In Pope Francis’ recent interview with Eugenio Scalfari, which Fr. Federico Lombardi has since confirmed as having accurately communicated the pope’s intended message, the Holy Father said:
“Vatican II, inspired by Pope John and by Paul VI, decided to look to the future with a modern spirit and to open to modern culture. The council fathers knew that opening to modern culture meant religious ecumenism and dialogue with nonbelievers. After then very little was done in that direction. I have the humility and the ambition of wanting to do it.” [Emphasis added]
Some questions come to mind, first, has he lost his ever-lovin’ mind? The man cannot be serious. If the ecumeniacal folly of the last four decades amounts to “very little,” what in Hell does “a moderate amount” look like? (I think I just answered.)
Furthermore, when an individual announces to the world the superiority of his own humility relative to those who came before him, isn’t that a fairly blatant demonstration of pride? Just sayin.
As to the latter, is Pope Francis seriously implying that “John Paul the Great Ecumenist” and Benedict XVI, the popes who brought us the shameful debacles known as Assisi I, II and III , lacked in the humility and ambition necessary to engage in “religious ecumenism and dialogue with nonbelievers?”
One shudders to imagine the kind of scene likely to unfold during a Francis led (or more likely, followed) Assisi IV should he (or the world, for that matter) survive that long.
How exactly will he outdo his predecessors, one wonders? Will he dress in civies so as not to give any hint of religious superiority? Will he chant pagan prayers to hand carved idols as an expression of solidarity? Will he arrange for the big event to take place in some neutral location just to be fair? (Actually, that would be a substantial upgrade to be sure.)
Serious question: Is there anything, and I mean anything this pope might say or do at this point that would surprise darn near anyone?
Yes, and how tragic it is,that we are forced to state,it would be an upgrade.
Our Lady of the Rosary came to Fatima with a dead serious message for Popes Pius XI and XII: God wishes that you Pius XI, establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary throughout the world. This will save many souls! If Pius XI fails in this mission, then it is up to you, Pius XII. Don’t delay. By 1960 it will be almost too late to save the situation.
In 2013 we can see the tragic results of failure to comply by both Popes. The Church is reaping what She has sowed. Mercy has given way to Justice.
As my sister-in-law just pointed out in regard to the above quote of the bishop of Rome, “Humility and ambition” is an oxymoron.
Perhaps he understands ecumenism differently from the other post-Vatican II Popes who were always at pains to reject syncretism (although what they did clearly promoted religious indifferentism).
Is Francis leading us to a view of the Church that sees itself as only teaching part of the truth? A partial view that the spiritually mature will augment with the ‘experiences’ of other ‘traditions’?
A number of years ago I was speaking to a Polish priest about Pope John Paul II and I expressed my distress at what happened at Assisi in 1986. The priest answered that such events were for people “of a high spirituality” who could find common spiritual ground with others of different religions. Really, he was not speaking about the Catholic faith but, rather, about Theosophy.
Perhaps Pope Francis will more fully implement this vision of the Church.
As my sister-in-law just pointed out in regard to the above quote of the bishop of Rome, “Humility and ambition” is an oxymoron.
Well, as the Saints have written, he who claims humility manifestly does not possess it.
Sister Lucia spoke about a diabolical disorientation. We`re seeing this disorientation in all its VII glory. Its never too late to heed Our Lady of Fatima…we know She has promised that in the end Her Immaculate Heart will triumph and that a period of peace will be granted to the world by God. Pray the rosary for our poor disoriented Bishop of Rome that he will receive the grace to consecrate Russia to Her Immaculate Heart as She so humbly requested….and don`t be afraid to count them!
Let us pray that Pope Francis becomes so liberal and progressive that he no longer sees it necesssary to remain Pope, but resigns and becomes the roving Dai Lama (please forgive the comparison if you are a Tibetan Buddist!) of the progressives….that we we could al move on to the next papacy…
catholic at Rome – no need to apologize – the tibetan theocrat knows the scriptures well – he even contributed to a ‘pop-peeps’ anthology on scripture (bono contributed also) but denies the Way, the Truth and the Life, as any committed reletavist should – just like the great needed- to-sleep- between-his neices Ghandi – he has heard the Word and walked away…I know a Buddhist who converted because the further they got in the transcendental-buddhascape, the more demons they had to take home for dinner – with no escape other than making ‘friends’ with them…pray for the successor of St Peter, that he does not want to make ‘friends’ with ‘them’ but rather feed the sheep of Christ, tend the lambs of Christ -feed MY sheep!’
The Girondists in the Conservative Catholic Collective, who ought to be hanging their heads in shame, apologising, and doing penance, are doing their damndest to defend this dissembler.
But this is exactly the Conciliar Jacobin the Gelaro-wearers, chosen by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II, desired and so we see in Bergoglio the Vatican Two Revolution actualised in this Bishop of Rome; this Pope.
His two immediate predecessors were the rennet binding the Girondists to the V2 Revolution and so it will be interesting and, yes, highly amusing, to see them scattered now that they see how deeply the revolution struck the Shepherd.
Our Pope, Our Cross
Bringeth us Chaos