At Protect the Pope we’re hearing that some Catholics and Catholic blogs are publicly expressing concerns, even alarm, about Pope Francis’ celebration of the liturgy, and his imparting of the apostolic blessing. Look, everybody is getting used to each other, the Holy Father is getting used to his new role as the successor of St Peter and we’re still getting over the shock of Pope Benedict’s abdication and are trying to absorb Pope Francis election. What isn’t helpful during this time of transition is people firing off public complaints and criticism of Pope Francis through blogs and comments. If we cannot say anything supportive and encouraging about Pope Francis we shouldn’t say anything in a public forum, he has enough enemies in the media and blogs than to have Catholics joining in the negative narrative.
It’s important that Catholics heed the words of Bishop Mark Davies’ pastoral letter exhorting us all to renewing our obedience to the successor of St Peter:
‘Our Catholic faith leads us to recognise and promise today, as I promised on the day I became a bishop, to be faithful, obedient and united under the authority of the Successor of the Apostle Peter (Rite for the Ordination of Bishops). In the Catholic heart, there is not only a recognition of the vital ministry of the Pope, but a love for the Pope. The Acts of the Apostles tells how the Church at the beginning prayed unceasingly to God for Peter (Acts 12:5).
‘This moment surely invites us to renew personally our loyalty to the Pope chosen to guide the Church in these testing times. In the faithful witness Pope Francis will give, often in the face of opposition, may you and I always stand steadfastly and courageously with St Peter’s Successor. I ask you to renew this promise with me today. I am certain there can be no progress for the Church in the Shrewsbury Diocese without this living, faithful, loving unity with the See of St Peter, with our Holy Father, Pope Francis.’
At Protect the Pope we are convinced that we must guard against a consumerist mentality affecting our attitudes, judgments and comments about Pope Francis. A consumerist mentality reduces the pope to just another service provider, who is expected to deliver a service just as the consumer expects and demands. The fundamental belief of consumerism is that the consumer has the right to complain if they’re unhappy with the service provided. This consumerist mentality is not a Catholic attitude to the successor of St Peter. As Bishop Davies writes in his pastoral letter:
‘The Pope is neither a politician nor a celebrity, but always a witness to the Truth, to the One who was crucified, to the faith handed down by the Apostles. The word ‘martyr’ means ‘witness’ and describes those who suffer and die for Christ.’
The Holy Spirit knew Pope Francis’ approach to liturgy when he inspired the cardinals to elect him to the See of St. Peter. Show some humility about this.
Well said. I get the impression the Pope is having to adjust from being a local bishop (although he still is the local bishop of Rome as well) to being Christ’s vicar over the universal Church, and he is doing it in the full glare of the media, who are only reporting snippets which catch their attention. Easy to get a distorted view.
I agree with that. We all need to remember that it is very early days. A sober mind reserves judgement until more of the facts are in.
It is the poor man’s first week at work – he is probably still batling with the Vatican technical guys to get his phone connected and email log-in sorted out.
Yes, it is time to remind the more orthodox Catholics that loyalty is “easy” when we like the person to whom we owe loyalty. The true test of our loyalty is when we no longer have that “feeling” accompanying us.
God bless Francis!
BTW I think that the liberal pundits who are almost hysterical in presenting their view that Francis will “open up the Church” (i.e. accepting euthanasia, abortion, free sex, sodomy etc) will be in for a great surprise. Can’t wait for that moment.
Well said. When I was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, the Pope was the Pope and you didn’t repine because John XXIII wasn’t Pius XII or whatever: you transferred your love (not necessarily personal liking) and prayers to the new man. Unfortunately I think John Paul II encouraged (doubtless unintentionally) a cult of the papal personality and I certainly know of people who started to drop away after he died. Now personally I am very fond of Benedict XVI, not least because his writings helped me on my way back into the church after many years in the wilderness- but he is no longer the Pope. Francis I is. I may not like everything he does, but that doesn’t matter. He’s the Pope.
Thank you Deacon Nick for reminding us!
I do think it’s only human to voice certain concerns and it would be wrong to suppress an exchange of honest opinion and knowledge.
Discussing those concerns might even encourage some of us, who might be a bit worried about the radical ways of change, with understanding and comprehending and finally accepting them fully and openly.
Suppressed anxieties won’t help much. Loyalty without substance is fine, but it might not be entirely true.
I think we should be able to voice our opinions and fears. But it must be done in a respectful, calm, informed way and with the best possible intention!
Constant searching of conscience is needed, as well as lots of humility and open minds!
It’s still lent! Purification before Easter is really possible and necessary.
I’m shocked to read the menacing stuff on some of the more traditional blogs.
This is simply unacceptable and disgusting and absolutely counterproductive!
Speaking as a Catholic who does try and attend the Latin rite I have to say that the traditionalists who are foremost concerned about the liturgy are going to have to get used to the fact that if they want to change the liturgy then they are going to have to roll their sleeves up, stop moaning, and start doing something about it themselves. At the local church we are introducing plainchant again in a couple of weeks. It is not a Latin Mass, but it is a very good starting point. In fact we all need to get used to the fact that Pope Benedict is not here to fight our battles anymore and if we want something doing then we are just going to have to start doing it ourselves. Which is exactly what he would have wanted all along.
Just a small point. When you say the Latin Rite I assume you mean the Extraordinary Form?
The Latin Rite includes both the Ordinary Form AND the Extraordinary Form along with the Anglican Use.
Sorry James, yes I mean EF. I used to say Tridentine, but then someone at the LMS said they prefer not to use that word anymore. I’d rather say Tridentine, everyone knows what you mean then.
Completely agree with you! All we have seen at the moment is a man who is clearly very serious abut prayer and who finds a model in St Francis for holy simplicity. Quite apart from the normal prudential advice to wait and see about anything in this world, he is the successor of St Peter and is entitled to our respectful support.
Why this time around should people not be allowed to share their opinions on a blog site unless its positive? Do you believe in free speech or not? I am NOT talking about unkind talk, I am talking about constructive criticism which should be allowed. Many including myself are still mourning over the loss of the Pope Emeritus and have not had enough time emotionally to prepare for this new Pope. It seems to be perfectly fine to keep piling on and bashing Benedict STILL for his decision to abdicate but if he had not done this there would not no be Pope Francis. Also I and others are troubled by the way there appears to be yet another “personality Cult” around this Pope which missed the whole Point made by the last one. The Church is about Christ NOT about the Pope. His style is similar to Blessed John XXIII, and more recently by John Paul I and John Paul II and as we all know what follows. The result is a sudden shift from the Jesus Christ and his Good News to the personality of the new Pope. I have an Orthodox friend who honestly believes we WORSHIP the Pope.There can be a strong devotion to him without it turning into sentimental ADULATION. This hurts the Papacy and Pope Francis will and does not approve of it. Personality cults hurt the Papacy.
Joannie,
What exactly does free speech have to do with Catholic virtue and obedience to Christ? It seems you may be confusing legal political rights with discipleship. Those who are truly mourning Benedict will want what Benedict wants, and there is a very good chance he is mourning the proper respect that Francis is now due. The criticisms have not been constructive, there has not even been sufficient time for such analysis.
There are Catholics who seem concerned that Pope Francis will offer a ‘hermeneutic of rupture’ regarding the attempt by Pope Benedict XVI to resacralise the liturgy.If the new Holy Father does offer take this direction that seeks to undo, either consciously or not, what Benedict sought this will be difficult.Those who seek to celebrate Holy Mass in a manner worthy of the Holy Trinity in dignity and reverence are at this time of change uncertain as to the direction from Rome.We should be storming heaven to beg the Holy Spirit and seek the intercession of Mary the mother of God for the sovereign Pontiff Francis that he follow his predecessor in love of the Liturgy.
If the Church under Pope Francis takes a different route we may find the ‘carnival is over’ and that the atrophy of the Liturgy gains momentum.
Please God this is not so!
Thank you Deacon Nick. We are called to support the Holy Father. We do not have to agree with everything he says or does. But when he pronounces on matters of faith and morals as Pope, a spirit of docility is required of us.
And the media will get tired of him when he turns out not to be the liberal they imagine him to be.
I think you have hit the nail on the head when you say “when he pronounces on matters of faith and morals as Pope”. Obediance is certainly required there.
But I wouldn’t want anyone to take Deacon Nick’s post as encouragement to unthinkingly agree with the Pope on everything else. He is a falible human with respect to “everything else”.
“Show some humility about this”. Exuse me. But to show concern about the new pope’s apparent disregard for NORMAL papal practices is valid – as long as this concern is expressed respectlfuly. Pope Benedict has spent much energy trying to restore Catholic identity and this is now in danger. Pope Francis freely accepted the burden of the papacy and all that comes with it. To just dismiss centuries old practices because they do not conform with his personal opions is wrong. Pope Francis does not own the papacy he is a custodian. Catholicism has always been wise in so far as incorporating all the senses into the life of the Church. Take the papal stole and mozetta which the pope rejected immedie ley because personaly he didn’t like it. For centuries popes make their first public appereance to the faithful dressed a certain way. And Monsignor Guido Marini went to a lot of trouble to ensure that the new Holy Father had everything he would need. I find his dismissal of Mons. Marini’s efforts rather rude not humble. When Benedict assumed the papacy the then papal MC Piero Marini put the pope in some of the ugliest vestments ever created. In humility Benedict wore them and took his time to adjust things. To make such drastic visual changes from the first moment IS jarring to a certain segment of Catholicism. Is it really worth causing confusion because of a personal preference. What will be next, tearing down St. Peter’s and putting up a tent? The “trappings” of the papacy are not for Jorge Bergoligo the man, they are for the Vicar of Christ, who deserves the best. I would be more edified if he removed certain highly placed Cardinals in the Church who have committed public scandals and have caused millions to leave or doubt the faith. But he didn’t Instead he focused on “ordinary papal procedures” that in themselves are neither good or bad. But reforming the bishops and the priests who have caused the collapse of the faith should be the priority. Not wearing a nice mitre is neither here nor there. But being constantly surronded by Cardinals who have caused scandal is a problem.
“Show some humility about this”. To show concern about the new pope’s apparent disregard for NORMAL papal practices is valid – as long as this concern is expressed respectlfuly. Pope Francis freely accepted the burden of the papacy and all that comes with it. To just dismiss centuries old practices because they do not conform with his personal opions is wrong. Pope Francis does not own the papacy he is a custodian. Catholicism has always been wise in so far as incorporating all the senses into the life of the Church. Take the papal stole and mozetta which the pope rejected immedie ley because personaly he didn’t like it. For centuries popes make their first public appereance to the faithful dressed a certain way. And Monsignor Guido Marini went to a lot of trouble to ensure that the new Holy Father had everything he would need. I find his dismissal of Mons. Marini’s efforts rather rude not humble. When Benedict assumed the papacy the then papal MC Piero Marini put the pope in some of the ugliest vestments ever created. In humility Benedict wore them and took his time to adjust things. To make such drastic visual changes from the first moment IS jarring to a certain segment of Catholicism. Is it really worth causing confusion because of a personal preference. What will be next, tearing down St. Peter’s and putting up a tent? The “trappings” of the papacy are not for Jorge Bergoligo the man, they are for the Vicar of Christ, who deserves the best. I would be more edified if he removed certain highly placed Cardinals in the Church who have committed public scandals and have caused millions to leave or doubt the faith. But he didn’t Instead he focused on “ordinary papal procedures” that in themselves are neither good or bad. But reforming the bishops and the priests who have caused the collapse of the faith should be the priority. Not wearing a nice mitre is neither here nor there. But being constantly surronded by Cardinals who have caused scandal is a problem.
I agree absolutely with you Deacon Nick.
May I suggest that people watch the you tube videos of the papal Mass and Angelus at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYmbgKvoppQ
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lwMCULSWdk
I should warn everyone though that there are scenes of communion on the tongue and kneeling and the Angelus is in Latin. And if he says “per tutti” that is because he is reading it out of the Italian missal and they have not got around to changing it!
Catholics must stop complaining and be thankful that we have a Pope of such holiness. He is clearly chosen by the Holy Spirit and has a very strong devotion to Our Lady (it is said that he recites 15 decades of the Rosary every day). He also made a swift positive response to Summorum Pontificum when Pope Benedict XVI issued it in 2007, by providing facilities for the Extraordinary Rite in Bueonos Aires. Those who prefer the TLM should realize that Pope Benedict’s declaration that it was never abrogated by Vatican II, and should flow side by side with the Novus
Ordo so that the two rites mutually enrich each other, is a declaration of liturgical law and could not be repealed by a future pope even if he wanted to. I am sure that Pope Francis has no wish to do this, and anyway he would not want to upset Pope Emeritus Benedict, who is still alive. The most important quality for the Pope is total adhaerence to the Magisterium and a total alignment of his heart with the Mother of God. He has already indicated that he is totally orthodox on “culture of death” issues, such as abortion etc. He is soon therefore going to become very unpopular with the secular media. His emphasis on the poor is also very much in the spirit of Christ’s teachings on the Sermon on the Mount, and also the Last Judgement parable in Matthew 25. St Francis was a very holy saint and he was asked by the Holy Spirit to rebuild the Church, which had grown worldly and corrupt. Look at the result of St Francis’ preaching in the 13th Century!
Catholics should be reassured that the high tide of Modernism, which peaked during the 1970′s through the 1990′s, has now passed, and that a new generation of orthodox priests and bishops is advancing through the ranks. This is a further reason why the Latin Mass will not again slip into disuse.
Dear Deacon Nick,
Some of us need help interpreting “the carnival is over” through the hermeneutic of continuity. Can you help us please?
Anne, its best to dismiss unattributed gossip and focus on Pope Francis’ actual words. Deacon Nick
Caution to all readers of Protect the Pope: We will not publish any comment that is insulting or disrespectful towards Pope Francis, or that attacks his integrity. Deacon Nick
I am amazed that any good Catholic would have something negative to say at this time about Pope Francis. The conclave was short which indicates consensus among the cardinals. Either we trust our cardinals and the Holy Spirit or we don’t.
Pope Francis accepted a position that no cardinal wants and thereby assured that his life will be dictated by the office he holds. He is a man of humility and courage which has been shown by his works in Argentina. He offers the mass with such devotion…no typical drive through mass like we often get here in Tennessee. I give him my allegiance and hope his Catholic critiques will prayerfully consider giving him theirs. – Elizabeth
Thank you for this post, Deacon Nick.
I truly do not understand all the criticisms and complaints about the Holy Father. I can shrug at blogs of the laity but, I seriously question the integrity of members of the clergy who ought to know better than fan the flame (so to speak). Sadly, it only goes to show that unsound catechism is not exclusively held by modernists. External accidentals seem to take precedence over substance. God forgive us.
If we believe the Holy Spirit is behind the election of the new Pope, who are we to criticize how he wishes to BE Pope. The Holy Spirit knew him much before we did, that’s why He got him elected!!! If we embrace the Spirit of God we will go with the flow while the Spirit ‘blows where He wills’. To criticize on the basis of what holy tradition dictates is to relive the story of Jesus all over again…from the perspective of the pharisees!
Thank you Peter… I try to be a faithful CATHOLIC not a Tridentine, modernist… accepted Pope Benedict as my pope and now accept Pope Francis. But I couldn’t be HAPPIER to see someone who seems very free of any attachment to the trappings of the papacy while giving us an example of true Christian virtue. Jesus spoke very specifically in the gospel in condemnation of those who esteemed “phylacteries, huge tassels and marks of respect in public”… that was the SON OF GOD speaking. This is not at all to say I equate Benedict’s wearing of the more traditional items with hypocrisy, but to condemn Pope Benedict for his choice of a simpler garb is ridiculous and disgusting to me. I am tired of hearing the rants of those who are so insecure in their faith that all their peace is tied up in externals. People, read church history and get a clue… there were LOTS of changes in externals through the years. Sentimentalism doesn’t stop time. Let’s use our energy to spread the gospel of our Lord to a world that desperately needs him NOW not 100 or 200 years back in time…
Get the Liturgy right then everything else falls into place
Amen.
I was born and raised a Catholic (Catholic school too) and this is the first time in many decades I am proud of the Catholic Church….watching Pope Francis, the Jesuit, exhibit the need for reform. The Cathlic Church of today is not leading anything. It is irrelevant. We are entering the Apocalypse. The American Empire is the New Roman Empire. Jesus will come again in our lifetimes. And the Catholic Church is fighting over issues like contraception and homosexuality….and hiding horrible secrets about child abuse. Irrelevant; and even worse.
However, I love the Catholic Church for its pure side, its origins, its ideals. But the Church is SO FAR removed from its ideals today — from Christ’s ideals and teachings — that if Jesus came back he would not recornize the church, and would condemn it.
Francis offers hope. He needs to lead the Church away from its position of supporting the status quo everywhere, of supporting the rich and famous and powerful. The Catholic Church, as Jesus was, needs to be on the side of the poor. It is not now, and has not been since very early in its history. The world NEEDS an idealistic Catholic Church. Remeember the vow of poverty a priest takes. The Church itself takes a vow of poverty, needs to defeat the sins of this world, the temptations of this world. The Catholic Church does not need to be the richest church in the world. Let us hope the deep roots of the real Jesuit run deep enough to connect again with the principles of Jesus.
Michael what a beautiful post… I am so glad to read this here. I feel the same way, that finally leadership is giving an example of what is really important and in line with the gospel. BTW only “religious” priests (belonging to orders or congregations like Jesuits, Dominicans, Franciscans etc) take the vow of poverty. We have not had a pope from a religious order in a VERY LONG TIME. Other priests (popes of the past couple hundred years) do NOT take this vow and this could also account for Francis’ decidedly simpler tastes/style. Why bash the man for living Gospel simplicity??? Jesus was born in a manger and had no place to lay his head. The closer our pope gets to evangelical simplicity the closer the world listens… isn’t that a teachable moment?
Once again, thanks for a great post…
Michael,
I disagree with you totally. The Catholic Church would be recognized by Jesus in it’s liturgy, sacraments and devotions. You are a person who places too much emphasis on what popular opinion thinks of us. The Catholic Church has ALWAYS helped the poor. The Catholic Church is the world’s largest provider of charity.
It is so sad that you are proud of the Catholic Church because of a man and not because of Jesus Christ who spilled out his blood for it and founded it.
Jesus would condemn the Catholic Church? Why would Jesus cast aside that which he bled and died for? Would Jesus divorce his bride whom he promised “The gates of hell will not prevail”? You make Jesus out to be some kind of fickle human being, like you or me, and not like the God of forgiveness and mercy.
Hiding child abuse? Really? You are clueless. It is Catholics or ex-Catholics like you who are responsible for perpetuating so many gross misunderstandings of what we really are.
Catholics have to be TRUE Catholics…believe that the Holy Spirit knows who He wants for our Pope. Stop whining and accept that you DO NOT know better than God Himself! Stop being more Catholic than the man who was chosen by God to be our leader.
I love our Holy Father Papa Francis, he was sent to us by God for these times – he will be assured of my prayers for his mission! God bless him!
Can. 212 §1. Conscious of their own responsibility, the Christian faithful are bound to follow with Christian obedience those things which the sacred pastors, inasmuch as they represent Christ, declare as teachers of the faith or establish as rulers of the Church.
§2. The Christian faithful are free to make known to the pastors of the Church their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires.
§3. According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons.
Can. 213 The Christian faithful have the right to receive assistance from the sacred pastors out of the spiritual goods of the Church, especially the word of God and the sacraments.
Can. 214 The Christian faithful have the right to worship God according to the prescripts of their own rite approved by the legitimate pastors of the Church and to follow their own form of spiritual life so long as it is consonant with the doctrine of the Church.
Just because you don’t agree with some of the things that Pope Francis has done or not done.. Doesn’t make you unloyal. Love my faith, love the Pope and stand behind him 100% even if I don’t agree with him 100%.
We are not talking about on items of teaching of “faith and moral”. Where we are required to believe in and follow.
I believe that the problem is how people are interpreting what Pope Francis does and continually contrasting him with Benedict XVI. There is a tragic misunderstanding of why popes and bishops wear certain things and what certain liturgical gestures mean. When Pope Francis prefers not to wear something, he is in reality trying to live his vows of poverty- but to onlookers he is spurning the “pompous ritual” of the Catholic Church. I think some clarification needs to be issues as to what different vestments mean and how they are not just pompous rituals but deep, meaningful symbols. While I would have preferred it if we had a pope who continually stressed a need for beauty and yes, extravagance in love for God, in liturgy but this is who the Holy Spirit gave us. As a Protestant it was beauty and tradition that first attracted me to the Catholic faith and Benedict XVI has a special place in my heart. However I acknowledge that Pope Francis is not mandating a removal of beauty from liturgy but rather doing what he prefers with himself. To see people disparage our former pope by misinterpreting our current pope, breaks my heart. I will struggle with it on my own and hopefully get over it.
Michael,
I disagree with you totally. The Catholic Church would be recognized by Jesus in it’s liturgy, sacraments and devotions. You are a person who places too much emphasis on what popular opinion thinks of us. The Catholic Church has ALWAYS helped the poor. The Catholic Church is the world’s largest provider of charity.
It is so sad that you are proud of the Catholic Church because of a man and not because of Jesus Christ who spilled out his blood for it and founded it.
Hiding child abuse? Really? You are clueless. It is Catholics or ex-Catholics like you who are responsible for perpetuating so many gross misunderstandings of what we really are.
Pope Francis doesn’t need your protection from ridicule, because he is preaching the Gospel in a very impressive way. His election is a joyous event and we don’t need any more divisive provocative and aggressive blogs, etc. By their fruits shall ye know them.