Pope warns Vatican staff against gossip, squabbling
I'm sorry I'm not going to read that because I don't like petty gossip and stuff. I'm sorry I failed you, dearly beloved readers.
Wow, I never realized how deeply the church embedded guilt within me. Sorry.
"Catholics in the age of Francis speak out" by Lisa Wangsness | Globe Staff, December 22, 2013
A year ago, it would have been impossible to imagine: A pope who dresses simply, who lives in a Vatican guesthouse, who calls for a “poor church for the poor.”
Who speaks warmly about gay people. Who poses for selfies with young fans.
Who says church leaders have become too preoccupied with contraception, homosexuality, and abortion.
After one of the worst decades in Roman Catholic church history, marked by a devastating sexual abuse scandal, internecine turf battles at the Vatican, and a widening chasm between the hierarchy and the people, Pope Francis is changing the conversation about Catholicism around the world — and here at home.
I don't want to talk about it.
Interviews with a dozen local Catholics offer a sense of how New Englanders have been absorbing the pope’s words and gestures, considering their meaning for the church and for their own spiritual lives....
What they have in common: energetic and beloved pastors, vibrant communities, and a powerful sense of hope for the future of their church….
Not staying for this Globe sermon, sorry.
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Also see: Divorce for Catholics?
I'm sure the Pope would not approve but there may be nothing he can do:
"Pope calls nuns, but gets voicemail
Pope Francis has made another one of his cold calls to wish a group of nuns in a Spanish convent Happy New Year. But he got their answering machine, instead. ‘‘What are the nuns doing that they can’t answer the phone?’’ Francis asked in the message he left, the recording of which was obtained by Spain’s El Mundo newspaper. and broadcast on Italian media Saturday. ‘‘This is Pope Francis. I wanted to offer you greetings for the end of the year. Maybe I’ll try to call again later. May God bless you,’’ he said (AP)."
Gee, they aren't taking his calls. Maybe they want a divorce and were off talking to a lawyer.
They are not the only ones that have a beef with the new Pope.
"Pope angers traditionalists with limits on Latin Mass; Sanctions affect order that uses ancient liturgy" by Nicole Winfield | Associated Press, December 15, 2013
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis may have been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year, but he has come under scathing criticism from a growing number of traditionalist Catholics for cracking down on a religious order that celebrates the old Latin Mass.
The case has become a flashpoint in the ideological tug-of-war going on in the Catholic Church about Francis’ revolutionary agenda, which has thrilled progressives and alarmed some conservatives.
I'm tired of the left-right labels.
The matter concerns the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, a small but growing order of several hundred priests, seminarians, and nuns that was founded in Italy in 1990 as an offshoot of the larger Franciscan order of the pope’s namesake, St. Francis of Assisi.
Then-Pope Benedict XVI launched an investigation into the congregation after five of its priests complained that the order was taking on an overly traditionalist bent, with the old Latin Mass being celebrated more and more at the expense of the liturgy in the vernacular.
Benedict, a great admirer of the pre-Vatican II Mass, had relaxed restrictions on celebrating the old Latin Mass in 2007.
While the order was in turmoil on this issue, the dispute at its core comes down to differing interpretations of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which include the use of local languages in Mass….
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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I couldn't understand, could you? Sounding like Latin!
Related(?):
"The troubled Legion of Christ religious order is electing new leadership for the first time since its founder was revealed to have been a pedophile and a fraud. The Legion was once held up as a model by the Vatican, which turned a blind eye to the Rev. Marcial Maciel’s misdeeds as the order became one of the fastest-growing congregations in the Catholic Church and brought in millions in donations….
Their main problem has been the unwillingness to pucker up to Jewish ass from what I have seen -- so they decided to out this guy and discredit the order.
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"Pope warns about fallout from poorly trained priests; Wants emphasis to be placed on molding hearts" by Nicole Winfield | Associated Press, January 04, 2014
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has warned that priests can become ‘‘little monsters’’ if they aren’t trained properly as seminarians, saying their time studying must be used to mold their hearts as well as their minds….
A lot of them have.
Francis, who headed the Jesuits’ novice training program in his native Argentina in the 1970s, also warned the superiors of some of the failings of seminary training, or ‘‘formation,’’ such as when would-be priests merely ‘‘grit their teeth, try not to make mistakes, follow the rules smiling a lot, just waiting for the day when they are told ‘Good, you have finished formation.’ ’’
‘‘This is hypocrisy that is the result of clericalism, which is one of the worst evils,’’ Francis was quoted as saying, returning to the issue of clericalism — or a certain cronyism and careerism among the men of the cloth — that he has frequently criticized. The training of priests, he said, must be a ‘‘work of art, not a police action.’’
‘‘We must form their hearts. Otherwise we are creating little monsters. And then these little monsters mold the people of God. This really gives me goose bumps,’’ he was quoted as saying.
A lot of altar boys had to grit there teeth when they were given the goosebumps.
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Going to go off script a bit now:
"In first Christmas speech, pope prays for compassion" by Frances D’Emilio | Associated Press, December 26, 2013
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis offered Christmas wishes Wednesday for a better world, praying for protection for Christians under attack, battered women, and trafficked children, peace in the Middle East and Africa, and dignity for refugees fleeing misery and conflict around the globe in his first Christmas message since being elected pontiff in March….
Among places ravaged by conflict, Francis singled out Syria, which saw its third Christmas during civil war; South Sudan; the Central African Republic; Nigeria; and Iraq.
Related: South Sudan talks resume as troops gather
First I've seen of it in my Globe since the last time I posted.
I will be attending to those other places shortly.
In Iraq on Wednesday, militants targeted Christians in two attacks, including a bomb that exploded near a church in Baghdad. The separate bombings killed dozens of people.
Just "Al-CIA-Duh" wishing them a merry Xmas.
The Vatican has been trying to raise concern in the world for persecution and attacks on Christians in parts of the Middle East and Africa….
Adding an off-the-cuff remark, Francis said he was also inviting nonbelievers to join their desire for peace with everyone else.
I'm liking it. Calling for unity in the name of peace never hurt. It's the call for unity in the name of war that is evil.
The pope also prayed that God ‘‘bless the land where you chose to come into the world and grant a favorable outcome to the peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.’’
Francis then explained his concept of peace.
‘‘True peace is not a balancing of opposing forces. It’s not a lovely façade which conceals conflicts and divisions,’’ the pope said. ‘‘Peace calls for daily commitment.’’
Francis also spoke of the lives of everyday people, especially those struggling for a better life.
Recalling the hundreds of migrants who have drowned this year while trying to reach European shores, including many close to the Italian island of Lampedusa, Francis prayed that refugees receive hope, consolation, and assistance.
He added that ‘‘our thoughts turn to those children who are the most vulnerable victims of wars, but we think, too, of the elderly, of battered women,’’ and others.
Maybe I'm not such a bad Catholic after all.
The 77-year-old pope kept to the simple style he has set for his papacy. Wearing a plain white cassock, Francis presented a sharp contrast in appearance to the pope who stood on the same balcony on Christmas exactly a year ago. Then Benedict XVI, who was soon to stun the world by retiring, read his Christmas speech while dressed in a crimson, ermine-trimmed cape. Benedict lives on the Vatican grounds, and Francis paid a holiday call on him earlier this week.
In the Mideast, pilgrims celebrated Christmas in the ancient Bethlehem church where tradition holds Jesus was born, as candles illuminated the sacred site and the joyous sound of prayer filled its overflowing halls.
Related: Globe Xmas Gift: Little Town of Bethlehem
This year’s turnout was the largest in years in Bethlehem, and the celebrations have been marked by careful optimism amid ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Leaders expressed hope the coming year would finally bring the Palestinians an independent state of their own.
The hope and optimism are gone.
See: The Kerry Chronicles: Failed Framework
Now we are down to "bridging proposals for a framework agreement in coming weeks" after the "slap in the face."
The top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, led a prayer for some 1,000 worshippers. ‘‘The whole world now is looking at Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus,’’ Twal said in his annual address, adding that the message of Jesus was one of ‘‘love and reconciliation.’’
I've really been failing there because I simply can not find it in myself to forgive the people at the top who have ruined this planet and made life so miserable for so many -- especially when they show no remorse or repentance at all.
In his Christmas message, President Obama encouraged fellow Americans to embrace the spirit of the holy day by volunteering at soup kitchens, buying presents for children in need, or organizing food or clothing donation drives.
As his government neglects them!
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"Pope pleads for world of acceptance" by FRANCES D’EMILIO | Associated Press, January 02, 2014
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, laying out his hopes Wednesday for the just-begun year, urged people to work for a world where everyone accepts each other’s differences and where enemies recognize they are brothers….
No one is perfect, but I think he is a well-meaning man.
Setting aside his prepared text for a moment, he expressed impatience with violence in the world….
Oh, wow, is he ever getting to me because the eyes are getting watery. Must be too much time on the blog today.
He told the crowd this reflection was inspired by a letter he received from a man who lamented that there are ‘‘so many tragedies and wars in the world.’’
Almost as if he were reading my blog (sniffle).
Please watch yourself on your trip to the Holy Land, your Holiness, and surround yourself with your best Swiss guards.
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"New cardinals include 2 from developing world" by Frances D’Emilio | Associated Press, January 13, 2014
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis named his first batch of cardinals on Sunday, choosing 19 men from around the world, including the developing nations of Haiti and Burkina Faso, in line with his belief the church must pay more attention to the poor.
Related: Sunday Globe Special: Hello, Haiti
You can start there.
But advocates for victims of sex abuse by Catholic clergy said they felt let down that Francis didn’t unequivocally embrace their calls that prelates who hadn’t made a clean break with past practices of covering up pedophile behavior never be promoted….
You can't make everyone happy I suppose.
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Also see:
Two US bishops lose Vatican posts
Not bothering with the Boston Globe much these days, either. At least I'm not a lark.
UPDATE: Pope revamps commission that oversees Vatican bank
