From the remarks of the Pope at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family:
“Theology and pastoral solicitude go hand-in-hand,” said Pope Francis. “A theological doctrine that does not let itself be guided and shaped by the evangelizing purpose and the pastoral concern of the Church is just as unthinkable as a pastoral plan for the Church that does not know how to make a treasure of revelation and tradition with a view to the better understanding and transmission of the faith.”
Go here to read the rest. That whirring sound you hear is John Paul II’s corpse on its way to China.
https://youtu.be/G2y8Sx4B2Sk
Exchanging smog, fog, and a pet dog for Sacramental commitment is indeed the “practical possibility” the modern Catholic seems to prefer.
Our parish of some 1350 families celebrated only three (that’s 3) marriages last year.
Can we really blame this spiritual and societal self-destruction on “legalities?”
Lol….if only he would work ( rather than opine via innuendo) administratively to stop lavender graduations in Catholic colleges. Groucho….” love goes out the door and innuendo”.
“This excessive idealization, especially when we have failed to inspire trust in God’s grace, has not helped to make marriage more desirable and attractive, but quite the opposite.”
It is God’s grace we call upon to fulfill our marriage vows. It is Francis who does not trust in grace.
I’ve defended Pope Francis before on this site, but I can’t think of a context or reason that this statement of his should have been made. I can’t think of an aspect of our current crisis that is made worse by an over-idealization of marriage. The words simply don’t make sense. It reminds me of the line, “this isn’t right; it’s not even wrong”.
Pinky,
I appreciate your giving Francis the benefit of the doubt. However, from two years experience in a diaconate program it was clear to me from the beginning where his heart is and where he wants to lead the Church.
Prayer, mortification and action.
I’ll always give him the most charitable reading. I’ll do that for anyone. I simply don’t know of a way to interpret these words of his with any meaning.
Theology and pastoral solicitude are not two separate but equal concepts that seek some kind of juggled balance. Theology is the underlayment of pastoral care. It’s what pastoral ministry is based on.
Theology is the teachings of the Church (Christ’s body) Pastoral solicitude means putting theology, what we believe, into practice.
In the Church, pastoral solicitude (or mercy) depends upon Truth. The only REASON for pastoral care is Truth. Catholic pastoral care is not like the secular humanist idea of being good because it makes society function better on earth.. (sounds reminiscent of liberation theology )
Pastoral solicitude that floats, without the anchor of truth will only be a temporary solution, and in some individual lives will deny Christ.
We do live in Time, but not always.
It seems as though the pope sees Church teachings as a matter of opinion.
Interesting, there seemed to be some parallels with the priest problem the church can’t seem to resolve.
And somewhat off topic, it get’s worse:
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=29774&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CatholicWorldNewsFeatureStories+%28Catholic+World+News+%28on+CatholicCulture.org%29%29
Pinky,
There is charity but it must be based on reality. Don’t expect the Catholicism of the past 2000 years from this Papacy. Not the teaching of Christ either.
One expects the Pope to conclude his remarks with “and since now in the modern world marriages have become temporary and overly burdensome I hereby declare that the Sacrament of Marriage is hereby abolished for pastoral reasons. I do this on the eve of my visit to Lund to celebrate the anniversary of our dear brother Luther who had a most realistic conception of sexuality and marriage. Let Saint Luther be our example.”
And worse still:
http://www.katolsktmagasin.se/2016/10/29/popes-statement-raises-questions-among-swedish-catholics/