Against Popesplaning

amywelborn.wordpress.com ^ | February 21, 2016 | Amy Welborn

[detective]

“Even if you consider yourself an enthusiastic and faithful Catholic of any stripe you are not obligated to defend every utterance in every papal interview or even every papal homily or declaration.”

Can you imagine a sincere Catholic writing this about Pope John Paul II?

Catholics look to the Pope for leadership and guidance. They do not look to him for political speeches.

Pope Francis has not inspired Catholics. His speeches are devoid of holiness and spirituality. They are left wing polemics inspired by Liberation Theology with a little bit of vague morality thrown in.

We know little of Pope Francis’s life. His speeches and books are written by others. His talks with reporters are vague and open to interpretation.

If a few people are inspired by Pope Francis, that is good. If he causes them to become more merciful and generous in their lives that is good.

But Catholics should not feel any need to defend his political speeches.

[Mrs. Don-o]

She.

Ha.

[paddles]

Me too. Jesuit trained.

[xp38]

Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms

[humblegunner]

Point taken.
I didn’t look past the source.. a free Wordpress blog
usually employed by male homeless library patrons who
have just finished viewing porn and wish to “have a
voice” in the real world.

Yep.

[Tax-chick]

A lot of people have a lot of time on their hands. That will change after the Global Economic Collapse.

[Mrs. Don-o]

My husband and I will probably perish quickly and badly after the starving, poorly-socialized neighbors realize we have canned mormon food in our basement from Y2K...

[SaraJohnson]

You are correct in many ways. But when it comes to the gospel, that is supposed to be the same everywhere among Catholics. Sometimes this pope messes up the gospel.

[SaraJohnson]

I am Catholic. But is this Pope?

---

Not so much.

[morphing libertarian]

It’s a distinction most voters don’t make or understand. The pope was a coward to make those statements outside the US. Cross into SD and take your best shot. Also, he is meddling in a US election, but he knew that. Lastly, his church is responsible for numerous crimes against children and covering up those crimes and they have violated immigration laws by hiding illegals. So, I say, get back behind your own wall and pray form God’s forgiveness for sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.

[RedStateRocker]

Well, I think the presumption of the original article is that some people *DO* care about what the Pope says. That’s all.

If someone is going to go on about what the Pope said then the distinction between the Pontiff speaking ex Cathedra or merely the opinion of one Jorge Mario Bergoglio is important. If an author can’t be bothered about getting that right I don’t see or care what they have to say about the actual content of his remarks. It’s as important a distinction as between what Justice Roberts says off the cuff to a reporter and what he writes in a SCOTUS majority opinion (which might not matter at all to someone in Italy).

Just being pedantic :-)

[terycarl]

Is it possible that the current Pope, being from Argentina is merely expressing many of the thoughts of an average Argentine citizen. A Polish Pope reflected the life’s experiences and emotions, and helped in the falling of the Iron Curtain. Italiam born and raised Popes have been the same. Italians of birth, language and culture of a European. I would sort of expect an American born and raised Bishop, elevate to the Papacy to reflect his upbringing. ALL surely CATHOLIC, yet each having their own personal backgrounds. Just wondering.

Very accurate synopsis!!!

[grey_whiskers]

[morphing libertarian]

It is important, but not a distinction I believe the average person on the street makes.

Best wishes

[sergeantdave]

I’m not about to wade thru a 5,000 word post, but I can say that this so-called “pope” is the most irreligious character who has occupied Peter’s chair - EVER.

[Tax-chick]

We have Tom.

[Nuocmam]

Opinion of a “Cradle and committed Catholic: AMEN to that! Just as I can express my own opinion on any subject so can any other human being. Only when speaking “Ex Cathedra on matters of Faith and Morals” does the Pope express other than his personal opinion! I don’t believe his background in economics is all that great.

[Jeff Chandler]

I was not impressed with the cult of celebrity surrounding Pope John Paul II, and I am less impressed with the current situation.

Humility keeps a man within the confines of his responsibilities. Hubris makes a man believe his will is larger than his title.

[RedStateRocker]

About the average person the street, perhaps.....

I’d like to assume the average Freeper wishes to discuss and analyze things on the basis of facts.

And actually, most Catholics are somewhat aware of this, it is a Protestant thing of getting “Papal infallibility” (which is really more akin to a SCOTUS opinion; a statement of position based on research and reflection rather than saying one moral person is infallible) IOW official Church policy- conflated with what one person says when shooting off their mouth to the press, even if that person is the Pope. Huge difference in fact if not general public perception.

Regards :-)

[morphing libertarian]

I think the average freeper is far more informed than the average person on the street. : )