Aboard the papal plane, Mar 8, 2021 / 03:00 pm (CNA).- Please read below for CNA’s full transcript of Pope Francis’ in-flight press conference from Baghdad, Iraq, to Rome, Italy on March 8, 2021.
Pope Francis: First of all, thank you for your work, your company, your fatigue. Then, today is Women’s Day. Congratulations to the women. Women’s Day. But they were saying why is there no Men’s Day? Even when [I was] in the meeting with the wife of the president. I said it was because us men are always celebrated and we want to celebrate women. And the wife of the president spoke well about women, she told me lovely things today, about that strength that women have to carry forward life, history, the family, many things. Congratulations to everyone. And third, today is the birthday of the COPE journalist. Or the other day. Where are you?
Matteo Bruni, Holy See press office director: It was yesterday.
Pope Francis: Best wishes and we should celebrate it, right? We will see how we can [do it] here. Very well. Now, the word is yours.
Bruni: The first question comes from the Arabic world: Imad Atrach of Sky News Arabia.
Imad Abdul Karim Atrach (Sky News Arabia): Holiness, two years ago in Abu Dhabi there was the meeting with the Imam al-Tayyeb of al-Azhar and the signing of the document on human fraternity. Three days ago you met with al-Sistani. Are you thinking to something similar with the Shiite side of Islam? And then a second thing about Lebanon, which St. John Paul II said is more than a country, it is a message. This message, unfortunately, as a Lebanese, I tell you that this message is now disappearing. Can we think a future visit by you to Lebanon is imminent?
Pope Francis: The Abu Dhabi document of February 4 was prepared with the grand imam in secret during six months, praying, reflecting, correcting the text. It was, I will say, a little assuming but take it as a presumption, a first step of what you ask me about.
Let’s say that this [Ed. meeting with al-Sistani] would be the second [step] and there will be others. It is important, the journey of fraternity. Then, the two documents. The Abu Dhabi one created a concern for fraternity in me, Fratelli tutti came out, which has given a lot. We must… both documents must be studied because they go in the same direction, they are seeking fraternity.
Ayatollah al-Sistani has a phrase which I expect to remember well. Every man… men are either brothers for religion or equals for creation. And fraternity is equality, but beneath equality we cannot go. I believe it is also a cultural path.
We Christians think about the Thirty Years’ War. The night of St. Bartholomew [Ed. St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre], to give an example. Think about this. How the mentality has changed among us, because our faith makes us discover that this is it: the revelation of Jesus is love, charity, and it leads us to this. But how many centuries [will it take] to implement it? This is an important thing, human fraternity. That as men we are all brothers and we must move forward with other religions.
The [Second] Vatican Council took a big step forward in [interreligious dialogue], also the later constitution, the council for Christian unity, and the council for religious dialogue — Cardinal Ayuso accompanies us today — and you are human, you are a child of God and you are my brother, period. This would be the biggest indication. And many times you have to take risks to take this step. You know that there are some critics who [say] “the pope is not courageous, he is an idiot who is taking steps against Catholic doctrine, which is a heretical step.” There are risks. But these decisions are always made in prayer, in dialogue, asking for advice, in reflection. They are not a whim and they are also the line that the [Second Vatican] Council has taught us. This is his first question.
The second: Lebanon is a message. Lebanon is suffering. Lebanon is more than a balance. It has the weakness of the diversity which some are still not reconciled to, but it has the strength of the great people reconciled like the fortress of the cedars. Patriarch Rai asked me to please make a stop in Beirut on this trip, but it seemed somewhat too little to me: A crumb in front of a problem in a country that suffers like Lebanon. I wrote a letter and promised to make a trip to Lebanon. But Lebanon at the moment is in crisis, but in crisis — I do not want to offend — but in a crisis of life. Lebanon is so generous in welcoming refugees. This is a second trip.
Bruni: Thank you, Your Holiness. The second question comes from Johannes Neudecker of the German news agency Dpa.
Johannes Neudecker (Deutsche Presse-Agentur): Thank you, Holy Father. My question is also about the meeting with al-Sistani. In what measure was the meeting with al-Sistani also a message to the religious leaders of Iran?
Pope Francis: I believe it was a universal message. I felt the duty of this pilgrimage of faith and penance to go and find a great man, a wise man, a man of God. And just listening to him you perceived this. And speaking of messages, I will say: It is a message for everyone, it is a message for everyone. And he is a person who has that wisdom and also prudence… he told me that for 10 years, “I do not receive people who come to visit me with also other political or cultural aims, no… only for religious [purposes].” And he was very respectful, very respectful in the meeting. I felt very honored; he never gets up even to greet people. He got up to greet me twice. A humble and wise man. This meeting did my soul good. He is a light. These wisemen are everywhere because God’s wisdom has been spread all over the world.
It also happens the same with the saints, who are not only those who are on the altars, they are the everyday saints, the ones I call “next-door saints.” Men and women who live their faith, whatever it may be, with coherence. Who live human values with coherence, fraternity with coherence. I believe that we should discover these people, highlight them, because there are so many examples. When there are scandals in the Church, many, this does not help, but we show the people seeking the path of fraternity. The saints next door. And we will find the people of our family, for sure. For sure a few grandpas, a few grandmas.
Eva Fernandez (Radio COPE): Holy Father, it is great to resume the press conferences again. It is very good. My apologies, but my colleagues have asked me to ask this question in Spanish.
[In Spanish] During these days your trip to Iraq has had a great impact throughout the world. Do you think that this could be the trip of your pontificate? And also, it has been said that it was the most dangerous. Have you been afraid at some point during this trip? And soon we will return to travel and you, who are about to complete the eighth year of your pontificate, do you still think it will be a short [pontificate]? And the big question always for the Holy Father, will you ever return to Argentina? Will Spain still have hope that one day the pope will visit?
Pope Francis: Thank you, Eva, and I made you celebrate your birthday twice — once in advance and another belated.
I start with the last question, which is a question that I understand. It is because of that book by my friend, the journalist and doctor, Nelson Castro. He wrote a book on [the history of] presidents’ illnesses, and I once told him, already in Rome, “But you have to do one on the diseases of the popes because it will be interesting to know the health issues of the popes — at least of some who are more recent.”
He started [writing] again, and he interviewed me. The book came out. They tell me it is good, but I have not seen it. But he asked me a question: “If you resign” — well, if I will die or if I will resign — “If you resign, will you return to Argentina or will you stay here?”
I said: “I will not go back to Argentina.” This is what I have said, but I will stay here in my diocese. But in that case, this goes together with the question: When will I visit Argentina? And why have I not gone there? I always answer a little ironically: “I spent 76 years in Argentina, that’s enough, isn’t it?”
But there is one thing. I do not know why, but it has not been said. A trip to Argentina was planned for November 2017 and work began. It was Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. This was at the end of November. But then at that time there was an election campaign happening in Chile because on that day in December the successor of Michelle Bachelet was elected. I had to go before the government changed, I could not go [further].
So let us do this: Go to Chile in January. And then in January it was not possible to go to Argentina and Uruguay because January is like our August here, it is July and August in both countries. Thinking about it, the suggestion was made: Why not include Peru, because Peru was bypassed during the trip to Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, and remained apart. And from this was born the January trip between Chile and Peru.
But this is what I want to say so that you do not create fantasies of “patriaphobia.” When there are opportunities, it must be done, right? Because there is Argentina and Uruguay and the south of Brazil, which are a very great cultural composition.
About my travels: I make a decision about my trips by listening. The invitations are many. I listen to the advice of the counselors and also to the people. Sometimes someone comes and says: What do you think? Should I go or not? And it is good for me to listen. And this helps me to make the decision later.
I listen to the counselors and in the end I pray. I pray and I think a lot. I have reflected a lot about some trips, and then the decision comes from within. It is almost spontaneous, but like a ripe fruit. It is a long way, isn’t it? Some are more difficult, some are easier, and the decision about this trip comes early.
The first invitation of the ambassador, first, that pediatrician doctor who was the ambassador of Iraq, very good. She persisted. And then came the ambassador to Italy who is a woman of battle. Then the new ambassador to the Vatican came and fought. Soon the president came. All these things stayed with me.
But there is one thing behind my decision that I would like to mention. One of you gave me a Spanish edition [of the book] “The Last Girl.” I have read it in Italian, then I gave it to Elisabetta Piqué to read. Did you read it? More or less it is the story of the Yazidis. And Nadia Murad tells about terrifying things. I recommend that you read it. In some places it may seem heavy, but for me this was the trasfondo of God, the underlying reason for my decision. That book worked inside me. And also when I listened to Nadia who came to tell me terrible things. Then, with the book… All these things together made the decision; thinking about all the many issues. But finally the decision came and I took it.
And, about the eighth year of my pontificate. Should I do this? [He crosses his fingers.] I do not know if my travel will slow down or not. I only confess that on this trip I felt much more tired than on the others. The 84 [years] do not come alone, it is a consequence. But we will see.
Now I will have to go to Hungary for the final Mass of the Eucharistic Congress, not a visit to the country, but just for the Mass. But Budapest is a two-hour drive from Bratislava, why not make a visit to Slovakia? I do not know. That is how they are thinking. Excuse me. Thank you.
Bruni: Thank you, Eva. Now the next question is from Chico Harlan of the Washington Post.
Chico Harlan (Washington Post): Thank you, Holy Father. I will ask my question in English with the help of Matteo. [In English] This trip obviously had extraordinary meaning for the people who got to see you, but it did also lead to events that caused conditions conducive to spreading the virus. In particular, unvaccinated people packed together singing. So as you weigh the trip, the thought that went into it and what it will mean, do you worry that the people who came to see you could also get sick or even die. Can you explain that reflection and calculation. Thank you.
Pope Francis: As I said recently, the trips are cooked over time in my conscience. And this is one of the [thoughts] that came to me most, “maybe, maybe.” I thought a lot, I prayed a lot about this. And in the end I freely made the decision. But that came from within. I said: “The one who allows me to decide this way will look after the people.” And so I made the decision like this but after prayer and after awareness of the risks, after all.
Bruni: The next question comes from Philippine de Saint-Pierre of the French press.
Philippine de Saint-Pierre (KTO): Your Holiness, we have seen the courage and dynamism of Iraqi Christians. We have also seen the challenges they face: the threat of Islamist violence, the exodus of Christians, and the witnesss of the faith in their environment. These are the challenges facing Christians through the region. We spoke about Lebanon, but also Syria, the Holy Land, etc. The synod for the Middle East took place 10 years ago but its development was interrupted with the attack on the Baghdad cathedral. Are you thinking about organizing something for the entire Middle East, be it a regional synod or any other initiative?
Pope Francis: I’m not thinking about a synod. Initiatives, yes — I am open to many. But a synod never came to mind. You planted the first seed, let’s see what will happen. The life of Christians in Iraq is an afflicted life, but not only for Christians. I came to talk about Yazidis and other religions that did not submit to the power of Daesh. And this, I don’t know why, gave them a very great strength. But there is a problem, like you said, with emigration. Yesterday, as we drove from Qaraqosh to Erbil, there were lots of young people and the age level was low, low, low. Lots of young people. And the question someone asked me: But these young people, what is their future? Where will they go? Many will have to leave the country, many. Before leaving for the trip the other day, on Friday, 12 Iraqi refugees came to say goodbye to me. One had a prosthetic leg because he had escaped under a truck and had an accident… so many escaped. Migration is a double right. The right to not emigrate and the right to emigrate. But these people do not have either of the two. Because they cannot not emigrate, they do not know how to do it. And they cannot emigrate because the world squashes the consciousness that migration is a human right.
The other day — I’ll go back to the migration question — an Italian sociologist told me, speaking about the demographic winter in Italy: “But within 40 years we will have to import foreigners to work and pay pension taxes.” You French are smarter, you have advanced 10 years with the family support law and your level of growth is very large.
But immigration is experienced as an invasion. Because he asked, yesterday I wanted to receive Alan Kurdi’s father after Mass. This child is a symbol for them. Alan Kurdi is a symbol, for which I gave a sculpture to FAO [the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations]. It is a symbol that goes beyond a child who died in migration. He is a symbol of dying civilizations, which cannot survive. A symbol of humanity. Urgent measures are needed so that people have work in their place and do not have to emigrate. And also measures to safeguard the right to emigrate. It is true that every country must study well the ability to receive [immigrants], because it is not only about receiving them and leaving them on the beach. Receive them, accompany them, help them progress, and integrate them. The integration of immigrants is key.
Two anecdotes: Zaventem, in Belgium: the terrorists were Belgians, born in Belgium, but from ghettoized, non-integrated Islamic immigrants. Another example: when I went to Sweden, during the farewell ceremony, there was the minister, of what I don’t know, [Ed. Alice Bah-Kuhnke, Swedish Minister of Culture and Democracy from 2014 to 2019], she was very young, and she had a distinctive appearance, not typical of Swedes. She was the daughter of a migrant and a Swede, and so well integrated that she became minister [of culture]. Looking at these two things, they make you think a lot, a lot, a lot.
I would like to thank the generous countries. The countries that receive migrants, Lebanon. Lebanon was generous with emigrants. There are two million Syrians there, I think. And Jordan — unfortunately, we will not pass over Jordan because the king is very nice, King Abdullah wanted to pay us a tribute with the planes in passage. I will thank him now — Jordan has been very generous [with] more than one and a half million migrants, also many other countries… to name just two. Thank you to these generous countries. Thank you very much.
Matteo Bruni: The next question is in Italian from the journalist Stefania Falasca.
Stefania Falasca (Avvenire): Good morning, Holy Father. Thank you. In three days in this country, which is a key country of the Middle East, you have done what the powerful of the earth have been discussing for 30 years. You have already explained what was the interesting genesis of your travels, how the choices for your travels originate, but now in this juncture, can you also consider a trip to Syria? What could be the objectives from now to a year from now of other places where your presence is required?
Pope Francis: Thank you. In the Middle East only the hypothesis, and also the promise is for Lebanon. I have not thought about a trip to Syria. I have not thought about it because the inspiration did not come to me. But I am so close to the tormented and beloved Syria, as I call it. I remember from the beginning of my pontificate that afternoon of prayer in St. Peter’s Square. There was the rosary, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. And how many Muslims with carpets on the ground were praying with us for peace in Syria, to stop the bombing, at that moment when it was said that there would be a fierce bombing. I carry Syria in my heart, but thinking about a trip, it has not occurred to me at this moment. Thank you.
Matteo Bruni: Thank you. The next question comes from Sylwia Wysocka of the Polish press.
Sylwia Wysocka (Polish Press Agency): Holy Father, in these very difficult 12 months your activity has been very limited. Yesterday you had the first direct and very close contact with the people in Qaraqosh: What did you feel? And then, in your opinion, now, with the current health system, can the general audiences with people, with faithful, recommence as before?
Pope Francis: I feel different when I am away from the people in the audiences. I would like to restart the general audiences again as soon as possible. Hopefully the conditions will be right. I will follow the norms of the authorities in this. They are in charge and they have the grace of God to help us in this. They are responsible for setting the rules, whether we like them or not. They are responsible and they have to be so.
Now I have started again with the Angelus in the square, with the distances it can be done. There is the proposal of small general audiences, but I have not decided until the development of the situation becomes clear. After these months of imprisonment, I really felt a bit imprisoned, this is, for me, living again.
Living again because it is touching the Church, touching the holy people of God, touching all peoples. A priest becomes a priest to serve, to serve the people of God, not for careerism, right? Not for the money.
This morning in the Mass there was [the Scripture reading about] the healing of Naaman the Syrian and it said that Naaman wanted to give gifts after he had been healed. But he refused… but the prophet Elisha refused them. And the Bible continues: the prophet Elisha’s assistant, when they had left, settled the prophet well and running he followed Naaman and asked for gifts for him. And God said, “the leprosy that Naaman had will cling to you.” I am afraid that we, men and women of the Church, especially we priests, do not have this gratuitous closeness to the people of God which is what saves us.
And to be like Naaman’s servant, to help, but then going back [for the gifts.] I am afraid of that leprosy. And the only one who saves us from the leprosy of greed, of pride, is the holy people of God, like what God spoke about with David, “I have taken you out of the flock, do not forget the flock.” That of which Paul spoke to Timothy: “Remember your mother and grandmother who nursed you in the faith.” Do not lose your belonging to the people of God to become a privileged caste of consecrated, clerics, anything.
This is why contact with the people saves us, helps us. We give the Eucharist, preaching, our function to the people of God, but they give us belonging. Let us not forget this belonging to the people of God. Then begin again like this.
I met in Iraq, in Qaraqosh… I did not imagine the ruins of Mosul, I did not imagine. Really. Yes, I may have seen things, I may have read the book, but this touches, it is touching.
What touched me the most was the testimony of a mother in Qaraqosh. A priest who truly knows poverty, service, penance; and a woman who lost her son in the first bombings by ISIS gave her testimony. She said one word: forgiveness. I was moved. A mother who says: I forgive, I ask forgiveness for them.
I was reminded of my trip to Colombia, of that meeting in Villavicencio where so many people, women above all, mothers and brides, spoke about their experience of the murder of their children and husbands. They said, “I forgive, I forgive.” But this word we have lost. We know how to insult big time. We know how to condemn in a big way. Me first, we know it well. But to forgive, to forgive one’s enemies. This is the pure Gospel. This is what touched me the most in Qaraqosh.
Matteo Bruni: There are other questions if you want. Otherwise we can…
Pope Francis: How long has it been?
Bruni: Almost an hour.
Pope Francis: We have been talking for almost an hour. I don’t know, I would continue, [joking] but the car… [is waiting for me.] Let’s do, how do you say, the last one before celebrating the birthday.
Matteo Bruni: The last is by Catherine Marciano from the French press, from the Agence France-Presse.
Catherine Marciano (AFP): Your Holiness, I wanted to know what you felt in the helicopter seeing the destroyed city of Mosul and praying on the ruins of a church. Since it is Women’s Day, I would like to ask a little question about women… You have supported the women in Qaraqosh with very nice words, but what do you think about the fact that a Muslim woman in love cannot marry a Christian without being discarded by her family or even worse. But the first question was about Mosul. Thank you, Your Holiness.
Pope Francis: I said what I felt in Mosul a little bit en passant. When I stopped in front of the destroyed church, I had no words, I had no words… beyond belief, beyond belief. Not just the church, even the other destroyed churches. Even a destroyed mosque, you can see that [the perpetrators] did not agree with the people. Not to believe our human cruelty, no. At this moment I do not want to say the word, “it begins again,” but let’s look at Africa. With our experience of Mosul, and these people who destroy everything, enmity is created and the so-called Islamic State begins to act. This is a bad thing, very bad, and before moving on to the other question — A question that came to my mind in the church was this: “But who sells weapons to these destroyers? Because they do not make weapons at home. Yes, they will make some bombs, but who sells the weapons, who is responsible? I would at least ask that those who sell the weapons have the sincerity to say: we sell weapons. They don’t say it. It’s ugly.
Women… women are braver than men. But even today women are humiliated. Let’s go to the extreme: one of you showed me the list of prices for women. [Ed. prepared by ISIS for selling Christian and Yazidi women.] I couldn’t believe it: if the woman is like this, she costs this much… to sell her… Women are sold, women are enslaved. Even in the center of Rome, the work against trafficking is an everyday job.
During the Jubilee, I went to visit one of the many houses of the Opera Don Benzi: Ransomed girls, one with her ear cut off because she had not brought the right money that day, and the other brought from Bratislava in the trunk of a car, a slave, kidnapped. This happens among us, the educated. Human trafficking. In these countries, some, especially in parts of Africa, there is mutilation as a ritual that must be done. Women are still slaves, and we have to fight, struggle, for the dignity of women. They are the ones who carry history forward. This is not an exaggeration: Women carry history forward and it’s not a compliment because today is Women’s Day. Even slavery is like this, the rejection of women… Just think, there are places where there is the debate regarding whether repudiation of a wife should be given in writing or only orally. Not even the right to have the act of repudiation! This is happening today, but to keep us from straying, think of what happens in the center of Rome, of the girls who are kidnapped and are exploited. I think I have said everything about this. I wish you a good end to your trip and I ask you to pray for me, I need it. Thank you.
[…]
Well, at least no personnel changes, right?
Kyrie eleison.
Exactly.
Why, indeed. With the culmination of all that the current papacy has rendered….an ominous future.
““I have arrived at the deliberation of instituting a Theological Institute for Matrimonial and Family Science, broadening its field of interest, both in relation to the new dimensions of the pastoral task and of the ecclesial mission, and with reference to developments in the human sciences and in anthropological culture in a field so fundamental for the culture of life”,”
” “…at the level of academic formation – in reflection on marriage and on the family the pastoral perspective and attention to the wounds of humanity must never be lacking. If a fruitful examination of pastoral theology cannot be conducted neglecting the special ecclesial profile of the family, likewise that same pastoral sensibility must be aware of the valuable contribution of thought and reflection that research, in the deepest and most rigorous way, the truth of the revelation and wisdom of the tradition of faith, in view of its better comprehension at the present time.””
Is it only to me that this sounds like utter gobbledegook? It’s about as clear as mud, and I would give much for some blunt, straightforward language for a change.
It is jibber jabber. Whenever they put someone in charge who wants to hide what they are really doing, they speak jibber jabber.
Leslie, are you the same Leslie that offered some interesting words on a website about women voting for Trump? Off the subject, I know.
I am concerned about a lot of words spoken and actions taken by this Pope. I can only pray for our Holy Church.
Recently? I don’t remember posting anything about that but it’s possible. Now, if instead of “interesting words” you had said “scintillatingly brilliant words,” we’d know for sure. ; )
It’s pretty clear to me.
1. AL replaces and overrules FC. So, the institute founded upon FC must be replaced with one founded upon AL.
2. We are done trying to teach the world the Truth. From now on, we will allow the world to teach us. New “scientific” understandings of human anthropology will allow us to change everything.
“If so, it would constitute yet one more attempt to marginalize the Pontiff’s thought—especially the TOB—in the current ecclesiastical environment … a tremendous loss if it was short-circuited at the very institution named after and known world-wide as the “flagship” for its study. ”
It has been obvious for years now that Pope Francis didn’t like St. John Paul II and wants to dilute, reverse and decimate his influence in all areas of the Church. He summarily fires those who disagree with them when he can (Cardinal Burke), or isolates them on the sideline when he can’t (Cardinal Sarah).
Expect a massive overturn in the faculty, perhaps with all the work-reknown faculty being fired, and an entirely new bunch of cretinish sycophants hired in the new Institute (many will probably be Jebbies).
“Utinam disrumperes caelos et descenderes a facie tua montes defluerent 2 sicut exustio ignis tabescerent aquae arderent igni ut notum fieret nomen tuum inimicis tuis a facie tua gentes turbarentur” (Isaias 64:1)
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness – Dickens A Tale of Two Cities. How prophetic an analogy. A great Body Mystical and Holy One in Baptism and Faith rapidly become Two. Even more prophetic St Augustine’s City of God Against the Pagans. Commented recently NCR on Magnum Principium the Pontiff’s Motu Proprio on liturgical change. Change to canon 838 centers on Confirmation replaced by Recognitio. Recognitio required review by Rome. Confirmatio doesn’t. That is the significant difference. It gives Bishops Conferences far more leeway in translations. It’s wishful thinking by Kurt Martens professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America to suggest little is expected to change when we already have several Bishops Conferences and others leaning toward distancing from Apostolic Tradition. The more salient opinion is from Canon lawyer Father Pietrzyk editor of the Angelicum who questioned how involved will the Congregation for Divine Worship be. The obvious answer is less since the change in Canon 838 is precisely to shift that prerogative to the Bishops. Decentralization denotes local change and the crux is not simply words but doctrine. So what’s the connection with the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences? Everything. The Liturgy is centered on the Gospels, the Deposit of Faith. Directly related is the controversy over Christ’s use of the word Adultery. Cardinals Fernandez, Cupich had questioned its permanent interpretation within the Apostolic Tradition. Whether D&R are living in adultery and whether they are eligible for communion is at the heart of AL and the future of the Christian family. A danger warned by Cardinal Caffarra and recently addressed by Bishop Athanasius Schneider as the line of demarcation between Faith and Apostasy.
Pardon my error, “Change to canon 838 centers on Confirmation replaced by Recognitio” should read “Change to canon 838 centers on Recognitio replaced by Confirmation”.
Great work, Mark. I would add that Paul Vitz and J. Augustine DiNoia, OP (now archbishop) were on the faculty as well, and G. Elizabeth Anscombe also was a visiting lecturer during that time. Indeed, we blessed. The reasons for the suppression and change are transparent nonsense.
I don’t know a single JPII alum who doesn’t think we were blessed.
I share your concerns, Dr. Latkovic. I attended seminary at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC when the John Paul II Institute was located within the Dominican House. I was privileged to take many classes from the JPII Institute and found it to be an incredible environment for theology, science, goodness, truth, and beauty. I really don’t understand the need for the “re-booting” and re-naming of the Institute. Saint John Paul II, pray for us!
Fr. Calloway, with all due respect, I think we all know the reason. Pope Francis intends AL to overrule and reverse the teaching if FC. So, how could he possibly permit the Church’s premier institute on marriage, family and life issues to remain founded upon FC and dedicated to its teaching. If FC is to be buried and replaced by AL, then the institute founded upon FC must also be buried and replaced with one founded upon AL.
Worst of all, they now are using the Seamles garment approach, where everything is a “life” issue. The intent is to water down the pro life activities of the church, and to turn the institutions of the church into left wing policy centers, where global warming and every other goofy cause will water down the church’s teaching. This is a tremendously ominous development, and the fact that the guy in charge Paglia, in an interview with Crux specifically talks about getting into political issues indicates a drastic turn. Remember Paglia was the one who told them to go ahead and kill ltttle Charlie Gard, the baby from England, and the Pope had to reverse this decision. Remember Paglia was the one who appeared in the homoeroric mural in his former Cathedral.
Another sign of the culture of disobedience and death in the “current pontificate.”
It is clear that the Pope’s objective here is to bliterate the legacy St. John Paul II on issues of sexual morality and to bury forever the exhortation Familiaris Consortio. It is clear by now that he intends Amoris Laetitia to reverse the teaching of Familiaris Consortio, so how can he allow the Church’s main institute for family and life issues to remain founded upon it and dedicated to its teaching? With his recent moves to totally transform the JPII institutes he has ruthlessly eliminated a center of opposition to his new teaching. Likewise, rather than serving as a center to teach the Church’s truths to the world, the new center seems clearly designed more to supposedly learn from the new “scientific” understanding of human anthropology so that the Church can eventually welcome such things as artificial contraception, fornication and homosexual acts as non-sinful.
“….with reference to developments in the human sciences and in anthropological culture in a field so fundamental for the culture of life”,”
Nothing new under the sun here, absolutely nothing that should change JP2s teachings, as totally aligned with the teachings of Jesus Christ, and Gods glorious creation.
The Pope is about to trigger the appearance of generating another science-based calamity for the Church.
Pure Science (biology, physics, chemistry) is totally aligned with objective truths, which are totally aligned with Catholicism. There is only One Truth, no matter what you call it or how you attempt to manipulate (rename, recast) it.
Not only is the USA being torn apart but this Pope is doing a good job of tearing apart our Catholic Faith to condition us for the New World Order…one religion that he intends to head. I pray that this Pope will step down before he, like Obama does a lot of damage to the church….Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Replace the works of a great saint with the work of, someone we cannot recognize as a teacher of all things Catholic? Whose idea was that anyway? Oh, yes, he did it himself.
Humility is the root of all virtue.
When the JP II institute was on the drafting boards in the 90’s, there was a visit by the construction committee to give a presentation to Theological College in DC. Many of us seminarians were second career and asked about stock portfolios, income generation, and the possibility of renting space for Catholic functions (graduations, receptions, and the like). Nobody could answer those queries nor the question of what this institute would do that the other houses of formation and Catholic University (across the street) could not do. So a well built white elephant was constructed for 23 million dollars and rescued by the Knights of Coluumbus when it could not make momey. In the future, we must think through the larger picture of how such things can help the people of God before sticking them with the costs.
Historically, Popes who were in error have had marginal influence, and if they do harm, it is short lasting. Pope Francis is already 81 yrs. old, and his reign will not be long.
Recently, a true story of something at a local church crossed my desk, and it gave me a new perspective on what Pope Francis hopes to accomplish. Two young homosexual men came to my church; the pastor never mentioned sexuality or condemned them in any fashion. He led them from one step to another in their discipleship, over a period of years. One day they came to him and said, “Father, we have done everything you asked, but we are still not happy.” Then he told them: ” Try for two months to abstain from sexual activity, live together as friends, and sublimate your sexual desire into the desire for intimacy with God.”
Two months later, they came back to him wreathed in smiles. “Thank you Father, now we are happy.” They never looked back, and have lived lives of abstinence ever since.
Historically, the Catholic Church has not used this approach, and where has it got them? Over the last 40 years, over 100 million selective sex abortions, homosexuality, transgenderism, on and on it goes.
If you condemn a homosexual, or keep divorced women from the Sacraments, it is much easier than giving them patient love.
When Jesus said to those surrounding the adulterous woman, “He among you who has not sinned, let him cast the first stone.”, he didn’t just want them to refrain from throwing, he wanted them to stop picking them up.
Recently a story broke in Italy about 40 priests who were using the services of a male prostitute. One of them was living a lavish lifestyle, and kept aggressively asking the members of the congregation for more and more donations, which he often spent on expensive gifts for this man. Those who are not Catholic see these things, and they think, “This organization is supposed to teach us about family, sexuality and the dignity of human life?”
There is no point and no need for the Church to repeat over and over again, the same message on these things. Everyone already knows what the Church teaches.
The laws never change, but for those who transgress, reaching out with patient, lavish mercy may be a better tactic.
Lavish mercy?
Where do you draw the line, and, in the name of mercy, how long do you compromise doctrine? Where is the study or evidence that shows ‘everyone knows what the Church teaches’? And why the teaching exists?
Patient accompaniment need not extend into indiscriminate access to the Eucharist. The better path is not to be labeled as condemnation.
And as for the priest dealing with the two homosexuals—he might have explained the truth two years earlier, and those two years of stones-for-bread unhappiness and the guilt of more sacrilegious communions could have been avoided.
After all, Christ did NOT say to the women caught in adultery: “Go and sin for two more years, and then when you come back still unhappy I have some really GOOD NEWS for you. But not yet, stew in your own juice, for you are not yet good enough.”
Type in “Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia” and “controversy” into your browser, and you’ll discover enough about the Grand Chancellor for the newly constituted John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences to make your blood boil. What is Pope Francis’ agenda? Why does he keep elevating and surrounding himself with so many notorious members of the lavender mafia?
John Paul was a worthless showmen who did nothing about the sex abuse scandal. One of his best friends was a Priest who was married and sexual abused seminarians. Let’s look at the facts he wrote beautiful words but no action to remedy the injustice of abuse.
When this rather large building was under consideration in the 90’s, the church hierarchy could not answer the question of what this institute could teach on marriage and family that the Catholic University of America and all the surrounding religious houses of formation could not. Cardinals and bishops, steeped in many scandals at their home dioceses none sank $25 million (unknowingly provided by loyal Catholics) into this rather large and useless white elephant that once completed still begged the question of what it was for. If the building rented out its halls for receptions, parties, and other venues would profit the church greatly.