Tag Archives: Religiosity

FrancisChurch of unity and love without conditions or elitist religiosity

Why is it that Pope Francis seems to be deathly afraid of physical separation. To him, Heaven is like one enormous living pile.  It doesn’t matter how much it stinks, how uncomfortable, or how hard it is to breath.  So long as there’s unity, there it is. Perhaps that’s why Pope Francis seems to care so little about the meaning or history associated with the word, ‘utopia.‘

“Evangelization can be a way to unite our hopes, concerns, ideals and even utopian visions.” These were the words of Pope Francis during Mass at Quito’s Bicentennial Park today.

Over 1.2 million people attended the event, an unprecedented number given the fact that the population of the city is roughly 1.6 million. The park commemorates the first cries of independence that began against Spanish rule in Latin America in 1809.

Prior to the Mass, the Holy Father held a private meeting with the bishops of Ecuador. He then made his way to the park, where enthusiastic crowds greeted him with cheers and throwing flower petals.

In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on the theme of unity and evangelization. He told the faithful that he wished to see the cries for independence and freedom from exploitation that Bicentennial Park represents “under the beautiful challenge of evangelization.”

Uniting the idea of Christian evangelization with the populist cries of the worst banana republics is the essence of Liberation Theology.

Jesus’ call that all “may be one,” he continued, was raised in a context of mission in the world. A world, he noted, that Christ loved dearly despite experiencing “the worst of the world” in his own flesh.

“We too encounter daily a world torn apart by wars and violence. It would be superficial to think that division and hatred only concern struggles between countries or groups in society. In reality, they are a manifestation of that ‘widespread individualism’ which divides us and sets us against one another, that legacy of sin lurking in the heart of human beings, which causes so much suffering in society and all of creation,” he said.

I’m ready to repeat that I’m not against division.  I’m not falling into that FrancisChurch hole.  It’s not a sin.  In many ways it’s a blessing.  I am against hatred, but I can’t honestly say I’ve seen too much of it.  Mostly I see selfishness, cruelty, and cowardice.  I see the seven deadly sins: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.  ‘Hatred’ is mostly a word used by demagogues and a characteristic of demons.

Then there’s ‘widespread individualism.’  That’s only a sin if you write for a Catholic outlet, teach in a college, or go on television.

The 78-year-old Pontiff said that despite this, Christians are also called to take up Christ’s call and accept the grace and duty of unity through evangelization. However, the Pope explained that unity does not mean uniformity or something that is fashioned with set conditions, which he described as a “religiosity of the elite.” Rather, unity is a concrete proposal by Jesus to love and care for one’s neighbor as explained in the parable of the Samaritan.

OK, Pope Francis.

Division = Bad.

Unity = Good.

Unity ≠ Something that is fashioned with set conditions, i.e. the    “religiosity of the elite.” 

Therefore:

FrancisChurch goodness is unity and love of neighbor so long as it has no conditions, no religiosity, and nothing related to power or money.

Why is the entire world telling us this is Catholic teaching and not just the radical rallying of an resentful ignorant mob?