Lighten Up, Francis [Catholic Caucus]

Roma Locuta Est ^ | Steven O'Reilly

[ebb tide]

May 2, 2017 (Steven O’Reilly) – It seems that Pope Francis continues to return to his oft-repeated characterization of  Catholics, at least those who actually believe what the Church has taught always and everywhere, as “rigid.” I’ve trained myself not to roll my eyes every time he says it for fear my eyes might get locked that way – kind of like when your mom told you not to cross your eyes. Excerpts from his most recent homily may be found here.  The conclusion to his homily is as follows:

“And today, let us look at the tenderness of Jesus: the witness of obedience, the Great Witness of God who have his life. He shows us God’s tenderness toward us, toward our sins, toward our weaknesses. Let us enter into this dialogue and let us ask for the grace that the Lord might soften a little the hearts of the rigid, of people who are always enclosed in the law and condemn everything that is outside of that law. They do not know the the Word came in the flesh, that the Word is the witness of obedience. They do not know that God’s tenderness is capable of taking away a heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh.”

Those following this pontificate are well familiar with the pope’s comments in this vein, which amount to little more than a straw man. No one is calling for the stoning of adulterers, making them wear scarlet letters, etc.  Lighten up, Francis.

I typically pass over such papal commentary nowadays.  However, the one blurb from the homily quoted in the article  which particularly caught my attention was this gem:

“And this makes the Church suffer very, very much: closed hearts, hearts of stone, hearts that do not want to open themselves, that don’t want to feel; hearts that only know the language of condemnation: they know how to condemn. They don’t know how to say: “But, explain to me why you are saying this? Why this? Explain it to me…’. No: they are closed. They know everything. They don’t need any explanations.” (emphasis added)

If I had been drinking coffee when I read this, I believe I would be needing to wipe it off my computer screen.  Your Holiness, we would love for you to explain it to us!  Please, do explain why and what you are saying. Five specific questions have been addressed to you.  Simple “yes” or “no” questions. Perhaps you have heard of them?  These are the dubia of the four cardinals. Please respond to them.  Explain it to us.

[ebb tide]

They don’t know how to say: “But, explain to me why you are saying this? Why this? Explain it to me…’. No: they are closed. They know everything. They don’t need any explanations.” (emphasis added)

If I had been drinking coffee when I read this, I believe I would be needing to wipe it off my computer screen.  Your Holiness, we would love for you to explain it to us!  Please, do explain why and what you are saying. Five specific questions have been addressed to you.  Simple “yes” or “no” questions. Perhaps you have heard of them?  These are the dubia of the four cardinals. Please respond to them.  Explain it to us.

[Paladin2]

Pope Marx’ extensive use of “Rigid” makes him a tool...

[screaming eagle2]

He needs to step down and allow another to take up the cross.........so to speak

[screaming eagle2]

He needs to step down and allow another to take up the cross.........so to speak

[utahagen]

ebbtide, a freeper posted an article a couple of weeks ago that gave me some perspective and has given me some peace. It may be that papal infallibility works by stopping a pope from officially changing teachings, but it doesn't prevent a bad pope — like someone we all know — from trying to undermine Church teachings in sneaky ways. We've seen the Pope flat out contradict Humanae Vitae during one of his airline press conferences, and one of his minions even made the point the next day to say publicly that the Pope had meant what he said. (Catholic New York then published an article, based on the Pope's comments on the plane, that declared contraception acceptable to prevent the Zika virus. Some Catholic Theological group later issued a strong statement that declared this a grave error, not at all in line with Catholic teachings.) However, Pope Francis never got around to issuing a formal letter declaring that contraception was now alright for Catholics.

While I am astounded and angry that Pope Francis has not answered the dubia, I am relieved he hasn't, as supposedly has been feared by orthodox bishops, called for Vatican III. THAT truly would be a disaster.

Seems we just have to ride out this papacy and hope Pope Francis has done as much damage as he's going to do...because he surely isn't going to recant.

[ebb tide]

BREAKING: Papal poster vandal has message for Francis

[heterosupremacist]

” Let us enter into this dialogue and let us ask for the grace that the Lord might soften a little the hearts of the rigid, of people who are always enclosed in the law and condemn everything that is outside of that law.”

More Jesuit Transcendentalism, and more Papal sophistry - this kind of crap has become SO tiring...

[piusv]

https://akacatholic.com/francis-the-falsifier-strikes-again/

Most recent entry by Louie V.

[ebb tide]

From your link, a most appropriate picture:

[Concentrate]

So, how come no results on the very important French election? A Catholic nation?