Pope Francis selects Patti Smith to perform at the Vatican Christmas Concert

http://www.nme.com ^ | November 14, 2014 | Luke Morgan Britton

[NKP_Vet]

Patti Smith is to play this year's Vatican Christmas Concert in Rome next month.

The punk singer will perform live at the Italian city's Auditorium Conciliazione on December 13 following a personal invitation from Pope Francis, according to The International Business Times. The entire event is set to be broadcast live on TV.

Smith's booking has evoked a mixed response from Christian groups, with Catholic organisation Portosalvo apparently describing the decision as "blasphemous", following the singer's 1975 song 'Gloria', which famously featured the lines: "Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine".

The singer met Pope Francis at St. Peter's Square last April, where the pair shook hands.

The Vatican Christmas Concert will also feature a performance from "singing nun" Sister Christina Scuccia, who recently won Italy's version of The Voice and covered Madonna.

[MinuteGal]

Does anyone have a photo of Patti Smith, the real Patti Smith...and labeled as such? Thanks.

Leni

[Gasshog]

Sinead O Connor is deeply disappointed he didnt pick her.

[Paulie]

“explain exactly how this is reaching out to nonbelievers for them to come to Christ? there’s no mention of Christ.”

In my post, I wrote that *IF* this is the Pope’s way of bringing unbelievers to Christ... That is not to imply that I personally understand or subscribe to the logic (if that is what he’s trying to do, which is unclear at best).

And I agree - sadly, there is no mention of Jesus Christ.

[Gasshog]

“Hello Its Me” is optional (I prefer the Nazz version)

Not so, “Just One Victory”. how could you miss that?

[ansel12]

"Patti Smith: Amy Winehouse Tribute Song Wasn’t Planned"

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/06/patti-smith-amy-winehouse-tribute-song-wasnt-planned/

[Organic Panic]

Don’t give up!

[CorporateStepsister]

Truth be told, I’m sure many had the same reaction when they saw Jesus dining with taxpayers and allowing Mary Magdalene to be one of his friends and followers. I do think that for one reason or another, Pope Francis’ fairly unorthodox approach is good for people who often feel like they’re not good enough to be a Christian, much less meet the Pope. One small step at a time.

[ansel12]

Her music is her product and the way that she spreads her message to the young, he gave her a forum to reach his people with her product and message.

I don’t think that is what Jesus did.

[piusv]

Is she gay?

[Paulie]

Point well taken.

However, none of us are ‘good enough’ to be Christian. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, the Good Book says.

We come to Jesus as we are, and if our intentions are sincere, the Holy Ghost will conform us to the likeness of Jesus over time, as per the Scriptures. Pope Francis should specifically communicate that so those avoiding Jesus for that reason come forward.

From that perspective, this may be the way Pope Francis wants to bring people to Christ, and then let God the Holy Spirit begin to work in their lives.

While you have a legitimate point, it would help tremendously if the Pope would actually state that as his purpose.

[MinuteGal]

Thanks.

Leni

[God luvs America]

part of the issue was the concert was soon after the release of “Back to the Bars”, which still ranks as one of my favorites and much of the crowd was hoping to see a lot from back to the bars but saw little to none....

[NKP_Vet]

“this may be the way Pope Francis wants to bring people to Christ, and then let God the Holy Spirit begin to work in their lives”

He’s told muslims there is no need to become Christians because we all worship “the same God”.

[BlatherNaut]

In keeping with his image as the strangest pope in the last 1000 years Pope Francis has invited buddist/athiest, certainly not Christian punk rock singer Patti Smith to perform at the Vatican Christmas Party.

In keeping with the tone of his pontificate, I would have expected him to invite Elton John.

[ansel12]

I just wanted to get some eye candy onto the thread.

[NKP_Vet]

“I would have expected him to invite Elton John”

I’m certain the invitation is in the mail.

[Paulie]

“He’s told muslims there is no need to become Christians because we all worship “the same God”.”

What??? Is the Pope not the vicar of Christ? Or supposed to be? In response to your post, I did a quick check to Catholic Answers. Here’s one thing that I found:

QUESTION POSED: >>Is it the pope’s private opinion that Muslims worship the same God?<<

Full Question
Pope Benedict XVI has stated that Muslims worship the same God as Christians do. Is this just his private opinion?
Answer
No. The Second Vatican Council taught that Muslims worship the one true God:

The Church regards with esteem also the Muslims. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in himself; merciful and all-powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even his inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. (Nostra Aetate 3)<<<<<

Maybe Pope Francis can explain John 14:6 to us then, which reads: (Jesus saith unto him,) “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”.

This is a huge problem.

[al_c]

Perhaps it’s his way of inviting her to repen and see the Church for what it is.

We’re told to evangelize, not shun.

[BlatherNaut]

We’re told to evangelize, not shun.

How is it "evangelizing" to eschew the musical patrimony of the Church (composed in honor of God) in favor of a drecky performance by a punk rock singer who detests what the Church believes? Cretinous choice, to say the least.

[ifinnegan]

No.