9/11/2026 and a Church Hierarchy That Has Lost Its Way

Like most Americans, watching coverage of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 brought out a lot of emotions in me. It also brought out curiosity, and one of the things I was curious about was how the Church responded to the 25th anniversary of this barbaric event.

On 9/11/2001 when Pope John Paul II was informed of the 9/11 terrorist attack he withdrew to his private chapel and prayed, for long periods. He was also one of the first world leaders to send a message to GW Bush, describing the attacks as "inhuman" and "unspeakable horror".

The next day, during a General Audience in St. Peter's Square he asked the crowd not to applaud, and instead led a prolonged period of silence and reflection. He then asked “How is it possible to commit acts of such savage cruelty?” He called the terrorist attacks an “appalling offense against peace.” He also said "even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say."

Yesterday, on 9/11/2026 Pope Leo XIV released a statement "Pride obscures both reality itself and our empathy towards others. It is no coincidence that pride is always at the root of every conflict." https://youtube.com/shorts/QgoaCDtD1m8?si=qC4dQy-vQn1CuMEX

To me, his statement was inappropriate and offensive. It was more a woke accusation and condemnation of America than an acknowledgment that evil acts do occur, that evil has to be confronted in the world, and that the innocent must be defended.

The link to "Letters from Leo" that I've included in this post is from 9/9/2026 and is entitled "Invited by Pope Leo XIV’s New Archbishop, Mamdani Will Attend 9/11 Memorial Mass". In this publication Bill Donhue, the president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights since 1993, is criticized and demeaned for various things - most specifically for standing on the steps of city hall and stating that Mayor Mamdani should not attend the 9/11 ceremony:

“I don’t have a whole lot to say about Zohran Mamdani. He should not be here,” Donohue said. “He is more concerned about Islamophobia than he is the death of 3,000 people, innocent people, on that day. This man is a disgrace to veterans.”

There is no criticism of Mamdani in this publication, but his relationship with Archbishop Hicks is lauded: "This is the latest act of Catholic solidarity from a Muslim democratic socialist whose relationship with Pope Leo XIV’s new archbishop has grown in recent months."

Juxtaposing John Paul II's actions and comments with those of the current Church hierarchy is very telling, and very disturbing. It's not that the current Pope or his immediate predecessor, or the recent hierarchy is more 'forgiving, tolerant, or Christian' than the Church during John Paul II. IMHO it is absolutely the opposite. John Paul II, after being shot, forgave the person who shot him. Further, he later interceded and asked for a pardon for this person (he was pardoned and sent back to his home country - Turkey).

His acts were Christian acts, and what he spoke to the world was truth, not woke platitudes.

We live in the greatest nation that has ever been formed by humanity. Not perfect, but built on principles that honor the sanctity of life and each individual soul, under God. The current Church hierarchy appears to not respect nor value America.

When I was very young I met a priest who served a parish in Harvey, Illinois (I grew up on the south side of Chicago). His name was Benjamin Kantowicz (Father Ben to his parishioners). He was a great man, with humility and compassion.

Harvey is on the far south fringes of Chicago, and is close to Dolton, Illinois - where Robert Francis Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV) grew up after having been born in Chicago (he lived in Dolton until he was ~14 or 15 years old). Looking at him now, as Pope Leo XIV it is difficult to square his approach to the world with that of Father Ben Kantowicz - whose native Poland John Paul II championed.

Maybe it was the time Father Prevost spent in Rome, or as a citizen of Peru, or navigating the hierarchical Church ladder. Whatever it was, IMHO there is a world of difference between the humility of Ben Kantowicz and my perception of Pope Leo XIV. I don't think he and Father Kantowicz would have seen eye to eye.

Sorry for the vanity, but after assuaging my curiosity about the response of the Church to this 25th anniversary of 9/11 I was upset, and disappointed.

The problem for Christianity is Christ's admonishment to "Love your enemies, and bless those that curse you." There is also his healing of the Roman soldier's ear after Peter had cut it off, or His forgiveness from the cross.

Yet the latter presupposed that, "they know not what they do." Muslims surely do. The soldier Peter whacked was just doing his job. Nor is it entirely clear that the enemies directing those curses were to include those outside the Children of Israel.

The Torah is full of military defensive measures. Best we take those seriously. That Law is not fulfilled, as the return to judge predicted in Exodus 23:11 and thus Matthew 25 has not yet transpired.

Almost all priests sent to South/Central America are outspoken communists. That is why that polity and all of its variants are tolerated in the area, even celebrated.
Some Popes, while there, also defended convicted pedos.

Having this time area on your resume ought to be treated like a blank area revealing itself as time in prison.

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