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.
[…]
Yeah, uh, no. I agree with Biden. The bishops can talk alot, but that is not at all “standing unified like ‘a wall of brass’ (Jer 15:20) against using our tax dollars to fund the killing of innocents.” It is just talk. And talk is cheap.
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When they all stand in solidarity and deny Biden (and the others) from Communion in any diocese in the US, that might be actually like “a wall of brass.”
This is true.
I agree, if the bishops do not walk the talk, all they do is talk, talk, talk ad nauseam.
That’s right, Kathryn. The cheap talk of the bishops in this country and of Bergoglio in Rome for that matter is never matched by action. The self-anointed “devout Catholic” in the White House and the overwhelming majorities of self-anointed “Catholics” in the Senate and House are “unified ‘like a wall of brass'” but rather in their 100% pro-abortion actions, votes, and legislation. There are no denials of Holy Communion, no personal condemnations, no excommunications or interdicts for even a single one of these genocidal barbarians by any American bishop, including preeminently USCCB President Broglio himself. The charade is over for the USCCB and its see-no-evil hirelings who posture in cynically hypocritical public statements like these. They deceive no orthodox Catholic, only themselves.
👍🏻
Well said. Our Bishops are not teaching their flocks in this regard. To save his soul, his Bishop should speak out to avoid further scandal and the desecration of the Blessed Eucharist.
Before the bishops get carried away! I would like to ask how many priests, bishops, nuns and Catholics voted for Biden. We knew what he stood for before election. It has only become pronounced.
It was news back in 2013 when Bishop T. Tobin (Providence, RI) left the Democratic party, so I am guessing the overwhelming majority of clergy vote for the Democrats.
Yes, I would like to know, too, Katie. The bishops are a big part of the problem.
Well said. I do not hear or see any voices or actions from our Bishops, nor from the Pope towards these evil doers. Even in our own parishes, where there is grave disbelief is their no voice from our Shepherds. This saddens and angers me too. Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary……..JoAnn
Yea – Be firm. Kick out all 98% of Catholics that accept birth control. Then the bishops will have nothing to complain about. Everyone will be happy in Christ.
Says the anti-Catholic. Don’t speak for us.
Well witnesses…right now wall of teflon…sadly
AMEN! Other than Archbishop Cordilione, which members of the USCCB have taken any action against pro-abort politicians? How many Bishops have been arrested for blocking a clinic door? How many have offered their lives in exchange for innocent lives? How many have turned down the millions of $ in hush money from Uncle Sam? Is the preservation of the sanctity of Life and the sanctity of the Real Presence mean so little to these prelates?
I am afraid I dont see the Bishops taking ACTION at all. TALK is just that—talk, which is easily ignored. More so when the liberal media refuses to even print the most mild reproof from ONE Bishop. You can use that singular quote from the Pope about hiring hitmen. It rings hollow after he personally pats Pelosi and Biden on the head, grinning at them with approval. This, when he COULD have taken them aside privately and told them in no uncertain terms that, no matter their political position, they were endangering their souls,and the souls of others. He could have told them unless a drastic change was made, they would be henceforth barred from communion, and that a public announcement of the same would be made, as they were , as prominent Catholics, giving scandal to the faithful.That the Pope did not do so, that he did not do anything at all to address this issue, is an abject failure on his part in the role of leader of the Catholic faith. His mixed signals and unclear statements on matters of sexual morality have done nothing but serve to confuse the laity, and possibly given false hope to those liberals that a change was immanent in the 2 thousand year old moral theology of the church. Bishops in Germany are poised to do even worse. Yet the pope says little and DOES nothing.
Well said
You nailed it!!! The Pope is the one to make it right, and he doesn’t. Starts at the top….some bishops try, but they get their traveling papers.Priests that have stood up to right from wrong have been excommunicated.The buck stops with the Pope!
I agree whole heartedly with LJ. It leaves not only the Faithful flock bewildered, but the world at large too. Why should they believe when our own Bishops and Pope do not take a firm, physical and vocal stance!? SHAME ON THEM! & GOD HAVE MERCY ON THEM!
98% of the Bishops have done nothing down through the years, and it’s a safe bet that this will continue.
And, given the knee-slapper from Joe that the last time he spoke to Benedict XVI they talked about Thomas Aquinas – don’t hold your breath waiting for any changes or any action.
And they wonder why attendance continues to decline.
“And, given the knee-slapper from Joe that the last time he spoke to Benedict XVI they talked about Thomas Aquinas – don’t hold your breath waiting for any changes or any action.”
As told by Joe “I graduated top of my law school class” Biden.
Top of mind, perhaps.
Our bishops’ recalcitrance is no excuse for Catholics to stop attending Holy Mass and distance themselves from their parishes!!! That’s childish and immature and rebellious–in other words, no different than the President and the other government leaders who have failed to understand what “separation of church and state” means. IF Catholics would return to their parishes and offer themselves up on the altar of service to those parishes and the many service opportunities (especially pro-life work and work with children and teens), and our churches were filled to overflowing with faithful Catholics in regular fervent prayer for our country’s elected leaders–THEN we would probably see more action from our bishops as they would know that they have a vast army of faithful Catholics standing with them! At the moment, a disturbing number of Catholics who are not elected politicians AGREE with those politicians and their evil laws! II Chronicles 7:14-“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Still, if a reporter went to any bishop in the nation, even McElroy and Cupich, and asked them to state for the record if they support public funding of abortions, I’ll bet they would say, No. I sent an email to Karine Jean Pierre and asked her to get a list from Biden of every bishop he believes is in the “not all of them” camp. Then to read that list out loud at a Press Conference so the reporters could go to them for comments on the record. She hasn’t comp[lied.
I am genuinely encouraged that some of the faithful are finally seeing the errors and yellow spines of the heirarchy. Look at what is happening around you….it’s time for you all to clean out the swamp. Trump, a pagan, is the only president to actually attend the pro-life march in Washington. Biden and Pelosi, who verbally claim and defend the Catholic beliefs, both are adamant baby killers……..this should not be! In order to call out the hypocrisy of the priests to the pope, it’s important to put on the whole armor of God…”Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of the evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit,with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me,that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospelfor which I am an ambassodor in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20.
Remember Acts 6:29…But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather that men”.
The sad thing is that in this country the Bishops, as many have said, are all talk and no action. If they were truly serious the USCCB would take out full page ads in all the major and even local papers citing the evil of abortion and name the Catholic politicians who are in the state of mortal sin for supporting abortion. Additionally they would lead protest of abortion centers and in effect walk the talk. Unfortunately the Bishops do not have the spine to do any of that.
Grand Rapids Mike, full-page ads in newspapers cost a lot of money and I think many parishioners would prefer to see their offerings used to help women in crisis pregnancies, possibly through their local pregnancy care center (pro-life). Also, sadly, newspapers are rapidly losing their readers, as many (possibly most) Americans get their news from online sites, many of which are liberal. Older folks like me still love a newspaper, but the cost is pretty high for a smallish local paper that doesn’t even carry the good comics anymore. I can watch the local news about car accidents, crimes, and local events on television (which also is costing more and more!) or listen to the radio (free). Sadly, many younger adults don’t watch TV news or listen to the radio anymore, either. What I’m basically saying is that we need to be careful about spending money on secular information sites to get a pro-life message out to the public that doesn’t use those info sites. I think a better strategy is for our parents and our parishes to train children and teens to be pro-life, and to enlist thousands of Catholics and Protestants to get involved (with hands and funds) with pro-life centers and organizations that help women in practical ways and also educate them about the value of human life. One more thing–as the population in the U.S. continues to decline alarmingly (my generation of Baby Boomers are dying off and many of us didn’t have large families to replace us and the workplaces are finding out that there isn’t anyone available to hire–this is a SERIOUS crisis in hospitals and other health care facilities!), I honestly think that we will begin to see a push for women to have more children, and I think that the government will begin to see the value of funding programs that help mothers (and fathers) raise their children well and give them opportunities to succeed in life. We’re already seeing China ask couples to try to have at least three (3) babies–this is a complete turn-around from the “1 child” policy that brought China’s vast population to a low point that has made it impossible to find workers for that country’s many jobs! If the U.S. doesn’t start producing more CHILDREN, either through non-aborted pregnancies and/or through welcoming more immigrants, we are in deep trouble, and I and other old folks will probably end up in “poor houses” as we approach the end of our lives.
Maybe we should take out full page ads insisting the bishops do their job and shame those like Gregory who have failed his flock miserably and promote sin, confusion, and error all in the name of political expediency.
And Cupich and McElroy.
Looking back to the non-violent eruption of Solidarity in Poland, which triggered the collapse of the Soviet Union, what’s the difference between their “web of mendacity” and ours?
“…people who were there have a simple, straightforward answer to the question, What broke the fever of fear, and when, in Poland? With virtual unanimity, the answer: the fever was broken by the first pilgrimage of John Paul II to his homeland in June 1979. That was when the issue of who ‘we’ were, and who ‘they’ were, was decisively clarified [….] ‘We’ were society; ‘they’ were the crust [….] ‘they’ were a pitiful minority of the wholly co-opted” (George Weigel, “The Final Revolution: The Resistance Church and the Collapse of Communism,” 1992).
What’s the difference now?
Possibly a needed conclave at the top, aflame with the real Holy Spirit, and with eyes to see and a global witnessing to leaven pockets of renewed sanity and political courage. A Second Spring that could take generations to really take hold (and to inspire a later book: “The Apostolic Church and the Collapse of Cannibal-Consumerism”).
In the meantime, did St. John Chrysostom get it just about right?…“The road to hell is paved with the bones of priests and monks, and the skulls of bishops are the lampposts that light the path.” Not complicating his earlier apostolic times is today’s politics where much of the Catholic laity have been lured onto “the path”…
Two generations of drifting informality and moral muddling, from chummy “Father Joe” to now the brainwashed heresiarch, President Joe.
“Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops, and your religious act like religious.” Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Write to THE bishops (not just your own), write to your politicians, especially those who claim to be Catholic, and VOTE!
Or you can do as I just did, email this article to your Bishop.
I will do that as well.
C
In the early 1960s the archbishop of New Orleans excommunicated 3 or 4 politicians who were opposing school integration. This quickly brought an end to their opposition. The time (early 1970s?) when similar results could have been accomplished at the national level has passed. I have often pondered what would happen now if national leaders, even the president were excommunicated. Obviously, the media would have a field day with them running to their favorite priest or bishop with an opposing view. There would be calls (and possible success) to remove the Church non-profit status, and massive numbers of Catholics would leave, even among the so called “faithful.” There would certainly be attacks from other Christian traditions – and likely also from Rome.
Maybe the Church should learn to live with the taxes she certainly does not seem to mind being imposed on the laity to fund the welfare programs they promote
Or better still, use the taxes that she doesn’t have to pay to pay their parochial school teachers a decent wage.
A smaller church with more faithful members does not feel like a bad thing to me. Today at Mass I saw an awful lot of people LATE ( this happens every Sunday, and it should not. Then, at the conclusion, people were moving out the doors before the priest even walked down the center aisle. Its disgusting. In my opinion, every pastor needs to write a letter reminding people of the timely expectations when attending Mass. Failure to do this is massive disrespect. SOMEBODY needs to call people out on inappropriate behavior. If some people are offended and stop attending Mass, let them. None of the rest of us will miss their late appearance.
Those who do come to Mass early tend to have social conversations with those around them, even in those churches that have the tabernacle in the sanctuary. The few who would like to use the time to reflect and pray are unable to do so, and the priests are just as bad as those in the pew. We have become more like the protestant churches. It’s better to go to a weekday Mass and skip Sunday all together.
This does not happen in my strictly TLM parish. Throughout the Mass, you can hear a pin drop at the silence and reverence. At the end of Mass, we gather outside in front of the church for some socializing, then we proceed to the basement for coffee hour for more of the same. Note that many of our parishioners are young people and young families with wailing babies. What a sight to behold.
I’ve said a few times that I like to go to the 8:30 a.m. TLM Mass in Lewiston Maine. I like to get there at least 45 minutes early and sit in the front. I say a Rosary, read, etc.
When the Mass begins then – and not until then – I turn to see how many people are there, and it’s always a wonderful surprise because the Basilica is always at least half full, but when they enter the Church they are QUIET. And at the end of the Mass they are quiet – many stay behind to pray. Some of them have come more than 100 miles for the TLM.
There is much blessed silence before during and after the TLM, and methinks that that is the single biggest reason that those who are trying to abolish it – up to and including the Pope – are trying to abolish it.
They FEAR that silence.
McKenna is accurate when he calls for bishops to correct high-profile Catholics who publicly oppose the teachings of the Church. It is incumbent, however, on all of us to speak the truth in charity. Two years ago, I mailed a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to Joe Biden at the White House. I highlighted the teaching against abortion and wrote that he could not call himself a devout Catholic and support the murders of millions of babies. My letter and gift of the Catechism likely did no good, but what if every true believing Catholic did the same?
Put simply? Joe would add your and my Catechisms to his great book fire.
Because the books’ paper was derived-from-renewable sources, Joe would celebrate his self-righteous justification. Then he’d put his chair in front of the fire, call his favorite cameraman and deliver an address to the citizens entitled: “Enshrining Abortion Rights” in the Constitution. He would remind us of his Catholic faith. He would reiterate his personal opposition to abortion because of that. I also see him exposing and fingering his Rosary, and I believe Jesus would see such acts as egregious sins and crimes against His Mother, His People, and Our God.
As for the bishops and popes who do not speak on God’s behalf? Eternal shame on them and their Skirts.
Our unfortunate dilemma is indicated by McKenna, that the vast majority of Democrat Catholic congressmen favor abortion. Which reflects equivalency of deterioration of Catholic belief among the population. Consequently, a strong stand by individual bishops is tolerated, relatively speaking, whereas a combined effort would very likely be met with extensive outcry of religious interference in political affairs.
Prejudice is deep at this time, recently leaked FBI surveillance of traditional Catholics, Catholicism in general as a danger to freedom. Is it worth the enormous risks, possible legal sanctions?
Yes. We cannot continue on the path toward total irrelevance. Although the next question is how many bishops really believe the Catholic faith they profess? And despite Pope Francis’ ‘strong words’ against abortion [the famous hitman speech], what exactly has he done actionwise to implement his words? His other statements, focus on world poverty and ecological concern give a different message. The Synod on Synodality pressing for a general laity opinion for solutions while sidelining bishops and their Apostolic office indicates His Holiness is more in favor of laissez faire diversity.
What will save us short of divine intervention is an heroic stand by those bishops and cardinals who have retained the true faith to act in unison with fearless conviction. Who knows that Christ would effectively intervene less drastically than otherwise.
I truly believe, if we do not bring back reverence for Christ in the Holy Eucharist, meaning communion on the tongue only, and make Jesus the center again, this moral abuse will continue. People don’t even believe in the Real Presence anymore. By allowing communion in the hands, particles of the Host fall on the floor or wherever they land. That has been proven time and again. No paten is being used. If we are so callous to let Christ fall anywhere and show such disrespect, why is anyone surprised by what is happening in the Church and in the world? We need the Pope, Bishops and all clergy to allow the Holy Spirit to guide them without fear of what the world thinks. We cannot hide from God Almighty!
You don’t have to be in a TLM parish to bring back reverence for the Eucharist. Last night we held a one hour adoration sponsored by our men’s group and the Knights of Columbus. We had about forty men a few with wives, with readings, meditation, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Litany to St. Joseph. During the meditation periods, a pin drop would have been very loud. This was driven by the laity in our parish. Of course, you need a cooperative pastor (ours loves opportunities like this), but it can be done!
Exactly Father it was a dramatic speech with illustrative words and no substancenn. The mark of a man who loves the sound of his own voice.
Blessings and appreciation as you tend to the flock God has placed under your care.
His sheep know the voice of the guardian of their soul. Your words bring to mind:
Jude 1:20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Yours in Christ.
Two thoughts: As the saying goes, “For God so loved the world, He didn’t send a committee.” And,
wouldn’t it be wonderful if all the legislators who profess to be Catholic would go to mass today and listen to the readings and Gospel with their hearts and turn their journey around. It might help slow down the ride to perdition.
Yes daily mass would help. The homilly should sometimes be taken with a grain of salt.
I wonder how many of them even go to mass on Sunday, except maybe, to be like the pharisees, to be seen lengthening their phylacteries.
Thanks for the article, Thomas.
Isn’t it way past time for a public excommunication of a public figure?
WAAAAY past time.
I am among the severest critics of the American bishops, but I would readily acknowledge that most of them have wanted to do something regarding Biden. It has been Francis who has stopped them from taking even the mildest steps at the time of the inauguration and later when they were drafting their Eucharistic Coherence Statement. The Pope also did his best to help get Biden elected in the first place and then gave the Democrats a boost in the mid-terms by meeting with Biden and Pelosi at the Vatican. By refusing to face up this unpleasant reality, writers like Mr. McKenna undermine their message and credibility.
I say Bravo to Archbishop Broglio. May his tribe increase. The bishops need our support, not our stones.
I can’t add too much to the previous comments regarding the bishops and pope being all talk.
Whatever the pope may say, what he did was appoint
a couple of pro-abortion members to the Pontifical Academy for Life.
Not sure how the author thinks that the bishops are united on the abortion front. Sixty of them voted against naming abortion as the preeminent issue.
Sixty-Five Catholic House members voted against saving the life of a baby born alive during an abortion. No action from their bishops.
Some bishops and cardinals have stated clearly that they will continue to give communion to Biden.
Do these bishops have any concern for the eternal salvation of these politicians?
Or their own?
‘Catholic‘ politicians who get elected have made a judgment relative to how far they have to go in order to get enough votes. Truly pro-life politicians need pro-life voters to get elected. They need a Pro-Life ‘caucus’ of registered voters – Republican, Democrat and independent. Surveys still seem to support the fact that pro-life sentiments outnumber pro-death. We need to find a way to pool our votes for Pro-Life candidates who are bold enough to stand for the truth all the way, or we may never succeed.
No person who supports unborn-child-murder is a Catholic. They are at least a material heretic.
Also, I understand that those in a position of authority are the people with the DUTY to punish those under their authority who are “out of line.” To fail to effectively punish (i.e. induce a change of attitude) amounts to complicity with the EVIL. And this is applicable to all superior-inferior relationships.
Nothing serious will happen until our priests and bishops in the DC area start refusing communion to the pro abortion politicians who show up to receive communion.
Nothing serious will happen because the church refuses to live by God’s word. Your supposed to be salt and light…Catholics for the most part are just one of the boys. Biden and Pelosi know they will get a funeral filled with all the pomp and pageantry the Catholic church can muster and all you people will say what wonderful people they were…wait and see. Catholics have no backbone when comes to dealing with their own and sinful situations like homosexuality, transgenderism, child molestation, etc.
“Catholics for the most part are just one of the boys.”
“For the most part?” From what lofty perch hast thou conducted your airbrush survey, or is this your—what’s that word again, oh yes—“judgment”?
And, from whence hast cometh the underlying and lying sexual revolution? The Lambeth thingy of 1930 (Anglican)? And even earlier the individualized and disintegrative interpretation of scripture itself–launched, lo, these five centuries past (Lutheran, Calvinist, Zwinglian ISMS)? And then, the resulting ease of collectivized politics (Marx, Hitler!)—now including even our post-modern ISMS mopping up whatever is left of secularist Western civilization. Might we take the long view; but, here, yet another predictable and “encouraging” (your self-satisfied word, elsewhere) dunking of “Catholics” into Old Brine!
Mayest thou removeth the beam from thine own “I”…might the repetitive monologue of intellectual masturbation also be a sin?
“… the church refuses to live by God’s word…” ETC.
Well, that reads just like the fantasy gospel according to Brian. It is nothing more than an unimproved version of yesterday’s heretical protestant position, modernized by use of the LGBTQ lexicon.
Where were “ALL” the bishops before the election? They knew then that he was pro-abortion. They need to take a long look in the mirror.
May i wager that a majority of Catholics are self-excommunicated? Probably most of them are not aware that they have done that but they have. Perhaps Bishops too. They forgot what the crook is for.
Bad and false theology for centuries is finally catching up………it’s proven to be a cruel taskmaster for Catholics today but unfortunately for Catholics suffering for eternity in hell……..so sad, but God does tell us He chooses some for honorable use and some for dishonorable use. It getting easier to see the unhonorable more and more each day. Catholics are not automatically exempt from the wrath of God just because they were baptized as infants or any other works oriented activities they will use as their “ticket” to heaven.
The Archdiocese Annual Appeal is about to get underway. Vote with your wallet. That will get their attention since nothing else seems to get the message across.
Yes and Dr. Marshall Taylor alerted us to the Bishop’s donation from a Catholic Charities arm of $300,000 to Biden’s campaign.
What!!??
I guess all I can say is that we knew this was coming. Many of of us did not think it would be in our lifetime, but it’s here. So now what do we do. Sunday of priest had a compassionate Homily. It directed us to be aware of the corrupted world we live in, but also to go out among the flock and share the truth. We are currently surrounded by so many evils that it’s hard not to get angry. I do, that’s when I have to check myself, I remember that these people are the ones Jesus directed us to pray for. Even if we know they are destroying or church and souls. So pull yourself up, fight back, go to coffee and donuts and fellowship with parishioners. We win souls one at a time. Be righteously angry, don’t worry about the bishops, you have more intimate contact with your brothers and sisters than the bishop. Fight back win souls be that Church Militant.
It’s too easy to put all the onus on the bishops. I’m reminded of a recent survey of bishops by Francis Maier. One of the bishops said we bishops are generals without soldiers (words to that effect). What are we, the laity, doing to build up the army?
I agree with all these comments. The whole reason why we have a fake Catholic in the White House causing these problems is because of the WEAKNESS of the bishops.
I would go a step further and say the reason Biden has no idea what a Catholic is, goes back to the weak bishops. Period.
Re Rick Calkins above – “So pull yourself up, fight back, go to coffee and donuts and fellowship with parishioners . . . .”
Amen. We, not just the bishops, are the Church Militant.
The Church itself is under attack. This starts with the Pope…then to the Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and Priests. Unfortunately as the people of God we, as Practicing Catholics, see corruption from the top to the bottom. Who will speak out against the lukewarm, ‘Modern’ religious authority. They are now more worldly then the devout parishioners. So to report about Bishops and their silence on Biden… it’s more of the Authority in the Church and the crumbling of their worldly views. Now more than ever in the Church’s history has Satan himself crept into the minds of the disciples that was to hold on to the real beauty of our Faith. Changing sound, Biblical truth to world ideology.
With all the backslapping I see in the comments among people who obviously agree with each other and believe they have the correct answer, I will point out something no one has commented on. In the article Mr. McKenna notes that 28% of the people in Congress are Catholic, which is actually a tad bit higher than Catholic representation in the country. We should not be surprised that Catholic positions are not going to rule the day, whether it be on abortion, capitol punishment, immigration, or a just economy. Politicians, including Catholic ones, are elected to serve the interests of their constituents and the nation as a whole, not a particular religious viewpoint. If you insist on a purity test for Catholic politicians you will end up with a Congress in which Catholic representation will shrink away to insignificance. I am old enough to remember the anti-Catholic bias of the American political system that lasted into the Sixties. We as Catholics gain nothing by going back to that situation.
“…. whether it be on abortion…”
Being opposed to abortion is indeed the Catholic position, but it is also the position of any civilized, logical, moral, humane civilization.
Which is not, of course, what exists in the U.S. today. Nor has it, for a long time.
But, more to the point of Mr. McKenna’s essay, the Church’s on abortion is clear and always has been.
So, if an elected official says he is “personally opposed” to abortion but then supports is 100% (as do Biden, Pelosi, and numerous others), then they are simply saying, in word and deed, that political power is more important to them than truth, decency, goodness, and life. For that alone they do not deserve any position of authority and power.
Biden has flip flopped and it’s easy for him to be proud of his abortion stance along with Whitless and her Prop 3 in MI.
Are you for Me or against Me?
I knew you before I formed you in the womb.
Would you have said the same thing about a Catholic politician in the early 19th century whose public position aligned with his Catholic faith against the slavery of Africans brought here against their will?
To be honest, I don’t believe Joe Biden is the president of the United States at all. How could he have won the elections when all he did during the campaign was stayed in his basement, travelled scarcely and not very far from it, spoke to scant crowds and uttered inane platitudes and jokes, while Donald Trump’s rallies were full to overflowing?
I don’t believe American voters were that stupid to have voted for a plagiarist, who lied about his school records, sniffed young women’s hairs, and has a son who deals in questionable activities.
Trump was not perfect, either; it was possible he might not have made it to another term. I’m just so sorry for the American people to find themselves in such a sad situation.
As far as I’m concerned, the office of the President of the United States is sede vacante. There is no one there.
But it does not really matter. The government is not run by people at the top, but by non-elected Silicon valley zillionaires, congressional advisers, assistants, underlings and bureaucrats. I’m an 80-year-old widow in California, living on a fixed income. An underling tax assessor assessed my house to be just a shade under a million dollars, for which I am being taxed the millionaire’s rate. Ouch! I may have to sell or be homeless. (I need your prayers.) No, it’s neither Biden’s nor Pelosi’s nor Newsom’s fault. They’re just vile billionaires who claim to be good, ardent Catholics who willingly kill innocent life in the womb and ignore their people’s cry about high taxes. Something just does not add up.
Margarita I am praying for you and I think you are indomitable and quite inspiring.
Thank you, Elias. A prayer of thanksgiving for you, too. May the Lord shine His Face upon you and give you peace.
Actions speak louder than words. Bishops and above, please help us. We will have your back. Please do something collectively. We need you and our unborn need you.
“What do you do when your Catholic President isn’t actually Catholic?” A more urgent question: What do you do when your Catholic bishops aren’t actually Catholic?
The bishops are students of scripture, and know full well that if they publicly call out today’s Herods for his or her sins of the flesh, the bishops risk losing their collective heads— here, the decapitation is not literally the head, but it is the loss of a lot of $$$. There is the old adage that remains ever-true. Follow the $$$—whether it be govt. grants or tax exempt status– and know why there have been no excommunications on this issue over the last 60 years.
Why people still are arguing about the failure of those they believe are bishops to do anything remotely Catholic and Christlike when 99% of them are not Catholics themselves is quite telling. This is like the brain has been systematically programmed to accept what is not true and reject anything that is true.
A spiritual director or two have encouraged me to fight the world’s and Church’s evils, not by angry denunciations and obsessing over the almost daily discouraging news, but principally by becoming holy myself. With Lent coming we all have another opportunity to make some progress in this regard. Let us not waste it!
Cordelione did only the basic! Excommunicated the whole lot of them period! The out cry will be terrible and if priests still give them communion excommunicate the also! This is like Japanese knotweed it goes deep so the remedy needs to do likewise!
“If you want to know who a priest is, watch what he does and not what he says”.
~Servant of God, Fr. John Hardon, SJ
I have been watching for
I not only question why the Bidens’ are allowed to receive Holy Communion. I would like to know if the Bidens are really “married” in our Catholic Church. They were married by a “priest friend” in the chapel of the United Nations Building in New York. Is Jill Biden even a Catholic?