Tag: pope francis

Pope Francis Publishes First Book

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Pope Francis lays out his case for emphasizing the merciful face of the Catholic Church in his first book as pontiff, saying God never tires of forgiving and actually prefers the sinners who repent over self-righteous moralizers who don’t.

CHR Comment: Based on reviews, Pope Francis is clear that he believes God is merciful and that Christians should also be merciful. However, the book is not clear on another point of doctrine that is essential to that emphasis. It does not provide clear answers about sin, or at least about certain controversial topics. If the doctrine of sin remains unclear, then the doctrine of repentance and forgiveness remains unclear. If forgiveness is unclear, people may be left in self-righteousness or uncertainty and the result is not mercy but malaise. More to come on all this, to be sure.

The second review posted below includes some direct quotations of the book. His comments on the issues of corruption are most interesting.

Source: Francis lays out case for mercy in 1st book as pope – The Washington Post

USA Today Review with Quotations

Pope Francis Approves Mother Teresa for Sainthood

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Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work with the poor.

CHR Comment: Mother Teresa (1910-1997) was declared a saint by Pope Francis. The leader of the Missionaries of Charity was widely respected for her work among the poor in Calcutta, India, and as an advocate for human dignity. The article includes a fine infographic that explains the process by which someone is approved for sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church as well as biographical information.

Source: Pope Francis approves Mother Teresa for sainthood

Pope Francis Declares Extraordinary Jubilee

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Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday, marking the beginning of the Jubilee of Mercy — a special Holy Year, amid heightened security. More than 10 million pilgrims are expected.

CHR Comment: While visiting the Central African Republic, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary Jubilee. According to the article, a jubilee of mercy and indulgences typically occurs every 25 years. But Pope Francis has declares this new one after only 15 years.

Source: Pope Francis opens Holy Door to begin Jubilee of Mercy

Pope Francis Visits Ugandan Shrine Amid Gay Rights Debate

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Pope Francis traveled to Uganda’s holiest shrine on Saturday, paying tribute to 19th century Christian martyrs killed for their faith.

CHR Comment: The 47 Ugandan martyrs were burned by King Buganda Mwanga II. One issue was the king’s homosexual advances toward boy pages in his court. Martyr Charles Lwanga was killed for trying to protect these boys. The story of this martyr intersects with current issues of homosexuality. Uganda has passed strong laws against homosexual acts, though western officials have regarded such laws as repressive.

Source: Pope Francis Visits Ugandan Shrine Amid Gay Rights Debate – NBC News

Religion in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Pope Francis celebrates Mass with many thousands of people in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on his first visit as pontiff to Africa.

CHR Comment: The segment and video on the changing demographics in Africa and Catholicism is helpful. You will find it near the end of the article. Otherwise, the report is about the enthusiasm of Africans for the Pope’s visit.

Source: Pope Francis celebrates rain-soaked Mass in Kenya – BBC News

Pope Francis Due in Kenya at Start of African Tour

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Pope Francis is due in Kenya at the start of a three-nation visit to Africa, with thousands expected to come out to welcome him on his first visit to the continent.

CHR Comment: According to the article, the chief topics that Pope Francis will address are corruption, poverty, and religious conflict. In some of the nations he will visit, Muslims have attacked Christians (e.g., Kenya). African Catholics are gaining influence at the Vatican due to their increasing numbers. The article notes that one out of six Catholics lives in Africa.

Source: Pope Francis due in Kenya at start of African tour – BBC News

Catholics, Lutherans Preparing Joint Reformation Anniversary Event

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CHR Comment: The Pope recently visited a Lutheran congregation in Rome. According to Rev. Martin Junge, president of the Lutheran World Federation, the last three popes have made such visits and relations are mending between Lutherans and Catholics, working toward intercommunion. Expect significant develops around the time of the 2017 anniversary of the Reformation.

Source: Catholics, Lutherans preparing joint Reformation anniversary event

Defrocked Gay Vatican Priest Pins Hopes on Pope Francis

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The Polish priest announced on Oct. 3 that he was gay, on the eve of the Vatican’s synod on the family.

CHR Comment: The interview expresses significant disappointment in the synod on the family, the Vatican, and the Catholic Church in general. Charamsa does not think the church will change its doctrine. Yet the disaffected priest still expresses hope that Pope Francis will foster greater openness to homosexual Roman Catholics. One wonders how Charamsa’s public and defiant actions affected future discussions of the issues.

Source: Defrocked gay Vatican priest says he has no regrets

African Bishops Criticize Vatican’s Priorities as Eurocentric

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The Catholic Church’s increasing diversity has deepened the rift between conservatives and progressives as Pope Francis pushes increasing acceptance for marginalized church members.

CHR Comment: Africans now comprise 16% of the Roman Catholic Church, which gives them greater influence. However, European and North American Catholics (“westerners”) still have 32% of the members and set the agenda for church discussions.

Source: African bishops criticize Vatican’s priorities as ‘Eurocentric’ – CSMonitor.com