(Rome) At conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Pope Francis refused the mutual "poaching" of believers among Christian denominations. Another rejection of conversion and mission? What to mission, the Church?
Since the Second Vatican Council, there has been double trouble in the Catholic Church in terms of mission and conversion. On the one there is the question of the relationship to other Christian denominations. Secondly, the question of relations with other religions. The question is complex and has a variety of facets. Ecumenism and religious freedom are two main keywords.
Pope Francis fell at first in his short pontificate on several occasions by ambivalent statements about mission, proselytism and conversions. Statements that came close to an actual distancing from any constructive conversions or even explicitly made such an expression. What Pope Francis says exactly can be barely made out with accuracy because a diffuse use of certain terms cancels any substantive focus. The tendency, therefore, the observer receives more of an impression that in turn must remain ambivalent.
No "poaching" among Christians
At the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the Roman Patriarchal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls Pope Francis uttered a refusal of "poaching" of believers among Christian churches in his homily last Sunday.
"The shared commitment to proclaim the Gospel, allows the overcomiing of any form of proselytism and the temptation to be embroiled in competition," he said at the Ecumenical Service that takes place at the end of the year in Rome Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in St. Paul Outside the Walls.
All Christians are "in the service of one and the same gospel" said the Pope. At the same time he urged in the Church of Saint Paul Outside the Walls to put aside "all polemical or apologetic behavior" and jointly seek what binds all Christians. So could be overcome "many disputes inherited from the past among Christians".
"Serene, Meeting Another Without Animosity"
Next, the Pope turned against intellectual showiness in ecumenical dialogue in his sermon. Christian unity will not be the result of "sophisticated theoretical discussions," in which each is trying to convince others of the validity of their own views. Christians must come to the realization that they "need each other" to penetrate into the depth of the mystery of God, said Francis. In order to understand each other and grow in love and truth, one must "stop, accept each other and listen to each other. In this way one begins to experience unity," Francis said.
The Pope pointed to the example of Jesus Christ. There he encouraged them, a "serene, meeting without animosity" looking at one who is different than you. Jesus shows that such an encounter with the stranger "can make us grow."
Historical and New Denominations
Again in the ecumenical prayer service was attended by high-ranking representatives of the historic Christian denominations. Together with the Pope, they prayed before the start of the Gospel at the tomb of the Apostle Paul.
Pope Francis has advanced ecumenical dialogue between Christian denominations around the Evangelicals and Pentecostal movements, while he personally and out of protocol gives the historic Protestant denominations less attention.
Rejection of Proselytizing and Conversion
But it is not only a rejection of a mutual "poaching" among Christians. Pope Francis issued in 2013 a rejection of proselytism (see Canonization of a Missionary, but Rejection of mission? ) and gave his first interview interview with the atheist Eugenio Scalfari a kind of blanket refusal of conversions (see No to Conversions, Yes to Mission - The Pope contradict Himself? ).
The contradictions in the statements of Pope Francis beginning in October 2013 already took the legal philosopher Mario Palmaro shortly before his death position (see Christ is not an option among many, certainly not for his representative on earth ). An analysis and critique that has lost none of its importance.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Wikicommons
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches.... AMDG
Goodbye to the divine mandate to preach The Gospel to the world. Anyone who thought this man was remotely Catholic should be able to discern he is anti-Christian. However, after 50 years of liberal modernist brain-washing and theological deconstructionism most have either abandoned the faith altogether; converted to one of the 33,000 forms of protestantism; gone to another religion or remain in bonded servitude to falsehood in post-conciliar invalidated liturgy and apostasy. This man does not think, behave or speak like a Roman Catholic pope.
ReplyDeleteThe Francis Effect is powerful. The local SSPX chapel doesn't have enough pew space at Sunday Masses anymore. Every time Francis says something outrageous, dare I say heretical, there is a new wave of Novus Ordo refugees. Now whenever I see a folding chair I think of Francis.
Delete"And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good..." Romans 8:28
Your comment nails it,100%!However,I still think there are good solid catholics inside the novus ordo politburo.(not many mind you)They are living in a false obidient trap.Do they know St.Anthanasius concecrated his own bishops outside the official church during the Arian crisis?
DeleteThis man does not think, behave or speak like a Roman Catholic pope.
ReplyDeleteBut he is following the Gospel . . . .
Bullshit.
DeleteThat statement is an oxymoron.
DeleteA reminder on the words of Jesus Christ: "Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
ReplyDeleteWhat does the nu-Church stand for? Nothing, apparently. It is like a tree that has dried out and the branches are falling off.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMay I remind you all that Francis was the 1st.Pope to ask for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in union with all the churches throughout the world at the same time as Rome on the Feast of Corpus Christi 2013.
Christ, whose Vicar he is, walked this Earth in simplicity. No fancy clothes for the King of kings and nowhere to lay his head during his missionary life. He also walked along dusty roads in sandals etc.,. Unfortunately, we have to put up with `Princes of the Church' who go about in expensive cars instead of humble priests reaching out to the needy.
I also think we seem to be forgetting the Holy Spirit knew what he was doing when Francis was elected. We must also remember that the Pope is devoted to Our Lady and asked Our Lady of Fátima to bless his Pontificate. Do you think Our dear Mother has abandoned him?
It was also due to him that St.Joseph's name is in the Canon of the Mass after 2000 years of 'negligence'! Let's pray for Pope Francis for the Holy Spirit to guide him on the right path instead of throwing stones at him like the pharisees of old!!! He needs our prayers not condemnation!!!
Lest we forget Our Lord "The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me." Mt. 26:11.
DeleteI've had it about up to here with saying that the Church needs to be poor. When He who spoke the universe into being and will bring all things to a close is truly Present in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, please remind Him of how little regard we have for Him.
Francis indeed needs prayers, and paternal correction. Cf. Noah.
The Holy Spirit works with what the very human hands give him in terms of Popes. Let's not say God willed Francis lest God will Alexander VI.
Anonymous at 12:44,
DeleteMay I remind you, but first, you ought to get your facts straight.
1. It was Pope John XXIII, on Nov. 13, 1962, who inserted the name of St. Joseph into the first Eucharistic Prayer (the Roman Canon.]
2. Your "1st.Pope to ask for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in union with all the churches throughout the world at the same time as Rome on the Feast of Corpus Christi 2013," needs a bit clarifying:
A. It's his job as Pope to promote Eucharistic devotion, although I think it was just one of the bones he throws faithful Catholics from time to time, just to have their feel of the Pope. Otherwise, like an abusive father, he bashes them as "self-absorbed neo-pelagian prometheans, funereal faces," etc., etc.
B. It was not "all the churches throughout the world" that he expected to do as recommended. Half of the world was asleep at that time. We in California were having our 8:00am Sunday Mass [It was not on the Feast of Corpus Christi that he wanted it done but on the External Feast. Corpus Christi feast is on a Thursday, not Sunday.]
C. It could not have been "all churches throughout the world" since protestant and pentecostal churches have no Eucharist to worship.
3. "No fancy clothes for the King of kings and nowhere to lay his head during his missionary life. He also walked along dusty roads in sandals etc.,. Unfortunately, we have to put up with `Princes of the Church' who go about in expensive cars instead of humble priests reaching out to the needy."
Whoa! When Christ the King appears at His Second Coming, He will be wearing replendent red cappa magna with a crown on His head.
Rev. 13:19 "And he was clothed with a garment dipped in blood; and his name is called, THE WORD OF GOD."
Never mind the text - just look at the picture here: http://www.wordexplain.com/2ndcomingb.html
What, you think Cardinals and Bishops are dressed that way just because they like to? It's more because they are obedient to century-old rubrics prescribed by the Bride of Christ. I suggest you study the liturgical theology before denigrading sacred vestments : The amice symbolizes priests being "set aside" from the world ["consecrate" means to set aside for a distinct purpose]; the alb, their baptism; the cincture for chastity; the chasuble for charity that covers all and also means the Cross of Christ on Calvary.
Are you familiar with this psalm?:
DeletePsalm 45
You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.
Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in the cause of truth, humility and justice;
let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.
Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.
All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces adorned with ivory
the music of the strings makes you glad.
Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
The RED SHOES are the official shoes of the Pope. They symbolize the blood of the martyrs. I think it takes utmost humility and obedience for past Popes to wear them,
the humility which Pope Francis simply doesn't have.
Not done yet. About Fatima.
Someone ought to tell Pope Francis of a little boy also named Francisco of Fatima. He shared the visions of Our Blessed Mother with his sister and cousin, but could not speak, so Lucia spoke for him, asking if he, too, would go to Heaven.
Our Lady answered that Francisco will have to pray a lot more rosaries, but yes, he will.
Mother Mary wanted more rosaries prayed by Francisco. And yet our humble Pope Francis laughed and mocked a spiritual bouquet of 3,000 rosaries gifted him by some traditionalist well-wishers.
This Pope either does not think about his job sriously, or he is not a very deep thinker at all.
I can't imagine how hurt,scorned, mocked,and ridiculed our blessed Lord and blessed mother felt upon Jorge Borgoglio laughing at and condemning the holy rosary.
DeleteAre you a materialist? The Church teaches that material is nothing but a means to an end in worshiping God. Spending money on Churches and liturgical vestments is a good thing because the material is fleeting and shouldn't be idolized like it is by Marxists and Capitalists. In old Europe (before WW2) poor villagers would save up all their collective money in order to buy a gold chalice for their parish, consequently that chalice became their greatest joy. They didn't care about owning new clothes or having their belly filled, all they cared about was Christ and worshiping him through the Traditional Latin Mass.
DeleteJesus said "Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God."
Jesus rebuked those modern men who say we should sell all the Churches and golden Chalices to feed the poor.
"Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray him, said: Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the purse, carried the things that were put therein. Jesus therefore said: Let her alone, that she may keep it against the day of my burial. For the poor you have always with you; but me you have not always." - John 12
St. Francis of Assisi had no problem with liturgical pomp and circumstance or beautifully decorated churches and vestments. St Francis believe those are treasures for the entire church, they are meant be shared with rich and poor alike.
DeleteWhen you're poor the only consolation you have in life is the possibility of heaven if you live a holy life. When a poor peasant (ancient or modern) walks into a beautiful Church and experiences the Traditional Latin Mass, he experiences a brief glimpse of heaven and is motivated to continue carrying his cross in life.
Many ornate vestments are made by religious orders, many Catholic craftsman also make sacred vessels and Church decor. When a beautiful church is built or a set of vestments is purchased, that also puts bread on a family's table or allows a religious community to carry on with with their apostolate .
I used to think Francis was media-savvy and just doing what he was doing for the digital era to start covering the Church favorably. I mean, "he's not changing doctrine" was the fallback position.
ReplyDeleteThen I felt that he really had it in for tradition and was an enemy of reform of the reform.
Now, I just have the feeling he's not a terribly bright man who is trying to say what he thinks is right. The people he surrounds himself with are running the show (and they're the bad guys). Francis is just caught in the wind and has no clue what he's doing.
Oh yes, he knows what he is doing. Having heard from some of those who were there at the Extraordinary Synod and were able to observe the whole shenanigans for themselves, it was obvious who was the manipulator-in-chief. He was behind the whole sorry farce, He is also using his position to settle scores like the "best" Renaissance popes.
DeleteDo not be fooled into thinking that he is stupid. He is either mad or malevolent.
Personally I think Jorge Bergoglio is a punishment for our sins and decadence.G-d almighty is giving us what we've given him since 1970.Blasphemy,heresey,apostasy, idolatry,etc...Maybe this wake up call of Vatican 2 on steroids will wake us up out of our pagan culture,lifestyle, and media stupor.He isn't doing anything out of the ordinary considering Paul 6 was his carbon copy a full decade before I was born.What makes him different from the last 5 "popes" is the lack of facade.He makes no bones about being full blown united nations bolshevik with a seething resentment of true catholicism.Gloria Tibi Domine
DeleteBut what did the Church do to deserve Paul VI in 1963 ? He makes Alexander VI look like a pillar of orthodoxy & integrity. And no one has been so barking mad as to maintain that Alexander VI is fit to be beatified. Paul VI, OTOH...
DeleteOdd. Has he ever spoken with a convert? In my experience, I'd say about 3/4 of the converts from Protestantism are joyful and grateful to be Catholic, and the other 1/4, though indifferent, see no reason to go back to Protestantism. And I met a Jew who displayed even more joy and gratitude along with his zeal for the Faith. In a way, maybe it is a good thing the worldly powers are indifferent to the Faith, because, the way I see it, those who gravitate towards the Church have fewer cultural bars to entry, and those who wish to leave no longer have the cultural prevention to leaving. The sheep are being separated from the goats, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what that formerly Moslem journalist (my apologies, I do not remember his name) who Benedict baptized has to say about this. And I wonder the effects on EuroMoslems considering entering the Church, as well as the thoughts of those who have actually entered. And what do Fr. Levi and the other fervent priest who used to be Jewish have to say?
All in all, I'm very glad to be a convert. One advantage of being a convert now, is that one can see just how woefully the Church is capable of behaving - in a time of much less trouble, that might not be so clear.
DeleteMagdi Allam & Pope Benedict:
www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-baptizes-muslim-journalist-at-easter-vigil
www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0801638.htm
www.johnthavis.com/a-prominent-convert-leaves-the-church
## But for the grace of God, there go I. And not just me. To start well is good, but to persevere to the end, God Alone can grant. And those who fall, may always rise again. So those who have not fallen, cannot afford to boast, lest they fall further, and perhaps fall irreparably.
ReplyDeleteAnonymousJanuary 26, 2015 at 6:03 PM: I do agree with you about how the poor treasure their churches. I have seen this in Portugal where one can visit extremely poor villages. However the inhabitants will be only to keen to open their Church and show you how beautifully it is kept. I have a pamphlet by my Swiss Professor of French where he recounts how he visited a woman in a hovel in Naples. He mentions to her how impressed he was to see a picture of the Sacred Heart on the wall and that she has her religion despite her obvious material distress. She replied to him that indeed she lacked many material necessities but on the other hand she had what she called a magnificent drawing room just down the road - far richer than any rich person possessed - her church of San Giovanni Maggiore. She describes all the riches to be found there but above all she mentions that there is somebody very special there to whom she can talk.
Such is the Judas Council Revolution.
ReplyDelete"At the close of a long life (for I was born in 1905 and I now see the year 1990), I can say that it has been marked by exceptional world events: three world wars, that which took place from 1914 to 1918, that which took place from 1939 to 1945, and that of the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965. The disasters caused by these three wars, and especially by the last of them, are incalculable in the domain of material ruins, but even more so in the spiritual realm."
-Abp. Marcel Lefebvre, Prologue, Spiritual Journey
Extraordinarily significant that the neo-conciliar establishment CONanises defective popes but excommunicates real Roman Catholics who have had highly exceptional missionary records. You have to admit their game is so obviously anti-Catholic.
ReplyDeleteSSPX Archbishop Lefebvre practically bragged about denying baptizm to a group of Muslims who were asking to be baptized.(in "open letter to confused catholics" his book)He also thought non-Catholics in any religion will go to heaven.He was far from a true catholic.
ReplyDelete"The tendency, therefore, the observer receives more of an impression that in turn must remain ambivalent."
ReplyDelete## One of the characters - an apostate clergyman - in C. S. Lewis' "That Hideous Strength" speaks in the same way. This is not an encouraging parallel. STM that Rome is best ignored when it utters unCatholic nonsense; when it is orthodox - then, of course, it has a claim on our obedience as Catholics.