-— : I would argue we should be Catholics who happen to be American, rather than Americans who happen to be Catholic -—
That should be true of any religious person.
Yes, some humility is being tested of us American Catholics, by our Holy Father. Absolutely. Read where he has even been called a “scold”. LOL.
Certainly, I am being tested, but happy to report that I see Jesus of Old in the Holy Father’s gestures and actions, not the Jesus of milquetoast and endless tolerance for scandal as so often represented through many/some among the USCCB, for example.
It may be that the Pope’s interviews and certain pronouncements, to the American ear, ring some confusion and nervousness perhaps because we are presently under siege in these times, on guard against Marxists in our own country and most institutions. In some other decade, would his words as Pope have fallen on such sensitive ears?
We are being stretched in a good way by our Holy Father to see what is true, and simple. I give him time to bring me along too, and reshape my unease with some of his words that have seemingly given the Marxists such comfort and perplexed many others.
Perhaps we are seeing, in Francis, the pattern of Paul at work here. Being “all things to all men...”, in order to reach the lost and the cynical, that their ears might be opened.
Meanwhile, and regardless, I remain immovable from the great Ark, humbly at the Mercy of God come whatever may, left saying, “Lord, to whom shall I go?”. :) Rita.