Being Surprised that the Pope is still Catholic

Pope Francis’ new clothes: Why his progressive image is white smoke and mirrors

"On January 17, 2014, Politico pointed out that in an interview given by the pope in August 2013, and published in September of that year, “Pope Francis said the church did not have to talk about gay marriage and abortion all the time.” And yet, “the very next day [after the interview was published] Francis condemned abortion as ‘unjust.’” Furthermore, after the interview was given, a week before its publication, the pope excommunicated a priest from Melbourne, Australia, Greg Reynolds, for advocating for female clergy and gay marriage.  Pope Francis’s seemingly understanding words about gay marriage and abortion were sandwiched in between two events that completely undermined that message."


According to Salon, because Francis talks about abortion once, he is talking about abortion all the time and he was lying when he claimed that the church didn't have to talk about it all the time.


From a more level-headed source:

With few words on abortion, Pope Francis shows a new way to be pro-life

"The pope's comparative reticence on abortion became evident to many observers a few months into his pontificate. At a June Vatican Mass dedicated to pro-life causes, an event that had been planned under Pope Benedict, Pope Francis surprised many when delivered a homily without any reference to abortion, euthanasia or any other specific threat to life.

During his weeklong visit to Brazil the following month, the pope said nothing about the country's moves to liberalize abortion (or its legalization of same-sex marriage), explaining afterward to reporters that the "church has already expressed itself perfectly on that."

Among people used to regarding the pope as the world's foremost advocate for the unborn, his silence was disquieting.

"Some people think that the Holy Father should talk more about abortion," Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston said in a speech to the Knights of Columbus in August"


Comments:

"Liberals actively discourage the practice of religion and then complain when a major religious institution doesn't reflect their views."

"I think the author needs to to study the history of christianity a little to understand how even a word is a small revolution in this institution. In 1964, in Vatican II, the Church has "forgiven" the Jews for the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ, and around the same time admitted that Galileo shouldn't have been excommunicated. This is the timing of the Chruch, if you are disappointed by this pope study some history"

"The whole article was replete with a kind enraged disappointment because Catholicism is not going to be completely reconfigured in order to cosy up to secular liberalism; that isn't going to happen today, tomorrow or indeed, ever."

"The Pope is no Stalin, nor Gregory the Great, nor Constantine. He cannot just fly in the face of culture or he will be pissing into the wind. Doesn't the writer get that?"


"to insist that NOTHING HAS CHANNGED based largely on birth control (which is decidedly NOT going to change, not any time soon) is disingenuous. He's making pope statements that are unusual and shifts are happening.

I'm also unimpressed by the big "reveal" that they have a publicist. Of course they have a publicist. They're a mammoth international organization, they're going to have a publicist.

Now I'll scroll down and read about how religion is the source of most or even all bad in the world. Which is absurd. Humans organize themselves into all manner of groups, and as soon as they've achieved an "us" and a "them" someone gets shitty to the "them." It would be nice if religion actually WAS above this particularly ugly human trait, but it clearly is not."


"Oh my god. It's still the Catholic Church. It's an almost 2000 year old institution with converts ALL OVER THE WORLD. They still get the vast majority of their US donations from the elderly, most of whom are very unlikely to share your urbane and progressive worldview. I know my grandmother doesn't.

Anyways, I'm glad to have to Catholic Church around despite their relatively backwards views/policies. Lord knows one priest has done more to change lives (for the better) and the organization has done more to help the poor than the rest of you ever will b****ing from the sidelines. (Oh wait, I heard you gave a quarter to a homeless guy today - nevermind!)

In this current political climate, liberals kind of have to take what we can get. I, for one, would like to keep the Catholic Church on our side. There's no use arguing over small potatoes like birth control coverage for church employees."


"If you expect this Pope to single-handedly reverse all of the Church's teachings on the above topics, you'll probably be disappointed.

But if you expect him to bring the Church into fuller involvement with movements for economic equality, and to work to silence the exclusionary and bigoted rhetoric coming out of certain bishops, you're probably on the right track.

I would urge you not to trip your allies as they walk in the door to join you."


"Translation: "He isn't doing exactly what I WANT about the issue I CARE ABOUT, therefore he SUCKS AT EVERYTHING!!!"

As always, the perfect is the enemy of the good."


"A kinder and gentler Joe Ratzinger."
"Yeah, because Ratzinger initiated an overhaul of corrupt Church practices, had meetings with survivors of abuse, went up against the Mafia, told all the ultra-rich that their way is godless and evil, etc., etc.

Yep, they're exactly the same. *eyeroll*"