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Pope Francis Criticises Proselytization "You Are Not A 'Disciple Of Jesus' If You Try To Convert Non-Believers"
Swarajya Magazine ^ | December 25 2019 | Swarajya Staff

Posted on 12/28/2019 11:42:34 PM PST by Jyotishi

Complete title: Pope Francis Criticises Proselytization "You Are Not A 'Disciple Of Jesus' If You Try To Convert Non-Believers"

Pope Francis. Photo credits: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Advocating a new outreach strategy https://www.dailywire.com/news/pope-francis-tells-students-how-not-to-convert-unbelievers for the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has said that speech should never be used in order to convince a non-believer of the truths of the Catholic Faith.

Francis made these remarks while addressing the students of Rome's Pilo Albertelli classical secondary school last Friday (Dec 20).

"Never, never bring the gospel by proselytizing," Francis said. "If someone says they are a disciple of Jesus and comes to you with proselytism, they are not a disciple of Jesus."

"In front of an unbeliever, the last thing I have to do is try to convince him. Never. The last thing I have to do is speak," Francis said. Instead, he stressed, "I have to live consistent with my faith. And it will be my testimony to awaken the curiosity of the other who says: 'But why do you do this?' And yes, I can speak then."

Francis made a reference to the crusades and conversion by the sword, calling it "shameful" and noting that Christians too across the globe are persecuted for their faith.

Recounting the forced conversion of Muslims, "This happened in history! . . . What happened here to me is shameful because it is a story of forced conversion, of disrespect for the dignity of the person."

"We are not in the times of the crusades," he said. ". . . 'Either the baptism or the sword.' This has happened in history! They also do it with us Christians in other parts, they are also doing it but what we did was shameful because it is a story of forced conversion, of not respecting the dignity of the person."

Speaking of own personal experience from his native country of Argentina, Francis said. "In Argentina there is a small group of closed-minded Catholics who do not want Jews, do not want Muslims, but this group . . . I have never liked it, is a group that is on the fringe, they have a cultural magazine but they do not have impact in society."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: argentina; catholic; christian; conversions; crusades; francis; islam; jesus; muslim; orthodoxcatholic; pope; proselytization; religion; romancatholic
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To: Jyotishi
Per the Popester:
"Never, never bring the gospel by proselytizing," Francis said. "If someone says they are a disciple of Jesus and comes to you with proselytism, they are not a disciple of Jesus."
Powerful statement there.

In one sentence, he is discouraging Christians from verbally sharing the Gospel with unbelievers AND telling unbelievers to turn away Christians trying to do so.

Satan himself could not have done it better.

81 posted on 12/29/2019 1:10:07 PM PST by RoosterRedux
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To: Jyotishi
Pope Francis Failure
82 posted on 12/29/2019 1:40:12 PM PST by Sans-Culotte (With every passing day, I am a little bit gladder that Romney lost in 2012.)
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To: dp0622

He is of the devil.


83 posted on 12/29/2019 2:30:16 PM PST by DeplorableGirl
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To: DeplorableGirl

He is the head of the Catholic denomination, and Catholics MUST be in subjection to him.

Therefore Catholicism is of the devil.

All members of the Catholic church must reject Catholicism and become born again Christians.

Freedom in Jesus Christ!


84 posted on 12/29/2019 4:37:07 PM PST by Syncro (Facts is Facts)
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To: 9YearLurker

Yes
That is exactly what He said to do. Not as interpreted by you but yes . HE DID NOT SAY GO AND GIVE THEM AN EXAMPLE. Try reading the Bible


85 posted on 12/29/2019 10:13:35 PM PST by dirtymac (Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.(DT4POTUS))
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To: 9YearLurker

Paul did his preaching in the streets and synagogue. From my readings Paul probably did not use a soft sell approach.
This pope is evil in every way he .can


86 posted on 12/29/2019 10:18:50 PM PST by dirtymac (Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.(DT4POTUS))
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To: dp0622; Jyotishi; Jeff Chandler; Ahithophel; Rocky; MrEdd; piytar; 9YearLurker; RoosterRedux

This is from the Hindu site swarajya - who aren’t above making things up. I’ve not seen this on any other site.

So i’d suggest disbelieving this unless we see it on other sources

As 9 year lurker and rocky pointed out to you Jyotishi, Rooster — you guys got had by journalists telling lies


87 posted on 12/30/2019 6:51:12 AM PST by Cronos (Re-elect President Trump 2020!)
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To: Syncro

Actually you got it completely wrong

1. see above - the article is from a Hindu site, posting basically a lie (as 9 lurker and Rocky also pointed out)

2. nah, Caflicks don’t be in subjection to him - you’ve been reading too many stories about Russian collusion and the lot

3. Caflicks already are baptised and born again Christians.


88 posted on 12/30/2019 6:52:58 AM PST by Cronos (Re-elect President Trump 2020!)
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To: 9YearLurker
Regarding a certain murderous Pharisee:

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.

And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

89 posted on 12/30/2019 7:08:14 AM PST by Rebelbase
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To: Cronos

I post things catholics tell me here at fr and also from official cath sites.

Many fr caths have stated that everyone must be in subjection to the pope.

even non Catholics.

Your false witness and lies are duly noted.

babies are bapized in catholocism and that does not make them born again.

born again is a conscious choice.


90 posted on 12/30/2019 10:49:56 AM PST by Syncro (Facts is Facts)
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To: Syncro

You post what other people tell you? So I guess you believe the Russian collusion fake news as well?

that’s a silly way to get your information.

The fact is that you got it completely wrong again


91 posted on 12/31/2019 3:04:15 AM PST by Cronos (Re-elect President Trump 2020!)
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To: Syncro

“in subjection to the Pope”

Your false witness and lies are duly noted.


92 posted on 12/31/2019 3:06:19 AM PST by Cronos (Re-elect President Trump 2020!)
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To: Syncro

Catholics are “born again” — they are baptized! This “born again” question is based on John 3:3-5, where Jesus says to Nicodemus: “I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above (some Bibles read, “born again”, here)... no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.”

Born of Water AND Spirit - Baptism. Not your hokey-kokey Benny Hinn “Bjorn again” nonsense, but real spiritual baptism is what we have in orthodoxy.

This is what Our Blessed Lord is referring to when He talks about being “born from above” (or again in the KJV). In Greek, He says “born of water and Spirit” NOT “ being born of water and of the Spirit” - He is only talking about one birth here, and that birth is Baptism. See Acts 2:38, etc. And remember that in John 3 He is talking about baptism - see John 3:22.

your claim that one is born again at the first moment of faith in Christ. Faith in Christ, according to this theory produces regeneration is not Biblical as Christian Baptism effects everything that Christ is talking about, Christ commanded it as absolutely necessary for salvation.


93 posted on 12/31/2019 3:10:57 AM PST by Cronos (Re-elect President Trump 2020!)
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To: Cronos

Good job diverting from the truth and using false premised to do it.

I prefer debate rather than having to disprove false premises and counter ad hominids.

Using leftist tactics to “prove” your misguidance only proves you are fighting against Truth and facts.


94 posted on 12/31/2019 1:00:27 PM PST by Syncro (Facts is Facts)
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To: Jyotishi

So, no longer able to spread the ‘Good News’.
The Cardinals need a swift boot to the arse.


95 posted on 12/31/2019 1:04:05 PM PST by kanawa (Trump Loves a Great Deal (NorthernSentinel))
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To: Cronos

Be original

Your c/p refers to you not me.

Again, Your false witness and lies are duly noted.


96 posted on 12/31/2019 1:19:50 PM PST by Syncro (Facts is Facts)
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To: Cronos
I left out your ad hominid attack, used as a divisional tactic.

"You post what other people tell you?"

No, I just informed you of what Catholics have been saying for years here at FR.

That everyone must be in subjection to their pope.

I'm sorry that your debate skills fall short.

97 posted on 12/31/2019 1:23:43 PM PST by Syncro (Facts is Facts)
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To: Cronos
"Not your hokey-kokey Benny Hinn “Bjorn again” nonsense, but real spiritual baptism is what we have in orthodoxy."

This has nothing to do with our debate, and is just using a false premise to attack the Truth found in the Bible and non-Catholic gatherings of Born Again Christians.

Not including "born again" babies that have been 'baptized' into being born again.

born again is choice that must be made by a person who understands what they are doing.

Happens at baptism sometimes, other times during prayer. Prayer to Jesus, not Mary or other people.

98 posted on 12/31/2019 1:29:07 PM PST by Syncro (Facts is Facts)
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To: Cronos; All

‘Christ commanded it as absolutely necessary for salvation’

So the thief on the cross next to Jesus went to hell because he didn’t believe in your denominations take on salvation?

I believe Jesus, give it a try...


99 posted on 12/31/2019 1:32:24 PM PST by Syncro (Facts is Facts)
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To: Cronos

“your claim ...”

Study the Bible closely.


100 posted on 12/31/2019 1:33:55 PM PST by Syncro (Facts is Facts)
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