Pope Francis: A Disappointment for Catholics Who Don't Like Being Catholic

American Thinker ^ | 03/14/2013 | Drew Belsky

[SeekAndFind]

How can we tell that the conclave made a good decision in elevating Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the papacy? Exhibit A (through at least D): liberals are annoyed. But leftists' problems with Pope Francis, well-emblazoned as they were within hours of the announcement, reveal some crucial truths about the Church that even many Catholics are loath to confront.

When it came to Benedict XVI, the willfully uninformed chattering class had a field day -- rather, a field eight years -- with the thoroughly discredited "Nazi pope" meme. (We might call noted luminary and theologian Susan Sarandon the "Nazi ambassadrix" in this effort.) In the same vein, media outlets in all corners are itching to label the new Holy Father, and despisers of the office may find purchase in Francis's hard-line -- or, to put it more accurately, quite Catholic -- stance on "gay rights" and homosexual acts.

The caviling has already started. Indeed, as Saint Peter's Square erupted with applause, and as the newly elected Pope Francis gave his first address to the Catholic faithful, Cavan Sieczkowski of the Huffington Post was already flexing his fingers for the first of a procession of disappointed jeremiads. "Pope Francis Against Gay Marriage, Gay Adoption," Sieczkowski's headline blared, with the new pontiff's vestments still settling on his shoulders. He quotes GLAAD President Herndon Graddick, who decries a "Catholic hierarchy ... in need of desperate reform."

There's more to this lashing out than just "Francis the Homophobe." From the parade of hand-wringing gay activists in Sieczkowski's piece to the aggrieved commentators at Mother Jones, what really dismays the dismayed is the inflexibility not just of Francis, but of the Church herself.

[ravenwolf]

Some people will take it to mean that there could be Popes who are not Christian...

---

Yeah, uh, well....

[Buckeye McFrog]

I’m not sure if the Roman Catholic church has been running itself much differently from Protestant churches.

At least we don't get entire towns in an uproar dividing over whether or not to fire the Pastor.

[lonestar]

I had email from my Catholic friend who (is an American who) lives in France and goes to some kind of conferences at the Vatican frequently. She is pleased and I told her that I wish our POTUS would take note at how humble the new Pope seems to be....paid his own hotel bill.

She also said she thinks there are good surprises in the future. Whatever that means.

[lonestar]

Are you casting stones?

[Sergio]

Thanks for post, good article at the link.

[dfwgator]

[LZ_Bayonet]

"I am really interested to see if Biden will receive communion next week at the installation mass."

A test of the Pope's convictions.

[Salvation]

Pope Francis: A Disappointment for Catholics Who Don't Like Being Catholic
Updates on Pope Francis’ first day as Pope – Great moments! (truly humble man)
New Pope Slips Out Of Vatican For morning Prayer Visit

Our First American Pope
Pope Francis I clear on denying Communion to those who facilitate in abortion
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Profession: Servant of the Servants of God
EDITORIAL:Pope Francis I bridges conservative and progressive currents
New Pope Francis called homosexual ‘marriage’ a ‘machination of the Father of Lies’
Pope Francis Is First Catholic Pontiff From The Americas; He Is Known As A Humble Intellectual
New Pope lived simple life in Argentina
"Lowly, And Yet Chosen," Enter Pope Francis (some phenomenal firsts with this election)
10 Facts about Pope Francis
Vatican Web Site Updated
Full Text of Pope Francis’ Opening Address to Catholic Faithful
9 things you should know about Pope Francis
Pope Francis I promises to be strong pro-life world leader
New Pope celebrated Hanukkah as well as Christmas
New Pope- enemy of Catholic tradition
As Cardinal, Pope Francis condemned abortion even in rape cases
Profile: New pope, Jesuit Bergoglio, was runner-up in 2005 conclave
Jorge Mario Bergoglio elected pope, takes Francis as name
Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio: a Profile
HABEMUS PAPAM!!! (Live Thread)