If somebody addressed a body to which I belonged, just before Christmas, in that sort of way, with sixteen paragraphs of sustained and immoderate abuse, I think I would ...
Yes Father, I was also taken aback by this. Not that there isn’t room for curial criticism, but there’s a time and a place… I don’t know what the Spanish equivalent would be, but “Bah! Humbug!” seems appropriate.
It contrasted greatly with Fr. Blake’s appreciation in getting a Christmas card from his bishop…
I don't understand why the HF thinks it helpful to slag off in public a group of people who are, for the most part doing their best to serve him (and us). That isn't usually regarded as an effective strategy for getting the best out of people.
It made me think that if he had genuine criticisms to make (and perhaps he has), they would have been received more warmly had he taken the trouble to be at least a little kind. Wish them a happy Christmas, perhaps.
Struck me as something far more appropriate for the beginning of Advent, and that it ought to have been tempered with encouragement and some greater expression of appreciation.
Yes, His Holiness is either imprudent in this instance, or he is hatching a cunning plan.
According to the Telegraph he also told stunned members of the Curia not to forget to cheer up. Reminds me of that famous Navy instruction (perhaps tongue in cheek, perhaps not)
I think one should look at the Ignatian Exercises to better understand the stratagem of Pope Francis in that recent talk to the Curia. His Jesuit spirituality and training shows rather remarkably in what he said and how he put what he said.
Isn't this just a brilliant piece of ironic self-mockery from our dear Holy Father? Under the guise of criticising the Curia he gently pokes fun at himself.
One shouldn't be indifferent to others and rejoice at their fall, be hardened by whims or passions against real people (the FFI intervention?); one shouldn't be obsessed with vestments and appearance and think that they make one morally superior (the drab 1970s kind especially?); one shouldn't plan too much in advance what one's strategy is and forestall the Spirit, or look for promotion by courting favour (especially when organising Synods, or intriguing between conclaves with other prelates?); etc.
But the masterstroke in this (as I read it) subtle and self-effacing jest is of course the bit about people multiplying their powers, and defaming others to make themselves look better in the media... in an extensively covered media event in which Papa Bergoglio's message could be summarised as Good Pope, Evil Vatican.
" I think a “catalogue” of illnesses will help us – following the way of the Desert Fathers who made those catalogues of which we speak today. It will help us to prepare ourselves for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which will be a good step for us all to prepare ourselves for Christmas."
I thought it was rather appropriate, for the end of the season of Advent.
And he seemed to plainly include himself in the admonition.
If there is such a basic and general failing in the Church's administrative body, the Holy Father ought really to leave no stone unturned until he finds out precisely who it is who is ultimately responsible for the Curia, and have it out with him fearlessly, man to man.
As he is the Holy Father, should not his teaching be well considered, taken seriously, and not criticized for its timing? I'm amazed to read comments like "there's a time and a place." Does truth have a season?
Maybe it was all said with a funny accent.
ReplyDeleteOr he winked.
Or like Baldric, he has a cunning plan.
(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)
Yes Father, I was also taken aback by this. Not that there isn’t room for curial criticism, but there’s a time and a place… I don’t know what the Spanish equivalent would be, but “Bah! Humbug!” seems appropriate.
ReplyDeleteIt contrasted greatly with Fr. Blake’s appreciation in getting a Christmas card from his bishop…
I don't understand why the HF thinks it helpful to slag off in public a group of people who are, for the most part doing their best to serve him (and us). That isn't usually regarded as an effective strategy for getting the best out of people.
ReplyDeleteIt made me think that if he had genuine criticisms to make (and perhaps he has), they would have been received more warmly had he taken the trouble to be at least a little kind. Wish them a happy Christmas, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteStruck me as something far more appropriate for the beginning of Advent, and that it ought to have been tempered with encouragement and some greater expression of appreciation.
ReplyDeleteYes, His Holiness is either imprudent in this instance, or he is hatching a cunning plan.
According to the Telegraph he also told stunned members of the Curia not to forget to cheer up. Reminds me of that famous Navy instruction (perhaps tongue in cheek, perhaps not)
ReplyDelete"Flogging will continue until morale improves"
If a person has existential schizophrenia and seeks God and has good will, who are we to judge?
ReplyDelete(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)
Kudos Dear Father. Thank you for writing that . That took courage.
ReplyDeleteI think one should look at the Ignatian Exercises to better understand the stratagem of Pope Francis in that recent talk to the Curia. His Jesuit spirituality and training shows rather remarkably in what he said and how he put what he said.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this just a brilliant piece of ironic self-mockery from our dear Holy Father? Under the guise of criticising the Curia he gently pokes fun at himself.
ReplyDeleteOne shouldn't be indifferent to others and rejoice at their fall, be hardened by whims or passions against real people (the FFI intervention?); one shouldn't be obsessed with vestments and appearance and think that they make one morally superior (the drab 1970s kind especially?); one shouldn't plan too much in advance what one's strategy is and forestall the Spirit, or look for promotion by courting favour (especially when organising Synods, or intriguing between conclaves with other prelates?); etc.
But the masterstroke in this (as I read it) subtle and self-effacing jest is of course the bit about people multiplying their powers, and defaming others to make themselves look better in the media... in an extensively covered media event in which Papa Bergoglio's message could be summarised as Good Pope, Evil Vatican.
" I think a “catalogue” of illnesses will help us – following the way of the Desert Fathers who made those catalogues of which we speak today. It will help us to prepare ourselves for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which will be a good step for us all to prepare ourselves for Christmas."
ReplyDeleteI thought it was rather appropriate, for the end of the season of Advent.
And he seemed to plainly include himself in the admonition.
If there is such a basic and general failing in the Church's administrative body, the Holy Father ought really to leave no stone unturned until he finds out precisely who it is who is ultimately responsible for the Curia, and have it out with him fearlessly, man to man.
ReplyDeleteAs he is the Holy Father, should not his teaching be well considered, taken seriously, and not criticized for its timing? I'm amazed to read comments like "there's a time and a place." Does truth have a season?
ReplyDeleteDoes truth have a season?
ReplyDeleteSo true. There's never a bad time to liken your employees to Alzheimer patients.
But Father, someone already has had a word with him.
ReplyDeleteAt last sighting, he was on a boat in the Mediterranean, somewhere between Rome and Malta.