Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Pope in his own words

Pope Francis aboard the papal flight from Cuba to Washington, D.C., Sept. 22, 2015. Credit: Alan Holdren/CNA.
I was amused and bemused by the Holy Father's plane interview on his way to the US, especially his reply to the question on why he hadn't met with dissidents:
Pope Francis: Look, I don’t have any news that that has happened. I don’t have any news. Some yes, yes, no, I don’t know. I don’t know, directly. The two questions are about reading the future. Would I like this to happen? … I like to meet with all people. I consider that all people are children of God and the law. And secondly, a relationship with another person always enriches. Even though it was soothsaying, that’s my reply. I would like to meet with everyone. If you want me to speak more about the dissidents, you can ask me something more concrete. For the nunciature, first, it was very clear that I was not going to give audiences because not only the dissidents asked for audiences, but also audiences (were requested) from other sectors, including from the chief of state. And, no, I am on a visit to a nation, and just that. I know that I hadn’t planned any audience with the dissidents or the others. And secondly from the nunciature, some people made some calls to some people who are in these groups of dissidents, where the responsibility was given to the nuncio to call them and tell them that I would greet them with pleasure outside the catedral for the meeting with the consecrated (religious). I would greet them when I was there, no? That did exist. Now, as no one identified themselves in their greetings, I don’t know if they were there. I said hello to the sick who were in wheelchairs. … Oops, I’m speaking Spanish. I greeted those who were in wheelchairs, but no one identified themselves as dissidents; but from the nunciature calls were made by some for a quick greeting.
I am told this is a fairly accurate translation. then there was this answer too:
Pope Francis: A cardinal friend of mine told me that a very concerned woman, very Catholic, went to him. A bit rigid, but Catholic. And she asked him if it was true that in the Bible, they spoke of an antichrist, and she explained it to him. And also in the Apocalypse, no? And, then, if it was true that an anti-pope, who is the antichrist, the anti-Pope. But why is she asking me this question, this cardinal asked me? “Because I’m sure that Pope Francis is the anti-pope,” she said. And why does she ask this, why does she have this idea? “It’s because he doesn’t wear red shoes.” The reason for thinking if one is communist or isn’t communist. I’m sure that I haven't said anything more than what’s written in the social doctrine of the Church. On another flight, a colleague asked me if I had reached out a hand to the popular movements and asked me, “But is the Church going to follow you?” I told him, “I’m the one following the Church.” And in this it seems that I’m not wrong. I believe that I never said a thing that wasn’t the social doctrine of the Church. Things can be explained, possibly an explanation gave an impression of being a little “to the left”, but it would be an error of explanation. No, my doctrine on this, in Laudato si', on economic imperialism, all of this, is the social doctrine of the Church. And it if necessary, I’ll recite the creed. I am available to do that, eh.

I think with Pope Francis, what you see is what you get.

20 comments:

nickbris said...

Pope Francis is a "smart cookie" he has them beaten on all fronts, Long may he reign

Sixupman said...

"...what you see is what you get." Confusion!!!

Oakes Spalding said...

He sounds like a politician making fun of the "lunatic fringe" voters of the other party, not the Vicar of Christ. Isn't it interesting that his target of ridicule is a presumably faithful old woman "rigid, but still a Catholic"?

1569 Rising said...

There is something radically wrong here. The more I read the Pope's words, the more confused I become. Frankly, I don't know what he means half of the time.

I could be very irreverent comparing His Holiness to the famous Father Cassidy, legendary Headmaster of St Cuthbert's Grammar School in Newcastle upon Tyne in the 1950s - 1960s who was renowned far and wide for his off-the -cuff comments. On one famous occasion, having become irritated at some boy talking during Fr C's sermon at weekly Benediction, said "Every time I open my mouth, some fool speaks."

Terry Middleton

Pelerin said...

Pope Francis' answers seem so disjointed to me. I am still trying to work out what he means when he said that 'all people are children of God and the law.' Does he mean the natural law of God, the laws of the Church or the laws of the country in which one resides?

And when he mentions the lady who was 'a bit rigid but Catholic' is he saying that we should not be following the laws of the Church too closely? Perhaps we are only expected to follow what we wish to follow and anything we disagree with we can ignore?

Fifty years ago I stood in front of the altar and stated that I believed 'everything which the Holy Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church defines and declares that we must believe.' I meant every word I said that day. Does the Pope mean that I have been rigid in trying follow my promises? All very confusing.

gemoftheocean said...

I don't like what I'm getting. Obama had a disgusting guest list for the WH reception. A bunch of dissident "Catholics." I'd love the see him offer and offend a Saudi by having pig served at the White House Reception. Fat chance. Obama only disrespects Catholics.

Unknown said...

While in Cuba, the Pope chose to meet with Fidel Castro. I must ask, "Why?" Why would he need to meet with someone who is no longer the head of state of the country he is visiting. Fidel's claim can at this point only be that of a former dictator and first of a reigning dynasty. Will he, for instance, be meeting with any former presidents of the USA? There is an obvious double standard there.
As to not knowing anything about dissidents, and not being scheduled, who made the schedules? In his previous visits in Latin America much was made about his having insisted on visiting jails. He made no attempt at visiting the well-documented political prisoners on the island. Furthermore, the press has made it known that many dissidents were arrested or kept from approaching him and his response is that the nunciature knew nothing of this. I find it very hard to believe. Sorry, but Jorge Bergloglio is not dealing equally with all.

Frederick Jones said...

Perhaps the Almighty has chosen this Pope to illustrate the limits of Papal Infallibility and Authority in a practical way.

GOR said...

Oh, for the clarity, precision and brevity of Pope Benedict!

"Words to the heat of deeds, too cold breath gives." Macbeth.

JARay said...

I see that Pope Francis has praised Barack Obama for his stance on Global Warming. When one is a guest in someone else's house one has to say a few nice things. He could hardly praise Obama for his work on abortion!

Genty said...

Confused? Not me. It's all very clear.

gemoftheocean said...

Both are wrong on the global warming front. Frauds, both of them. Just a power and money grab for the so-called elite. Earth has been warming and cooling for billions of years. The dinosaurs were not driving around in SUVs causing it.

ALEXANDER VI said...

If people don't like Francis then they clear off and join the SSPX. They won't be missed.....

Pelerin said...

A recent blog commenter quoted the following from their parish bulletin in Texas regarding the encyclical Laudato Si. 'Too bad that Pope Francis acquired and used phrases that are scientifically unproven.'

I know nothing about science but isn't there a danger that if some of what Pope Francis has said about global warming, now referred to as climate change, is eventually proved wrong by scientists then there is a great danger that his words on matters of Faith will then be challenged also and the proverbial pack of cards will come tumbling down?

TLM said...

Alexander - People don't necessarily have to 'like' a Pontiff to remain faithful to Rome. I do not care for this Pope, but that doesn't mean I don't pray for him daily, and obey when he speaks 'from the Chair', or respect the Office he holds. He is the legitimate Pope, but he is not at all my favorite Pope of all time. He speaks out of both sides of his mouth, and not giving the faithful any direction to follow. That doesn't mean I'm jumping ship....EVER.

Deacon Augustine said...

I hope that lady didn't say he was the antichrist because he wouldn't wear red shoes. That would have been a shamefully squandered opportunity.

Now, if she had said it was because he was doing everything he could do to trash Holy Matrimony, bless immorality and perversion, and sow confusion about the Church's infallibly defined doctrine and dogma, she would have had a worthwhile point.

Our Lady of Good Success-pray for us. said...

Apocalypse, antichrist (regarding the latter, sacred Scrpiture -given us by Holy Mother Church - tells us that antichrists and their operation have been going on almost as long as the Church). The 'no news' resident of St Martha's Hotel...the VII Vehicle of the revolution has been given rocket fuel via the son of Mr and Mrs Bergoglio.

Cardinal Manning laid it out pretty clearly - Church teaching proper to counter Protestant wet-dreams. Christ's Vicar can no more be an antichrist than satan can intend to save a soul. Likewise a heretic, an anti-pope, changes/instigates/officiates nothing in the name of Christ.

The Faith is no secret. Therefore the enemies of the faith are no secret.

nickbris said...

Never been a great fan of Democracy as we know it. But I always thought that when a leader is elected we are obliged to go along with the result. In all my life I have never heard anybody discussing whether they liked or agreed with anything said by the Pope or not.

It seems to be some sort of disease going round; every word uttered by Pope Francis is bandied about in umpteen languages and interpretations.

The truth of the matter is that young people are becoming disillusioned because of the old teachings and cannot see the point of it all;as Cardinal Nicholls has said the Catholic Church will have to lighten up or we are doomed

Paul Hellyer said...

Nickbris: Cardinal Nicholls should go back to basics and learn his catechism again. Young people are disillusioned because the old teachings are NOT being taught and are being suppressed. He thinks the Catholic Church is some sort of subset of a worldwide Christianity. He should stop playing at 'church' and be a real Catholic witness to Christ.

nickbris said...

Thanks Paul, I got confused with the translations and the EOA kicked in

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