NBC Frets New Pope 'Didn't Exactly Scream a Modern Church,' Puts Liberalism on Papal 'To-Do List'

NewsBusters.org ^ | March 14, 2013 | Kyle Drennan

[Kaslin]

In an interview with New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan on Thursday's NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer worried about the age of the newly elected Pope Francis: "...there was some stunned silence for a second. I think some had expected a younger man, he's 76....When you looked at that image of the new pope standing with some members of the Church hierarchy, visually, Cardinal Dolan, it didn't exactly scream a modern Church." [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]

At the same time Lauer was worried about the Church not projecting a more "modern" image, NBCNews.com offered a "to-do list" for the new Pontiff that included typical liberal demands:

Matt Lauer Frets New Pope 'Didn't Exactly Scream a Modern Church' as NBC Puts Liberalism on Papal 'To-Do List'

5. Should women be priests? And should priests marry? Francis will have to address growing debate within the church about the celibacy requirement for priests. A priest in Australia admitted last year that he had been married for a year and said "there are more like me." Benedict also delivered a veiled rebuke to an Austrian priests' group that wants the church to allow women to be ordained and to get rid of the celibacy requirement.

6. Modernization. Majorities of Catholics in the United States have said in surveys that they want the pope to lead the church in a more liberal direction. A New York Times/CBS News poll of Catholics last week found that six in 10 support gay marriage, and seven in 10 want the church to allow birth control. Three-quarters supported abortion in at least some circumstances. In Argentina, then-Cardinal Bergoglio clashed with the president over a 2010 law allowing gay marriage. "It is a move by the father of lies to confuse and deceive the children of God," he said.

Here is a transcript of Lauer's March 14 exchange with Dolan:

7:07AM ET

(...)

MATT LAUER: In our time together you've always encouraged me to speak frankly and I hope you understand what I'm about to say in the tone it's intended.

TIMOTHY DOLAN: Please, sure.

LAUER: I think when he stepped out on to the Loggia yesterday, there was some stunned silence for a second. I think some had expected a younger man, he's 76. Some had expected someone who at least visually seemed to epitomized a more modern Church. When you looked at that image of the new pope standing with some members of the Church hierarchy, visually, Cardinal Dolan, it didn't exactly scream a modern Church. Do you understand what I mean?

TIMOTHY DOLAN: I do, Matt, and I appreciate your candor.

By the way, I just enjoyed, here with Natalie, watching the events from last night because I hadn't seen them. We were behind the scenes, literally, so didn't get to see much. So thanks for showing them again.

I know what you mean, but we always say this – the long-term people who watch the Church universal, and I'd count you among them – you have the balcony moment, but then the real pontificate begins today. And that's where we're going to begin – that's where we're going to begin to watch. We cardinals noticed some things immediately that he was doing differently. I don't know if we've got time to go into them. Would you like me to list a few?

LAUER: Just give me one.

DOLAN: Very simple. When the protocol calls for all the cardinals to come up. As soon as he's elected pope and changes, they put the white chair out up on an elevated platform. He's to sit there while we come up to express our love, gratitude, and allegiance. When the emcee said Holy Father up here, he said, "No, I'm standing down here." Alright, so he greeted each of us as brothers, down just on, literally, on the same level we were.

You heard this story? When we left to go over to St. Martha, where we've all been staying, where he's been staying with us. They had his limo ready, he got back on the bus with us, like he had been doing for the whole conclave. Those are little signs that send signals, Matt. You mentioned an important signal last night on the balcony. You mentioned some of the pluses and minuses of that. But, boy, let's watch close, because I think we're going to see a lot of renewal.

[manc]

we’re conservatives, there are libertarians and liberals, but conservatives do not go into another party and then demand that party change to suit our needs after pretending to be one of them.

Why can;t liberals and others understand that Catholics of which I ma not have their faith and they won;t change to suit turd pokers, cross dressers, killers of babies etc

[Sacajaweau]

Sorry Mtt...we’re stuck on God and goodliness.

[RoosterRedux]

I wonder what the Gay Mafia in the Church thinks of the new Pope?

[Personal Responsibility]

Liberals fret if liberalism isn’t present in every facet of life because its absence leaves room for free thinking. They can’t have that.

[BenLurkin]

NBC is chuck full of godless Communists.

[Viennacon]

Notice how liberal = modern. It should be liberal = retarded.

[narses]

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[Venturer]

Lauer isn’t worried about a Modern Church, he is worried that the Church will keep it’s values.

You cannot modernise a 2000 year old Church by accepting Sin.

[Amendment10]

Let’s hope that liberals never pirate the Vatican like they’ve pirated DC.

[GOPJ]

Hey, Matt Lauer there's a Unitarian Church in most cities... Go to one. It's not Catholic. And that's OK. It's a free country.

Unitarians accept all the 'modern' ideas of liberalism. Gay marriage, global warming, socialism - you name the liberal idea, they believe it.

Would Matt Lauer go to a Unitarian Church and tell them they should condemn gay marriage? Or suggest they deny women access to the ministry? Matt would know that was rude - stupid - both... But with Catholics? No problem - cause he's prejudiced - and a jerk.

[Farmer Dean]

The Gay Mafia would like to kill him,no doubt in my mind on this.

[ronnie raygun]

THERE IS A REASON WHY HE IS CONSERVATIVE, THANK GOD!

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Catholics should suggest to NBC that they discard the “old, tired and failed, 19th Century philosophies of communism, socialism, and progressivism.”

Keep up with the times, NBC. Your philosophy was invented in the Victorian era, and it is a relic of the past.

[Darren McCarty]

Matt, you’re not Catholic, so why do you care? If I wanted a religion that supported gay marriage, I’d join the Episcopalians.

[Mike Darancette]

Soooo ...... how is “modernization” working for the Protestant churches that are trying it?

[RoosterRedux]

I wonder how he slipped out of their grasp.

If he is as he seems (a true believer), the Gay Mafia have lost a huge battle with his election.

God bless the new Pope whatever the Gay Mafia might believe.

It is only fitting that evil would strike at the heart of the Church (Satan has already won the sinners...why waste valuable time with them?).

I am not Catholic BTW...but I still love the Catholic Church.

[RoosterRedux]

Indeed, you cannot modernize humanity by accepting sin.

Objective morality...the very fact that morality exists and is imperative for successful life is proof of God.

That is why He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

It's a beautiful thing!

It is an absolute thing.

At the end of all the bullsh!t we try in life...when we finally reach the bottom line...when our backs are against the wall...

There He is.

He is our last resort because He knows we will try all other ways out before finally realizing there is only one way out.

He is the only Way out.

[Admin Moderator]

KNOCK IT OFF WITH THE "RELIGION?" AR"S!!!

[Elsiejay]

I’m not a Roman Catholic, but presuming to speak on behalf of my many Catholic friends I heartily thank Mr. Lauer for his concerns, so constructively expressed.

Lauer must be virtually apoplectic over the Pope’s first address to the assembled princes of the church and bishops, etc. It’s tone seemed borderline Lutheran.