Pope Francis I

I suspect the new pope probably liked the new Archbishop's explanation for being unable to make his inauguration: "Sorry, can't come, on pilgrimage around my new province."

I expect that's exactly what Pope Francis will be doing soon. I wonder if we'll see any joint Anglican/Catholic activities?

That would be an ecumenical matter.

Possibly.

The most significant Anglican/Catholic activity currently extant is the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, which was set up to allow disgruntled of Tunbridge Wellses to join the Roman church but still maintain elements of the Anglican patrimony. Pope Francis has, before he was elevated to the Throne of St Peter, said that this was unnecessary and that God would prefer them as Anglicans, who can influence Britain back towards Catholic-style teachings. However, he has apparently accepted the Ordinariate will become a permanent feature of the Catholic Church. Perhaps he doesn't want to "step on the toes", so to speak, of the Anglican church, and would rather co-ordinate Christian evangelism in the UK with the Anglicans, rather than target them as candidates for conversion.

edited 22nd Mar '13 10:09:49 AM by Achaemenid

Francis thinks the US churches are stupid for not just firing paedophiles and wants church trials and firings.

If he keeps this up I might just go ahead and convert.

(Granted, that really shouldn't be an out-of-the-ordinary opinion for a churchman to express, but since it is, props to him)

This guy seems to be just what the Church needed.

Him and everybody else.

<rubs eyes> Wow... that's refreshing. An acknowledgement that a priest who seriously harms his flock should have his vestments yoinked from his back and be bundled into the justice system?

Well... nice to see Logic as I recognise her being expressed.

edited 22nd Mar '13 3:26:46 PM by Euodiachloris

For mere accusation is a bit far. There were a ton of accusations during that feeding frenzy that wound up being admitted false.

A more formal and transparent investigation, and kicking out those convicted, certainly.

Licenses can be restored on proof of innocence. It's not ideal, no, but even if you (generic "you") do believe in God, the literal Word of God still has to go through mortals, who are capable of being in error.

I'm not of the "religion sucks" crowd (nor the more specific flavor targeting Christianity), but as a non-Catholic Christian it seems to me that given the harm done not only to the Church's reputation but to the lives of those harmed by the abuse, harsh measures (if not "Spanish Inquisition" harsh) to clean house, so to speak, are appropriate.

edited 22nd Mar '13 5:50:46 PM by Nohbody

It's hardline but consistent: the first thing you do is remove the accused from a position where they can still do harm.

If further investigations should prove them innocent, that's when you move them to a new parish to make a fresh start.

Certainly seems to be off to a good start. Even little things like working out of a hotel room rather than the Palace apartments because the latter is too large just sends the right kind of message.

So far this Pope's shaping up to be a favorite even of non-religious folks like myself.

Good head on his shoulders. Humble. Willing to make needed reforms to his church to keep them relevant and on the right track.

Course, as usual., the comment section is a bunch of crazed people attempting to paint Catholics as the Church of Satan.

edited 23rd Mar '13 10:12:46 AM by Midgetsnowman

I know at my (Christan Liberal Arts) University he's well regarded because he actually backs up his talk and follows what the Bible actually says, not what people think it says.

Speaking as the token non-christian who was once a fundamentalist christian, I can safely say he's the kind of christian viewpoint I can respect.

Yeah, even if he has some bad points especially concerning social issues, Pope Francis does seem to be one who wants to get the Catholic Church back in order and focus more on helping those who need the Church's help. You've got to at least respect him for that.

edited 24th Mar '13 12:34:44 AM by GameGuruGG

Can we get this made into a general Papal thread? As the election is now over and we've moved onto talking about the new Pope and how he acts. So it being a general Papal thread might be more appropriate.

Edit: Well that was quick. Does it count as me performing a miracle? Can I be made a saint now?

edited 24th Mar '13 10:39:05 AM by Silasw

You need at least one more, if I remember correctly.

You also need, you know, to be dead

But I seem to remember that if you get martyred for the Faith, they waive the miracle requirement. How adventuresome you feeling, Silasw?

But does the Church of England or Scotland ordain Saints?

Charles I was explicitly named as a confirmed saint after the Restoration, and the Anglicans seem to pay at least lip service to the calendar of saints, varying by area. I have seen a calendar of saints put out by the Episcopal Church of the USA which also has people like Martin Luther King Jr on it, besides all the normal saints everyone is familiar with, but I don't recall if these extras were supposed to be 'fully fledged' saints or just really awesome dudes who probably are in heaven.

On-topic Conversations, folks...

Aye and nae laddie. If ye mean saints as, like, a sortae Corporation bus driver twixt ye n the Big Man Upstairs, or a sortae divine postie, the way the Catholics dae, then naw, we dinnae hae any o' that papist, Sassenach, haver up here. Wi presbyterianism, any saved folk get tae be saints, y'see. Oh aye, and a widnae be askin' any o' them fanatical Glesca Orangies aboot the situation either - ye willnae get away wi'oot a skelp in the baws or a dunt oan the heid. Wallopers tae a man. D'ye ken noo?

And I should point oot, this is just what ma pal who's daein Divinity in the big uni at Edinburgh telt me after he'd had tae much buckie, so take it wi' a pinch of salt, eh?

Anyhoo, like the moddie lad says, oan topic blethers only:

He will not be intervening in the Falklands row. Clever of him, not unexpected.

He personally phoned a wee newspaper kiosk in Buenos Aires to cancel his deliveries. A nice touch. PF really seems to have the common touch the Church needs. Reminds me of the contrast between Pius XII and John XXIII, the way he's followed Benedict.

edited 24th Mar '13 3:29:52 PM by Achaemenid

After the less-than-stellar evening I've had, I needed that!