Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
POPE FRANCIS HAS called for structural renewal in the Catholic church to keep up with the times, although advising future priests and nuns Saturday to shun costly trappings like the latest smart phones so they can use more resources to help the poor.
Francis has been waging a campaign to root out corruption and power plays in the Vatican’s bureaucracy and to keep sight of what is essential in the church he was elected in March to lead.
The Argentine-born pontiff offered the encouragement for renewal in a homily during Mass Saturday at the Vatican City hotel where he lives. Francis told Catholics “not to be afraid of renewing some structures” to accord with “the places, the times” and the people, but he didn’t specify what needed to be changed.
He said, “In Christian life, even in the life of the church, there are ancient structures, transient structures: It is necessary to renew them!”
Keep “freshness” and “joy”
Later, he gave an off-the-cuff lecture to a Vatiacn auditorium full of seminarians and novices, and to thunderous applause, told the future priests and nuns to keep “freshness” and “joy” in their lives, and took to task seminarians and novices who “are too serious, too sad. Something’s not right here,” Francis told his rapt audience. “There is no sadness in holiness,” said Francis, saying that such clergy lack “the joy of the Lord.”
“If you find a seminarian, priest, nun, with a long, sad face, if it se ems as if in their life, someone threw a wet blanket over them,” you should conclude “it’s a psiatric problem, they can go, ‘buenos dias,”” Francis said, opting for a word in his native Spanish to indicate those clergy are not suited for their vocations.
He cautioned the future priests and nuns that he he wasn’t talking about superficial joy — “the thrill of a moment doesn’t really make us happy.” Francis warned his audience against seeking “the joy of the world, the latest smart phone, the fastest car.”
“It hurts my heart when I see a priest with the latest model car,” Francis said, then joking that his audience will think “now we have to go by bicycle.”
“Cars are necessary. But take a more humble one,” said Francis, who from the day he took office declined to move out of the hotel during the conclave of cardinals and into the ornate Apostolic Palace that is the traditional home to pontiffs. “Think of how many children die of hunger” and dedicate the savings to them,” Francis said.
Praised chastity
While there have been calls within the church for the Vatican to ease the requirement for celibacy for priests, nuns and brothers, Francis praised chastity. “We are victims of a culture of the ‘temporary,’” Francis said, adding that celibacy vows for those becoming priests or nuns should be a “definitive choice.”
The Vatican allows married clergy in strictly limited cases: married men in the Eastern rite church can be ordained priests, and married Anglican clergy who later convert can stay married after joining the Catholic church.
At one point he turned to an aide and asked how much time he had with the young future priests and nuns. Told that he could stay there “until tomorrow” if he wanted, Francis joked to his audience that they would need “sandwiches and Coke if we go till tomorrow,” drawing roars of laughter. In the end, he spoke for about an hour with the seminarians and novices, and will celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday morning.
“I would like a more missionary church”
During his remarks, Francis praised Mother Teresa, the late nun who cared for the most impoverished sick of Calcutta, India, and held her up as a courageous example. “I would like a more missionary church,” the pope told the young people, who seemed to hang on his every word. “Not so much a tranquil church, but a beautiful church that goes forward.”
His lauding the nun will likely be seen as an indication that Francis will be eager to see Teresa made a saint. On Friday, the Vatican announced that Francis had decided to canonize later this year two predecessors, John Paul II, and John XXIII, even though the required miracle attributed to John XXIII’s intercession and, according to church rules needed for sainthood, hadn’t been certified. Bestowing sainthood on John Paul II, who died in 2005, will put him on a much faster path to canonization than Teresa, who died in 1997 and is widely considered a candidate for rapidly-conferred sainthood.
Francis’ decision to OK sainthood for John XXIII without the second miracle pleased that late pope’s family in northern Italy.
The late pontiff’s stress on humility
“We’re happy. We were waiting for it for a long time,” said Emanuele Roncalli, a great nephew of John XXIII, who was born Angelo Roncalli near Bergamo. “Even though you can still call him, not blessed, not saint , but just Pope John” in keeping with the late pontiff’s stress on humility, said the great-nephew in a phone interview with The Associated Press.
In waiving the miracle requirement, Francis was essentially agreeing with the late pope’s personal idea that “sainthood is lived during all of one’s life,” said Roncalli.
A journalist for the local daily L’Eco di Bergamo, Roncalli had written in Saturday’s edition that his great-uncle, who died in 1963 when Roncalli was 2 years old, “wanted to be a holy man, in the fullness of the term.” His great-uncle’s concept of sainthood “could be defined as an available sainthood — if not actually reachable — by all,” Roncalli wrote.
The late pope’s notion of sainthood “isn’t the sainthood of miracle workers, of healers,” the great-nephew wrote.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Well done Pope Francis. A return to humility is needed but the faithful must follow suit also if we are to practice what we preach and not just give it lip service… Me included!
Couldn’t argue with that broncx. God bless.
In your case probably cause I don’t think it would go much further than the lips :)
Isn’t it amazing that a religion based on worshipping the most liberal, charitable, humble man to supposed to have ever lived is practiced and followed mostly by the most conservative people who have to be told by their leader that they need to spending less on pomp and giving more to the very people their religion says they look after??? Couldn’t make it up. Organised religion is such rubbish. Before any “Christian” accuses me if bring a pagan or something, I have a lot of faith, just don’t have time for child abuse apologists and hypocrites, funny though, neither did Jesus!
*of being
Diarmuid you have just a few minutes ago had a go at Stephen on another thread for trying to ‘demean’ people, making them ‘feel small’ and for not showing respect for the other side. Well I’m sorry but what you have just said is demeaning and does not show much respect for those who identify themselves with Catholicism. Why can’t you see that you’re being insulting also ?
I don’t claim to be an all knowing Christian, that’s the difference!
Plus the only ones that would get insulted are the ones who are child abuse apologists or who indulge in pomp contrary to Christian values, and surely you should be as quick to criticise them yourself no???
However I do agree with your reflections on Jesus and yes we shouldn’t have to be told how to be Christian but I’ve no doubt that all people and not just Catholics could do with a reminder from time to time to reject materialism or at least to review our generosity or lack thereof and to make a bigger effort to help those in need. Surely Pope Francis is doing well to draw attention to the hypocrisy which exists….this is exactly what he is challenging here
I surely would as do most Catholics. Isn’t Pope Francis trying to right the wrongs if possible and address the situation. Surely it’s a step in the right direction ?
And using the churches wealth to repay the victims of abuse!? Talk is cheap!
Broncx I think your wasting your time trying to get through to diarmuid eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear, to much anger, and bitterness.
How do u know that’s not coming down the line as it definitely should. That’s the very least that could be done for the victims. As a Catholic I have no problem in contributing to a fund for those who were abused and maybe it’s something that should be looked at seeing as the faithful are also the Church.
Diarmaid time for you to repent. show a bit of respect also
Big jake you have mixed up with someone else. Why can no one criticise the deeply flawed logic of an oppressive church without bring labelled bitter? Shows you the mindset! You’re beyond questioning are you? Show some respect???? Lets not even get into respect now! How about the church shows women respect and not be such an oppressive regime when it comes to half the world. How about it repents for the damage it has done to tens if thousands of children worldwide? How dare you tell me I should show respect and repent after what your basket case of a church has done! Deluded!
To answer your question broncx I do think its a great move albeit all a bit too late. The day the “humble” church gives up its gold palaces and private tailors in order to repay its past victims will be the day I respect it! Can I just say I do not mean to insult people like you, it is clear from your comments that you indeed are a Christian, unlike some others. My anger comes from being labelled a murderer, a pagan, pro abort, bitter etc etc etc on this site and others by supposed Christians for talking about my abortion experience and criticising the churches flaws. There is only so much abuse someone can take before having to fight back!
Broncx that’s more like it , why don’t you do that ?Have you the courage to go to your local parish priest and bishop and make that suggestion of the faithful compensating the victims ? Do you have the strength and conviction to start up a fund for the victims by yourself ? I’d love to see faithful Catholics actively seeking out victims and compensating them for the crimes committed by the church . Alas as Diarmuid said “words are cheap ” , I prefer to see action not empty rhetoric .
How about the church become totally transparent revealing all their secret files . Expose and denounce the criminals from their ranks both past and present !
If they truly want to repent lay it all on the table for all the world to see . Open up your “secret files” . What have you to fear ? What have you to lose ?
Ok I understand. I really feel that Pope Francis is aiming to do this Diarmuid after all Jesus was born in a stable for a reason and we have to honour His plans for His Church. Listen we’re not all bad and I appreciate your comment. I firmly believe we’re all decent people on here at the end of the day. Each of us has our own experiences too which colour our views and people shouldn’t be so quick to judge I agree.
Diarmaid criticise by all means but you still display a meanness, towards human beings, it’s not an insult its a perception.
Thanks broncx, For instance I may not go to mass or class myself as religious but try to be as Christian as possible in my daily life, charity work etc. I would also have faith, but not one based around organised religion, one much more personal and intimate that doesn’t damage other people or is based around enforcement of my morality and beliefs!
A meanness??? The two men I was arguing with last night I have history with. One of them spent a whole day on twitter insulting me, calling me a moron, a murderer and even got his wife to join in too, the other said I support child abuse, see how you fare when on the receiving end of that abuse. My patience was over tested last night by two fellas that have grossly abused me in the past. You don’t know the first thing about me, so please stop commenting on me personally as the only one being mean and nasty here is you by criticising me so much personally when you don’t know the first thing about me or the history I have with certain people you stick up for!
Big jake that’s definitely an insult to Diarmuid . That’s my perception .
Beabad I think it’s definitely a move that should be made and will look into it as soon as I get back to Ireland if not from here. The victims should not be ignored and perhaps the faithful can be part of their healing !
I believe that faith is a personal relationship with God too…I however choose to express that Faith through the Sacraments and precepts of the Catholic Church. Jesus told us He loves us all and I firmly believe that regardless of how we express it once we’re good people and work towards the good of others also.
Diarmaid Fair enough no one deserves that carry on, It is very difficult however when something that you love the church with all its flaws is seemingly ripped apart and it’s members portrayed as uncaring. Fanatics, it’s hard not to take that personal, but I repeat no one deserves that kind of abuse, maybe you could give a thought to others who are also floored by some of your statements. No hurt intended on my part.
I will give you an example of why people have lost faith in the institution of Catholicism. This morning Michael Kelly, a prominent Catholic and writer for the Irish Catholic is mocking Enda Kenny on twitter and why he got his back up with the vatican. I mean, can the leader of our nation not even criticise the cover up of the widespread abuse of our children now without “Christians” spreading lies and gossip about him. Does Michael not think the cover up of abuse of our children warranted a slap down from our nation? Michael is not alone. There is a delusion and arrogance about leading Catholics that makes me feel ill. Surely spreading gossip about people is not Christian? It’s the hypocrisy that does my head in. As I said if the church went back to its roots and the very meaning of itself and learned some humility they would be better served that having mouthpieces like Michael Kelly publicly mocking people for standing up to the people who tried to criminally cover up the rape and torture of IRISH CHILDREN!
It shouldnt be about being a good/bad christian. Youre human, I prefer to think of it as being a good person. Dont know why good deeds or charitable acts should ever be defined as ways of living a good christian life. You dont have to believe in christ to try live your life a certain way..
Diarmuid Some have lost faith in the church but many have not, no excuse for abuse of any kind and humility is always a good thing.but there is also a deep love of the church by many who see it as there church and so it is.
The Catholic Church is strong and will never go out of existence….
I don’t care what colour the Pope paints change. .. It will never be enough to suit people of today and tomorrow.
People will continue to mock the church by baptising, communionizing, confirming their children only to not set foot in the church for these events. Or to marry in the church or be buried with church only to be a member in name. The church will find that the mockery of the church and disdain of the church will increase until they truly come to terms with reality.
Truly… The church is causing more harm than good. However, this doesn’t mean that their are individual priests and nuns doing an exemplary job walking a shakey line trying to stay in good graces with the cburch while giving their community what it really needs…
A friend…. Not an authoritarian.
Marlon it may not go out of existance everywhere but in ireland it will be practically gone in 100 years .. To much scandal not adapting to the needs of the people of today . My generation only go to church for the occasions you mentioned so explain to me who is going to go to or fund the church after the current 50-80 year olds have passed
@Jay
You would think this…. However, people like to forget…. And people will still want to satisfy God enough to insure their entrance into Heaven.
Thus…baptisms, communions, confirmation, confession, last rights and burials on sacred grounds.
I know where you’re coming from Jay and as Pope Francis says the Church needs to adapt too but there are plenty of young families and their children to maintain the faith.
Marlon your viewing this as obviously a religous person .. My generation dont belive we need to go to church to have faith . I have faith in god i dont have faith in an organisation who molest children and cover up child abuse incidents
I have long held the view that most Irish ‘Catholics ‘ continue to observe communion confirmation church weddings funerals and baptisms for reasons of tradition, nostalgia and the lack of other alternatives to mark important rites of passage. As humanism and secularism grows and finds ways to offer such ceremonies , the catholic way will finally end.
The Catholic tradition exists precisely because it is an alternative to other rites of passage for those who choose to adhere to it. It’s more than just nostalgia. The sacraments define the major life events for many Catholics and cannot be replicated by other means so for that reason I don’t feel it will fall away
Broncx what are you basically saying is that the strength of traditions like comunion and confirmations are more improtant to people than the protection of children . Anyone who still follows the church in this country with blind faith after whats happened to children and what happened in the laundrys needs their head examined..
Jay in all fairness that’s an irrational correlation and I’m not going to be forced away from my Church because of the evil actions of some. The actions of some do not represent the whole. We are trying to root it out and ensure it never happens again while re-structuring the Church. Paedophiles should be rooted out of every crevice of society and we all have a duty to do that or we cannot support the many other institutions which have harboured similar evil in their midsts. Families, lay individuals and state colluded in the abuse and cover ups also which does not excuse anything but there’s more to this than meets the eye.
@b
You say the evil actions of some .. How many cases in this small country alone ??? How many are still covered up all the way as far as the vatican ?? AIm not suggesting you personally walk away from the church but dont insult your own intelligence by saying the church and its views are applicable to the needs of todays modern person
Jay the sexual abuse of children is the greatest scourge of society. It is happening as we speak behind the closed doors of the family home, on the streets, via the Internet and by professionals and down and outs alike! We are trying to root it out and to make sure it never happens again and ensure that there is no where to hide in this world for the abuser least of all behind the Church doors. Every part of our society is tainted by this horrific evil and has to be stopped. At least the Church is trying to drive this scourge out of its midst…what are we as a society doing about it on our own doorstep? Regarding faith having no place in a modern family I don’t agree. It completely depends on the needs of each person and family. I have a young family and faith plays a vital role for us and I’d like to think we are ‘modern’ in the sense that we love each other and our friends and family
@broncx, correction. They ignored it for as long as they could, until they had no choice but to be seen to be doing something. Such was the outrage. They have tried everything they could to not cooperate with investigations. With out a doubt, we do not, and probably will never know the true extent of the problems within the organisation.
Dpp also ignored many cases of abuse, and still do. The way abuse and rape is handled in this country needs a serious overhaul. I like this new pope, he’s actively trying to change things…i hope he succeeds. Nobody should be knocked for trying to change for the better.
The catholic church has no way back from all the scandal its had over the years it will be obsolete in 50-100 years
Unfortunately it won’t Jay. Hopefully it will in Ireland but in African and Asian countries it’s growing bigger and stronger.
It thrives in areas where there are poor and unfortunately a lack of education. Who knows what tales will come out of Africa in the future. It’s a terrible thing when you put faith into an institution, and they abuse you for it.
I dont think it’s going to get much worse than what already comes out of there
Dream on Jay. .. It has seen every type of government in and will see them all out. Don’t let your sad bias blind you so much.
I’m sure the Greeks never thought Zeus would be resigned to the scrap heap,the Vikings Loki,the Romans Apollo,the Egyptians Horus etc. and so it will be with the Abrahamic god. People worshipped the sun because they couldn’t explain it’s existence,with a bit more education the same thing will happen eventually regarding the latest god.
Miracles, schmiracles!
Dogmatic BS.
No matter how you wrap up a stinking rotten fish, no matter how you attempt to cover it with pretty colours and decorations the content is still a rotten stinking old fish. The church like most religions is this stinking rotten fish way past its expiry date, not fit for human consumption.
Excellent analogy Joe .
More PR spin from the corporation’s version of Mr. hopey changey
Lets see Pope Francis do a Bill Gates and donate 99% of the Vatican wealth, Even if the new Pope genuinely wants to do more he will be impeded by the old guard and he is an old man so he wont be around long enough to oversee a dramatic overhaul of this corrupt entity called Vat-Corp.
Also it is amazing how many people support John Paul 2 becoming a Saint, covering up Worldwide abuse is his Legacy regardless if he done other good deeds surely that is enough for people to reject the idea and not to mention Mother Hypocrisy she was a fraud.
But the Faithful will of course defend their idols even in scandal.
No they won’t James. We don’t worship idols, only God. Pope John Paul was judged over the course of his life and not just the latter years in order to become a Saint. He was a good man and tried his best to unearth those responsible . Those efforts are still in progress and the guilty will be uprooted and some already have been. For some strange reason sexual abuse is one of the hardest crimes to prosecute against. Just look at the lack of clarity and continuity in our Irish courts. Rapists get less time than a man who cant afford to pay his taxes. They have been and will be denounced as priests and criminal proceedings will take place.
Broncx if your serious about supporting
The victims and survivors there’s a US based site created by Catholics known as bishopaccountability.org .
The site has some interesting church documents . there is one which was issued in 1922 which proves there is a policy of cover up in cases of child abuse . The document gives specific instructions that such cases must be reported in secret and only to the Holy office in order to protect the “good name ” of the church. So its doubtful that JPII didn’t know . It also has testimonies from clerics and a copy of at least one statement to JPII back in the mid 80s concerning child rape . There is also a section which highlights how whistleblower members of the church were badly treated by their colleagues and superiors for reporting sex crimes etc. This is a site created by Catholics who care about their church and more importantly for its victims .
Thanks Beabad… I’ll have a look. Ive kept track of the situation as much as possible but I have yet to read this.
People unfortunately confuse being catholic with being Christian. The two are not exclusive and if you were to scratch the surface and do even the slightest bit of research you would find the Catholic Church and its twisting of the bible and Jesus’s word is actually anti Christian! The vatican is all about political and financial control, using a spiritual facade to do it. Look at the numerous ‘concordants’ (treatys) they have with countries around the world to start with. This new pope is doing a fantastic job with PR and the world is falling for it. Don’t be fooled!
The belief in the supernatural beings is starting to recede. Most people are questioning the existence of Gods and are demanding rational answers which of course are in short supply. Religion is based upon fear and delusions passed down through generations. It is a very poor substitute for science and education.
It is not a substitute for science or education but they can complement each other. There are many noteworthy Christian scientists, mote versed in both disciplines than you and I and who are to the fore front of modern science, some having won Nobel prizes for the same, who still believe in God. The fact remains that there is good in the world but where that exists we also have evil and the day when we fail to recognise one is the day we fail to recognise the other to our own detriment.
Hi to all concerned.
Why does the clergy hide behind the cloth. Now have a issue with the Nuns who physically and mentally absurd children in their care who was supposed to be trained for a career for a better
working life.
I have to say the women who made a mistake by becoming pregnant were treated abysmally I have witnessed them been sprayed with cold water because they were bold?
How can these people who pass as nuns get away with it suppose to be gods representatives?
I was in the Stanhope St and have asked these god fearing people for my records they claim not to
have any could it be the fact that they have destroyed all records because they do not want to be
held accountable?
Mary Blake
have your say