Pope Francis: Catholic Church must focus beyond "small-minded rules"

CBS ^ | 19 Sep 13 | CBS staff writer

[SkyPilot]

VATICAN CITY Pope Francis has warned that the Catholic Church's moral structure might "fall like a house of cards" if it doesn't balance its divisive rules about abortion, gays and contraception with the greater need to make it a merciful, more welcoming place for all.

Six months into his papacy, Francis set out his vision for the church and his priorities as pope in a lengthy and remarkably blunt interview with La Civilta Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit magazine. It was published simultaneously Thursday in Jesuit journals in 16 countries, including America magazine in the U.S.

John Allen, a senior correspondent with the National Catholic Reporter, told CBS Radio News the pope is not changing church policy but makes it clear that he wants a less judgmental church.

"I think he is conscious that he's at a sort of make-or-break moment where the kind of pope he wants to be - if he wants to affect real change - he's got to be explicit about it," Allen said.

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In the 12,000-word article, Francis expands on his ground-breaking comments over the summer about gays and acknowledges some of his own faults. He sheds light on his favorite composers, artists, authors and films (Mozart, Caravaggio, Dostoevsky and Fellini's "La Strada") and says he prays even while at the dentist's office.

But his vision of what the church should be stands out, primarily because it contrasts so sharply with many of the priorities of his immediate predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. They were both intellectuals for whom doctrine was paramount, an orientation that guided the selection of a generation of bishops and cardinals around the globe.

[rbmillerjr]

“The atheists and gays are lovin’ him!”

As are the Obama voting, , abortion loving Catholics. They are gloating on EWTN and Raymond Arroyo’s FBook pages.

[jodyel]

Yep, and there is the rub.

Every man, and woman, will disappoint but Jesus.

[matginzac]

I knew it....always suspected this...bye bye traditional Church....

[SkyPilot]

Neither was Scripture.

Your logical response exposes the attempt by some to discount the absolute un-Biblical "teaching" of this new pope.

[GreyFriar]

I have seen it underlying in the many interviews and homilies of his that I have read. Can I point to an exact quotation? No I cannot. But I have not read him saying “love the sin.” His style is to speak quietly and NOT shout “all you sinners are going to HELL” for, in my opinion, he recognizes that that 19th century style will NOT get anyone to listen, especially since Christian beliefs and morality are under attack throughout Western Society. In a military sense, he has his own set of tactics to fight the enemies of Christ, they may not be the same as yours, but his goal is the same (I hope of you) to convert the secular pagans to or back to Christianity.

[jodyel]

He could have just said, “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” And tell the sinner to go and sin no more. This is the part that always breaks the deal though.

[SumProVita]

Read the posts with context here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3068882/posts

I have read what Pope Francis has said and I understand it...and I know it is nothing new and is being misinterpreted by those who wish to mislead and by those who, though they may mean well, are simply incorrect.

You SHOULD understand that the press is VERY suspect in how they present anything. A good FReeper should automatically be wary.

I am finished commenting. I will simply pray that the Truthful One (John 8) will make the truth of this known in His own way and time.

May God sincerely bless you.

[cherry]

I don't know what to think about him....remember any news reports about him by the SCM are filtered....

I don't know how much more the Catholic church can bend.....either abortion is okay or it isn't....either gay sex is sinful or its not...

should we hate sinners?...I don't think so....but do we have to invite them as if they haven't sinned?.....didn't the Jesus...."go and sin no more"???

[GreyFriar]

I do not think so. The MSM wants him to be for “Liberation Theology” but I do not see that he is not going that way.

[jodyel]

We have been trying to tell you guys to come out of this abomination for a very long time. Perhaps now, some eyes will be opened.

[cherry]

the “Catholic church” is not the pope nor it bishops or its cardinals...its not even its priests....its us....

[SkyPilot]

He is approving sin.

He is. And his previous statements about atheists need to follow their "conscience" and the downplaying of homosexuality are equally outrageous.

And millions of people (including children) believe he is infallible, and speaks for God Himself.

Christ had something to say about such people:

"If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

Matthew 18:6

[laplata]

Popes aren’t worshiped.

[jodyel]

We need Jesus Christ as our Head on earth.....and even after He returns and reigns for 1000 years, some will still reject Him.

Can you imagine? Would not like to be them!

[GreyFriar]

I recall they Jesus was condemned by the Pharisee and Sadducces for eating and speaking with sinners. Can we do no less than to invite them to know the teachings of Jesus? Or should we keep our churches for only us and our fellow non-sinners?

[cherokee1]

12,000 werds and not a one about pedophile priests? Anything about turning over the child-bangers he’s hiding in the Fatican ? It’s easier to run a bigass religion if you practice what you preach. Mostly, I just want to hear Pope Frankie define “celibacy” again.

[SkyPilot]

I know - the Religion forum is sort of a mine field.

This is now the top story on Drudge and the New York Times:

Pope Bluntly Faults Church’s Focus on Gays and Abortion

This is promoting sin and evil. There is no dancing around it.

[jodyel]

“we don’t start with the negatives first when we’re trying to convert people.”

And yet Jesus never held back on the negatives. Neither should we.

[cherry]

it seems what really drives the American Catholic bishops is money....just like politicians...they'll condem we mean spirited people who want to keep a little of our wages instead of handing them over to the lazy, drugged,promiscous, irresponsible hordes...shame on us...

like immigration....

[cherokee1]

You’re correct, of course, but it’s always baffled me why the reporting is always so side ways since most of them show up on Good Friday with a smoky thumb print on their fore head. They give cafeteria Catholics a bad rap.