Conversations in Rome

The Francis Effect with John Thavis

'There’s been a lot of media attention to Pope Francis’ now-famous phone call to an Argentine woman who is civilly married to a divorced man, reportedly telling her she could receive Communion.

While in Rome this week, I’ve made some soundings inside the Roman Curia, and found concern among Vatican officials in two areas. First, they’re worried about the doctrinal and pastoral implications of the pope’s supposed remarks, and the risk of raising expectations for a change in church policy that may never occur.

Second, and more broadly, they’re concerned that the Vatican is losing control over papal communication. In that sense, the phone call was a tipping point: an institution that has spoken for centuries in a formal, calibrated hierarchy of expression is now headed by a man who chats on the phone, delivers soundbites to reporters and improvises daily sermons.'

You can read the full article here.

Fr Dwight Longnecker has written a post on the subject matter of that article which can be read here and Fr Z has a really excellent synopsis - otherwise known as a 'rant' - here, his take on the Synod.

Also, let's pray that 'Fr Bergoglio' in his role as Supreme Pontiff does not make any phone calls to the LCWR!