Pope's letter to non-believers in Italian paper La Repubblica

Vatican Radio ^ | September 11, 2013

[NYer]

(Vatican Radio) Does God forgive non-believers? Does absolute truth exist? And is God merely a creation of the human mind?
In a lengthy letter to the former editor of the Italian daily ‘La Repubblica’, Eugenio Scalfari, Pope Francis shares reflections on these three questions and urges all non-believers to engage with Christians in an open and sincere conversation.

Listen to Philippa Hitchen's report:

In the letter published on Wednesday, the Pope laments the impasse that has grown up over the centuries with those who see Christianity as ‘dark and superstitious,’ in opposition to the ‘light of reason’.
Quoting from the recent encyclical ‘Lumen Fidei’, the Pope stresses that, on the contrary, faith must never be intransigent or arrogant, but rather humble and able to grow in relationship with others.


Responding to the three questions posed by the Italian journalist and writer, the Pope says the key issue for non-believers is that of “obeying their consciences” when faced with choices of good or evil. God’s mercy, he stresses, “has no limits” for those who seek him with a sincere and contrite heart.


Reflecting on the question of absolute truth, Pope Francis says he prefers to describe the truth in terms of a dynamic relationship between each Christian and Jesus, who said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’. The truth of God’s love, the Pope insists, is not subjective, but it is only experienced and expressed as a journey, a living relationship with each one of us, in our different social and cultural contexts.


Thirdly, Pope Francis considers the question of God as a creation of the human mind, who will thus disappear when human beings cease to exist on earth. In my experience, he says - and in that of so many other Christians past and present – God is not merely an idea but is a “Reality” of infinite goodness and mercy, revealed to us through his son, Jesus of Nazareth.


Reflecting on the originality of the Christian faith in relations to other religions, the Pope stresses the role of Jesus who renders us all sons and daughters of God, therefore also brothers and sisters to each other. Our arduous task, he says, is that of communicating God’s love to all, not in a superior way, but rather through service to all people especially those on the margins of our societies.


Finally the Pope spoke of his deep respect and friendship for people of Jewish faith – especially those with whom he worked so closely in his native Argentina. Reflecting on the terrible experience of the Shoah, he said, we can never be grateful enough to the Jews who maintained their faith in God, thus teaching us too to remain always open to his infinite love.

[SumProVita]

Some slick PR guy no doubt

____________________________

Is this what you consider “proof?”

[GeronL]

Why would I need proof of something so obvious?

The word “Catholic” is not in the Bible, that is proof enough.

[SumProVita]

Why would I need proof of something so obvious?

The word “Catholic” is not in the Bible, that is proof enough.

______________________________________

It is not “obvious.”

The fact that the word is not in the Bible is not sufficient proof. Is the word “Trinity” in the Bible?

By the way, do you know what the word, “catholic,” means?

[GeronL]

No more protestant bashing threads!! Praise gray matter....

We are following our “conscience” just like their Pope says we should.

So are abortionists and child molesters of course, but that’s okay they can still go to heaven if their conscience says they should kill babies and rape kids.

[GeronL]

It means follow your personal conscience and not the Bible apparently. Sin is whatever you “feel” it is.

lol.

I’ll stick to being a Christian.

[SumProVita]

It means follow your personal conscience and not the Bible apparently.

_________________________________

Just as your previous comment was not “obvious,” this comment is not “apparent.”

You said: Sin is whatever you “feel” it is.

_______________________________________

Is this what you think? It is certainly not what the Church teaches....or is this another attempt to construct a straw man to sidetrack from the original error you seem to have made regarding the word “Catholic” not being used until “centuries” later.

[GeronL]

I am just going by the OP of this thread, which is supposedly the topic.

[SumProVita]

I am just going by the OP of this thread, which is supposedly the topic.

____________________________

Then why did you state:

“The word Catholic was invented centuries later”...?

[GeronL]

Out of the blue, no reason, couldn’t be in response to someone who thinks Jesus created the popery on the day before he was even Born but gave all praise to mortal human Mary instead. Nah, couldn’t have been in response to another post...

[bramps]

Is this what you think? It is certainly not what the Church teaches
....................................................

IT’S WHAT THE POPE JUST SAID!
Did you read his comments?
Do you agree with what the head of your church teaches:
You are not sinning as long as you are following YOUR conscience!

No strawmen now from you. Do you agree with that statement and consequently your pope?

[SumProVita]

I will not be sidetracked. I am looking for proof for the statement which said:

“The word Catholic was invented centuries later”...?

[SumProVita]

So, in other words...you have no proof for the statement which said:

“The word Catholic was invented centuries later”...?

[SumProVita]

Excellent tagline, by the way! ;-)

[GeronL]

lol.

I have faith.

[SumProVita]

So do I. However, that has nothing to do with supplying proof for your statement:

“The word Catholic was invented centuries later”...

[Al Hitan]

Is Francis "Peter the Roman" ??

No, he's Pope Francis.

Is he the last pope ??

Only God knows.

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach

Is it too difficult for you to post a translation each time you post a foreign language. It's the rule.

[saradippity]

I think he is coming from a different place. It is also difficult to know whether or not this is a flawed interpretation of a poor translation of what the actually Pope said.

But in any case I would say that one could argue from scripture that invincible ignorance and the fruits thereof is in play throughout the New Testament at least.

Christ said He had to leave but the apostles needn't worry because He would send the Holy Spirit,the Spirit of Truth to dwell in their hearts. Several persons were accepted as having the Truth when they acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God. Peter was elevated after he told Christ that was who He was. The thief on the cross was told that he would be with Him (Christ) in paradise because he spoke the truth both with regard to his own unworthiness and guilt as well as to Christ's innocence. Many persons knew the Truth because it is in ones heart,planted by God.(P)(p) Julia,Pilate's wife knew Jesus was innocent as did Pilate but he chose to wash his hands of the whole thing and throw it out to the crowd,hoping that they would not put Christ to death but too weak and scared of losing his position to act on the Truth. The crowd,through ignorance,brainwashing or pridefulness chose to ignore Truth and call for death. Two thousand years not much has changed.

[Uri’el-2012]

Is Francis "Peter the Roman" ?? No, he's Pope Francis. Is he the last pope ?? Only God knows.

Prophecy of the Popes

May you come to know the Peace of Jesus the Messiah

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach

[Al Hitan]

May you come to know the Peace of Jesus the Messiah

May you come to know the truth within the Church founded by Christ.

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach

May you learn to abide by the rules and post translations of any foreign language you post. I don't think that rule applies only to those who post Latin.