Pope: Half-hearted Catholics aren't really Catholics at all

cns ^ | June 5, 2014 | Cindy Wooden

[NYer]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Those who insist others pray and believe exactly like they do, those who have alternatives to every church teaching and benefactors who use the church as a cover for business connections may call themselves Catholics, but they have one foot out the door, Pope Francis said.

"Many people say they belong to the church," but in reality have "only one foot inside," the pope said June 5 at the morning Mass in the chapel of his residence.

(CNS/Paul Haring)

"For these people, the church is not home," but is a place they use as a rental property, he said, according to Vatican Radio.

Pope Francis reflected on the day's Gospel reading, John 17:20-26, and Jesus' prayer that there would be unity, not divisions and conflict, among his disciples. There are three groups of people who call themselves Catholic, but are not really, the pope said. Apologizing for making up words, he labeled the three groups: "uniformists," "alternativists" and "businessists."

The first group, he said, believe that everyone in the church should be just like them. "They are rigid! They do not have that freedom the Holy Spirit gives," and they confuse what Jesus preached with their "own doctrine of uniformity."

"Jesus never wanted the church to be so rigid," Pope Francis said. Such people "call themselves Catholics, but their rigid attitude distances them from the church."

The second group, those with alternative teachings and doctrines, "has a partial belonging to the church. These, too, have one foot outside the church," he said. "They rent the church," not recognizing that its teaching is based on the preaching of Jesus and the apostolic tradition.

Members of the third group "call themselves Christians but don't enter into the heart of the church," they use the church "for personal profit," the pope said. "We have all seen them in parish or diocesan communities and religious congregations; they are some of the benefactors of the church."

"They strut around proud of being benefactors, but in the end, under the table, make their deals," he said.

Pope Francis said the church is made up of people with a variety of differences and gifts, and if one wants to belong to it, he or she must be motivated by love and enter with "your whole heart."

Being open to the Spirit, who fosters harmony in diversity, he said, brings "docility," which is "the virtue that saves us" from entering the church half-heartedly.

[BlatherNaut]

The Pope just described Cardinals Kasper and Maradiaga, two of his top henchmen, to a "T". Why doesn't he get rid of them?

And how about Cardinal O'Malley, another top henchman? He gives aid and succor to pro-abort politicians and pro-homo priests in his archdiocese. Catholics should not have to play dodge-a-perv in order to avoid spiritual assaults on their children at their local parish. O'Malley protects and recycles the openly homo-supporting priests while obedient hard-working priests languish on the sidelines. The hypocrisy coming from the Archdiocese of Boston as well as from Rome is absolutely sickening.

-------------------------------

Sometimes I wonder if that is what we should just get back to - infiltrating and exposing parish-by-parish. (More on this later, but I was recently told that Cardinal O'Malley has appointed one of the worst apostate priests in the history of the Archdiocese of Boston, Fr. Ron Coyne, to a head a collaborative. Oddly, this priest is among a rather large group of apostate priests whom Cardinal O'Malley is gaga over, promotes and protects. We need to do something or we will lose another generation to it. )

http://throwthebumsoutin2010.blogspot.com/

[ansel12]

As far as I know Jeremiah’s church is a Christian church and Protestant, unless there is some sort of theological technicalities that I’m not aware of.

[NKP_Vet]

This is a protestant country. They far outnumber catholics. There has only been one catholic president. From liberal Jimmy Carter to FDR to LBJ to Clinton to Obama. All liberal protestants. All pro abortion.

[ansel12]

That has nothing to do with your denomination being a liberal, pro-abortion voting denomination.

If people followed the protestant vote, then the democrats would have only won in 1932 and 1936, and barely at that.

We can’t expect all Americans, of all types, to vote with the majority of Protestant Christians, but it is a shame that the majority of Catholics won’t.

[piusv]

It’s not hypocrisy. It’s Modernism. Francis isn’t as good at hiding it though.

[Jeff Chandler]

By not offering specific contemporary examples, the Holy Father is creating confusion and division.

[piusv]

Wait, but then that makes Francis an alternativist. He seems to think that Mary could have been angry with God at the foot of the Cross.

[BlatherNaut]

“Francis isn’t as good at hiding it though.”

Why should he? He’s proud of it.
_________________________

On the 11 October 2012, the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II, Jorge gave his friend and co-author Abraham Skorka, who is pro-homosexual and pro-abortion, a honorary doctorate from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina. This was the first time in the history of the university a honorary doctorate had been awarded to a non-Catholic.

When handing him his award Jorge told Rabbi Skorka,
“You do not know how I was waiting for this moment.” And then added, “You deserve it, I did not do anything.”
The Rabbi proceeded to then give his acceptance speech in which he:
praised Zionism,
blamed anti-semitism and Nazism on the theology of the Catholic Church,
said one cannot be a Christian if one doesn’t know and understand the essence of Judaism,
called Jesus the Christ a ‘dude’ and argued the Talmud is full of his teachings about love,
praised the memory of Rabbi Marshall Meyer, a known pederast and child molester,
stated the shoah/holocaust has no historical precedent, and
finally finished his speech with, “we are waiting for the Messiah. He will come when God provides.”
In a half year this man who had ‘waited for this moment’ would become Pope. Any way this is spun, Jorge has endorsed all the above. Can one still be called Catholic after this? How and what does this man pray to make him think this way?

http://callmejorgebergoglio.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/honorary-doctorate-for-rabbi-skorka.html

[BlatherNaut]

Wait, but then that makes Francis an alternativist. He seems to think that Mary could have been angry with God at the foot of the Cross.

Good point.

[piusv]

On the 11 October 2012, the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II, Jorge gave his friend and co-author Abraham Skorka, who is pro-homosexual and pro-abortion, a honorary doctorate from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina. This was the first time in the history of the university a honorary doctorate had been awarded to a non-Catholic. When handing him his award Jorge told Rabbi Skorka, “You do not know how I was waiting for this moment.” And then added, “You deserve it, I did not do anything.” The Rabbi proceeded to then give his acceptance speech in which he: praised Zionism, blamed anti-semitism and Nazism on the theology of the Catholic Church, said one cannot be a Christian if one doesn’t know and understand the essence of Judaism, called Jesus the Christ a ‘dude’ and argued the Talmud is full of his teachings about love, praised the memory of Rabbi Marshall Meyer, a known pederast and child molester, stated the shoah/holocaust has no historical precedent, and finally finished his speech with, “we are waiting for the Messiah. He will come when God provides.” In a half year this man who had ‘waited for this moment’ would become Pope. Any way this is spun, Jorge has endorsed all the above. Can one still be called Catholic after this? How and what does this man pray to make him think this way?

How can a non-Catholic be pope?

[ebb tide]

That’s right. It was also O’Malley, now in the Gang o’ Eight, who threw a funeral Mass fit for a king for Teddy “the Baby Butcherer” Kennedy.

[NYer]

I'm a fallen Catholic. I've never been able to come home even though the church from my youth brought me comfort. The hand holding, Glee musical singing from start to finish, the political propaganda and the sheer hypocrisy of sitting on billions of dollars of real estate, bonds and cash but tsk-tsking those that chase gold.

Like you, I too fell away from the church, several times, using similar justifications.

How else can we explain the Kennedy's multiple annulments, Pelosi and the other faux catholics receiving the sacrements and all the infiltration by homosexuals and communists.

These are judgement calls. In making these excuses, you are punishing yourself and Christ. Your Lord and Savior waits for you each week. He is there in the Eucharist, desirous of sharing His graces with you. That is your source of life; eternal food for your soul.

If you are not happy with the way the mass was celebrated in your previous parish, there are other parishes. If you are serious about your love for Christ, commit this appeal to Him. "Ask and you will receive; knock and the door will be opened to you". When I became disgusted with the way in which mass was being celebrated, I turned to our Lord and asked Him to guide me to "a holy priest, a reverent liturgy and a community in need of whatever my God-given abilities might be". I then compiled a list of other parishes within a certain radius of home, including two Eastern Catholic Churches. Each week I visited a different parish, repeating that prayer. When I reached the Maronite Catholic Church, that prayer was answered, through some truly extraordinary means that left no doubt I was home.

The Eastern Catholic Churches, like the Traditional Latin Mass, retain a greater sense of reverence in the liturgy. Once "home", I was invited to join one group and to serve on the parish's centennial committee. Up until then, I was not one to get involved in parish activities but the parish was small, the prayer had been answered and I recognized it was now my responsibility to fulfill my obligation. Not long afterwards, I was elected to the Parish Council. When the parish began the process of fundraising to restore an abandoned 160 y/o former methodist church, they turned to me for assistance in writing a grant. I had never written one but entrusted it, like the previous prayer, to our Lord. More than 360 organizations submitted requests and only 15 grants were awarded. We were one of them! Shortly afterwards, I was asked to develop a Religious Education program for the children in the parish. It began small and within 4 years, had tripled in attendance. Today, I have been tasked with writing the weekly parish bulletin.

Now you may be thinking this is not your calling in life. You simply wish to worship God in your own way. In truth, I felt the same way but I quickly learned that in giving, we receive and my life is full of joy because of God's response to one simple prayer.

Our pastor was called home for a family emergency. In his absence, we have had several priests come on Sunday to say mass. Each one has shared his God given gifts with us. Last Sunday, a recently ordained priest celebrated the mass. He chanted the entire liturgy and took his time, enunciating the words of institution. It was so moving and beautiful. He drew us closer to Jesus through his homily and the Eucharist. This was a priceless gift I wish to share with you.

If you have been away from the Catholic Church, you should reconsider the reasons. Please visit Catholics Come Home and rediscover what you have been missing. May God bless you on your journey!

[BlatherNaut]

“Material vs. Formal:

Material means that something is there i.e. It exists. Formal means it is declared as such. If I say John Paul II is a material heretic, that means, he has all the matter of a heretic. It can be proven, that many of his writings, or things that he said, are heretical. I would not dare to say he is a heretic (formal) for no one can judge the Pope and no one can judge his intentions or conscience. I see heresy, it is there (material), but one cannot say it is formal heresy. For instance, the Pope will say “according to tradition…” and then he proceeds to say something wrong. An example of formal heresy would be if he should say something like “Contrary to what the Council of Trent says, I tell you…” some heresy.”

http://www.catholicapologetics.info/modernproblems/vatican2/documents.htm

[Dick Vomer]

maybe this thread is God's way of laying a path for me. I thank you and the others for your kind words. I am not saying that I will take your suggestion. I want to be truthful to you and to myself.

I will consider it. I will pray and I will stumble around.

These replies to me have really given my a reason to think.

Thank you for your story and kind words. If I start to find my way and return to the church please know that it was you and the others that helped me. I'm sure that the Lord and I appreciate your gentle hand in suggesting and not berating me.

[dsc]

“the Catholic denomination is a majority liberal, democrat party voting denomination”

Come on, it’s not that one-sided. There are many conservative Catholics, and they are more likely to vote than many libtards.

[trisham]

We have conservative Catholics right here on Free Republic. :)

[ansel12]

If there is a majority there is a minority, and there is a minority of catholic voters who go republican of course, not usually very conservative, in general even the GOP voting Catholics are not terribly conservative on most issues.

[ansel12]

Unless immigration comes up, then the hemming and hawing starts.

[NKP_Vet]

I guarantee you more pro abortion Protestants voted for bummer than cafeteria catholics. You seem to think there are more catholics in the country than protestants.

[NYer]

If I start to find my way and return to the church please know that it was you and the others that helped me. I'm sure that the Lord and I appreciate your gentle hand in suggesting and not berating me.

If you do nothing else, focus on our Lord's message to St. Faustina. Faustina’s mission consisted in: reminding the world of God’s merciful love towards every human being, even the greatest sinner. Faustina’s mission to spread the message of Divine Mercy began on February 22, 1931. Having appeared to her in a vision, Christ commissioned her to paint an image of Him with red and pale rays radiating from His heart. The image was to bear the subscription: Jesus, I trust in You!

Jesus I trust in you!

Jesus said to St. Faustina: “Let no sinner be afraid to approach Me." "I shall protect them Myself at the hour of death, as My own glory. And even if the sins of the soul are as dark as night, when the sinner turns to My mercy, he renders Me the greatest praise, and becomes the glory of My Passion. When a soul praises My goodness, Satan trembles before it and flees to the very bottom of hell"

Christ is always knocking at the door of our hearts to remind us that if we have recourse to His Divine Mercy, He will free our souls from evil, restore our ability to love and purify our intentions. Sin is our greatest tragedy since it leads us into the horrible reality of death and eternal condemnation. Trusting in Jesus, praying to Him, relying on Him – this is our one avenue of salvation. Jesus assures us that His wounded heart will not abandon us in the hour of death. It is never too late to renounce evil and start walking in the path of salvation. Having chosen Faustina, a simple, uneducated nun, who trusted Him boundlessly, Christ assigned her the critically important task of proclaiming His Merciful Love to the world: "Today – Jesus told her – I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. It is not my desire to punish hurting mankind, but to heal it, press it to My merciful Heart (Diary, 1588). You are the secretary of My mercy. I have chosen you for that office in this and the next life (Diary, 1605) (...) to make known to souls the great mercy that I have in store for them, and to exhort them to trust in the bottomless depth of My mercy" (Diary, 1567).

Whenever I feel depressed or bitter and angry at a world that has grown indifferent, I focus on that image and our Lord's message: "Jesus, I trust in you!". Our Lord also told St. Faustina: "I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls" (1074).