Pope Francis gives the homily as he celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Sept. 11. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
While preaching on today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke, Pope Francis lamented that in our times “the Great Accuser” is “attacking bishops” by uncovering their sins “in order to scandalize the people.”
According to a summary of the Holy Father’s homily published by Vatican News, Pope Francis called upon bishops to be humble men of prayer and not to “remain distant from the people.”
Vatican News quotes the Holy Father:
The bishop cannot remain distant from the people; he cannot have attitudes that take him away from them… He doesn’t try to find refuge with the powerful or elite. No. The “elites” criticize bishops, while the people has an attitude of love towards the bishop. This is almost a special unction that confirms the bishop in his vocation.
Prayer and humility are attributes necessary for bishops as they face “the Great Accuser,” the Pope said:
In these times, it seems like the “Great Accuser” has been unchained and is attacking bishops. True, we are all sinners, we bishops. He tries to uncover the sins, so they are visible in order to scandalize the people. The “Great Accuser,” as he himself says to God in the first chapter of the Book of Job, “roams the earth looking for someone to accuse.” A bishop’s strength against the “Great Accuser” is prayer, that of Jesus and his own, and the humility of being chosen and remaining close to the people of God, without seeking an aristocratic life that removes this unction. Let us pray, today, for our bishops: for me, for those who are here, and for all the bishops throughout the world.
Pope Francis was preaching on today’s Gospel reading, Luke 6:12-19, which recounts the calling of the Twelve Disciples, whom Francis called “the first bishops.”
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Pope Francis delivers a video message to the conference “100 Years Since the ‘Concilium Sinense’” at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. / Credit: Fabio Gonnella/EWTN
Rome Newsroom, May 21, 2024 / 13:57 pm (CNA).
Pope Francis has praised the Catholic Church’s first council in China 100 years ago as “an authentic synodal journey” that opened the way for the Church in China “to increasingly have a Chinese face.”
In a video message to a conference in Rome on the Catholic Church in China, the pope noted that Chinese Catholics have endured “times of patience and trial” in the past century.
“The Lord in China has safeguarded the faith of the people of God along the way. And the faith of God’s people has been the compass that has shown the way throughout this time,” Pope Francis said in the May 21 address.
Pope Francis delivers a video message to the conference “100 Years Since the ‘Concilium Sinense’” at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Credit: Fabio Gonnella/EWTN
The pope pointed to a Church council that took place in Shanghai 25 years before the Chinese Communist Revolution as an example of a moment when “the communion between the Holy See and the Church in China manifested its fruits, fruits of good for all the Chinese people.”
The 1924 council, called the Primum Concilium Sinense, brought together 105 Catholic missionaries, bishops, and Chinese Catholics to establish a framework for a native Chinese hierarchy.
“The Fathers gathered in the Concilium Sinense lived an authentically synodal experience and made important decisions together,” Pope Francis said.
“Remembering the Council of Shanghai can also suggest today new paths to the entire Church and open paths to be undertaken with boldness to proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel in the present,” he added.
Among the crowd listening to the pope’s video message were representatives from the People’s Republic of China, including Bishop Shen Bin of Shanghai, who was unilaterally installed by Chinese authorities as bishop of Shanghai in April 2023 without a papal mandate, thereby breaking the terms of the Vatican-China deal. Pope Francis confirmed his appointment in July 2023.
The Holy See first entered into a provisional two-year agreement with Beijing on the appointment of bishops in 2018, which has since been renewed twice and is again up for renewal this fall.
Pope Francis opted not to speak of the Vatican’s diplomatic efforts with Beijing or religious freedom in China in his message but said that Chinese Catholics today “bear witness to their faith through works of mercy and charity, and in their witness they give a real contribution to the harmony of social coexistence.”
A large statue of Our Lady of Sheshan stood on the pope’s desk as he spoke. The pope noted that during the month of May many Chinese Catholics usually go on pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of Sheshan, located near Shanghai.
“I too ideally climb the hill of Sheshan, and let us all together entrust to Mary, Help of Christians, our brothers and sisters in the faith who are in China, all the Chinese people, and all our poor world, asking for her intercession, so that peace may always win everywhere,” Pope Francis said.
Following the pope’s message, Shen Bin delivered a 15-minute speech in Chinese to the packed auditorium of the Pontifical Urban University on the Janiculum Hill overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Chinese bishop offered a different interpretation of the 1924 council from the pope in his speech, saying that “the Council of Shanghai did not lead to an immediate and radical change in the Church in China,” adding that by the 1949 Communist Revolution “only 29 of China’s 137 dioceses had Chinese bishops, and only three of 20 archbishops were Chinese.”
“The Catholic Church in China had not really freed itself from foreign powers to become a work led by Chinese Christians and had not yet managed to shed the label of ‘foreign religion,’” he said.
Shen Bin, who has held leadership positions in the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association established by the Chinese Communist Party and under the control of the United Front Work Department, went on to defend Beijing’s religious freedom record and underlined the need for the Church in China to “follow a path of sinicization.”
“The policy of religious freedom implemented by the Chinese government has no interest in changing the Catholic faith but only hopes that the Catholic clergy and faithful will defend the interests of the Chinese people and free themselves from the control of foreign powers,” Shen Bin said in his speech.
“Today the Chinese people are carrying out the great rebirth of the Chinese nation in a global way with Chinese-style modernization, and the Catholic Church in China must move in the same direction, following a path of sinicization that is in line with Chinese society and culture today,” the Shanghai bishop added.
The conference, titled “100 Years Since the ‘Concilium Sinense’: Between History and the Present,” was held in Chinese and Italian in the Great Hall of the Pontifical Urban University. The Pastoral Commission for China and Agenzia Fides, the information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies, organized the conference, which featured Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as speakers.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the conference, Parolin said the Holy See would like to increase and deepen its contacts in China.
“We have been hoping for a long time now to have a stable presence in China, even if initially it may not have the form of a papal representation of an apostolic nunciature,” Parolin said.
Pope Francis interacted with an energetic crowd of 65,000 young adults and catechists at Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Feb. 2, 2023. / Vatican Media
Rome Newsroom, Feb 2, 2023 / 05:45 am (CNA).
To bring about peace, “prayer is the most powerful weapon there is,” Pope Francis told thousands of young adults and catechism teachers in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday.
The meeting in Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, the capital city of the DRC, took place on Feb. 2, the third day of the pope’s visit to the central African country. On Feb. 3, Francis will fly to Juba, South Sudan, for the second leg of his peace pilgrimage.
Pope Francis on Thursday interacted with an enthusiastic crowd of about 65,000 young people and adults, some of whom traveled days to be present for the papal visit.
Pope Francis interacted with an energetic crowd of 65,000 young adults and catechists at Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Feb. 2, 2023. Vatican Media
“Yes, prayer conquers fear and enables us to take our future into our hands. Do you believe this?” the pope said. “Do you want to make prayer your secret, as refreshing water for the soul, as the one weapon you carry, as a traveling companion on each day’s journey?”
During the second half of his speech, the pope was repeatedly drowned out by the energetic audience, which broke out in cheering, singing, and dancing despite the hot weather.
Pope Francis interacted with an energetic crowd of 65,000 young adults and catechists at Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Feb. 2, 2023. Vatican Media
In his talk, Francis used the imagery of the hand to speak about the future of the DRC.
“God has placed the gift of life, the future of society and the future of this great country in those hands of yours,” he said.
“Dear brother, dear sister, do your hands not seem small and frail, empty and unsuited to so great a task? It’s true,” he said. “Let me tell you something: your hands all look alike, they all look alike, but none of them is exactly the same. No one has hands just like yours, and that is a sign that you are a unique treasure, an unrepeatable and incomparable treasure.”
He invited those present in the stadium to open and close their hands while meditating on whether they wanted to choose peace or violence.
Pope Francis interacted with an energetic crowd of 65,000 young adults and catechists at Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Feb. 2, 2023. Vatican Media
“Notice how you can squeeze your hand, closing it to make a fist. Or you can open it, to offer it to God and to others,” he said.
“You who dream of a different future: from your hands, tomorrow can be born, tomorrow can be born from your hands, from your hands peace so lacking in this country can at last come about.”
Bishop Donatien Bafuidinsoni Maloko-Mana from the Diocese of Inongo, in western DRC, was at the meeting.
He told EWTN News that people from his diocese traveled in boats on the Congo River for two to four days to arrive in Kinshasa.
Bafuidinsoni said the Congolese people were disappointed last year when the pope’s visit was canceled, but “now that the pope is here it’s a big joy for us all.”
Even those who are following the trip from home “are really happy,” he added. “It’s a message of joy, of peace, and of hope for all.”
Sister Asterie Neema, 29, is from Rutshuru in eastern DRC, where her brother was brutally killed last year. Elias Turk/CNA
Sister Asterie Neema, 29, is from Rutshuru in eastern Congo, where, she told EWTN News, they are under the control of an armed group called M23.
Neema said her older brother was killed in 2022 by unidentified rebels in front of his 12- and 7-year-old children.
In her 29 years of life, she said, her region of the DRC has never seen peace. Neema added that she has forgiven her brother’s killers, but she hopes for peace in her country.
Not everyone in the audience was Catholic. Two young Muslim men also attended the youth gathering with Pope Francis.
Yassine Mumbere, from Butembo in eastern DRC, told EWTN News that he came to the event because all young people were invited. He also studied at a Catholic school.
Muslim Yassine Mumbere, 35, from Butembo in eastern Congo, (R) with his friend (L) at the youth gathering with Pope Francis in Kinshasa, DRC on Feb. 2, 2023. Elias Turk/CNA
The 35-year-old Muslim Scout leader said he hopes the pope’s trip will help bring peace to the DRC’s eastern region.
In his speech, Pope Francis encouraged those present to be careful of the temptation to point fingers at people, or to exclude others because of “regionalism, tribalism, or anything that makes you feel secure in your own group, but at the same time is unconcerned with the life of the community.”
“You know what happens: first, you believe in prejudices about others, then you justify hatred, then violence, and in the end, you find yourself in the middle of a war,” he said.
To create a concrete sign of community, Francis invited the crowd to hold hands with those beside them and to sing a song together: “Imagine yourselves as one Church, a single people, holding hands.”
Pope Francis interacted with an energetic crowd of 65,000 young adults and catechists at Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Feb. 2, 2023. Vatican Media
“Yes, brother and sister, you are indispensable and you are responsible for your Church and for your country,” he said after the song. “You are part of a greater history, one that calls you to take an active role as a builder of communion, a champion of fraternity, an indomitable dreamer of a more united world.”
After Pope Francis spoke against corruption — inviting everyone to shout together, “Go away, corruption!” — the stadium broke out in loud singing and cheering.
The event’s emcee had to invite the crowd to quiet down before the pope could continue speaking.
Francis also drew attention to two Congolese martyrs and their examples of faith: Blessed Isidore Bakanja and Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite.
Statues of Blessed Isidore Bakanja and Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite, young Congolese martyrs beatified by Pope John Paul II, in Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, DRC, on Feb. 2, 2023. Elias Turk/CNA
Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family, was killed during the civil war in 1964 at the age of 24. Anuarite was beatified by Pope John Paul II during his visit to the DRC, then known as the Republic of Zaire, in 1985.
Blessed Isidore Bakanja was a Catholic convert at the age of 18. He became a catechist and was devoted to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. He died in 1909, around the age of 21 or 22, after succumbing to an infection caused by a beating and other torture he received at the hands of a European manager for refusing to remove his brown scapular at work. Bakanja was beatified in 1994 by Pope John Paul II.
Statues of the two blesseds were present at the youth meeting, where people in the crowd shouted and held signs asking the pope to make them “santi subito!”
The pope pointed to another example of virtue from the DRC, Floribert Bwana Chui, who was killed in 2007 in Goma.
The 26-year-old man, who worked as a customs manager, was killed for refusing to cooperate with corruption; specifically, he did not allow the passage of expired food products.
A spectator at Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, DRC, on Feb. 2, 2023, holds a sign with the phrase “santi subito” in reference to two Congolese blesseds. Elias Turk/CNA
“He could easily have turned a blind eye; nobody would have found out, and he might even have gotten ahead as a result,” Francis said. “But, since he was a Christian, he prayed. He thought of others and he chose to be honest, saying no to the filth of corruption.”
“Now I want to tell you something important,” he added. “Listen closely: If someone offers you a bribe, or promises you favors and lots of money, do not fall into the trap. Do not be deceived; do not be sucked into the swamp of evil. Do not be overcome by evil!”
Vatican City, Mar 14, 2021 / 05:00 am (CNA).- Pope Francis offered Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday to mark 500 years of Catholic faith in the Philippines.“Dear brothers and sisters, 500 years have passed since the Christian message first arrived… […]
51 Comments
If my bishop has been credibly accused with serious sin, I don’t want him to draw close to me.
Also, I have the feeling that crafty Francis is intentionally using a double-entendre [with the word “accuser”] and intentionally mentioning sin without regard to it’s severity (e.g. whether such sin is venial or mortal.)
He is most certainly circling the wagons. I am not interested in excuses. Too many souls have been damaged by these priests and bishops. The buck stops here and I mean literally. No more money until they clean up this mess. It is a horror in our Church and a sacrilege to our Lord.
Yes, he is the master deceiver and “protector” of people like Wuerl, James Martin and many others. We will hold these people accountable to protect the Church.
Am I the only one here who is outraged by this smear of those who are uncovering hierarchical sexual depravity? This is of a piece with the disgusting claim that those who reveal Francis’ coverup are guilty of sinning against the Holy Spirit.
No, you are not alone. They are circling the wagons in the hopes that the people will forget the scandal. If they can draw back long enough, they think we will let it go. Not this time.
You are not alone. So many of the very faithful are outraged and angry. We want truth and the Pope is not forthcoming and therefore he is not helping his flock. He is making matters worse with this type of speech. It appears he thinks we are stupid.
That’s strange, St. Paul says the EXACT opposite in his letter to the Ephesians 5:
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. *Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.*
True, which is why sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness, cannot coexist with Holiness; our Call to Holiness, has always been a call to be chaste in our thoughts, in our words, and in our deeds.
Sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness, which sexually obbjectifies the human person, demeans our inherent Dignity as belovd sons and daughters. Let not your hearts be hardened like a pillar of salt.
“When God Is denied”, by those who embrace sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness, human Dignity is denied.
“Penance, Penance, Penance.”
Catholics recognize there are no “private” relationships; every Catholic is Called to be “A Temple for The Holy Ghost”.
The erroneous notion that private morality and public morality can serve in opposition to one another and are not complementary, has led to serious error in Faith and morals.
What we are witnessing, is an attack on The Holy Ghost, and thus an attack on Salvational Love, God’s Gift of Grace and Mercy.
“It is not possible to have Sacramental Communion without Ecclesial Communion”, due to The Unity of The Holy Ghost. (Filioque) It Is Through Christ, With Christ, and In Christ, In The Unity Of The Holy Ghost, that Holy Mother Church exists. The Sacrifice of The Cross, Is The Sacrifice of The Most Holy And Undivided Blessd Trinity, “for God So Loved us that He Sent His Only Son…”
Is this now a “do-over” of the Chilean abuse crisis stonewalling that failed?
Following the cue from Ross Douthat that discovering the whole truth about the global sex abuse coverup scandal requires “going to the peripheries” of the Catholic blogosphere, I am now reading sites that have been condemned as “unreliable.”
For instance, at her blog Ann Barnhardt is now posting videos showing parents in Argentina who have accused Pope Francis and the Argentine Bishops of ignoring them and their victimized children in a number of cases when Francis was Archbishop of Buenos Aries.
In particular, it is pointed out that in one public statement, Pope Francis declared there were never any sex abuse cases in his jurisdiction as Bishop. And next the story shows evidence that there were in fact several cases during his tenure, including the most serious sex abuse case in the history of the Church in Argentina: the Rev. Julio Grassi case, where Grassi is now serving a 15 year term for sex abuse of a minor.
Of higher concern, evidence is shown that then-Cardinal Bergoglio, behind the scenes, authorized a “counter-investigation” by the Argentine Church, producing a 1,000 page “legal brief” aimed at defending Grassi and attacking the victims, which in the opinion of some Argentine judges and lawyers, was an attempt to undermine the state criminal proceedings, which went all the way at to the Argentine Supreme Court.
So why would Pope Francis publicly state that there were no sex abuse cases in his jurisdiction as Bishop, when there in fact are cases, and victims families say they were ignored?
This pattern sounds a lot like the Chilean case, where the Church higher authorities, along with Pope Francis, stonewalled and attacked the victims and their families and concerned faithful of Osorno.
What are we to make of Pope Francis’ new rhetoric about “accusing Bishops?”
Is it not the ULTIMATE CLERICALISM to suggest that those faithful who ask for answers to legitimate questions about grave accusations are being unfaithful?
Well, perhaps the pontiff really considers it “unfaithful to him?”
Yes, I will post links to 2 sites: stories on 11Sep at both 1Peter 5 and Barnhardt.biz. The 1 Peter 5 Site is all text. The Barnhardt site has text and videos with English subtitles.
I will post later from home. They are easily found, among others, like Rod Dreher’s American Conservative, and also Church Militant (Michael Voris).
Steve – apologize for not getting links posted last night. Work emergency prevented me. Will do tonight.
Meanwhile, articles on 11 Sep at 1 Peter 5, Lifesiite News and Barnhardt.biz (Ms. Barnhardt is hardcore, no diplomatic niceties at her site, wear your seatbelt, and weigh and sift evidence there).
Dionysius,
It’s like the mafia complaining about “the great accuser” when their evil deeds come to light. “The great accuser, of course, is the district attorney’s office.
Is Francis implying that people who call the bishops to account and uncover the evil they have done are somehow in league with the devil? Shame on him if he is!
Those poor Bishops…….let’s not worry to much about the people they have spiritually and physically abused let’s just make sure those “elites” in the pews don’t say a word when our bishops promote and accept sodomy.
Of course Bergoglio says the opposite of St. Paul. He is the same Bergoglio who previously said , “No, no, no!” regarding “proselytization.” But why is he now attempting to “proselytize” members of the Church and concerned, faithful Catholics in this manner? Why does Bergoglio ostensibly make such an accusation towards those who seek answers if he himself is so opposed to “the Great Accuser?” Are accusations against Bishops the specialty of ‘the Great Accuser” and those presumably under his influence? Did Bergoglio “discern” this apart from Church History, Tradition or Scripture?
The Bergoglio papacy is now officially “what happened in Argentina” writ large. The so-called synodal (rigged) democracy is now a tyranny.
Count me among the “dumb” Chilean “slanderers” who seek answers. We should relentlessly keep seeking answers. There is no other time, no next time.
In the Old Testament God sent prophets to hold the Israelites to account for their faithlessness. They were God’s drill instructors sent to whip the troops into line. St John the Baptist was more of the same. In Luke 11 Christ blasted the religious leadership with His woes. St Stephen was taking the Council to task when he was stoned to death. People always like to bring up the attempted stoning of the woman taken in adultery. They seem oddly silent about all of God’s prophets who were killed in the line of duty. The real blood letting in the Bible was more in the line of Cain and Abel, who was referred to by name in Christ’s woes.
There is a battle against Evil in our Church and so far Pope Francis has decided not to fight it. He will go down in history as one of the worst Popes or best Popes depending how he deals with sexually abusive priests and those who cover it up.
I seem to recall a prayer saying something to the effect of “as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end”. I expect direct hits from the enemy, Satan. Where do people think all this nonsense is coming from? Look. We are in a spiritual battle every day of our lives. Let us live as soldiers for Christ. Let’s live Ephesians 6:10-20. Nowhere did Our Lord tell us we would merrily dance through life. He did tell us that the gates of Hell would not prevail against the Church He founded. Let’s continue in prayer and actions to be what He wants us to be. His harvesters.
I was thinking it was the Holy Spirit, not the Accuser, who is bringing these horrendous crimes to light so that the Church may be purged of this sickness. But if it is the Accuser, may God use this to bring about cleansing and healing.
If I’m right about who Francis is, he primarily intended “the accuser” to be Vigano in people’s minds. But by using a double-entendre, he can easily say that he was talking about Satan.
Let’s be clear, because it is becoming increasingly apparent that this pope has a penchant for obfuscation. The people are scandalized not by what the Great Accuser is “uncovering” but by what priests and bishops have tried to keep under cover, that is, both the abuse and the coverup itself.
My university is accusing me of the same thing that Pope Francis says here. By criticizing the Pope, I am causing scandal, blah, blah, blah… Instead of looking at the real issues – primarily homosexual activity and pederasty by priests and bishops, and the continuing coverup, I am a “mean-spirited” Catholic professor!
Let’s see, is the Pope GASLIGHTING to put the blame on satan and hence cause us to question the reality of their sin and misdirect us to focus on the poor ole Bishops being exposed by Satan?
Let’s see, isn’t satan the liar?
Why would satan expose the truth about the Bishop’s sins?
And, so is this Papa Francis admitting to the lies and sins of the Bishops?
And implying that their sins were okay when they were hidden?
But exposing them is evil somehow?
But now satan is exposing the sins, that are real, so that we Faithful will be scandalized and this will somehow harm the Church? How?
I personally think ridding the Church of the liars, the sexual predators is a good thing. Is the Pope condemning satan or congratulating him?
I’m betting his counsel of Bishops had a hand in this train (wreck) of thought.
This is as twisted as it seems to silly ole scandalized me.
The man has no credence beyond a broken clock. On the dot twice a day no matter…
The meeting scheduled for the end of February with the representatives of the national conferences of bishops had better be a resounding demonstration of no confidence in a pontificate off the rails for over five years.
He has got to go.
Sins must come into the light to be acknowledged and healed. The pope doesn’t want this, because he is concerned about the hierarchy, not the people… Therefore, maybe it is no longer a church. Jesus called on the church to feed his sheep, not protect it’s internal money, power and privilege. My family and I left in 2017.
If my bishop has been credibly accused with serious sin, I don’t want him to draw close to me.
Also, I have the feeling that crafty Francis is intentionally using a double-entendre [with the word “accuser”] and intentionally mentioning sin without regard to it’s severity (e.g. whether such sin is venial or mortal.)
He is most certainly circling the wagons. I am not interested in excuses. Too many souls have been damaged by these priests and bishops. The buck stops here and I mean literally. No more money until they clean up this mess. It is a horror in our Church and a sacrilege to our Lord.
Yes, he is the master deceiver and “protector” of people like Wuerl, James Martin and many others. We will hold these people accountable to protect the Church.
Am I the only one here who is outraged by this smear of those who are uncovering hierarchical sexual depravity? This is of a piece with the disgusting claim that those who reveal Francis’ coverup are guilty of sinning against the Holy Spirit.
It looks to me like a last ditch attempt at survival — portraying the good and very brave Archbishop Vigano as a diabolical figure.
True
No, you are not alone. They are circling the wagons in the hopes that the people will forget the scandal. If they can draw back long enough, they think we will let it go. Not this time.
You are not alone. So many of the very faithful are outraged and angry. We want truth and the Pope is not forthcoming and therefore he is not helping his flock. He is making matters worse with this type of speech. It appears he thinks we are stupid.
That’s strange, St. Paul says the EXACT opposite in his letter to the Ephesians 5:
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. *Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.*
Absolutely agree.
Thank you for that.
True, which is why sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness, cannot coexist with Holiness; our Call to Holiness, has always been a call to be chaste in our thoughts, in our words, and in our deeds.
Sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness, which sexually obbjectifies the human person, demeans our inherent Dignity as belovd sons and daughters. Let not your hearts be hardened like a pillar of salt.
“When God Is denied”, by those who embrace sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness, human Dignity is denied.
“Penance, Penance, Penance.”
Catholics recognize there are no “private” relationships; every Catholic is Called to be “A Temple for The Holy Ghost”.
The erroneous notion that private morality and public morality can serve in opposition to one another and are not complementary, has led to serious error in Faith and morals.
What we are witnessing, is an attack on The Holy Ghost, and thus an attack on Salvational Love, God’s Gift of Grace and Mercy.
“It is not possible to have Sacramental Communion without Ecclesial Communion”, due to The Unity of The Holy Ghost. (Filioque) It Is Through Christ, With Christ, and In Christ, In The Unity Of The Holy Ghost, that Holy Mother Church exists. The Sacrifice of The Cross, Is The Sacrifice of The Most Holy And Undivided Blessd Trinity, “for God So Loved us that He Sent His Only Son…”
Thank you
Is this now a “do-over” of the Chilean abuse crisis stonewalling that failed?
Following the cue from Ross Douthat that discovering the whole truth about the global sex abuse coverup scandal requires “going to the peripheries” of the Catholic blogosphere, I am now reading sites that have been condemned as “unreliable.”
For instance, at her blog Ann Barnhardt is now posting videos showing parents in Argentina who have accused Pope Francis and the Argentine Bishops of ignoring them and their victimized children in a number of cases when Francis was Archbishop of Buenos Aries.
In particular, it is pointed out that in one public statement, Pope Francis declared there were never any sex abuse cases in his jurisdiction as Bishop. And next the story shows evidence that there were in fact several cases during his tenure, including the most serious sex abuse case in the history of the Church in Argentina: the Rev. Julio Grassi case, where Grassi is now serving a 15 year term for sex abuse of a minor.
Of higher concern, evidence is shown that then-Cardinal Bergoglio, behind the scenes, authorized a “counter-investigation” by the Argentine Church, producing a 1,000 page “legal brief” aimed at defending Grassi and attacking the victims, which in the opinion of some Argentine judges and lawyers, was an attempt to undermine the state criminal proceedings, which went all the way at to the Argentine Supreme Court.
So why would Pope Francis publicly state that there were no sex abuse cases in his jurisdiction as Bishop, when there in fact are cases, and victims families say they were ignored?
This pattern sounds a lot like the Chilean case, where the Church higher authorities, along with Pope Francis, stonewalled and attacked the victims and their families and concerned faithful of Osorno.
What are we to make of Pope Francis’ new rhetoric about “accusing Bishops?”
Is it not the ULTIMATE CLERICALISM to suggest that those faithful who ask for answers to legitimate questions about grave accusations are being unfaithful?
Well, perhaps the pontiff really considers it “unfaithful to him?”
Chris,
Do you have a written source in English for your comments about the Argentine cover-up? If so, could you please post the link.
Or Spanish, French or Italian ?
Denis – the 1 Peter 5 Site has a story based on a French documentary of the abuse coverup, which includes the Argentinian sex abuse cases.
I will post links later tonight.
Denis – I apologize for not getting you links last night as promised…work emergency prevented me from doing so.
I promise later tonight.
Key Links on Sex Abuse & Cardinal Bergoglio History:
1. On the documentary by Martin Boudot on Cardinal Bergoglio in Argentina:
https://pjmedia.com/video/watch-pope-francis-gets-caught-in-gigantic-lie-regarding-a-sexual-abuse-case-in-argentina/
2. Henry Sire – Bergoglio record in Argentina
https://onepeterfive.com/cardinal-bergoglio-questions/
Great Commentaries (3):
1. Damian Thompson – Failure & Disgrace: Pope Francis
https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/09/what-has-pope-francis-covered-up/
2. Phillip Lawler – Track record supports the Vigano Testimony
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otn.cfm?id=1304
3 & 4. Warren & Altieri at TCT: Francis and Credibility
https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2018/09/14/two-on-the-crisis/
Steve:
Yes, I will post links to 2 sites: stories on 11Sep at both 1Peter 5 and Barnhardt.biz. The 1 Peter 5 Site is all text. The Barnhardt site has text and videos with English subtitles.
I will post later from home. They are easily found, among others, like Rod Dreher’s American Conservative, and also Church Militant (Michael Voris).
Steve – apologize for not getting links posted last night. Work emergency prevented me. Will do tonight.
Meanwhile, articles on 11 Sep at 1 Peter 5, Lifesiite News and Barnhardt.biz (Ms. Barnhardt is hardcore, no diplomatic niceties at her site, wear your seatbelt, and weigh and sift evidence there).
I promise links tonight.
Key Links on Sex Abuse & Cardinal Bergoglio History:
1. On the documentary by Martin Boudot on Cardinal Bergoglio in Argentina:
https://pjmedia.com/video/watch-pope-francis-gets-caught-in-gigantic-lie-regarding-a-sexual-abuse-case-in-argentina/
2. Henry Sire – Bergoglio record in Argentina
https://onepeterfive.com/cardinal-bergoglio-questions/
Great Commentaries (3):
1. Damian Thompson – Failure & Disgrace: Pope Francis
https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/09/what-has-pope-francis-covered-up/
2. Phillip Lawler – Track record supports the Vigano Testimony
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otn.cfm?id=1304
3 & 4. Warren & Altieri at TCT: Francis and Credibility
https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2018/09/14/two-on-the-crisis/
Typical Saul Alinsky tactics – “blame the victims” syndrome.
Sorry, but the people are scandalized by the bishops themselves and not by any lying attack by “The Great Accuser.” Good Grief!
Dionysius,
It’s like the mafia complaining about “the great accuser” when their evil deeds come to light. “The great accuser, of course, is the district attorney’s office.
Is Francis implying that people who call the bishops to account and uncover the evil they have done are somehow in league with the devil? Shame on him if he is!
Those poor Bishops…….let’s not worry to much about the people they have spiritually and physically abused let’s just make sure those “elites” in the pews don’t say a word when our bishops promote and accept sodomy.
Of course Bergoglio says the opposite of St. Paul. He is the same Bergoglio who previously said , “No, no, no!” regarding “proselytization.” But why is he now attempting to “proselytize” members of the Church and concerned, faithful Catholics in this manner? Why does Bergoglio ostensibly make such an accusation towards those who seek answers if he himself is so opposed to “the Great Accuser?” Are accusations against Bishops the specialty of ‘the Great Accuser” and those presumably under his influence? Did Bergoglio “discern” this apart from Church History, Tradition or Scripture?
The Bergoglio papacy is now officially “what happened in Argentina” writ large. The so-called synodal (rigged) democracy is now a tyranny.
Count me among the “dumb” Chilean “slanderers” who seek answers. We should relentlessly keep seeking answers. There is no other time, no next time.
Our Lady of La Salette, pray for us.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Unbelievable.
This is not just appalling, it is infuriating.
So we are serving the evil one when we attempt to hold bishops accountable for protecting their flocks from predators?
I’m sorry, but that is is not the message of the Holy Spirit, but rather an unholy one.
Amen!
If a bishop is guilty of a crime, he must resign, not just pray.
In the Old Testament God sent prophets to hold the Israelites to account for their faithlessness. They were God’s drill instructors sent to whip the troops into line. St John the Baptist was more of the same. In Luke 11 Christ blasted the religious leadership with His woes. St Stephen was taking the Council to task when he was stoned to death. People always like to bring up the attempted stoning of the woman taken in adultery. They seem oddly silent about all of God’s prophets who were killed in the line of duty. The real blood letting in the Bible was more in the line of Cain and Abel, who was referred to by name in Christ’s woes.
There is a battle against Evil in our Church and so far Pope Francis has decided not to fight it. He will go down in history as one of the worst Popes or best Popes depending how he deals with sexually abusive priests and those who cover it up.
Actually he is fighting – on the wrong side.
So it seems…horrifying…and UNACCEPTABLE.
I seem to recall a prayer saying something to the effect of “as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end”. I expect direct hits from the enemy, Satan. Where do people think all this nonsense is coming from? Look. We are in a spiritual battle every day of our lives. Let us live as soldiers for Christ. Let’s live Ephesians 6:10-20. Nowhere did Our Lord tell us we would merrily dance through life. He did tell us that the gates of Hell would not prevail against the Church He founded. Let’s continue in prayer and actions to be what He wants us to be. His harvesters.
Amen.
Well, he’s turning out to be a super comedian Non ?
If I wanted excuses from a homosexual I’d be go to a pride parade. Step down sinner.
I was thinking it was the Holy Spirit, not the Accuser, who is bringing these horrendous crimes to light so that the Church may be purged of this sickness. But if it is the Accuser, may God use this to bring about cleansing and healing.
Yes Kathryn, that is what The Holy Spirit is doing.
Jesus has sent Him to fight the evil that dares hide inside His Holy Church.
If I’m right about who Francis is, he primarily intended “the accuser” to be Vigano in people’s minds. But by using a double-entendre, he can easily say that he was talking about Satan.
Demonic plain and simple.
This is reminiscent of Nixon accusing the Watergate investigators of being communists.
Let’s be clear, because it is becoming increasingly apparent that this pope has a penchant for obfuscation. The people are scandalized not by what the Great Accuser is “uncovering” but by what priests and bishops have tried to keep under cover, that is, both the abuse and the coverup itself.
My university is accusing me of the same thing that Pope Francis says here. By criticizing the Pope, I am causing scandal, blah, blah, blah… Instead of looking at the real issues – primarily homosexual activity and pederasty by priests and bishops, and the continuing coverup, I am a “mean-spirited” Catholic professor!
I hope you have tenure.
Let’s see, is the Pope GASLIGHTING to put the blame on satan and hence cause us to question the reality of their sin and misdirect us to focus on the poor ole Bishops being exposed by Satan?
Let’s see, isn’t satan the liar?
Why would satan expose the truth about the Bishop’s sins?
And, so is this Papa Francis admitting to the lies and sins of the Bishops?
And implying that their sins were okay when they were hidden?
But exposing them is evil somehow?
But now satan is exposing the sins, that are real, so that we Faithful will be scandalized and this will somehow harm the Church? How?
I personally think ridding the Church of the liars, the sexual predators is a good thing. Is the Pope condemning satan or congratulating him?
I’m betting his counsel of Bishops had a hand in this train (wreck) of thought.
This is as twisted as it seems to silly ole scandalized me.
The man has no credence beyond a broken clock. On the dot twice a day no matter…
The meeting scheduled for the end of February with the representatives of the national conferences of bishops had better be a resounding demonstration of no confidence in a pontificate off the rails for over five years.
He has got to go.
I’m lost once more. Using the word “accuser” the Pope continues to muddy the swamp.
Is it time to defrock Francis?! This outrage can not go on…..
Sins must come into the light to be acknowledged and healed. The pope doesn’t want this, because he is concerned about the hierarchy, not the people… Therefore, maybe it is no longer a church. Jesus called on the church to feed his sheep, not protect it’s internal money, power and privilege. My family and I left in 2017.