Conservative Catholics and the New Pope

The New York Times ^ | July 31, 2013 | Ross Douthat

[Alex Murphy]

I think this analysis suggests a positive case, in the American context at least, for a papacy that simultaneously calls U.S. Catholics away from a too-close entanglement with the fortunes and platform of the Republican Party, and that consistently reminds non-Catholics and non-Christians that there is more to Christianity than the particular set of issues that have (understandably) kept many American believers in a right-of-center political orbit. This is, again, something that the last two popes did as well — but if Pope Francis’s public profile continues to come across as more “liberal” than theirs, it might actually play a helpful role in complicating the “partisan captivity” scenario that Reno sketches out.

So that’s the positive case. The more negative case is that to the extent that conservative Catholics in the United States find themselves actively disagreeing with Pope Francis’s emphases, whether on political issues or matters internal to the church or both, it might help cure them/us of the recurring Catholic temptation toward papolatry.

This temptation was sharpened for many Catholics by John Paul II’s charisma and Cold War statesmanship and then Benedict’s distinctive intellectual gifts, and by their common role as ecumenical rallying points for orthodox belief in an age of heresy. But if the tendency is understandable, it’s also problematic, because the only thing that Catholics are supposed to rely on the papacy for is the protection of the deposit of faith, and on every other front — renewal, governance, holiness — it’s extremely important for believers to keep their expectations low.

[SNIP]

The papal office has been occupied by many more incompetents than geniuses, and there’s a reason why so few occupants of the chair of Peter show up in the litany of the saints. Or at least until so few until now....

[Alex Murphy]

I think this analysis suggests a positive case, in the American context at least, for a papacy that simultaneously calls U.S. Catholics away from a too-close entanglement with the fortunes and platform of the Republican Party....The more negative case is that to the extent that conservative Catholics in the United States find themselves actively disagreeing with Pope Francis’s emphases, whether on political issues or matters internal to the church or both, it might help cure them/us of the recurring Catholic temptation toward papolatry....But if the tendency is understandable, it’s also problematic, because the only thing that Catholics are supposed to rely on the papacy for is the protection of the deposit of faith, and on every other front — renewal, governance, holiness — it’s extremely important for believers to keep their expectations low....The papal office has been occupied by many more incompetents than geniuses, and there’s a reason why so few occupants of the chair of Peter show up in the litany of the saints.

[IbJensen]

The litany of saints will become awash with popes enthroned subsequent to Pius XII. Those popes, astute followers of the new religion established after Vatican II, will undoubtedly all be advanced to sainthood by one or more of the modernist popes.

[God luvs America]

“They might be right: I don’t think anyone can doubt that Francis differs from Benedict XVI stylistically and liturgically, but beyond that sweeping conclusions are as yet unwarranted. But I still want to elaborate on a brief aside from my earlier post, and explain why it might actually be good for conservative Catholics in America to have a pope who makes them a little more uncomfortable, and (what’s left of) the American church’s liberal wing a little more enthusiastic, than either John Paul II or Benedict did.”

---

LOL- more blind ignorance by the NYSlimes....yup- those left wingers will really be clutching to Pope Benedict and his fierce opposition against abortion...

[JCBreckenridge]

Wow, Alex Murphy sharing his opinion on the Pope and Catholics. Definitely a highlight of my day.

[Alex Murphy]

Wow, Alex Murphy sharing his opinion on the Pope and Catholics. Definitely a highlight of my day.

Which words in the thread do you believe are my opinion?

[JCBreckenridge]

Let’s see, endorsement of dissent throughout. The Times is encouraging Catholics to rebel against the Pope rather than suffer ‘papoladotry’. Erroneous theology saying, “the only thing Catholics should rely upon the pope is for x”.

Why are you promoting heresy, Alex? Aren’t you aware that encouraging people to sin is condemned by Christ?

[Mrs. Don-o]

Some Catholic Bibles come with a list of all the Popes from Peter to the current incumbent. I always point out to my new RCIA students how few of them were canonized.

[STJPII]

LOL. Never thought of that, especially with the more recent ones being canonized.

[mosesdapoet]

Whatever agenda driven assertions get made in this publication we’d be all better off if we just use it if we must for toilet emergency purposes, animal bedding and the like. And certainly not repeat or respond to them.

Or better yet at minimum, let it just set there on the newstand.

[mosesdapoet]

Whatever agenda driven assertions get made in this publication we’d be all better off if we just use it if we must for toilet emergency purposes, animal bedding and the like. And certainly not repeat or respond to them.

Or better yet at minimum, let it just set there on the newstand.

[mosesdapoet]

Opps apologize for the double post.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Ross Douthat is a Catholic convert, Ratzinger fan, pro-lifer and conservative. One of the best, in my opinion.

[phockthis]

sfl