Posts
Were the mafiosi in a state of grace before the Pope excommunicated them?
In any case, excommunication is a good idea. (Should the Pope excommunicate Father Hans Kung too? No, I say with deep regret, because that would send the wrong signal to the media.)
Did the Pope say it breaks his heart when he sees a Catholic driving a flash car? I'm quoting Julie Burchill. I found myself hoping it was true though I was not sure that this remark would be theologically sound. On reflection I think what she was thinking of was his disgust at Catholic prelates living luxuriously, with which I thoroughly agree, if they do.
The things the pope says may have much less substance than at first sight appears. I am still spellbound with admiration and affection for Pope Benedict XVI and am well aware that many conservative Catholics are horrified by the new Pope for saying odd things ad lib when talking to random people - like
Still, what is absolutely certain is that he is having a wonderful success in getting the Church's message to large numbers of people who were always ardent anti-Catholics, of whom Julie Burchill is one. I have lost count at how many ardent atheists or anti-Catholics have burbled their admiration for him. So he is a Good thing, even though he seems to make things up on the hoof.
I just wish he loved the Latin Mass more, in its modern or Tridentine form.
I hate materialism but I am glad there are Catholic dukes and princes. Flash cars might be immoral. So, I often think, is living above the average wage, though I know a thousand moral theologians have explained that this is not so. On the other hand I still intend to get a Savile Row suit. I sense there is an inconsistency here.
In any case, excommunication is a good idea. (Should the Pope excommunicate Father Hans Kung too? No, I say with deep regret, because that would send the wrong signal to the media.)
Did the Pope say it breaks his heart when he sees a Catholic driving a flash car? I'm quoting Julie Burchill. I found myself hoping it was true though I was not sure that this remark would be theologically sound. On reflection I think what she was thinking of was his disgust at Catholic prelates living luxuriously, with which I thoroughly agree, if they do.
The things the pope says may have much less substance than at first sight appears. I am still spellbound with admiration and affection for Pope Benedict XVI and am well aware that many conservative Catholics are horrified by the new Pope for saying odd things ad lib when talking to random people - like
Loneliness and youth unemployment are the two worst things in the world.(What about sin?)
Still, what is absolutely certain is that he is having a wonderful success in getting the Church's message to large numbers of people who were always ardent anti-Catholics, of whom Julie Burchill is one. I have lost count at how many ardent atheists or anti-Catholics have burbled their admiration for him. So he is a Good thing, even though he seems to make things up on the hoof.
I just wish he loved the Latin Mass more, in its modern or Tridentine form.
I hate materialism but I am glad there are Catholic dukes and princes. Flash cars might be immoral. So, I often think, is living above the average wage, though I know a thousand moral theologians have explained that this is not so. On the other hand I still intend to get a Savile Row suit. I sense there is an inconsistency here.
Humility is only genuine when it is done away from public view. This is a basic Catholic teaching. What Francis is doing, trying his best to differentiate himself from his predecessors instead of simply accepting the papal traditions is the opposite of humility. He's a phony show off and you've fallen for it.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that the right hand should not know what the left hand is doing, that is what Christ not Catholicism teaches, but Francis is leading by example, which he jolly well should, and naturally it may make some uncomfortable. Cynicism is the sin of believing the worst, when I believe we should look for the good in people and the best motives rather than be suspicious. Let God judge what is phony and what isn't.
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