[Lurkinanloomin]

Thank you for your kind replies

I went through catechism classes as a kid and attended Mass weekly until I was a teen when I left.
My parents remained Catholics until they passed.
I was quite happy as a Methodist for many years, but sadly they have gone leftist as well. Currently, I am unchurched.
I’m not as well versed as many here, but what this Pope is saying seems not just divergent from traditional Catholicism but completely at odds with what I was taught.
I have always respected and looked up to previous Popes, this one I find that impossible.
He seems intent on changing what had always seemed to be an unchangeable institution. The Church has always stood against homosexuality, abortion, divorce regardless of the pressures of popular culture.
I sincerely hope he does not completely ruin the Church.
That seems to be his mission.

[Salvation]

** The Church has always stood against homosexuality, abortion, divorce regardless of the pressures of popular culture**

And it still is. The opinions of Francis do not change the truths of the Catholic Church.

[Hieronymus]

That he will not succeed will prove one more mark of the Divine Guidance of the Church.

Scott Hahn (a fairly well known former Presbyterian Minister who is now a professor at Franciscan University) once quipped that if a Protestant Church were run the way the Catholic Church is run, it wouldn’t last five minutes.

Pius VI is alleged to have said to Napoleon: You silly little man, you think that you can destroy the Church, when we and our priests haven’t been able to do so in 18 centuries?

I believe that, by the grace of God, we will survive Francis, but I’m not sure that makes the whole thing that much less painful.

[Hieronymus]

BTW—

You’re welcome. And a breath of fresh air. It is always nice to see manners and charity exercise on religion threads, especially by someone who is not of one’s own denomination.

I’m by no means perfect in those areas, and, as you will see if you hang around this forum, posting on some religion threads seems to be a blood sport.

[MHGinTN]

The 'church' that counts is the body of believers in Christ as their Grace from God for their salvation. Institutions, because they are orgs wil shift and change. I too was an Episcopalian. I have disassociated with that org, but remain in the Ekkelsia, the body of believrs found in all nations. It is THAT 'Church' which will be shaken when the Rapture happens (soon). The Bride of Christ is leaving for a short time while the world is 'harvested'.

Take care to note when an org is being espoused since the orgs are many, but there is only One Church' collective, the Ekklesia of those in Christ.