'Each one of us is invited to recognize in the fragile human being the face of the Lord, who, in his human flesh, experienced the indifference and loneliness to which we often condemn the poorest, either in the developing nations or in the developed societies. Each child that is unborn, but is unjustly condemned to be aborted, bears the face of Jesus Christ, bears the face of the Lord, who, even before he was born, and then as soon as he was born experienced the rejection of the world. And also each old person and - I spoke of the child, let us also speak of the elderly, another point! And each old person, even if infirm or at the end of his days, bears the face of Christ. They cannot be discarded, as the "culture of waste" proposes! They cannot be discarded!'
~ Pope Francis
I have a funny feeling the media will not report it, but this will be a welcome boost to those who have dedicated their lives for campaigning for the unborn child.
5 comments:
The Pope - and all Catholics, and persons of goodwill, especially bishops and priests - need to say this " all of the time". The most grave and pervasive evil killing the most innocent and defenceless systematically on an industrial scale requires constant, tireless warfare. I fear the pervasiveness of this gravest soul-destroying sin has darkened many minds, deadened many consciences so that we have become hardened, innured - and think it can somehow be ignored most of the time. The opposite is true. We all have a duty to positively fight against this evil which causes the death of countless innocents which we have a duty to protect. Silence in these circumstances is gravely sinful, the more so for those who have greater responsibility for saving souls, priests, bishops (parents, teachers, etc. in respect of those for whom they have moral authority). There can be no living as a Catholic, or a good person if one is not doing ones duty to fight the worst evils most threatening to the salvation of most - it is a matter of salvation for oneself.
His words sound hollow to me now. He says this but yesterday he said that. Methinks this particular snippet was suggested to him for a little damage control. I don't trust him ~ wow, I can't believe I'm feeling this way about the Pope.
The barque of Peter is always the same ship.
Sometimes we have strong oarsmen (thinking here of Pius X), and sometimes we have master navigators (our recent Benedict and JPII come to mind); rarely we are graced with pure genius in seafaring matters (Leo XIII and Pius XII are natural contenders), but at times we must sit back and clench the fist in faithful hope of avoiding the sands (naming no names).
The rock stands firm against the waves. And Francis is Peter.
Great captains are rare - let's hope, that in time, Francis flowers into one.
Elizabeth is harsh. Teaching has to be set in a context. I think (I hope I am right) he is saying that teaching has to be within a context and the context for a Christian is salvation in Christ.
529 Esersit
Post a Comment