The following comes from a Feb. 1 email sent by Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix to one of the recent participants in the Jan. 22-24 conference called by Cardinal Baldisseri in Rome.
I don’t know if my reflections will be of help or not, but let me offer just a few thoughts with the hope that they will.
First, I recommend a biography of Pope Francis that recently was published, The Great Reformer, by Austen Ivereigh. He contends that to understand Pope Francis, one must be mindful of his formation as a Jesuit, especially through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and his rules for discernment. His modus operandi as pope is one of discernment where the voices of all are allowed to be heard; he trusts that this process of broad discernment, not on his part alone but by all those engaged in the synod, will be directed by the Holy Spirit and lead to a greater appreciation of the pastoral problems facing families today, and the best way to address them pastorally.
Second, not every voice in the synod can be right, since there were opposing views being put forth. But Pope Francis thinks that we can best arrive at a balanced pastoral plan by hearing all the voices in the synodal process, and not being afraid to listen and study them.
Third, A number of Cardinals and bishops strongly defended the Church’s teaching on marriage and family, especially when some voices seemed to be moving in a way that could be misleading or even wrong. Among these were Cardinal Mueller, whom Pope Francis confirmed as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Fourth, Pope Francis has given some strong statements in support of traditional marriage, masculinity and femininity, especially in talks given after the extra-ordinary synod last October.
Fifth, on January 26, in an address to participants in a conference of canon lawyers, he affirmed the Church’s canonical discipline for marriage, while at the same time expressing his desire that the nullity process be less lengthy if possible. He has established a commission of canon lawyers from around the world to study the process and to come back with recommendations. The Church has always held that its laws are in support of Church teaching and holiness; and can, indeed should, be reformed when needed.
Hope these few thoughts are helpful. It seems good, to me, to trust that the Holy Spirit is at work in Pope Francis, and that his style of governing the Church, while different from popes from Europe, will bring its own good fruits. His style is especially personal, focused on the poorest and most distant in society, and animated by the Gospel. It is a style that has been good for my ongoing conversion as a follower of Jesus and as a bishop.
Grace and peace in Christ,
Bishop Olmsted
I greatly respect Bishop Olmsted.
I have recently completed the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Allowing all voices to be heard is a good thing when it does NOT violate Sacred Scripture or the teaching of the Magisterium as stated in the CCC.
If the impression of Bishop Olmsted is correct, the Pope believes that –
” all those engaged in the synod, will be directed by the Holy Spirit and lead to a greater appreciation of the pastoral problems facing families today, and the best way to address them pastorally.”
This is the crux of the problem.
1) ALL high ranking clergy are NOT directed by the Holy Spirit.
2) For any Clergy to consider confirming or affirming anyone who chooses to continue living in any mortal sin is not PASTORAL, but sinful and scandalous.
3) For any Clergy to consider Sacrilege against the Holy Eucharist is NOT PASTORAL but sinful and scandalous. 1 Cor 11:27-30.
MAC good comments. I agree. I did find number 4 and 5 also good to reflect on. Especially on number 4. This helps us see a different picture of our Pope than what the norm of rumors are going around.
Abeca,
But Pope Francis’s appointments and demotions confirm most if not all of those rumors that are going around. That is called AMBIGUITY!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts!
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika and His Church!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Kenneth M. Fisher
Yes on those accounts Mr. Fisher I understand, that is why I write to the Vatican and send in my concerns. I hope all will continue to do so. If we take the time to renew our car and or home owners insurance yearly, if we subscribe yearly to our own things, that takes much time. So then we should do the same, send our concerns in writing to our local Bishops, priests, to the Pope etc etc. Its just something we have to do.
His Holiness Pope Francis, Apostolic Palace 00120 Via Del Pellegrino, Citta Del Vaticano, Vatican City
His Holiness Emeretus Pope Benedict
Meter Ecclesiac Monastery
00120 Vatican City
etc
…it is great that you express your concerns to the Holy Father, Abeca, but that doesn’t explain away the meaning behind such appointments. These disturbing appointments say much about the man who makes them.
A good man, and far better bishop than many. Bishop Olmsted is orthodox, and a friend to the TLM.
Thank you for publishing this.
Cardinal George regarding Pope Francis:
QUOTE: ” The question is raised, why doesn’t he himself clarify these things?
Why is it necessary that apologists have to bear that burden of trying to put the best possible face on it?
Does he not realize the consequences of some of his statements, or even some of his actions?
Does he not realize the repercussions? Perhaps he doesn’t. I don’t know whether he’s conscious of all the consequences of some of the things he’s said and done that raise these doubts in people’s minds.” UNQUOTE
https://www.lifesitenews.com/static/cardinal-george-on-pope-francis-why-doesnt-he-clarify.html
It seems that Pope Francis plays to his audience at the time.
Sometimes this way, sometimes that way. And this has nothing to do with the ‘Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and his rules for discernment’.
It is true that Pope Francis RE-confirmed Cardinal Mueller, as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Cardinal was originally appointed by Pope Benedict in 2012.
Pope Francis also REMOVED Cardinal Raymond Burke as Cardinal Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, and removed him as a member of the Congregation for Bishops. Francis then appointed heretic Cardinal Donald Weurl to recommend new Bishops for our Country – and that is how Chicago got stuck with Blasé Cupich.
(Weurl and Cupich both believe in committing Sacrilege by giving Holy Communion to those known to choose to publically live in the state of Mortal Sin.)
” It seems that Pope Francis plays to his audience at the time. Sometimes this way, sometimes that way”.
This is how one gets to be “popular” with almost everyone in secular society. Tell the particular audience what they want to hear.
(But don’t worry about the truly Faithful average persons because they won’t leave Christ’s Church anyway.)
Commit scandal and Confirm them in their sins of: Adultery, homosexual acts, supporting abortion, etc., by allowing and encouraging them to commit Sacrilege against the Body and Blood of our Lord, by receiving Him while in the continuing state of the Mortal Sin.
This is what causes confusion. And the devil loves confusion.
On being POPULAR:
Jn 15:18-19
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. – JESUS.
Mk 13:13
” and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” – JESUS.
Pray for the Pope, all Bishops and all Priests that they do GOD’s WILL,
not their own wills.
All human beings are sinners in one way or another.
The book that His Excellency recomMends THE GREAT REFORMER by Austen Ivereigh sounds very interesting. I think that I will purchase it.
The final Synod report, approved by Pope Francis, removed references to homosexual acts being sinful. Homosexual acts are acts of grave depravity and intrinsically evil.
I have always thought Bishop Olmsted to be excellent! I appreciate his orthodox faithfulness to our Church, and also appreciate his interest and support for the beautiful Tridentine Mass! If I lived in the Phoenix Diocese, I might be a happier Catholic! However, I have no idea, as to what he truly believes, regarding Pope Francis! His views are very nice, however, very positive, and insightful! Overall, however— I am afraid Pope Francis will be painful for myself and many orthodox Catholics to watch, at times, with his seemingly “unorthodox” ways, that he presents to the public! He can seem so painfully contradictory to our Church’s teachings! Yet, at times, Pope Francis can also seem very orthodox, and faithful! Worst of all, he does not believe in supporting orthodox clergy– such as the outstanding Cardinal Burke! This is so PAINFUL!! Most of all— I wish we could have someone like Cardinal Burke, for our Holy Father!
Cardinal Olmstead is a good Bishop. He would not lie. I’m sure he has reported what he saw and heard in January.
He probably has been charmed (snookered) by Pope Francis who changes positions with his audience.
Bishop Olmstead permits communion while kneeling and on the tounge, I believe, which is great progress. My main problem with Jesuit Pope Francis is that I do not trust Him. Sad but true.
This is a good effort by Bishop Olmsted to put the best possible face on this pope. The problem is, Bishop, the rank-and-file Catholic doesn’t go to the Church leadership looking for dialogue, but articulation of clear, concise truth. If what you’re saying about Pope Francis is true–that he reaches out for opposing viewpoints to bring them together for the best possible pastoral plan–it seems to be it would be better suited for about 3rd or 4th year seminary students in a seminary classroom. In the Synod, for example, I would have hoped that the traditional family unit — a married mom & dad, and children — would occupy the central place, and various evils, such as contraception, adultery, shacking up, homosexuality, sterilization, etc. be clearly condemned. People in irregular situations can be recognized secondarily, always with the admonition that they need to use the means the Church provides to GET OUT OF SIN. Pope Francis has been a poor choice for the papacy in a difficult time.
Perhaps Bishop Olmsted is just trying his best to be kind and positive, look on the bright side— and make the best of things! Of course– Pope Francis is his boss!! Overall, I don’t think Pope Francis is going to do much, to improve the Catholic Church’s problems! One just has to be patient, and pray! At least, we have a few faithful Catholic bishops, like Bishop Olmsted!
It seems that Pope Francis and the Synod needs to concentrate on UNITY within the Church
BEFORE actively trying to convert outliers through heretical novelties rather than TRUTH.
This UNITY within the Church can only take place when all literate Catholics have read Sacred Scripture and CCC. And then adhere to them.
If Catholics prefer a sinful life in opposition to the official teachings of the Church then they should simply leave.
The LACK of catechesis amongst the literate is appaulling. And the Pope, his Bishops, and Priests will be held accountable.
Hosea 4:6.
POLITICALLY CORRECT – MERCY of Pope Francis.
https://www.gloria.tv/media/5p1cA17a1no
Very good video. Thanks for sharing the link.
Taken from Catholic American Thinker
Disorder: The confusion resulting from the loss of well defined Rules.
‘The growing disorder in Obama’s America, and in Pope Francis’ Catholic Church.’
https://www.catholicamericanthinker.com/disorder.html
This Catholic Thinker is such a fraud he rejects and makes fun of evolution. https://www.catholicamericanthinker.com/Refuting-Darwin.html
…It’s the ‘Theory’ of Evolution,YFC, not the dogma of evolution. Relax.
Don’t we all. At least those who have an inquiring mind.
“Your Fellow Catholic”: Your point, “YFC”, except the typical Zombie-Liberal throw excrement type of discussion model? You rarely have anything to say, aside from attacks and supercilious comment.
I said that because I have been waiting 72 years for one of those thousands upon thousands of missing links to prove macro evolution took place but none have shown up so far. Lots of mico evolution but no macro as the author said. My mind is open, but I cannot help but wonder. WHERE ARE THEY?
The DEADLINE for the Laity is FEB 20.
Have you each answered many of the 40+ questions from the LINEAMENTA for the 2015 SYNOD,
and turned them into your Diocese ?
You must provide your full name, address, and the name and address of the Parish you are registered in.
(This will insure that only Catholics who live in a specific Diocese respond.)
If not, do not complain about the outcome of the 2015 Synod.
https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/documents/rc_synod_doc_20141209_lineamenta-xiv-assembly_en.html