Before Departing USA, Pope Francis Offers His Strongest Words for New Approaches to Old Issues
I was raised in the Catholic Church, but left when it became a closed, judgmental place. I was further alienated when the Church refused to admit, apologize and provide reparations to children who were the victims of abuse at the hands of priests. Finally, the unrealistic expectations with regards to contraception in modern relationships left me wondering if I would ever feel as part of flock ever again.
Pope Francis has done so much to bring lapsed-Catholics, like me, who are politically left-of-center, but still identify as Catholics, spiritually. His words and actions are congruent and his emphasis on creating a place where dialog may take place is gratifying to see.
His visit to the US, was joyful, thoughtful, evocative and unifying. It displayed everything that made the Catholic Church the place of community I remember, from my childhood.
Pope Francis is shaking things up in a “Jesuit” way, and I pray for him to travel safely and enjoy great health for many years. We need his voice on the world stage, his leadership in the Catholic Church to continue to investigate the banking practices of the Vatican, and as a true representative of St. Peter, the Vicar of Christ on Earth.
God bless you, Papa Francisco!
In his final two days in the United States, Pope Francis provided his most explicit focus on the highly contested social topics of marriage and religious liberty, and he did so by avoiding full support to either the U.S. bishops or the LGBT community on both topics. And in his final public appearance, at the Philadelphia Mass, he made, in the words of a National Catholic Reporter news story “a strong exhortation to American Catholics to be unafraid of trying new things, even if they seem to threaten long-practiced traditions or existing church structures.”
Marriage
Pope Francis greets seminarians before addressing the bishops.
On the morning of September 27th, the pontiff addressed bishops attending the World Meeting of Families, and made his most direct remark about the growing acceptance of marriage equality around the globe:
“Until recently, we lived in a social context where the similarities between the civil institution of marriage and the Christian…
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Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 
September 29, 2015 at 4:24 pm
Throughout time the church has oppressed and murdered people, the Catholic church more than most. They refuse to allow contraception so force their many followers into sin in order to enjoy the most wonderful gift for humankind – sex and love. I am deeply surprised you can tolerate anything these hypocrits preach.
September 29, 2015 at 5:15 pm
Madam,
Your post makes it clear that you know NOTHING about me or have not read my blog posts about my Cathoilc upbringing. I do not, and have not, forgiven the Church’s transgressions, because I believe forgiveness is a gift from God, not humans. Justice, however, is being served, albiet, very, very slowly.
Calling another group of people “hipocrits,” which is actually spelled hypocrites, makes you just as complicit -through name calling. I suggest you stop following my blog.
Have a lovely, judgment-free day.
September 29, 2015 at 5:57 pm
The missing e was a typo, but I did not use an i instead of a y in hypocrite. When typing an uneditable reply these things can happen to the imperfect. Surprised at your venom towards me though. Sorry I did not agree with your post. I thought you wanted to stimulate discussion. I was obviously mistaken.
I have actually read many of your posts, not every one, but a couple of dozen since I found you a few weeks ago.
I do wonder why you are so much more prepared to consider the merits of the church’s pedestrian changes than the odd typo from one of its critics, of which I admit I am one of the more outspoken. I’m a little surprised you are not open to alternative views, but that is your prerogative and I did not mean to upset you. I apologise for that. I will not say sorry for my criticism of organised religion and ‘belief’ as a concept.
Think an opportunity has been missed here. Feel free to unsubscribe me.
September 29, 2015 at 6:06 pm
There was 0 venom in my response to you. I simply responded in the spirit of your post to me.
September 29, 2015 at 5:18 pm
Madam,
Your post makes it clear that you know NOTHING about me or have not read my blog posts about my Cathoilc upbringing. I do not, and have not, forgiven the Church’s transgressions, because I believe forgiveness is a gift from God, not humans. Justice, however, is being served, albiet, very, very slowly.
Calling another group of people “hipocrits,” which is actually spelled hypocrites, makes you just as complicit -through name calling. I suggest you stop following my blog, as I have stopped following yours.
Have a lovely, judgment-free day.