In any conflict it is all too easy to ignore how things might look to your opponents. From The National Catholic Reporter:
Sr. Joan Chittister makes two very important points in her article on the first five years of the Francis papacy.
Sadly, her first point is that it seems only too clear that the momentum of the Francis papacy has stalled. So many of us had such great hopes for what Pope Francis would be able to do, but there is little to show for these past five years.
There is no doubt that Francis dramatically changed the style of church governance. His humble, pastoral approach demands greater compassion, understanding and care for the poor and the migrant. Yet there is resistance even to the most Gospel-oriented actions of this pope. Even in fulfilling Jesus’ command to wash the feet of one another, it was made clear by some that certain people’s feet were not to be washed. We wait for divorced and remarried Catholics to be allowed to share in the sacramental life of the church, but the church remains stingy with its largesse. Are female deacons on the horizon? I doubt many would believe this to be likely.
Francis, of course has flaws. He has been tepid and uncertain on addressing women’s issues in the church. He lacks a complete understanding of what needs to be done to ensure equality for women, and why that is so important for women and the church. His efforts at addressing sexual abuse issues also falter. He sometimes seems strong, and at other times his moves are confusing.
His visit to Chile is a case in point. His strong defense of his friend Bishop Juan Barros is difficult to defend. Francis had to back away, and we are forced to wonder whom he is talking to and just how isolated he may be.
Francis himself seems to have tired of the struggle. It’s almost as if he feels he has gone as far as he can and is discouraged from continuing to push for change. The resistance is winning. The conservative hierarchy is unwilling to relinquish power and seems to have the wherewithal to maintain it. Why is Francis’ council of eight cardinals who were to govern the church not doing more?
Go here to read the rest. Time once again for the favorite poem of PopeWatch:
It is hard to believe anything Joan Chittister has to say because she demands that women become deacons and/or priests without a vocation from Jesus Christ, Head of the Catholic Church.
And yet, she is in good standing and high regard while actual Catholic nuns and religious are languish in disrepute.
Chittester should join a Protestant church that fits her worldview and leave us alone.
I get tired of hearing “X must move in to the 21 st century”! What does that mean? Esp., pertaining to our Church. Hasn’t it bee n supported through the in feeding the souls n the bodies of the most needy? Staffed hospitals, schools, homes the aged disabled? All over the world. For centuries before the governments got in the act. 21st century is code,for abortion, euthanasia, drug use, terrorism, homelessness, n cloning et
I tried to post a comment from my phone but not a success. My point is that the comment that the Church or X should the 21st century is code for liberal, secularism. The Church with the support of the laity has for centuries before the governments were involved with “social justice” has been educating, feeding, housing, healing -with schools, soup kitchens, hospitals and clinics, etc. But because it doesn’t recognize gay marriage, abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, cloning of humans, aberrant behaviors and talks about sin the Church is not in the 21st secular world.
Oops left out “enter” the 21st century.