Posted on 03/30/2013 5:32:33 PM PDT by SkyPilot
In the short time since Pope Francis became leader of the Catholic Church, his every move has been scrutinized for signs of what his plans could be for his rule. And while his focus on austerity and the world’s poor has excited many who thought the Church was too out of touch with reality, traditionalist Catholics have been devastated. Francis’ decision to wash the feet of two girls, including a Muslim, during a traditional Holy Thursday ritual “has become something of the final straw,” writes the Associated Press. For traditionalists, it was a clear sign that Francis has no intention of continuing Benedict XVI's efforts to roll back reforms that were brought in after Vatican II.
The Thursday incident is seen as particularly serious because Francis flouted Church law when he washed the feet of the two girls. The traditional foot-washing ceremony reenacts the way Jesus washed the feet of his 12 apostles during the Last Supper, and the Church has long said women can’t participate because the apostles were all men. Some were quick to question whether the move could be seen as the first step in opening up the Church to women’s ordination, although the Vatican has cautioned against reading too much into every little move. Yet there is no getting around the fact that until Francis, no pope had ever washed the feet of a woman, or a Muslim for that matter, on Holy Thursday, notes the Wall Street Journal.
The pope washed the feet of two Muslim teenagers Thursday—a boy and a girl—in a move that observers quickly said could mark the beginning of an openness toward the Muslim world that could change how the Vatican is perceived, points out the AFP.
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
Nope. You guys are the pharisees who choose the vanity of being seen as tolerant and PC rather than Christian.
Muslims can in no way be seen as disciples of Christ. On the contrary they are disciples of Satan. For everything Christ stood for, Muhammad took the opposite stance.
I am hearing such positivity coming from Catholics and protestants alike, as to Pope Francis. He is going to make us proud to be Catholic once again.
As for Slate, well Holy Week is keeping me from commenting on those clowns. Like those folks have ANY basis to comment on my faith.
Pope Francis can do what he wants. if it is wrong, those critical of it will not be wrong for criticising it. if they are wrong, then they are jerks for criticising a guy for doing nothing wrong.
“I’m really getting sick and tired of non-Catholics critiquing my church.”
Then “do” your church in a closet.
Because anything done in public is open to public opinion.
So you think that if Jesus came back to earth he wouldn’t wash this young girls feet? You think he would clear that everyone was a believer first?
With all due respect, outside criticism can be very valuable. But the stuff in the OP isn’t criticism. It’s bigotry with a thin veneer of criticism.
I am enjoying how this pope is drawing the bigots and the apostate out and helping them expose themselves. I have plenty of criticism of Catholics but so far I like this guy.
Slate is a cesspool of vile scum.
I’m not Catholic; but I have to say that your Pope has made a very positive impression upon me.
Non-Catholic here, and I hope Francis is as right for the times we find ourselves in as John Paul II was for the 80’s.
My son-in-law is a “trad” and he definitely WAS “livid” at the news.
Ha....good point. I am sick of it too.
Just go away..just go attack Islam and Mohammad ...Whoa!
There are, however, some criticisms that are valid: that such as Nancy Pelosi haven't been excommunicated (her aid to abortions alone should do it) is a big detriment to the church's claim of moral authority.
I don’t care about the foot washing. I DO care that on Good Friday he mentioned the Holy Land and referenced “Christians and our Muslims brothers”. BARF. Why Muslims? And why not Jews? I was annoyed with the last few Popes’ reticence to criticize Islam, especially in light of increasing violence against Christians in the 3rd World. Appeasement vs. Islam is the last thing Christendom (and the West) needs right now.
For heaven’s sake- I’m not that trad but I can’t say I welcome the washing of feminine feet with open arms. I don’t doubt the holiness of the pope, I’m just not looking forward to the usual suspects using this as a cudgel for the female diaconate, just as they used female altar servers.
I am very uncomfortable with the dichotomy being set up here, as if all actions of a pope are suddenly beyond question. Where was that attitude when Benedict was pope?
I really like Pope Francis. His homilies so far have been awesome, he seems to be truly personally holy, and he’s certainly the most orthodox South American Jesuit I’ve ever come across. Those thing do not prevent my from worrying that less than holy elements of the hierarchy will cherry pick aspects of his philosophy to further their own agendas. I had the same concerns during JPII’s papacy.
15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”
17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
—Mark 2:15-17
I’m not Catholic but I liked this Pope since he went and got his luggage and paid his Hotel bill himself the first day. I appreciate his humility. And, I hope he can make all the tax collectors repent!
Amen.
I worry about this Pope on large issues and the direction he takes the Church.
But his actions remind us what are seemingly the the smallest to most of us, are actually the biggest issues of all, particularly in the eyes of the Lord.
Christianity must return to it's basics to convert an increasingly non believing people back to Christ and Salvation.
If you look at history, people have converted to Christianity not because of Bible thumping preachers, but instead by Christians who by acts and deeds have exemplified and personified the tenets of the Christian faith by devoting their lives to bettering the lives of others who are in need.
One basic Christan tenet is giving of ones self and caring for others, especially those others marginalized by larger society. This is symbolically what the Pope seems to be trying to convey, not the need to clean peoples feet.
That the most powerful man in the Catholic Church reminds us the the most powerful man whoever lived humbled himself before others really puts things into perspective and challenges us to examine how we are living our lives as Christians After a bit of reflection, most Christians could look at the Popes actions and come to the conclusion that they have been negligent in following Jesus's admonishment to take care of one another at a time when there are many in need from both a material and spiritual perspective.
In the wealthy Western World it could not be clearer that increasingly difficult material problems we face are the direct consequences of Spiritually turning away from or rejecting the tenets of our Christian Faith and our negligence in living our lives in a Christian fashion.
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