The contemporary papacy sometimes seems to spend more time in apologizing for Catholicism than in engaging in apologetics for Catholicism. Case in point:
Pope Francis mentioned his plan to make a Sunday visit to a Pentecostal church in late June when he met a group of evangelical pastors and televangelists at his Vatican residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Brian Stiller of the World Evangelical Alliance, who was present at the meeting, wrote about the encounter on his Facebook page and on a blog.
“We talked about Christians marginalised, pressed under the weight of government power or the majority presence of other faiths,” Stiller wrote. “He listened and then told a remarkable story. In his years in and out of Rome, he became friends with the pastor of a Pentecostal church in Rome. In time he came to learn that the church and pastor felt the power and presence of the Catholic Church, with its weighty presence, obstructing their desire to grow and be a witness. ‘So,’ he said, ‘this July I will preach in his church on a Sunday and offer an apology from my Church for the hurt it has brought to their congregation.’”
Fr Lombardi said the Pentecostal friend the Pope was referring to was Mr Traettino. The spokesman did not comment on the rest of Mr Stiller’s account, other than to say the expected visit to Caserta would be “extremely simple and quick – just for the morning”.
Go here to read the rest. Steve Skojec is on the story. Go here to read his post. I was struck by this comment left by Art Deco in Steve’s post:
“an apology from my church for the hurt it has brought to their congregation.”
Pentacostalism hardly existed prior to 1903 and was until about 40 years ago a North American phenomenon. Has he found some obscure incident where a
minion of Maurice duPlessis was big meanie? Will the Pentacostal congregation in question apologize for Ernest Angely’s burlesques?
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Such a root canal this man…
However did Peter and Paul and the early Church Fathers ever establish the Church without constant apologies to Jews and Pagans? Tis a puzzlement.
Peter and Paul did not say sorry. They taught and explained clearly and coherently, gifted by the Holy Spirit and having an understanding of human nature – AND having fully accepted the Teaching Authority of Jesus themselves. If you don’t believe it yourself it would be hard to teach in a coherent way, without apology.
Well, the Holy Father could speak in tongues as evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That would really impress them!
” … years in and out of Rome, he became friends with the pastor of a Pentecostal church in Rome. In time he came to learn that the church and pastor felt the power and presence of the Catholic Church, with its weighty presence, obstructing their desire to grow and be a witness. ‘So,’ he said, ‘this – …”
The location in Rome of the Vatican is a reality that would be better accepted than called an obstruction by people striving for holiness, much like complaints about the ocean by beachfront dwellers.
My entire family is a part of the Pentecostal denomination called the Assemblies of God. It is perhaps the largest of the biggest four Pentecostal denominations in the United States that also include Church of God, Church of the Foursquare Gospel and Pentecostal Holiness. Bishop Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh co-chairs the Catholic-Pentecostal dialogue along with Rev. Cecil M. Robeck, Jr., of the Assemblies of God, with whom my older brother is personally acquainted. I am therefore heartened that Pope Francis reaches out to Pentecostals, but I am dismayed and depressed that he apparently sees fit to apologize to our separated Pentecostal brethren for being Catholic. After all, the Catholic Church is by definition Pentecostal and does have a large Charismatic movement: https://www.nsc-chariscenter.org/. In fact, many Catholics do speak in tongues and Pope Francis having this gift would not surprise me. But ingratiating one’s self before those who hold beliefs inimical to the authentic Catholic faith, and who are known to disparage and unfairly criticize that faith is simply wrong.
@Anzlyne, succinctly and very well put!
All: great responses, nothing to add … wait …
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Popes and apologizing:
What did any Catholic do to the Pentacostals to merit an apology?
Answer to Penguins Fan’s question: not a darn thing beyond being Catholic which many, including some Pentecostals, find offensive.
“Oh Magoo, you’ve done it again!” is usually my first thought when hearing of this pope’s latest misadventure. There’s a rumor that Pope Francis doesn’t wear the traditional red shoes anymore because he detests their taste.