Posted on 09/29/2021 12:37:53 PM PDT by ebb tide
ROME — After taking possession of his titular church in Rome — a longstanding tradition meant to symbolize the unity of the pope with his cardinals around the world — Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington said he is "saddened" by the tensions in the U.S. church and sees it part of his job to bolster Pope Francis' ministry.
"Francis has provided extraordinarily generous, kind and sensitive leadership to the church throughout the world," Gregory told NCR. "And I hope in whatever way I can to assist him in that, to support him in that, and to be available to whatever he might ask me to do, and buttressing and supporting his papal ministry."
The cardinal's words came outside of Santa Maria Immacolata in Grottarossa, on the northern outskirts of the city, where he formally took possession of the small church on Sept. 27 in a service delayed by almost a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gregory was elevated to the College of Cardinals last November and is the first African American to receive the honor.
The 73-year-old prelate's increased profile in the U.S. church comes at a time when the entire country is facing a reckoning on race and as the leadership of the U.S. church is deeply polarized over Pope Francis and also President Joe Biden, the nation's second Catholic president.
Both Francis and Gregory have indicated they would like to have warm relations with the new president, while other U.S. bishops have advocated for Biden to be denied Communion given his political support for abortion rights.
At a meeting of U.S. bishops' last June, Gregory spoke against such measures and warned that in his 38 years of being a bishop, he had never seen the bishops' conference so divided.
On Monday, he told NCR he stands by that assessment.
"I certainly do still see the divisions there and they trouble me," the cardinal said. "They sadden me."
In looking ahead to the next assembly of U.S. bishops in November, Gregory said the U.S. bishops need to look to Pope Francis' emphasis on "encounter" to overcome their own divisions.
"What I think we have to do more frequently and more effectively is something that Pope Francis has urged the entire church to do. We have to encounter each other," he said.
"We have to see in each other, even when we disagree, that this is a brother or sister in Christ, for whom Christ has a measurable love, and invites me to love them in return," he added.
Built in 1935 in what was then surrounded by farmland, the suburban church on the peripheries of Rome was made a titular church in 1985 by Pope John Paul II. Gregory is only the second cardinal assigned to it.
While cardinals are not involved in the governance of their titular churches, the symbolic possession of a titular church is meant to signify the unity of the pope and the members of the College of Cardinals.
During the noontime prayer service, Gregory was joined by nearly 50 local parishioners, along with approximately a dozen seminarians from the Archdiocese of Washington currently studying at the North American College in Rome.
Fr. Valerio Bortolotti officially welcomed Gregory to the parish, recalling that the small church was built by a rich landowner for his workers and dedicated to Mary, the Immaculate.
"In this land of dreams you have been called to dream that this cross and this mother take even more possession of your heart," he said in greeting the American cardinal.
The cardinal, speaking in Italian, told those gathered that he was grateful for their warm welcome and asked that they remember him and the Archdiocese of Washington in their prayers. He promised he would do the same.
"Whenever I recall Our Lady's title," said Gregory, "I will be united with you and your families and clergy in prayer."
At a meeting of U.S. bishops' last June, Gregory spoke against such measures and warned that in his 38 years of being a bishop, he had never seen the bishops' conference so divided.
Barf Alert Ping
No, I think your job is to promote Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Why should he be saddened? This division is something he has been working towards for a long time now.
The Church should be focused on Addition and Multiplication.
Here’s an unnecessarily rude remark from me.
If to be liked and popular the Catholic hierarchy and priests relax the rules, ignore right versus wrong, and tolerate the evil (Pelosi and Biden and Dems being let off) ————
then why not allow paid limo rides to the abortion centers for women to have abortions if they can’t afford a car? And church funds going to the abortionists if the women are poor. Why not screen porn movies at meeting halls to attract more Catholics to attend?
And allow gay couples to replace the priest to give homilies? And allow Hindu, Buddhist and occult chanting and statues on the altar so as to bring in more young people to Church? Feminist female priests. Gay leaders of children’s groups.
Answer: What? That would be wrong.
Oh? Then what t is allowing baby killing abortion enablers who do not just passively know the government is passing legislation to boost abortions, but actively works to get babies aborted at all stages of pregnancy including after being born? At unwilling taxpayers’ expense? And forcing doctors, nurses and staff to perform abortions even if they outright oppose this on religious grounds? Plus assisted suicide and decisions soon to let older people die if they cost too much to the health system (euthanasia).
Sorry to be blunt. But there are two things:
Right and Wrong.
People know that and make the choice. The religious leaders of all faiths should act like they know that.
No excuses.
Too bad the Pope is no longer Catholic,
But does he sh!t in the woods?
1Co 11:19 But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized!
No, he is a Nestbeschmutzer.
Hey, no Kraut talk.
I’m saddened as a Catholic, that we have a commie Pope, who appoints a commie cardinal in DC.
Bigg Red is saddened by having Gregory in the Church.
Good point.
Which the pro-Biden Cardinal helped create with his hate-Trump and anti- conservative rhetoric.
“Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington said he is “saddened” by the tensions in the U.S. church and sees it part of his job to bolster Pope Francis’ ministry.”
SO the first African American Cardinal is a total Fraud. Just like the first African American President. Sad.
Pope Francis’ Reported Words: “I Might Go Down in History for Having Split the Catholic Church”
The only ones I see despairing are Bergoglio and his ilk who are more concerned about a supposed climate crisis and a fake scamdemic.
P.S. The devil is not always stronger than us. Have you not heard of Guardian Angels? Do you ever pray to yours? Do you thank him?
If the devil is stronger than us, we'd all be in that non-existent Hell of Bergoglio's and Barron's.
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