I have recently been given a book with the above title. ..How a Young Francis Defied a Dictatorship and saved Dozens of Lives. It was accompanied with a gift card which said, "My Dear Brother Joe, This book gives evidence that this great man of God practiced heroic virtue long before the Holy Spirit descended to inspire the conclave to elect him as our Holy Father..." From the preface, "The eye witness acoounts in this book...reveal to us another side of Pope Francis - as a man of tremendous courage and moral certainty, who was willing to lay down his life to save victims of a savage regime." From the fly cover, "For the first time in English, experience the untold story of Bergoglio's - Pope Francis's - courage and heroism in the face of unspeakable evil. In 1967, the Argentine military overthrew the government. What followed was a 9 year dictatorship intent on suppressing "subversives." In all, the military abducted, tortured and even murdered 30,000 people during the so-called Dirty War. Speculation has swirled about Bergoglio's actions during this time of upheaval. Was the 39 year old Jesuit leader guilty of inaction....or worse? Or, was he an unsung hero who risked his own life to save others? In Bergoglio's List, Italian Investigative journalist Nello Scavo uncovers the truth including, • How Bergoglio built an elaborate network consisting of clandestine passageways, secret hideouts, and covert automobile rides, to save more than 100 people from torture. • How he saved a prominent politician under the cover of drakness. • His bold march into an Argentine prison. • and much more This riveting collection of personal stories from those who knew Bergoglio during the days of the dictatorship is a powerful profile of faith, courage and sacrifice, and a unique glimpse of Francis before he was Pope. This is the sort of man I would like near as we navigate through The Storm.
Just to be clear Picadillo - are you attacking the Pope in your comment? If Jesus was a "lefty" that makes our Pope Like Him. Explains why Jesus chose him.
I have said it before Joe that I can't stand Pope Francis outside his magnificent social justice activities. It reminds me too much of all the social justice catholics here in the states who are pro choice and pro gay agenda. His ambiguities remind me of much of what happened at and after Vatican two. The cabal that is advising him is the same one, we believe, that we fought here in Chicago and elsewhere to rid the church of pedophilia. By the way Joe, some of us were willing and did die for the faith.
It ought to be considered a great misfortune, not only for individuals, but also for Houses and Congregations, to have everything in conformity with their wishes; to go on quietly, and to suffer nothing for the love of God. Yes, consider it certain that a person or a Congregation that does not suffer and is applauded by all the world is near a fall. -St. Vincent de Paul
I didn't see where Pic called Jesus a "lefty", if you can find that quote somewhere that would be great. Jesus (or the Holy Spirit) does NOT choose the pope. God. Does. Not. Choose. The. Pope. He ALLOWS the choosing of a pope. There is a monumental difference.
I would like a man who was clear in his faith, not ambiguous, giving us a clear reason why we should fight for the faith. Instead of constantly being attacked and bullied by him for defending it.
Did I say that Pic called Jesus a lefty? Can you quote me on this? Thank you for your quote from St Vincent de Paul. Our Pope has many enemies, not least here, and faces opposition and perscution every day. He is most certainly not applauded by all the world and suffers much for the love of God. For these very reasons I beleve that his election was indeed inspired by God. Just because this was "allowed", in your word, that does not exclude such inspiration. As Jesus said to Pilate "You would have no power if it were not given by my Father." Are you saying that no papal election has ever been inspired? When Peter identified Jesus he was told that his answer was inspired. Jesus then conferred His authority on him. Peter's appointment was not merely allowed. It was inspired. Just so with Francis. You, of course are correct in saying there is a difference between allowance and approval. I believe that both apply to the election of Francis. We will have to differ in our opinion.
I am not going to be goaded into an argument. You know our views on Francis are diametrically opposed. I feel my position will be vindicated at the last judgment. You, no doubt, feel the same about yours. I was simply bringing the attention of forum members to this book and the good opinion it expresses. Pope Pius XII came under similar attack and still does. Please do not turn this thread into yet another example of pope bashing. The evidence for Francis's courage and conviction and moral certitude is clear in this book.
God bless you, Joe. I am not a great fan of Pope Francis but I recognize that a lot of my issues with him stem from my own admittedly right-wing bias. I continually fight to keep my feet and eyes on God's path. I don't think you deserve an argument here. I like to read positive views of the Pope to balance my own.
Wow!! What a great quote. I think this is the Feast Day of St Vincent too. So true. I get uneasy myself when things are going too well. A great saint too.
I would suggest that the quote finds its true greatness in the context and purpose and way of application. Yes it could be great. All manner of things will be well.
http://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/bp.-paprocki-corrects-false-reporting-on-pope-francis Guess it is just one of the Pope's "lefty" friends. ..like Cardinal Sarah and Burke...
He is saying in an articulate/diplomatic way exactly what I am complaining about, ambiguous/vague statements. Like Cardinal George asked 1.5 years ago, "do you know the damage your statements have made?" ‘Pope Can’t Change Doctrine with Half-Sentences’ July 20, 2016 by sd From Catholic World Report: “Important magisterial tenets cannot be changed by half sentences or somewhat ambiguous footnotes,” the German archbishop said, alluding to the controversy over the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia. He further warned, “Statements that can be interpreted in different ways are a risky thing.” Acknowledging the cultural and personal differences between Pope Francis and his predecessor, Archbishop Ganswein reflected that “one has to simply accept the fact that his [Francis’] way of speaking can at times be somewhat imprecise, indeed flippant. Every Pope has their own personal style.” [For Full Story]
Message to Sulema – Extrait du message donné par la Très Sainte Vierge Marie le 24 juillet 2013, page 154 : "[...] Pray also for the Holy Father Francis and Pope Benedict XVI, your Emeritus Pope is very important and for all My consecrated. One day, not far away, you will understand why, in these times which are the last, the two popes are together, why God has willed it so. Pray for them, pray also for all your brothers and sisters around the world without exception. "
Don't be so swift, this seems to contradict you: "When it was released in April, "The Joy of Love" immediately sparked controversy because it opened the door to civilly remarried Catholics receiving Communion. Church teaching holds that unless these divorced and remarried Catholics obtain an annulment — a church decree that their first marriage was invalid — they cannot receive the sacrament, since they are seen as committing adultery. Francis didn't create a church-wide pass for these Catholics, but suggested — in vague terms and strategically placed footnotes — that bishops and priests could do so on a case-by-case basis after accompanying them on a spiritual journey of discernment. The conservative criticism was swift. American Cardinal Raymond Burke, a figurehead for archconservatives who was removed by Francis as the head of the Vatican's supreme court, insisted that the document wasn't part of the church's teaching magisterium but rather was a personal reflection on meetings of bishops about family matters. "The personal, that is, non-magisterial, nature of the document is also evident in the fact that the references cited are principally the final report of the 2015 session of the Synod of Bishops and the addresses and homilies of Pope Francis himself," Burke wrote in the National Catholic Register. Schoenborn rejected Burke's claim in his interview with Civilta Cattolica. The document, Schoenborn said, "is an act of the magisterium that makes the teaching of the church present and relevant today." Italian Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, another leading conservative, has criticized the document as vague and confusing, and denied that it opened the door to Communion, since doing so would contradict previous church teaching on the indissolubility of marriage. Francis' own doctrine czar, German Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, concurred with Caffarra, saying the pope would have been more clear if he had intended such an opening. Mueller argued in a May 4 speech in Spain that decisions about whether someone can receive the sacraments cannot be arrived at purely in the realm of individual, private discernment. "A privatization of the sacramental economy would certainly not be Catholic," he said. In Wednesday's Osservatore Romano, Italian historian and politician Rocco Buttiglione said the church has always taught that there can be cases in which the faithful might not believe themselves to be in a state of mortal sin, or might not be fully responsible for it, which can mitigate their culpability. "The path that the pope proposes to divorced and remarried is exactly the same that the church proposes to all sinners: Go to confession, and your confessor, after evaluating all the circumstances, will decide whether to absolve you and admit you to the Eucharist or not," he wrote. Buttiglione's argument, featured on the front page, marked a shift in the Vatican's defense of Francis' document, confronting the criticisms head-on rather than just praising the pope's text. The initiative could signal a more concerted campaign by the Vatican to ensure that the "The Joy of Love" is interpreted as Francis intended. Already, conservative Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput has said that divorced and civilly remarried Catholics can only receive Communion in his archdiocese if they abstain from sex and live as "brother and sister."
Mos Most people who have success in life have taken a risk at some point. Jesus was no exception. His statements were often risky according to the German bishop's standards. That did not make them bad, never mind dangerous. How many walked away when Jesus told them they had to eat his flesh? Is is not more likely to be hasty, judgmental and unwarranted attitudes and poor understanding and interpretation that poses danger and threatens damage. I have discovered in life and not least in myself, that one of the most insidious forms of dishonesty is emotional dishonesty. When discovered it exposes the true motives for actions and attitutudes that harm others and ourselves. Sometimes people become so defensive of their own ways that they lose the way. Pope Francis has not confused anyone. He has removed the blinkers and this expanded vision and and increase in light has left some, but not as many as is often suggested here, somewhat disorientated and insecure. I would suggest that that confusion is not really the problem. The problem is caused by not obeying, trusting, and letting go so that there is room for growth and more saved souls. The Pope has not compromised the truth but is showing us a better way to cooperate with the Truth and the mission of Truth: to save souls. The Pope has expanded our vision of Truth in both the example of his vision of Christ and the example of his approach through his teaching on mercy and justice. This is not flippancy. This is Faith. Those who sow doubt in Francis, sow doubt in The Faith and this , I suggest, is the real danger to the saving of souls. It is those few at the top and their supporters who have grown, inside Church, the the potential for great apostasy, who have sown the seeds of division. The Church is indefectible. It will never fall into erroneous belief. It follows that erroneous belief can only exist apart from the Church - in those who apostasise - those who turn their backs and walk away. Just as they they did to Jesus. The Pope cannot apostasise. If there is going to be an apostasy it must reside in others.
Why does he not come out and say so instead of hiding behind vague footnotes/statements, and canning cardinals and stacking committees right out of Saul Alinsky's book "Rules For Radicals". I do not need you to explain/spin what this pope's statements means.
That's fine Pic. Just ignore me. Walk away. BTW I pressed the post button before I was finished so I added a wee bit. May be a wee bit more. Hope my 'spin' does not make you dizzy.
This book confirms that Pope Francis has always been motivated by his concern for the well being of others and that he has put his own life on the line for this purpose. Such a man does not hide behind footnotes. Rather they are thrown as yet another life line to those who are floundering.
