Steve, I understand you are a concerned Catholic and you have every right to be just that. But quite honestly, we can't judge based on here say....we don't KNOW anything about this man yet. All I know is he is humble. He bowed and asked for our prayers and that I SAW with my own eyes. I don't read people's (journalists) conjectures about others. It is ALWAYS skewed depending on the political slant. Please be patient and don't rush to conclusions about Pope Francis. Let us wait and see the stuff he is made of because he hasn't done anything yet, except accept a TREMENDOUS job that most cardinals wouldn't want.....God's blessing be bestowed on Pope Francis and the people of the Holy Catholic Church....Peace and Love.
Great article on why Pope Francis went to St. Mary Major church today : http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2013/03/why-did-pope-francis-go-to-st-mary-major.html
I agree with you on this point Donna. I would rather error on the side of defending this new Pope ,until he gives me a reason not to ! He will be in my daily prayers, hoping he will be the new Pius V.
Why the Pope wont change church doctrine:http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_...k-for-pope-francis-to-change-church-doctrine/ Cardinal Dolan is asked " Will he change Church doctrine ? " Dolan: " that he can't do ! "
I do listen to him on Sirius radio, on the Catholic Channel. You can see he's a rock star among the Cardinals !
The one thing about Cardinal Dolan that I can not understand is.... how can he stand by and let Govenor Cumo receive communion and not explicitly excommuniate him for his EXTREME public stance on abortion? I think we need to pray for him to have the courage necessary to face the powerful of this world with the power of the Holy Spirit.
I will never understand how Tony Blair was allowed to become a Catholic with all his views. He introduced the morning after pill into our schools and wanted young girls to be able to have abortions without their parents knowledge or consent (even at 14) and wanted schools to hand out free condoms. He must have done some heavy duty repenting to convince everyone...
Hi Donna, I am getting regularly 'beaten up' for my expressed reservations and expected it but I wanted to respond to your post because it's thoughtful, interesting and polite. 1. Hearsay - you and I only know most things by hearsay. E.g. Pope Francis has a reputation for being humble, having a dislike of pomp, of speaking very frankly and honestly and has (according to press hearsay) been in a serious 'bust up' with his government about same sex 'marriage'. We can really have no idea whether any or all of these are true because it is all hearsay. However, I believe these things to be true because no-one who appears to have any direct knowledge about him is disputing these assertions. I like these qualities and believe that he possesses them (based purely on hearsay). 2. If I had merely quoted those particular pieces of hearsay, no-one would have given me a hard time. No-one would have said, "you don't know the man, so you can't say those things about him". 3. However, no-one who knows him, or his history in Buenos Aires, appears to be disputing the hearsay that: he actively and successfully sought to discourage the use of the TLM in his archdiocese in opposition to direct instructions from Pope Benedict that such decisions could be made by any priest without consultation with his bishop, the assertion by the Anglican Archbishop of South America that he is personally opposed to the Anglican Ordinariate, that he has taken part in some questionable 'with it' liturgies for the young nor that he has allowed himself to be prayed over by Protestant, TV evangelists (in fact these last 2 events are not hearsay unless someone has doctored the moving images available for all to see). I am also concerned at the enthusiasm for Pope Francis by those who have been defying Pope Benedict for years. I know that he hasn't done anything yet. I really hope that he 'grows into the job' and becomes a great Pope. I merely have reservations based on both hearsay and my own eyes. We can only take stock of anyone by what they have already done (usually according to hearsay at our level of personal knowledge). In answer to someone else's question about my view of the effect of the Holy Spirit on a Conclave: Pope Benedict was asked that exact question when he resigned and replied that the Holy Spirit is involved but that the election comes about through the operation of the free will of those involved. (I take that to mean that He is involved only insofar as those involved permit His involvement). PS - that is my last word on the matter. I will pray, wait and see.
Steve, while I don't agree with you. It could be because I just don't want to. It is the same with false prophets. People don't agree with me, because they don't want to. When you have a view that is different to everyone else it is difficult. But always remember. People didn't want to listen to Jesus either. They didn't want to have to change their way of thinking even back then. I want to give this man a chance, and I'm sure you do too. But I thank you in reminding me we must always stay alert. God Bless you Steve.
I am waging a PRO-PONTIFF posting war on my Garabandal site ( there are some sights, condemning Pope Francis ) if you want to join in his support, give a look: https://www.facebook.com/groups/163674987784/
Unfortunately, now Pope Francis will know what it was like to be Christ on earth. I'm praying for him every day !
Steve, I seriously don't think that this Pope would go to the trouble of putting his thumb on the TLM since Benedict spent so much time and energy on transforming the reform. Besides Benedict is still alive and kicking and it would be a slap in the face. One of the things none of us know is how much trouble the TLM gave the Cardinal while he was in Buenos Aireas. Some of the Latin Rite folks are Pius X and Pius V and are deeply into conjecture and bad mouthing the Pope. WE DON'T KNOW WHY HE DID WHAT HE DID...
It seems that there is conflicting information out there regarding Pope Francis' support for TLM... I found this link that indicates that Cardinal Bergoglio (Pope Francis) was actually rather quick to support the use of the TLM in Argentina: http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity...argentina.html The blog linked to states, in pertinent part: "There have been many comments flying around alleging that there are no old rite Masses in Argentina apart from those offered by the SSPX. It seems that things are different. Clarin.com reported that 48 hours after Pope Benedict issued Summorum Pontificum, Archbishop Bergoglio arranged for Mass according to the usus antiquior to be said regularly at St Michael the Archangel in Buenos Aires. (Source: Clarin.com: Regresó la misa en latín, con mujeres cubiertas por mantillas)"
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/393172/ “I think we're going to see a call to Gospel simplicity,” said U.S. Cardinal Donald Wuerl. “He is by all accounts a very gentle but firm, very loving but fearless, a very pastoral and caring person ideal for the challenges today.” During dinner, Francis, however, acknowledged the daunting nature of those challenges in a few words addressed to the cardinal electors: “'May God forgive you for what you have done,’” Francis said, according to witnesses.
I was present at this sermon which took place at a Latin Mass. I can understand Steve and his reservations about anyone who would want to take away from our 1500 yr tradition, I to am concerned but will take a wait and see position. From what I have seen so far, I have high hopes for our new Pope. This audio has to do with what Pope Benedict had to say about the Tridentine. http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20120916-On-The-5th-Anniversary-of-Summorum-Pontificum.html
