Pope Francis, wishing everyone—everyone—peace and brotherhood on Christmas Day. Screen cap from Vatican News, Youtube video, 2018.12.25.
What does that Child, born for us of the Virgin Mary, have to tell us? What is the universal message of Christmas? It is that God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters.
This truth is the basis of the Christian vision of humanity. Without the fraternity that Jesus Christ has bestowed on us, our efforts for a more just world fall short, and even our best plans and projects risk being soulless and empty.
For this reason, my wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity.
Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture.
Fraternity among people with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another.
Fraternity among persons of different religions. Jesus came to reveal the face of God to all those who seek him.
The face of God has been revealed in a human face. It did not appear in an angel, but in one man, born in a specific time and place. By his incarnation, the Son of God tells us that salvation comes through love, acceptance, respect for this poor humanity of ours, which we all share in a great variety of races, languages, and cultures. Yet all of us are brothers and sisters in humanity!
Our differences, then, are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness. As when an artist is about to make a mosaic: it is better to have tiles of many colours available, rather than just a few! [Pope Francis, “Urbi et Orbi,” Vatican City, 2018.12.25]
Fraternity amidst diversity—the concepts do not oppose each other; they complement each other. Pope Francis understands that, and understands that the man with the power and the mic should speak to everyone, to uplift everyone, not just air his personal grievances. Thank you for your good example, Pope Francis.
Your link to the Guardian article about what’s going on with the Pope and Vatican Inc is first rate. The Roman Catholic Church is a mess and a disgrace to Christianity, though it has a ways to go to match some parts of US evangelicalism.
From the article we can see that Francis knows what Christianity is supposed to be and has not been for nearly 2 millennia.
“Francis wants a church of the poor, not a church for the poor. He wants a church of mercy that prioritizes human dignity above the canonical rules. He wants a religious leadership that is grounded in humility and grit, not clothed in ermine and jewels. He wants black Oxfords over red Prada footwear, genuine human commerce over Renaissance etiquette, simple living over lavish accommodation. In short, he wants the radical simplicity of il poverello di Assisi, his namesake, not the triumphalist manner of a spiritual leadership unmoored from the Gospel.”
Francis accurately names the biggest enemy of this rescue of the Roman Catholic Church as it’s own clergy.
While there are righteous and humble ordained members, there is also a huge faction focused on protecting their privilege, power, wealth and comfort.
This is a critical fight for the RCC. If the Gospel faith wins, sexual abuse may be properly addressed, in addition to other scandals and criminal acts.
Francis Schaffer
2018-12-26 16:02
Yes, Pope Francis has had a difficult year too. I first saw him as a breathe of fresh air to the hierarchy of the church. I now think that Pope Benedict XVI resigned because of what he knew was coming, and the church needed someone who could portrait humility while being a shrewd political operator so as to minimize the damage to the hierarchy with a sign of contrition to the masses, apologize, ask for prayers, etc. but no action. Thus Pope Francis. He made the statement that the predators/perpetrators should turn themselves into the civil legal authorities. Okay what about the ones who have died already, how will that work out for the victims. Pope Francis has the authority to force the bishops to open their archives to every civil legal system, he has not, nor do I believe he will. Waiting until February for what? Delay, deny, distract that is what I see. More later
Good excerpt, Debbo. That passage captures perfectly the conflict between principle and privilege/power.
Francis S., could the Pope make happen what must happen with one speech? Could he publicly renounce all of the sex offenders, defrock every one of them, order every priest and Catholic church employee to sit for a week of sexual harassment training? Could he unilaterally order restitution to all victims, paid by hocking the Church’s gold?
Jesus came to reveal the face of God to all those who seek him… It did not appear in an angel, but in one man, born in a specific time and place.
As a traditional Protestant evangelical, I think much of Roman Catholic teaching and practice is essentially a waste of time.
But the papal statements I’ve quoted in this comment aren’t a waste of time.
Francis Schaffer
2018-12-26 19:17
Cory,
Could he? I am sure their is some obscure canon law that would prevent this, yet he could fire every employee who is credibly accused or complicit in the cover up, and he could kick them out of Vatican City so extradition would be easier. He should quit using the statute of limitations as an excuse for inaction and he should excommunicate many of them. He won’t, John Paul I would have and we know how that turned out. I believe they should lose their tax exempt status. This isn’t about married priests or female priests, in my opinion it is about a sense of entitlement, martyr complex, ego which is promoted by clergy, seminaries and the hierarchy of the church. I do believe female priests is a better option than married male priests. I know many females who are more spiritual, better educated and certainly more humble than most of the priests I know.
Debbo
2018-12-26 21:06
“it is about a sense of entitlement, martyr complex, ego which is promoted by clergy, seminaries and the hierarchy of the church.”
Exactly Francis. Nail on head.
IMO they need to implode the RCC and join one of the many other Catholic denominations which are egalitarian and congregation based.
Vatican Inc is simply rotten to the core, no less so than Falwell’s “ministries”. Sell the big items or donate them to museums. Contribute the $ to charities that are run by nuns or entirely non-Catholic. Turn the Sistine Chapel into a museum. Etc.
Debbo
2018-12-26 21:10
Think what could be done with the $billions Vatican Inc is hoarding in cash, property and artifacts.
Water wells everywhere, homes, malaria nets, hospitals, clothing, schools, farming and industrial needs in 3rd world. Boggles the mind.
🤯
Joe Nelson
2018-12-27 01:31
As the seemingly sole Roman Catholic who comments, thank you Cory for sharing the words of Pope Francis.
He is not perfect, nor are any of the men and women who make up the RCC here on earth. Changes are happening, earthly justice is being achieved. Justice and restitution is a complicated business, and cannot be achieved with the wave of the Pope’s hand. Despite what many people wrongly think, the Pope is not an all-powerful ruler. These things take time, just as they do in our own American justice system.
Lord knows Americans are far better off than a majority of the world; if Americans stopped spending money on pets (estimated 72 billion dollars in 2018), and diverted the funds to the poor, the world would be a better place too. We all choose our luxuries, and I am not going to begrudge the RCC for having its own, especially since a majority of these luxuries are open to the public.
Luxuries—our dog cost way too much, but I’ll defend him with my life, as I think he will mine.
Luxuries—having toured Notre Dame in Paris and some elaborate Orthodox cathedrals in Russia, I’m willing to cut churches some slack in erecting beautiful buildings. One can argue that beauty is not a luxury; it is a proper response to the divine.
But does a great edifice, decked in marble and gold, inherently tempt its keepers to self-aggrandizement, to accumulate wealth and power for themselves?
Francis Schaffer
2018-12-27 12:19
Joe,
I am a practicing Catholic as well. My thinking about remaining so has been put to the test after reading the entire grand jury report from Pennsylvania. From this, I wondered why the clergy, bishops included, determined there would be a different system of accountability for themselves than would exist for their parishioners or other US citizens? In many cases, the victims were shamed, guilted and made to feel responsible for the rape. Some were financially compensated, by tuition, counseling sessions, drug or alcohol treatment; without knowledge of the members of the church or the civil authorities. Is this the luxury you reference? Many became addicted and/or committed suicide because of the trauma; the victims not the priests.
Is that the luxury you reference? How about Cardinal Law fleeing to Vatican City after the ‘Boston Globe’ 2002 article on priests abuse of children, free from extradition to face civil charges, is that the luxury you reference. Having the financial backing to payoff victims to the tune of millions and millions of $, then file for bankruptcy protection; is that the luxury you reference. I don’t presume to know what Jesus would think, yet I can use some words from the New Testament to illustrate the difference between what Pope Francis says and his actions.
James 2:14-26
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [a]your works, and I will show you my faith by [b]my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [c]dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made [d]perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [e]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The words of Pope Francis are great, fine and wonderful, until his actions do not match his words. This is true for all bishops, priests and parishioners. Myself I work on spiritual progress as I believe being spiritual is more important than being religious.
Debbo
2018-12-27 14:01
Francis, you nailed it. Perfect.
As a clergy person, I never expected nor desired any form of luxury. I was called to be a shepherd to and with my flock, not live in luxury above them. I do not believe there is a place for luxury in the Christian life, ordained or otherwise. Jesus was very clear about that.
Words vs actions: that’s why we keep talking. Some deep part of us expects words to reflect reality. When Pope Francis says words that call us to moral action, we rightly expect him to take those same actions. Pointing out good and true words is an important part of holding the people who say those words accountable.
Your link to the Guardian article about what’s going on with the Pope and Vatican Inc is first rate. The Roman Catholic Church is a mess and a disgrace to Christianity, though it has a ways to go to match some parts of US evangelicalism.
From the article we can see that Francis knows what Christianity is supposed to be and has not been for nearly 2 millennia.
“Francis wants a church of the poor, not a church for the poor. He wants a church of mercy that prioritizes human dignity above the canonical rules. He wants a religious leadership that is grounded in humility and grit, not clothed in ermine and jewels. He wants black Oxfords over red Prada footwear, genuine human commerce over Renaissance etiquette, simple living over lavish accommodation. In short, he wants the radical simplicity of il poverello di Assisi, his namesake, not the triumphalist manner of a spiritual leadership unmoored from the Gospel.”
Francis accurately names the biggest enemy of this rescue of the Roman Catholic Church as it’s own clergy.
While there are righteous and humble ordained members, there is also a huge faction focused on protecting their privilege, power, wealth and comfort.
This is a critical fight for the RCC. If the Gospel faith wins, sexual abuse may be properly addressed, in addition to other scandals and criminal acts.
Yes, Pope Francis has had a difficult year too. I first saw him as a breathe of fresh air to the hierarchy of the church. I now think that Pope Benedict XVI resigned because of what he knew was coming, and the church needed someone who could portrait humility while being a shrewd political operator so as to minimize the damage to the hierarchy with a sign of contrition to the masses, apologize, ask for prayers, etc. but no action. Thus Pope Francis. He made the statement that the predators/perpetrators should turn themselves into the civil legal authorities. Okay what about the ones who have died already, how will that work out for the victims. Pope Francis has the authority to force the bishops to open their archives to every civil legal system, he has not, nor do I believe he will. Waiting until February for what? Delay, deny, distract that is what I see. More later
Good excerpt, Debbo. That passage captures perfectly the conflict between principle and privilege/power.
Francis S., could the Pope make happen what must happen with one speech? Could he publicly renounce all of the sex offenders, defrock every one of them, order every priest and Catholic church employee to sit for a week of sexual harassment training? Could he unilaterally order restitution to all victims, paid by hocking the Church’s gold?
Pope Francis said:
As a traditional Protestant evangelical, I think much of Roman Catholic teaching and practice is essentially a waste of time.
But the papal statements I’ve quoted in this comment aren’t a waste of time.
Cory,
Could he? I am sure their is some obscure canon law that would prevent this, yet he could fire every employee who is credibly accused or complicit in the cover up, and he could kick them out of Vatican City so extradition would be easier. He should quit using the statute of limitations as an excuse for inaction and he should excommunicate many of them. He won’t, John Paul I would have and we know how that turned out. I believe they should lose their tax exempt status. This isn’t about married priests or female priests, in my opinion it is about a sense of entitlement, martyr complex, ego which is promoted by clergy, seminaries and the hierarchy of the church. I do believe female priests is a better option than married male priests. I know many females who are more spiritual, better educated and certainly more humble than most of the priests I know.
“it is about a sense of entitlement, martyr complex, ego which is promoted by clergy, seminaries and the hierarchy of the church.”
Exactly Francis. Nail on head.
IMO they need to implode the RCC and join one of the many other Catholic denominations which are egalitarian and congregation based.
Vatican Inc is simply rotten to the core, no less so than Falwell’s “ministries”. Sell the big items or donate them to museums. Contribute the $ to charities that are run by nuns or entirely non-Catholic. Turn the Sistine Chapel into a museum. Etc.
Think what could be done with the $billions Vatican Inc is hoarding in cash, property and artifacts.
Water wells everywhere, homes, malaria nets, hospitals, clothing, schools, farming and industrial needs in 3rd world. Boggles the mind.
🤯
As the seemingly sole Roman Catholic who comments, thank you Cory for sharing the words of Pope Francis.
He is not perfect, nor are any of the men and women who make up the RCC here on earth. Changes are happening, earthly justice is being achieved. Justice and restitution is a complicated business, and cannot be achieved with the wave of the Pope’s hand. Despite what many people wrongly think, the Pope is not an all-powerful ruler. These things take time, just as they do in our own American justice system.
Lord knows Americans are far better off than a majority of the world; if Americans stopped spending money on pets (estimated 72 billion dollars in 2018), and diverted the funds to the poor, the world would be a better place too. We all choose our luxuries, and I am not going to begrudge the RCC for having its own, especially since a majority of these luxuries are open to the public.
Luxuries—our dog cost way too much, but I’ll defend him with my life, as I think he will mine.
Luxuries—having toured Notre Dame in Paris and some elaborate Orthodox cathedrals in Russia, I’m willing to cut churches some slack in erecting beautiful buildings. One can argue that beauty is not a luxury; it is a proper response to the divine.
But does a great edifice, decked in marble and gold, inherently tempt its keepers to self-aggrandizement, to accumulate wealth and power for themselves?
Joe,
I am a practicing Catholic as well. My thinking about remaining so has been put to the test after reading the entire grand jury report from Pennsylvania. From this, I wondered why the clergy, bishops included, determined there would be a different system of accountability for themselves than would exist for their parishioners or other US citizens? In many cases, the victims were shamed, guilted and made to feel responsible for the rape. Some were financially compensated, by tuition, counseling sessions, drug or alcohol treatment; without knowledge of the members of the church or the civil authorities. Is this the luxury you reference? Many became addicted and/or committed suicide because of the trauma; the victims not the priests.
Is that the luxury you reference? How about Cardinal Law fleeing to Vatican City after the ‘Boston Globe’ 2002 article on priests abuse of children, free from extradition to face civil charges, is that the luxury you reference. Having the financial backing to payoff victims to the tune of millions and millions of $, then file for bankruptcy protection; is that the luxury you reference. I don’t presume to know what Jesus would think, yet I can use some words from the New Testament to illustrate the difference between what Pope Francis says and his actions.
James 2:14-26
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [a]your works, and I will show you my faith by [b]my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [c]dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made [d]perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [e]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The words of Pope Francis are great, fine and wonderful, until his actions do not match his words. This is true for all bishops, priests and parishioners. Myself I work on spiritual progress as I believe being spiritual is more important than being religious.
Francis, you nailed it. Perfect.
As a clergy person, I never expected nor desired any form of luxury. I was called to be a shepherd to and with my flock, not live in luxury above them. I do not believe there is a place for luxury in the Christian life, ordained or otherwise. Jesus was very clear about that.
Words vs actions: that’s why we keep talking. Some deep part of us expects words to reflect reality. When Pope Francis says words that call us to moral action, we rightly expect him to take those same actions. Pointing out good and true words is an important part of holding the people who say those words accountable.