[Fishtalk]

I just read a book “Rediscovering Catholicism”....given to me by my church and I loved it.
“Rediscover Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly-Free Book Changes My Life Forever. Guest Writer Michelle Defines Love.

http://patfish.blogspot.com/2013/11/rediscover-catholicism-by-matthew-kelly.html

So here I am all juiced and filled with the zeal of an evangenlizer and the pope’s words leave me sapped.

I don’t care what this op-ed writer says, the pope SHOULD stick to things spiritual and for the soul. If nothing else, capitalism might not be perfect but it’s killed no one.

Communism? Nazism? These idealologies killed millions. Socialism has pulled the life and verve out of humans’ souls for many years.

Now I don’t know what to do. I am demoralized.

I will never like what Pope Francis said in his diatribe and no one can make me.

I got eyeballs and I read all 50,000 of his silly words.

Now start attacking ME as is often the norm when someone....heh, stands up to power.

[Servant of the Cross]

Now I don’t know what to do. I am demoralized.

Thanks for your honesty. You are not alone. I encourage you to seek additional insight from Matthew Kelly's "Rediscovering Catholicism". You are correct, it is an awesome book and describes well the "genius of Catholicism". The answers of hope are in there. A few additional links that provide me hope regarding this Apostolic Exhortation (which unfortunately is being scrutinized as if it were solely an "Occupy Whatever position paper for a G-8 summit") ... and a broader perspective:

Source: Pope Francis Likely to Offer 'Clarification' to Distance Himself from 'Liberation Theology'

IMHO, the evils of communism, socialism, 'the State ... will be a point of emphasis in this coming 'clarification'.

Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of The Gospel) is "a clarion call for a decisive shift in the Catholic Church's self-understanding, in full continuity with the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI." However, it has unfortunately been subjected to being "celebrated, or lamented, as if it were an Occupy Whatever position paper for a G-8 summit."

Shortly after making the aforementioned comments, Rush said that he was being inundated with e-mails from Catholics who said that the WaPo took Pope Francis's words out of context and Rush ended the segment by saying something along the lines of, "I don't know what to believe" or something along those lines.

If anyone feels offended by my words, I would respond that I speak them with affection and with the best of intentions, quite apart from any personal interest or political ideology. My words are not those of a foe or an opponent. I am interested only in helping those who are in thrall to an individualistic, indifferent and self-centred mentality to be freed from those unworthy chains and to attain a way of living and thinking which is more humane, noble and fruitful, and which will bring dignity to their presence on this earth. [208]

I believe that Pope Francis believes this is "things spiritual". He wrote this for any who are "individualistic, indifferent or self-centered" ... and who are complacent about it ... in order that they may "be freed from those unworthy chains". It is Advent season. The economic teaching of this apostolic exhortation is meant for the 'Scrooges' of the world who are currently complacently comfortable in their self-centeredness.

[Salvation]

Matthew Kelley is an astounding writer. I’ve read several of his books.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

A better book to read would be Rediscovering Christ. He alone never fails or disappoints. He alone is the Door to salvation. He alone never changes. He alone satisfies.

[nanetteclaret]

The thing that is most disturbing is that Francis’ direction is 180 degrees from all previous pontiffs since Karl Marx. All of them, Pius IX, Leo XIII, Pius X, Benedict XV, Pius XI, Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, wrote against Marxism, Communism, Socialism, and their variants. Many of them wrote entire encyclicals against Marxism. That Francis is not joining with them in their condemnations is the most telling of all.

[NKP_Vet]

He’s no more a socialist or marxist than the man in the moon. Francis fought long and hard against liberation/marxist theology in Argentina, something that is lost on his bashers from the left and right. I thought Limbaugh was smarter than this. The brit Varney I could care less what he thinks.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/03/17/is-pope-francis-a-socialist-who-will-allow-liberation-theology-to-infiltrate-the-catholic-church/

Is Pope Francis (formerly known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio) a socialist who will allow liberation theology to infiltrate the Catholic Church? This question, when posed, caused Sam Gregg, research director at the Action Institute, a conservative think tank, to chuckle. TheBlaze interviewed Gregg on Friday to speak further about Francis’ take on poverty and social justice.

As over-the-top as the aforementioned curiosity sounds, since the pontiff’s election on Wednesday, some have quietly been voicing concerns. And there’s no doubt that outlets, pundits and political observers, alike, have spent the past week exploring Francis’ background in an effort to better understand where he stands on the economic front.

A LOVER OF LIBERATION THEOLOGY AND SOCIALISM?

So, what’s the verdict?

Well, it’s clear from his past and present statements and behaviors that Pope Francis cares deeply about the poor and that he lives a very humble and — by all accounts — modest life (he cooked his own meals, took public transportation and decided not to live in lavish quarters). But how far does this devotion to the poor go? Is Francis concerned with government structure and taxation or will he stick firmly to the faith and encouraging believers to help those in need?

This quest for context and its associated curiosities, of course, is nothing new. Whenever a new pope is elected, the public and media, alike, look incessantly for any and all information that will shed light on the new-found faith leader’s character and a past actions. And considering that the Catholic Church has 1.2 billion members across the globe, Pope Francis’ viewpoints matter, mostly because of the control and influence he will have over believers.

During a phone interview, Gregg explained Francis’ background and dismissed any claims that the pontiff is a socialist or has connections with liberation theology. As for the latter movement, the researcher explained that this ideology never took off in Argentina as it did in other Latin American countries — and, in fact, he credited Francis for liberation theology’s overall failure in the country.