(W)e can walk as much we want, we can build many things, but if we do not confess Jesus Christ, nothing will avail. We will become a pitiful NGO, but not the Church, the Bride of Christ.
via The Sacred Page: Pope Francis’ First Homily.
You can read the entire first Homily at The Sacred Page. Let’s let the Cardinal who became Bishop of Rome pastor as he is known for.
While I do not agree with some of his past statements, I cannot judge him as Pope because he hasn’t been Pope. I see many of my friends do this, judging, and it troubles me. From what we understand, Pope Francis is a pastor at heart. So, let’s see.
Joel L. Watts holds a Masters of Arts from United Theological Seminary with a focus in literary and rhetorical criticism of the New Testament. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific discoveries of the past century. He is the author of Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark: Introduction and Commentary (Wipf and Stock, 2013) and a co-editor and contributor to From Fear to Faith: Stories of Hitting Spiritual Walls (Energion, 2013).
Website: → Unsettled Christianity
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I see what you’re getting at, and I mean that. However, it’s very difficult to see past statements like gay adoption being discriminatory towards children and homosexual activism being a plan to destroy God’s plan.
He can still effect change for the church. There is plenty to be done about child rape and bureaucratic corruption. However, the kind of discrimination evident in statements like those I mentioned is pretty stark.
No, I’m not happy about that either, but we do know from experience that pastoral roles change people. And, if just maybe we allow that the Spirit of God can change people, well…