Since I wrote this article on Catholic Stand in support of Pope Francis a few months ago, it has been read 3,155 times with 85 comments, many from outraged traditionalists. Another article, which proclaims that the pope is dismantling Catholicism, has over 10,000 reads. Just as Christ shocked and upset the starchy traditional religious, so too does Pope Francis. Some of the 85 comments ring with the clarity of the truth and I would encourage anyone interested to read the comments of James and Wsquared who are well read in theology, Church pronouncements and have studied both Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul 11. These two commentators are intelligent, warm men of deep faith, seeing through all the media drama to the heart of a man, priest, bishop, cardinal and now pope who lives a vibrant life in Christ
Why do Faithful American Catholics Label Pope Francis: A Modernist Heretic?
http://catholicstand.com/pope-francis-modernist-heretic/
Every time Pope Francis speaks, the papers are filled with sensational headlines; he does not emphasize many of the popular, hot issues like abortion and homosexuality, issues which often simply serve to divide voters into an us and them mentality. When did these issues become theonly issue that concerns the Church? Yet when the pope reminds us that our life in Christ is so much more, vocal advocates become extremely angry, denouncing the pope as the anti-pope.
How ridiculous! Why such a strong reaction?
Perhaps many Americans do not like this South American because Catholics in America were taught that God loves capitalism and that Greed is Good. Pope Francis has made some pretty negative remarks about the freebooter capitalism that has flourished since the 1990′s and that will make him very unpopular with the freebooters in the US. Some of his comments about greed, avarice, and freebooter capitalism have not even shown up in the mainstream media in Canada or the States.
I am baffled by all the negative reactions to Pope Francis. Personally I think that Pope Francis is just too joyful as he lives out his simple, his down-to earth spirituality and humble solidarity with the poor and this irritates many traditionalists. Jesus and St. Francis of Assisi also irritated the Pharisees of their eras; those pure proponents of tradition dislike anyone who challenges their lifestyle.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
The Catholic wisdom of the people… provides reasons for joy and humor even in the midst of a very hard life. §1676
The vocation of humanity is to show forth the image of God and to be transformed into the image of the Father’s only Son. This vocation takes a personal form since each of us is called to enter into the divine beatitude; it also concerns the human community as a whole. §1877
It seems to me that Pope Francis was appointed by God to remind the Church to come back to the basics, to our foundation in Christ. The pope desires to bring us into a balance in our spiritual life. Our first love, our focus is to allow God to love us, love Him in return and treat others with the same mercy and forgiveness as we receive from Christ. When a Catholic focuses solely on the evils of one issue, he is in danger of becoming angry, resorting to fighting his way, without Love.
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Many pro-lifers are so focused on one issue that they have forgotten who they are as believers, as children of God, brothers and sisters of Christ, companions of the Holy Spirit.
Rather than attacking the Pope Francis, lobbyists should ask themselves, why they are reacting so vehemently. Perhaps Pope Francis is convicting them of their own shortcomings. Rather than taking the log out of their own eyes, they are searching for a speck of dust in the pope’s eyes. Yet here is a man who lives simply and joyfully, a man who lives out the gospel in real tangible ways.
Lord, forgive our arrogance and our presumption
that sets us up as judges.Turn our eyes to you, oh God
and have mercy on us.
Wow Melanie, this is a powerful article. I agree with you about tradtionalists, and what we need to focus on. I love Pope Francis. He is so filled with compassion! Everytime he speaks he amazes me in a good way. I can absolutely see how the Holy Spirit works through him. He is the reason I became interested in Catholicism in the first place. I thank God for him, and if I am any indication, I think he will win many to the faith.
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your comment brings tears to my eyes…thank -you
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Your ” Conversion ” is beautiful! I´ve the same feelings as you and God is working trough him. I am so happy about you and the deep and special ” Liaison ” with the Pope. One ” Miracle ” more! 🙂
Mitch Lau
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You know, ever since I snapped out of my pessimism months ago…I became more and more interested in Pope Francis as I went deeper in practicing my Catholic faith. And as I took time to know more about him, I got inspired a lot of times. He still inspires me even now. God’s definitely working wonders as usual, alright! And let’s not give up on making this world a better place! Keep calm, look at the bright side, and friendship for the win!
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well said!!
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I wish I felt as good about Pope Francis as you. I still don’t trust him. It’s terrible. He would be an awesome Pope if he was doing what he is doing without compromising and confusing the truth.
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I love your attitude because it is not a holier than thou condemnation of the pope but an honest reaction.If we are open, humble and wait, God will show all of us the truth..
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What truth are talking about??
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It´s me Mitch Lau that I am asking??
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the truth about living the gospel, the truth About Pope Francis, a man of God
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My question goes to Mr.Smith!! Come on talk to me!
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you might get more interaction on Catholic Stand because they post everyone’s comment to all article in the sidebar
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Mr. Smith: Are you a servant of the Devil?? I know many….
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Where is that place sidebar??
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if you go to the original article on Catholic stand, they post all comments in the sidebar where everyone can see them ..just takes 5 minutes to show up
http://catholicstand.com/pope-francis-modernist-heretic/
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Where is that place?? I am getting mad Mr. Smith and others from the same team!
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copy and paste this URL and it will take you to catholic Stand, to the article I wrote last year
http://catholicstand.com/pope-francis-modernist-heretic/
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The site is asking me to log in…??
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well, after you comment, I think you can choose to post as a guest, just giving your email…that is what i do because Disquis never works for me
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That Old people are killing the Church…get the hell over here!!!!!!
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I am so sorry but I cannot ( ?? ) to register to have access. But I left my question to Mr Smith here. Who are you?? We´ll ve a nice Game Mr. Smith! Lets play… 🙂 I am looking forward 🙂 🙂
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go to my facebook..someone is commenting who is quite intelligent, an editor for another site I write for
https://www.facebook.com/mjmjuneau
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I am sorry…Let the Old ones come here to discuss! Lets fight!!!! Lets play the Game!!!
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Mrs. Juneau: I haven´t Facebook account! I am trying to get through the site…
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He has not responded yet anyway..maybe when he does, I will send you his response and i will post YOUR comment
Kevin M. Tierney Speaking as a trad with a rather ambigious love/not like relationship with this pope, I could give the answer if you really wanted.
18 mins ·
Melanie Jean Juneau I think some of the problem is with poor translations into English
12 mins · Edited · Like
Melanie Jean Juneau yes- tell me
12 mins
Kevin M. Tierney I’ll get on it shortly, but no, it has nothing to do with the translation
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It´s impossible…I tried many times! I support my beloved Pope Francis and I´ll stay here to defend him! Do you want to discuss the Truth then come!! I just say this only once: prepare yourself for a severe Battle. Lets play !
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well the man is probably not on his WordPress blog or else he would hve seen the comments on his site but you have made me laugh and I feel defended
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Good Morning! Here I am Mr Smith looking/waiting to have a nice, comfortable, a chess game between two Men! Lets talk about the Pope Francis, the Truth, my Truth, your Truth…lets put everything on table. I´ll love it! Yes prepare yourself for a Fight!
Mitch Lau
P.S. For you I´ll be Mr. Lau!
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Mr Smith: You´re a Coward! You never came here to talk/discuss with me about the Pope Francis! Go to the Hell! If I could I strangled you!
Mitch Lau
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my two cents: No, Pope Francis is not a heretic.
In the course of just a year since his election, there has been an avalanche of apocalyptic ballyhooing about His Holiness’ presumed dismissive stances toward Church doctrine.
I’ve heard this explained by the fact that the congregations in Argentina where Pope Francis was bishop all held to Church teaching. That being the case, Pope Francis is a product of where he came from and simply believes Church doctrine is a given and need not be defended at every TURN and raised brow from the media. I applaud him for being dispassionate about not reacting to superfluous comments everywhere. He listens with wisdom.
One example of his personal holding as a ‘son of the Church’ is his comment that the conversation about women being ordained as priests is over- the Church will not ordain women. Done. Why say any more?
And my favorite example, made in 2005 while bishop in Argentina:
“Defend the unborn against abortion even if they persecute you, calumniate you, set traps for you, take you to court or kill you. No child should be deprived of the right to be born, the right to be fed, the right to go to school.”
sounds like Church teaching to me! blessings, Melanie and thank you for opening the dialogue
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I should add your comments to the body of my text..
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🙂
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