[Catholic Caucus] L'Osservatore Romano: Good priests holding faithful back from Francis' revolution

Rorate Caeli ^ | July 31, 2017 | Adfero

[ebb tide]

L'Osservatore Romano: Good priests holding faithful back from Francis' revolution

A long piece from the failing Vatican newspaper, but the key portion is below, translated by Rorate's Francesca Romana. Francis' war on good priests -- and on all faithful Catholics -- continues: 

HABIT IS NOT FAITHFULNESS: The Conversion asked for by Pope Francis

The greatest obstacle that hampers conversion -- which Pope Francis wants the Church to do -- is  constituted in some measure, by the behavior of a good part of the clergy, both high and low [ranked]. Behavior, at times, of non-communication if not hostility. Like the disciples in the Garden of Olives, His disciples are still asleep. The fact is disconcerting. For this reason the phenomenon ought to be examined deeply, in its causes and modalities. The clergy drags the community behind them, which, on the contrary, should be accompanied in this extraordinary moment in time. A great part of the faithful have understood this favorable time, despite everything, this kairós, the Lord is giving to His community. A great part of the faithful are celebrating. Yet, the portion closest to somewhat unenlightened priests are kept inside old horizons, the horizon of habitual practices, of outmoded language, of repetitive thought of no vitality. Deep down, the Sanhedrin was always faithful to itself, rich in devout obedience to the past, mistaken for faithfulness to tradition, poor in prophecy. What are the reasons for all this?

First place on the list has probably got to be the modest cultural level of a part of the clergy, be they high or low- ranked. We cannot generalize and therefore, we have no difficulty in admitting that there are many exceptions in this state of things, fortunately. In many priests, unfortunately, theological culture is scant and even less so is their Biblical preparation. The cause of this deplorable state of things is easily identifiable. When a course of studies at the university level, just to give an example, does not leave the student with the desire to think, to continue studying, to exercise a minimum critical sense (of things), it means that it has failed in its task. The approach of a great number of seminaries does not favor the forming of a mentality of work and commitment. The years of preparation for the priesthood should foster the awareness about the necessity of the office as a true and proper job. Like any other person the priest also works to earn his bread.

[ebb tide]

The clergy drags the community behind them, which, on the contrary, should be accompanied in this extraordinary moment in time. A great part of the faithful have understood this favorable time, despite everything, this kairós, the Lord is giving to His community. A great part of the faithful are celebrating. Yet, the portion closest to somewhat unenlightened priests are kept inside old horizons, the horizon of habitual practices, of outmoded language, of repetitive thought of no vitality.

Absolutely amazing.

[BlessedBeGod]

Insulting and condescending. If you were one of the aforementioned priests, would this convince you to join with Francis? Of course not. What a bunch of idiots thinking this would work. Also idiots for letting the priests holding back Francis know that they're winning. That will encourage them. YES!

[Arthur McGowan]

Bergoglio is not trying to “convert” or “reform” the Church. Unless by “convert” you mean “accept abortion, sodomy, Muslim invasion, and extermination of Christians.”

It cannot be said often enough: Bergoglio hates God, Jesus Christ, Mary, the Blessed Sacrament, the human race, canon lawyers, priests, babies, and anything else Catholic, Christian, or good. He is restrained only by what he thinks he can’t get away with.

[lastchance]

We know just the faithful who celebrate this age. I for one do not want to join them.

PS. Is not the age of prophecy past? As in with a capital P?

[irishjuggler]

The current regime's efforts to remake the Catholic Church in the image of liberal Protestantism (i.e., with relaxed teachings on marriage and sexuality, combined with a heavy dose of 'social justice' and left-wing economics) have not caused people to come rushing back to Catholicism. This was, of course, entirely predictable. The liberal Protestant agenda has failed anywhere and everywhere it has been tried, so why did they think it would work for the Catholic Church? Wishful thinking, I suppose.

But that it's obvious to one and all that the 'Francis effect' has been mostly negative, they must come up with some sort of excuse or scapegoat, i.e., the problem is not that Bergoglianism has been tried and found lacking but rather that Bergoglianism hasn't really been tried. It's been blocked by big, bad, conservative/traditionalist priests/bishops/cardinals who aren't getting with the program. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Sadly, this may be an opening shot of some sort of upcoming purge. Or it may a signal that some other sort of drastic action is coming (e.g., a new crop of more Francis-friendly priests recruited from among married men, 'women priests' or who knows what).