Vatican calls on Muslim leaders to condemn Islamic State

 

Vatican calls on Muslim leaders to condemn Islamic State

"Religious leaders also are called on to exercise their influence with the rulers for the cessation of these crimes, the punishment of those who commit them and the restoration of the rule of law throughout the country, ensuring the return home of the deported," the Vatican said.

 

Good people can not sit quietly while letting such atrocities go on. Organizations like CAIR need to lead the condemnation or their assertions about a peaceful religion can not remain credible. I applaud the Vatican’s strong statement.

Bergoglio's Intervention: A diagnosis of the problems in the Church

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/27/bergoglios_intervention:_a_diagnosis_of_the_problems_in_the_church/en1-677269

Bergoglio's Intervention: A diagnosis of the problems in the Church

Comments of Pope Francis before his election.  He sums up the situation of the Church of our time.  Read the whole piece, but this quote stood out for me:

Put simply, there are two images of the Church: Church which evangelizes and comes out of herself, the Dei Verbum religiose audiens et fidente proclamans; and the worldly Church, living within herself, of herself, for herself. This should shed light on the possible changes and reforms which must be done for the salvation of souls.

John Thavis | The pope's 'reform' project has already begun

 

John Thavis | The pope's 'reform' project has already begun

How wonderful, the thought that the local Bishop attends the local liturgies daily.  I have often thought it would be nice to know the Bishop on a fairly regular basis celebrates a daily Mass, say at noontime or 6PM where one could attend.  We are so disconnected from our Bishops in many parts of the USA.  Our only contact is in a poorly constructed diocesan newspaper full of politics and Catholic school exposes that offer nothing to the public school Catholics.  Many times, the Bishop does not show up for Confirmations.

Meet Pope Francis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Pope Francis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

What exciting times for Catholics throughout the world and for all people of the world. Extraordinary times demand a leader who will be lead by the Spirit to go into the world proclaiming the Gospel for this time.  Pope Francis, from his biography, is very pastoral to his Church.  This is what we can conclude from his willingness to be close to the people professing the truth of the Gospel.  No wonder he took  the name Francis. 

From this brief introduction to him, I would venture the notion that his ministry will be about shepherding his shepherds in setting their corporate bastions aside and reevaluating how they live among their sheep.  John Paul II and Benedict XVI formed us with their excellent writings of philosophy and theology giving us a true appreciation for them.  Adoration, the Liturgy are continuing to grow in the life of the faith for Catholics throughout the world.  I see this in my travels to India and in my own country of the USA.  They have lit a fire in the youth and the prolife movement is a youth movement as demonstrated in the West Coast Walk for Life.

Sadly, as I speak as an American Catholic, the Bishops have preferred to take a corporate approach in public policy and day to day operations of their diocese.  I believe it is starting to change with the recent appointments of American bishops, but the demands of society inflamed with secularism, demand the bishops form the people and the people fight the prudential battles.  The mixed messages of the nice photo ops with the President on the front pages of diocesan papers and national papers have given conflicting messages to Catholics especially within families.  The allowing of “Catholic” universities to promote a culture counter to the morality taught in the Church have diluted our messages.  I believe, Pope Francis, will make this the focus of his mission.  Bishops must be about the needs of their diocese, not about sound bites about an economic poverty, but also about the poverty of spirit, mercy, justice and hunger for the Gospel and the Sacraments. I believe he will tell the Church to put on its walking shoes and spread the Gospel in their own backyard.

This is my hunch and my hope.  I look forward to seeing how it plays out.