosophy are getting in the way of the Church's mission?

Yes, I think that's exactly what he is saying.

Mark 9:38-41.

[narses]

+

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