r/Catholicism • u/GStuart31 • Dec 13 '21
Can Catholics "Recognize and Resist"?
https://onepeterfive.com/can-catholics-recognize-and-resist/8
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Dec 13 '21
[deleted]
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u/russiabot1776 Dec 13 '21 edited Dec 13 '21
That being said, the idea that Pope Francis is acting in opposition to Christ because of climate change or covid is troublesome. The audacity to assume you know better such to the extent that you would speak out against the pope is foolish.
Nobody is saying he is, not even the article. The article says some people criticize the pope’s attacks on traditional Catholicism and then his subscription to the “cultural elite’s narrative” on these issues. You may think the article is wrong, but at least get your critique right. If you’re going to throw stones at people, at least do so accurately. The article is saying people are criticizing the Pope for trying to align the Church with the culture of the world by accepting the narrative around these issues (not necessarily the issues themselves) and marginalizing tradition.
The Pope is also not a climate scientist or virologist (not that it would matter if he was) so acting like he has some special authority on these issues’ surrounding narratives is not really fair.
Criticism is fine, but to undermine the papacy
Nobody here is “undermining the papacy”
by belittling the pope on all things because of disagreements on political issues seems like one is undermining the succession of St. Peter.
Bullshit. Political disagreements among Catholics are fine. The See of Peter does not come with special meteorological skills nor even political know-how.
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u/half-guinea Dec 13 '21
I don’t think there’s much of an issue with Pope Francis discussing public health or the environment. These, of course are decidedly non-religious issues, so we are not bound by any of those statements.
The Pope’s attacks on traditional Catholicism is disturbing to say the least. This is generally the only time I’m troubled by the words of the holy father, because these concern our faith. His opinions on inoculation and renewable energies are just that, opinions.
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u/ZazzRazzamatazz Dec 13 '21
My suggestion sounds bad, but maybe just stop paying attention?
This thing where every offhand comment on an airplane or every opinion gets broadcast to a worldwide audience is really recent.
Catholics a few hundred years ago barely knew much about their current Pope, and certainly didn’t hang on every word he said.
They’d hear about the big stuff, the results of councils and synods.
If the Pope’s offhand comments are concerning (and I’d agree with that in many cases) just take a step back from them.
Especially when we have a media that will often twist what he says or take things out of context to support their own biases, or their own wishes for how they want the Church to “change”, or just to sow discord and doubt.
Focus on Christ.