Pope Francis said that clerical sexual abuse is the work of the devil, there’s corruption in the Vatican, warned against new religious orders with a “restorationist” mentality, and even appeared to take a gentle shot at reputed Marian apparitions such as Medjugorje, saying the real Madonna is not “the head of a post office that every day sends a different letter.”
These are only a handful of the points Pope Francis touched on during a meeting with 140 Superiors General of male religious orders and congregations November 25, in an informal, behind-closed doors exchange.
The transcript of the encounter was published on Friday by the Jesuit-run magazine La Civiltà Cattolica, which is celebrating its issue number 4,000.
Regarding sexual abuse by clergy and religious men and women, Pope Francis said that “it seems that half of those who commit abuse have been victims of abuse,” which is “devastating” because it sows abuse into the future.
“If priests or religious are involved, it’s clear that the presence of the devil is in action, ruining the work of Jesus through those who were supposed to communicate Jesus,” Francis said.
The pontiff added that as long as “we’re not convinced” this is a disease, the problem won’t be solved. As such, he called for a better screening of candidates for the priesthood, and to never welcome those who have been refused by other seminaries or institutions without clear reasons as to why they were rejected.
The pope also acknowledged that he’s worried about the decline of religious vocations in the West, something for which he said he hopes the next Synod of Bishops, directed to youth and vocational discernment, can address and suggest solutions.
Yet he’s also worried about the rise of some new religious institutes that attract many religious vocations, but which then fail, some because of the scandals of their founders. These, he said, are not inspired by the Holy Spirit but by a charismatic person.
Some of these new orders, Francis added, are “restorationist,” seemingly providing security when in reality they give “rigidity.”
“When they tell me that there is a congregation that draws so many vocations, I must confess that I worry,” he said. “The Spirit does not follow the logic of human success.”
Some of these new religious congregations, Francis denounced, are “Pelagians,” who want a return to asceticism and penance, “soldiers who seem ready to do anything for the defense of faith and morality, and then some scandal emerges involving the founder [male or female].”
Don’t put your hope in the sudden, mass blooming of these institutes, the pope told the Superiors General of male religious orders and congregations.
“Instead, try the humble path of Jesus, that of evangelical witness,” he said who “put it perfectly when he said that the Church does not grow by proselytism but by attraction.”
The pope also repeated some of his usual concepts, such as the need for a Church that “goes out,” which he defined as one that is in the outskirts, both existential and social.
“We think of a form of poverty, linked to the problem of migrants and refugees: and more important than international agreements is the life of those people!” he said. Charity, he added, is also a way of ecumenism, because “it’s the poor who united divided Christians!”
He also talked about the need for seminarians to be taught discernment, because “In education we are used to dealing with black and white formulas, but not with the grey areas of life. And what matters is life, not formulas.”
Discernment, Francis pointed out, “means moving forward through the gray of life according to the will of God.”
One of the questions posed to Francis had to do with the three themes for the upcoming Word Youth Days, meaning the ones held annually in every country and then Panama 2019. All of them are related to the Virgin Mary.
The pope said that they had been the only ones suggested to him, but that he was “glad” with the ones proposed, because in Latin America there’s a strong Marian devotion.
“But the real Madonna! Not the Madonna at the head of a post office that every day sends a different letter, saying: ‘My children, do this and then the next day do that.’ No, not that Madonna. The real Madonna is the one who generates Jesus in our hearts, a Mother.”
The superstar Virgin Mary, who seeks the limelight, the pope insisted, “is not Catholic.”
Though he didn’t give examples as to what he was referring to, whenever Francis brings up the image of the Virgin as a “postmistress,” many think of Medjugorje, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where some believe she’s been appearing daily since 1981.
Asked about the source of his serenity, Francis said that he’s been at peace since he was named pope, without the need for “tranquilizers.”
He acknowledged that among the problems the Church faces is the corruption within the Vatican, but that even on this he’s at peace: “If there’s a problem I write a note to St. Joseph and put it under an image I have of him in my room […] now he sleeps under a mattress of notes!”
Full story at Crux.
I read the part about his putting his problems under an image of St. Joseph and that Jesus earthly father now sleeps under a mattress of notes. I found that a powerful inspiring wonderful image of a man who lives by faith.
Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” Douay-Rheims
Vatican resurrects pro-abort Paul Ehrlich
https://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/fetzen-fliegen/item/3028-vatican-resurrects-pro-abort-paul-ehrlich
Pope Francis marks “day for life” with abortion language condemned by John Paul II – Voice of the Family
https://voiceofthefamily.com/pope-francis-marks-day-for-life-with-abortion-language-condemned-by-john-paul-ii/
CHURCH APPROVED MESSAGES OF OUR LADY OF AKITA, JAPAN
“The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests.” “The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops.” continued….
continued…
“The *priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres*…churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord…. “The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them” – Messages of Our Lady of Akita, Japan
https://www.ewtn.com/v/experts/showmessage.asp?number=516939&Pg&Pgnu&recnu
Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible, Second Epistle Of Saint Paul To The Thessalonians Chapter 2
14] Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.
From your own EWTN link, Akita is not “church approved”: “The apparitions at Akita were approved by Bishop Ito, the local ordinary, in 1984, apparently with some consultation with the Holy See. That’s not to the say the Holy See gave formal recognition to the apparitions. Cardinal Ratzinger apparently expressed confidence in the apparitions, but again that’s not the same as formal recognition. Until there is formal recognition from Rome, I would regard the apparitions as credible but not certain.”
….and yet the reality of clergy divided is ever present, from the Vatican on down. At this point, it’s like saying the Church hasn’t approved the revelation that the Sun provides warmth to the Earth when attempting to discredit the sunburned masses, sporting blisters, peeling skin and testing positive for melanoma.
Are we still holding out on an “official” declaration that water is, indeed, wet?
Judge by the fruits. Read the signs of the times. Reject a different Gospel, even if it be preached by an Angel of Light.
YFC, here is how it works:
https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19780225_norme-apparizioni_en.html
“3. The Apostolic See can intervene if asked either by the Ordinary himself, by a qualified group of the faithful, or even directly by reason of the universal jurisdiction of the Supreme Pontiff”.
We know the Ordinary DID go to the Vatican and got no official intervention.
We also know that the head of his own Bishop’s conference thought the apparitions were bogus.
So to call them “Church Approved” seems premature to me.
On, an on, an on, will it ever stop, the infighting within the church is contrary to the Gospel, get over it!
Pope Francisco has much to be humble about. It is time he leaves the Neo-Pelagians alone for what they seek is to Make Church Great Again by obeying timeless rites and mores.
As the Church is sinking, sadly the Pope is attacking those priests, sisters and brothers, and faithful who still attract vocations.
I am sorry if the Pope says there is corruption in the Vatican. I hope he will find a way to get rid of this problem, by the grace of God! I also think this Pope is poorly trained in religious discernment, of Faith and Morals! Real men, of real spiritual training (especially, Jesuit training!) must face many trials and difficulties– and by the grace of God, virtue can win over sin, God can win over Satan! The victory is always God’s! Spiritual life is not a piece of cake! It is not for the lazy, the lukewarm, those not very committed– who “set the rules aside,” to give oneself an easy life! No- it is a big challenge— and Christ expects a man like the Pope to “take the bull by the horns,” and deal with situations…
I will complete my post, above. ….and deal with situations responsibly and capably, according to Christ’s teachings! A Jesuit who is an accomplished spiritual master, would have no less– than Christ! Jesuits used to be trained in their own excellent methods of spiritual discernment! They were all taught to be strong and manly, like good soldiers for Christ— strong and very capable, in carrying out responsibilities, and in facing all possible challenges and difficulties— winning souls, and conquering al evils, for Christ! Why I the world must this Pope be so— weak??
One more thing. If the Pope wants to teach the Catholic youth all about the Blessed Virgin Mary– why not give them the beautiful “Total Consecration” of St. Louis de Montfort, a spiritual master, and specialist, on the subject of the Blessed Virgin Mary?? Have them all make their “Totus Tuus,” as Pope St. John Paul II did! Great Catholic tradition to follow!
The Pope could also introduce the kids to the famed Rosary Crusades of Fr. Patrick Peyton (he has a Cause of Canonization too, in the Vatican!) . The kids all could make Family Rosary Pledges! That would do enormous good, worldwide! Over half a million Catholics attended Fr. Peyton’s famous Rosary Crusade in San Francisco, in 1961!
Linda, I agree with what you state and question. This day and age, its all about a Rock Concert setting such as world youth day. Francis and others in the past go with the flow and not the teachings passed onto us from Saints. There living in the moment and what’s popular.
Pope Francis, the message that Our Lady of Medjugorje sends day after day is pray, pray, pray.
May the “postmistress” send you a letter which will open your mind and your heart to the many miracles and vocations of Medjugorje.
Today, a neighbor lady, who has worked both as a nurse and a social worker– asked me all about the Catholic traditions of Lent. She told me that many of her Latin American immigrant clients, no matter what kind of problems their families had endured– always kept a strict Lent, of pre-Vatican II fast and abstinence. She had been impressed by this!
“…Some of these new religious congregations, Francis denounced, are “Pelagians,” who want a return to asceticism and penance, “soldiers who seem ready to do anything for the defense of faith and morality, and then some scandal emerges involving the founder [male or female].” Don’t put your hope in the sudden, mass blooming of these institutes, the pope told the Superiors General of male religious orders and congregations.”
There is not a “sudden” and mass blooming in these institutes. There is a steady and growing demonstration that the fullness of Faith, to include penance draws candidates to the religious life. Christ’s life was penitential, not indulgent. Upholding the truth doesn’t preclude falling into sin. It helps to…
… identify the problem so as to correct it.
Beware of those who say it’s something else that unites – like the poor – Christians. Beware of those who smear others as Pelagians while cozying closer to the premise that the 10 commandments paralyze us and make us forget grace. Luther much? Are we now being encouraged to sin and sin boldly, or to not identify that which is sin at all? Because we can all feast on grace with no need of penance or mortification? Seriously?
The “calm” since becoming Pope is a disturbing admission. Very disturbing when coupled w/His Holiness’s words, actions, and inaction.
I say, there is absolutely nothing in what the Pope has said that supports what AMalley is saying, namely that the pope is now “encouraging us to sin.” FALSE! Such calumny! Shameful mischaracterizations of the Pope’s position. Just imagine the enemies of Our Lord who did the same to Him.
…Our Lord stated that it was the hardness of man’s heart that led Moses to allow for divorce, jon. PF, instead of teaching and guiding, seems to desire a return to the hardening of man’s heart (and the blinding of his intellect and stunting of his will). This is no testament to God’s grace, but rather a presumption upon it. A presumption to sin and not concern oneself.
The calumny is the pretense that one can be more merciful that the Lord Jesus who said, “Go and sin no more.” Not…. go and I’ll rewrite the law so that adultery is called something else and if you like your lover, you can keep your lover. Sorry.
“From the moment I was elected I had a very particular feeling of profound peace. And that has never left me. I am at peace. I don’t know how to explain it.”
The above is part of Francis’s speech as related on Yahoo. Thing is, when one no longer fights the evil, there is a false sense of peace. Especially when coupled with disdain for penance and a life of sacrifice. Much like the parent who just gives in and parties hearty with the kids, not parenting, not leading, just giving up and letting the chips fall where they may.
“The Church grows by Attraction”. Yep, that’s how those “restorationist” orders tend to grow, alright. Not much attraction coming from the Jesuits nowadays, though.
On Medjugore: It’s long past time the Church put that issue to rest, but Francis’ mockery is a puzzle. If he believes the apparitions are not real, why not say so plainly? If he still thinks there may be something to them, why mock?
mary is not allowed to deliver mail every day, but joseph has to n put up with daily letters that the post-mistress probably helps process.
Of course he does! The Pope will question, sneer, denigrate, and say every negative thing he can about Catholic Traditionalists. He will say all these things as the Novus Ordo/Vatican II Implementers NewChurch cascades down, destroying centuries of institutional glory. Thank God millions of souls were already saved by the faithful efforts of the saints throughout history. Hell is real and many, many people of the modern age are already, and will be going, there.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ this year is the 100th anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima. If you don’t say a daily Rosary I encourage everyone reading this post to say at least one Rosary every day. Concentrate on Fatima and Lourdes because these apparitions have been approved by the Church. Pray America Pray!
I am a Traditional Latin Mass attendee and I love it. But I actually concur with one of our Holy Father’s sentiments here about “restorationists,” but in a certain context. I fear those who seek to “restore” things to something from circa 1950s. Recall that Pope St. Pius X was a major liturgical reformer…and I know people who are not fans of what he did to the breviary. Thus, “retoring” to circa 1950s (or just pre-Vat. II) should not be the goal of lovers of tradition. Rather, the challenge many of these solid, awesome, growing orders have is to grow forward through solid orthodoxy and timeless traditions…and this is the same challenge for Traditional Latin Mass lovers, like myself. One way we do this is by being steeped…
“Restorationist” does not refer to a historical era, but to an intellectual restoration of correct beliefs, traditions, and practices. In our Church, the 1950s is often fondly recalled by some, as a grand era, in which our Church was viewed with respect, and operated correctly. This was right before the destructions which occurred after Vatican II. Also, in the secular world– there were many things which were operating properly. Christian Morality was also correctly understood and obeyed. I would LOVE to return to an excellent era– but not in the sense of exact dates — just the idea, that we once had something excellent, and even grand— and LOST IT ALL!!
*continued*
…One way we do this is by being steeped in Christ by being steeped in Scripture. Also, there’s nothing wrong with asceticism and penance…that is something you can trace way, way back to the Desert Fathers…it’s not just a recent (last few hundred years) thing. And Our Lady of Fatima (not a postmistress) specifically asks for prayer (the Rosary) and penance. And that’s NOT Pelagianism. Pelagianism is the heretical notion that “I” have to do it all, that “I” rely on “myself” for salvation and need no grace. This can be a temptation (often unwittingly) among tradition-loving Catholics. I’ve fallen into it myself not really realizing that, in practice (not intent) I was functioning as though “I had to do it…
*continued* …I was functioning as though “I had to do it all.” But the solution to it is NOT that you throw out penance and asceticism…it simply must be done with a correct spirit and good Spiritual Direction. And St. Paul lauds and acknowledges the need for these practices too (1 Cor 9:27). And for those cheering our Holy Father’s comments because they fancy him taking a swipe at all lovers of tradition, you cannot not fight Pelagianism (or Neo-Pelagianism) with the terrible heresy of Modernism.
I hear this mistaken claim often (“Look what he did to the breviary.” ) It must be a fake news talking point in Jesuit circles to undermine traditional movement Catholics.
Because PX’S changes were actually “restorationist.” Specifically the major error he corrected was that every daily feast –even 2nd and 3rd class–required recitation of Sunday psalms only—meaning the same 30 or so psalms every dsy, Priests were no longer actually reciting the 150 psalter weekly, a grave deviation from Christ and the apostles.
I own at least two pre-Pius X breviaries: there is very little actual change
.
This pope’s disastrous leadership has been nearly 4 years now. Yet the crux of the crisis in the Catholic Church is obvious: everyone can see it. He admits religious vocations and orders are collapsing—the “Francis effect”.
In a constantly changing world, Christ and his Gospel are unchanging, unchangeable and true. To mediate that, the Church had always had a timeless unchanging tradition, liturgy, customs, devotions, and doctrinal truth. “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.” (Heb 13:8)
However, this pope, who has yet to reaffirm Christ’s own timeless teaching on marriage, who is now a climatology theologian, who is steeped in the revolution of Vatican II, is blown by the winds of change every day…
…So he settles on a scapegoat: “The Restorationists.” When you have to have an irrelevant scapegoat, you have shown you are not facing up to the job ahead.
Finally, I am not necessarily a “Medjugorje proponent”: but two neighbors and friends, one group of whom are Croatian, have had their lives transformed by the Marian shrine at Medjugorje. Why make fun of it, and the Bl Virgin Mary, Holy Father, that she is “post-mistress”? Every time I have encountered a priest who mocks Mary, Marian devotion and maybe even Rosary devotions (PF did not specifically do this here), I have found in confronting them there is a great deal of darkness inside them. This was gratuitous, insulting: and PF, the man, has a lot of darkness…
..inside him: I will say it when others will hide it.
We must continue to pray for him: but for these comments he will have to answer to IHS someday.
Got to love Pope Francis! He calls it as he sees it. I have attended several Traditional Latin Masses in my area and I have to agree with the Pope; many of the priests in the TLM community are rigid! Also, the Legionnaires of Christ priests are sometimes unusually harsh.
“Rigid!” “Unusually Harsh!”
I seriously doubt the veracity of every word George says (esp. “I have attended several Traditional Latin Masses ..” ) Why? To look down on them, “jon”, oh I meant “George”?
George, just do whatever you want with your life, as I am sure you will.
Folks, Anselm’s comment further proves that I live rent-free in these people’s brains. For your information Anselm, I am not George. I am devoted to the TLM (and to the OF as well), and I do not think that the priests who offer it are rigid. In fact, I have urged the habitué (that word Anselm should be a hint to you if the commentator is me or not: someone who isn’t me doesn’t have such a varied vocabulary if may modestly say so) of this blog: diocesan priests who offer the TLM (as opposed to the priests from any of these traditionalist communities) are to be especially commended, supported, prayed for, and lauded for wanting to learn the TLM. So there.
What is sad is that “jon” scans Cal Catholic for any mention of his name, so Cal Catholic lives rent-free in HIS head.
The point here: it is a popular progressive narrative to condescend to claim to “attend the Traditional Mass” when clearly one’s heart is not in it—actually demonstrative that one in fact is inimicably opposed to it. He and George share that slant.
And, tt is always a question of how many times “jon” can put the word “I” in his self-referential ramblings in 750 characters.
Romans 12:10
Ephesians 5:11
“Calls it as “he” sees it,” is the problem. The person of the Pope has taken the forefront, not the See of Peter.
I say, the words of the Holy Father as paraphrased in this article (“Don’t put your hope in the sudden, mass blooming of these institutes, the pope told the Superiors General…”) is THE PERFECT response to some of the folks here who love to contrast the “booming” vocations of the traditionalist groups with the supposed “dwindling” vocations in diocesan seminaries, as indicators of the alleged “failure” of the Second Vatican Council, of the “failure” or inadequacy of the Ordinary Form, of the incompetence of the legitimate clergy. I say, when Francis speaks like this, the more I know he is the perfect pontiff for the likes of the detractors here of Vatican II, of the OF, of the legitimate clergy. God bless the Pope!
But, jon, there is no “sudden” blooming in Tradition. That is the paraphrase of one who is upset because the slow build and visible flowering of Tradition poses such a threat to the withering rot of Liberation Theology, the very same that attempts to make Heaven into some earthly triumph.
Anne Malley, disingenuous jon typically switches the argument to something never asserted (“booming traditionalist vocations”)—but especially because this past summer he was rattling on about the [completely bogus] “BOOM” (his own typical prevaricating words: he would always capitalize them], but Campion and others proved THEN that there was a vocation COLLAPSE in the US Church and in fact the world.
Now, even this muddled, confused pontiff admits the worldwide dwindling-away of vocations, and “jon” is stuck—in his own web of untruths. Eventually reality wins.
Indeed, truth always outs. That’s why some who are supposedly always serene and at peace are at the same time “worried” about Traditional Catholic vocations. Rather the sign that the novelty of novelty is worn off in a big way.
Your point about a “false sense of peace ” is well-taken: St Ignatius Loyola in the Exercises’ Rules for Discernment of Spirits, 2nd week (#333ff) warns against the “angel of light” actually being a deceptive spirit: the test is if the soul is advancing in virtue, moral goodness, and greater unity with Christ’s will.
In this muddled age, with the massive loss of vocations, of active participating Catholics, moral collapse, the closure of many schools and Catholic works, are all viewed with indifference, it is obvious leadership on a vast scale is under the spell of an evil spirit.
We must really thank CalCath for reposting this article. In his remarks the Holy Father did indeed mean to include the traditionalist societies and institutions out there (note the use of the word “restorationists” in the interview). This is proven by an objective reading of the text of the article. When someone speaks of a “blooming” in an institution this is usually taken to mean that “vocations” are increasing. This is also proven in the many times that folks here (such as O Campion) have pointed to the “booming” vocations in the liturgical RESTORATIONIST communities. Folks (namely AMalley, O Campion/Anselm) you really must agree with me that Francis is indeed a “gift that keeps on giving”. I say he has the uncanny…
ability to know the position of folks like you and then wonderfully reveals its inadequacy and flaw. THANK YOU CalCath for reposting this article! God defend the Pope!
God IS defending the Pope by sending him faithful Catholics to dissuade him from continuing down the path of dialogue with the Devil, jon. (The faithful Catholics of France helped those priests who would otherwise abjure themselves from the Faith when pressured by the State during that countries revolution.) And, yes, CalCath is serving in this regard, by highlighting the realities of just how far the Holy Father is coming in seeking to scourge those pursuing the imitation of Christ. Prayer, penance, and the unflagging determination to carry the Cross.
Like it or not, those are lessons learned from the life of Christ, too. That and the unwillingness to lie or skirt issues when threatened by authorities.
Another disingenuous assertion, another disingenuous subject change– “jon’s” dishonest avoidance of the vocation collapse in the official Church that even PF verifies. The “sense of peace” P Francis experiences facing this collapse could well originate from a deceptive spirit. All the earmarks are there.
As with “jon?” The same proud deceptive “look-at-me” spirit?
Anselm should really look at facts and data rather than relying on his own bias. Fact: Rome Reports printed an article in July 2015 stating that “It’s estimated that 595 American seminarians will be ordained priests this year (2015). It’s a number that represents a 25 percent hike in the U.S, when compared to 2014. This according to the Center for Applied Research.” Clearly O Anselm, there is a spike in vocations. Maybe not a “boom” but it’s hardly the “COLLAPSE” that detractors of the legitimate clergy are fond of pointing out. As for 2016, an estimate of 548 ordinations, slightly lower than the previous year, but still up from the 477 from 2014.
It really doesn’t serve “jon” to be disingenuous: All the facts for CARA-Georgetown are these for the last two years:
2015 – 595 seminarians
2016 – 548 seminarians (that is dropping, “jon”: -47)
From 1975-1990, the average 5-yr mark seminarian totals were 623, for a church in 1990 of 55.7 million (Official Catholic Directory Catholic population). The annual seminarian numbers for 2015 & 2016 come no where near that average. Yet, today, the same measure of US Catholic population is 67.7 million (2016) —meaning fewer and fewer priests for a larger Catholic population.
It doesn’t serve one well to prevaricate, “jon”, on the numbers, which are now more exactly measureable than ever: Vocation numbers are dropping, and…
..in fact dropping enormously when compared relative to the total US Catholic population, largely increasing due to the massive immigrant population increase from Latin America. Even the Holy Father says you are wrong: vocations are collapsing, according to him. Stop trying to mislead people.
Anselm: the Holy Father has already give you the only perfect response to your incessant nagging over the “COLLAPSE” in diocesan vocations vis-a-vis the supposed “blooming” in vocations among the “restorationist” institutes: “When they tell me that there is a congregation that draws so many vocations, I must confess that I worry”….“The Spirit does not follow the logic of human success”….”Don’t put your hope in the sudden, mass blooming of these institutes”….
“Instead, try the humble path of Jesus, that of evangelical witness”….”the Church does not grow by proselytism but by attraction.” In a nutshell, O Campion/Anselm: QUALITY vs. quantity.
…and it is the evangelical witness of the fullness of Truth that is giving rise to the exponentially booming vocations of traditional communities. (Despite the vociferous denunciation of upholding Catholic Faith and Morals. Or the implication that these are merely “ideals”.)
What is currently being proselytized is novelty in the “new” mercy meaning never having to say you’re sinning. People, and would-be seminarians, aren’t buying it. Despite the hard and very human selling of the new religion by the Vatican. Francis has a PR firm, jon.
In the nutshell, the Modernists are projecting their business model on those who are being blessed by God with organic growth. QUALITY AND QUANTITY.
When I do attend a TLM, the only “rigidity” sets in Monday–from all the extra kneeling (an old sporting injury). As for Francis’s previous remarks on youth rigidity, I jealously found only flexibility, the younguns genuflecting like Mexican jumping beans. In fact, some of them were Mexican. (Eat your heart out, Colin Kaepernick).
For old fogeys new to TLM, I advise one tablet of Advil or Motrin one half hour before Mass. You’ll thank me. No Percocet or Vicodin though. I tried that, and on my way back up during the Creed, darn near backflipped into the pew behind. A perfect 10.