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November 26th, 2013
10:21 AM ET
Pope Francis: No more business as usualBy Daniel Burke, Belief Blog Co-editor (CNN) - Pope Francis on Tuesday called for big changes in the Roman Catholic Church - including at the very top - saying the church needs to rethink rules and customs that are no longer widely understood or effective for evangelizing. "I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security," the Pope said in a major new statement. "I do not want a Church concerned with being at the center and then ends by being caught up in a web of obsessions and procedures," Francis added. The Pope's address, called an "apostolic exhortation," is part mission statement, part pep talk for the world's 1.5 billion Catholics. Francis' bold language and sweeping call for change are likely to surprise even those who've grown accustomed to his unconventional papacy. "Not everyone will like this document," said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author in New York. "For it poses a fierce challenge to the status quo." And it's not just a verbal challenge, the Pope said on Tuesday. "I want to emphasize that what I am trying to express here has a programmatic significance and important consequences." Since his election in March, Pope Francis, the first pontiff to hail from Latin America, has made headlines by decrying the iniquities of modern capitalism, embracing the poor and people with disabilities and reaching out to gays and lesbians. At the same time, the 77-year-old pontiff has sought to to awaken a spirit of joy and compassion in the church, scolding Catholic "sourpusses" who hunt down rule-breakers and calling out a "tomb psychology" that "slowly transforms Christians into mummies in a museum." "An evangelizer must never look like someone who has just come back from a funeral!" the Pope said. Officially known in Latin as "Evangelii Gaudium" (The Joy of the Gospel), the 85-page statement released on Tuesday is the first official document written entirely by Pope Francis. (An earlier document was co-written by Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.) Although Francis sprinkles the statement with citations of previous popes and Catholic luminaries like St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine, the new pontiff makes a bold call for the church to rethink even long-held traditions. "In her ongoing discernment, the Church can also come to see that certain customs not directly connected to the heart of the Gospel, even some which have deep historical roots, are no longer properly understood and appreciated," the Pope said. "Some of these customs may be beautiful, but they no longer serve as means of communicating the Gospel. We should not be afraid to re-examine them. At the same time, the Church has rules or precepts which may have been quite effective in their time, but no longer have the same usefulness for directing and shaping people’s lives." Such statements mark a sharp break from Benedict XVI, a more tradition-bound pope who focused on cleaning up cobwebs of unorthodoxy in the church. By contrast, in "Evangelii" Francis repeats his calls for Catholics to stop "obsessing" about culture war issues and to focus more on spreading the Gospel, especially to the poor and marginalized. READ MORE: The Pope’s bold new vision The outside world, particularly its economic inequalities, didn't escape Francis' notice either. In a section of "Evangelii" entitled "some challenges to today's world," he sharply criticized what he called an "idolatry of money" and "the inequality that spawns violence." The Pope also blasted "trickle-down economics," saying the theory "expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power." “Meanwhile,” Francis said, “the excluded are still waiting.” But the bulk of Francis' statement addresses the church, which, he said, should not be afraid to "get its shoes soiled by the mud of the street." The Pope also hinted that he wants to see an end to the so-called "wafer wars," in which Catholic politicians who support abortion rights are denied Holy Communion. His comments could also be taken as another sign that he plans to reform church rules that prevent divorced Catholics from receiving the Eucharist. "Everyone can share in some way in the life of the Church; everyone can be part of the community, nor should the doors of the sacraments be closed for simply any reason," Francis said. "The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak." Even so, Francis reiterated the church's stand against abortion, defending it against critics who call such arguments "ideological, obscurantist and conservative." "Precisely because this involves the internal consistency of our message about the value of the human person, the Church cannot be expected to change her position on this question," Francis said. The Pope also reiterated previous rejections on ordaining women, saying the topic is "not open for discussion." But that doesn't mean the church values men more than women, he said. "We need to create still broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church," the Pope said. Francis also said he expects other parts of the church to change, and called on Catholics to be unafraid of trying new things. "More than by fear of going astray, my hope is that we will be moved by the fear of remaining shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security, within rules which make us harsh judges, within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving." Francis didn't mention specific reforms, but he suggested that it could include changes at the very top of the church. "Since I am called to put into practice what I ask of others, I too must think about a conversion of the papacy," he said. READ MORE: Pope Francis: Church can't 'interfere' with gays The church's centralization, where all roads lead to Rome, and the "we've always done it this way" type of thinking have hindered Catholics' ability to minister to local people in far-flung places, Francis suggested. "I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelization in their respective communities," the Pope said. Martin, the Jesuit priest and author, said he could not recall ever "reading a papal document that was so thought-provoking, surprising and invigorating." "The document’s main message is that Catholics should be unafraid of new ways of proclaiming the Gospel and new ways of thinking about the church." MORE ON CNN: The disfigured man in popular photos talks about the Pope's embrace |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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HISTORY + 114 . MDCCLXXVI +114.UNITEDKING+114
Please bring original HISTORY .Six thousand journalist are suppressing the truth of history but in one day it will come out
Now we are in 21st century there were times former journalist exposed truth and sacrificed their precious life for the sake of truth, they unveiled the real history. Perhaps contradicting to their present power and money clouded their mind and our upcoming generation becomes a victim.
We do not believe politicians as we used to, we do not believe the media, and whereas we believe each other”
Thanking you
Your’s sincerely
M.S.MOHAMED ANSARI
Pragmatism has now fallen foul of the continuing power of the press.
I do not like this pope...to modern the church lost a lots of people after Vatican ii ...he's the leader of the church but I don't think he understands how the church worked in the last 2000 years...that's why we need a European pope again they understand how dress when they read mess
he's to plain...people want to see a pope in the old liturgical clothing the old Latin mass was great with the great pomp ......the church can modernize but just don't give up the old I think traditions I think pope benedict understood that....he came from Bavaria where they still celebrating mass in the old baroque style
he's the pope not just a simple priest......the queen of England understands that people want to see pomp
pretty soon he will wear street cloth ..that's why iam not going to church anymore
AND BRING BACK THE LATIN MASS....GET RID OF THE NEW ALTARS AND USE THE OLD HIGH ALTARS AGAIN...
For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. – 1 Thessalonians 5:3, NKJV
I just can't imagine what it feels like to have Gullible's Travels shoved up so far where the sun don't shine. It ca'n be pleasant.
* can't *
it's no wonder very few want to be an atheist.
Mark
We have 1 High Priest in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is sufficient and we don't need another to make supplication for us.
I do not like this pope...to modern the church lost a lots of people after Vatican ii ...he's the leader of the church but I don't think he understands how the church worked in the last 2000 years...that's why we need a European pope again they understand how dress when they read mess
he's to plain...people want to see a pope in the old liturgical clothing the old Latin mass was great with the great pomp ......the church can modernize but just don't give up the old I think traditions I think pope benedict understood that....he came from Bavaria where they still celebrating mass in the old baroque style
he's the pope not just a simple priest......the queen of England understands that people want to see pomp
pretty soon he will wear street cloth ..that's why iam not going to church anymore
AND BRING BACK THE LATIN MASS....GET RID OF THE NEW ALTARS AND USE THE OLD HIGH ALTARS AGAIN...
NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL
Meanwhile, In Montana, a diocese files for bankruptcy due to the HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS of child abuse complaints filed against the Catholic Church.
My – so the church is bankrupt, is it? Does that mean the Vatican is going to sell its art treasures?
BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAAA!
The Catholic Church is going to fall..in ruins. Despite the efforts.
They feel the pressure.
2,000 years later...nope still running.
Thank God we finally have someone like Pope Francis, especially in this particular time of need! The points he makes are so right!
Hey Fran, this is GOD...yes that one.
what are the chances of you picking me up in that Pope Mobile thingie you have...I need a lift to church and my GOD mobile is in the shop
If you're God, why is there still evil in the world? Isn't God supposed to stop all suffering?
One prime example as to the answer of your quest. The ACLU.
See THENEILRIVER channel in youtube to see 1000 videos of gods and goddesses appearing in sky OR
Jesus is asking us to help the Pope by our actions and prayers ...
http://youtu.be/e_HuogrVUnE
http://youtu.be/B1Abib8U5Ak
Holy Spirit, as for feminine energy in Holy Triangle, is now moving forward to heal not only the church, yet the PLANET all together
Pope is so amazing, and all had been propesiazed, as we are in times of much real miraculous awakening
Coming forward is this very Feminine energy, that is ready to take out the weak, pervert links, beings that make HER, the church which was always made to be the most peaceful place to connect with Highesness
We are to bring WOMEN in,
We are to create Temple, where we d not discriminate, where we come to unite, to teach one another of our special unique connection to HIGHER
A place where we do not have to struggle to thoughts of insecurity that our own child might be another , for rest of their life touched, literally, by those pretending OF THEIR CONNECTION
I have recently ran into one of such man, that has been going around as saintly, knowing the bible left right, next thing to find out, literally next day, after he tried to come with his 70 year old, I think we are meant to be, God told me..........
I found out this man came out of jail for malasting children, and surely the truth came about soon enough for me to KNOW not to listen to him and warn about him in the neighbourhood, knowing he lives literally 30 sec walking from Catholic School for little children
Sorry to write in such heavy way today, but
I am trying to make a point of passing way new RULES
WOMEN in charge, it makes sense, don't you think, we are mothers, we have sense, empathy, we heal and I know , we would never cross the line, its beyond even our adult thinking
As a child that went through something similar in childhood, panished in my own psyche for rest of my life, blaming my own thoughts to be, I have not experienced life, until I came back to Heavenly Father, to trust man again.......
We need to Stand up NOW
We Need to Start the unifying process, so we are taken from hands of those piranas, I feel this in daily life, as 30 year old woman, why is all those man so beyond in arrogance and confidence,
Imagine our children when alone in their closeness, not understanding,
Prayer shall be heard in hearts of us many, and start the process, we are the ones that will change the planet and the way are in church, schools, daily community........
LETS start the healing
Be Afraid Not
We hAve the HOLY SPIRIT in FULL Blow
I am yours Momo Ma.........
loving all in spirit, learning to understand us all, so we may heal us ALL
Kisses
http://youtu.be/e_HuogrVUnE
here is one of my hundreds of self made freestyles, and vodeos, guided by Angelic Realms, king of highest
So Much more on the way
JUST ALLOW
we all are loved, kisses
Humanity fell through the disobedience of the first woman (Eve) who then tempted man to fall with her. Then the world was redeemed through the obedience of another woman (Mary) allowing our Lord Jesus Christ to enter this world and save it. The world doesn't need female leadership any more than male leadership. What we need is to obey our Lord above all.