Three Years of a Pope Francis Papacy
It has been three years since Pope Francis took the Petrine office. Three long years. His papacy has been nothing but disastrous for the Catholic faith, with Papal audiences shrinking in size. He has caused an enormous amount of confusion not only to the faithful but the entire world as to what Catholicism is and what it means. He has given the impression that Catholicism can change depending on who is the current Pope.
From the beginning of his papacy, he has been manipulating the liturgy to allow for women (and especially non-Catholic women) to have their feet washed during the Holy Thursday liturgy. But Pope Francis had been doing this for many years prior. The difference though was when Pope Francis was only a Cardinal Archbishop he was abusing the liturgy by doing this. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI had both washed the feet of men, the latter washing the feet of priests. It was a beautiful representation of the Vicar of Christ washing the feet of his priests, much like Jesus washed the feet of his priests that night. It was a moment in which we transported back in time.
However, Pope Francis continued his abuse of the foot washing as he became Pope. His defenders said the Pope can change the liturgy though he didn’t. In fact, it wasn’t until January that he changed the liturgy. So really, what has happened is an abuse for the last 2,000 years has just been made permissible by the Holy Father. But the message we hear is how this is more inclusive and more “Catholic”, and those who disagree are not Catholic.
There is a parable that Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew 25 of the shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats. The shepherd will take the sheep with him, and the goats will be taken away. It seems the purpose of this papacy is to do exactly that. Those who adhere to Jesus’ teaching and that of the Church are the sheep, and those who adhere to this Pope’s teachings and ignore the Church’s teachings and traditions are the goats, along with all non-Catholics.
However, the difference though is Pope Francis actively tells the goats that they are good sheep and lavishes them with praise. Meanwhile, he berates the sheep and accuses them of being poor sheep and goat-like, making them think they are not good.
Even more disturbing are those otherwise faithful Catholics who seem to be enjoying his beatings. Pope Francis supporters are every day becoming more masochistic, enjoying the fact that the current Pope berates them for being Catholic. In today’s world, it is Catholic not to be Catholic. When Pope Francis harps about an attitude from the Catholic perspective, these Catholics will nod their head and praise “the spirit” for sending us a Pope, who is looking to change things (and not for the better). There is quite the difference in encouraging Catholics to be more Catholic by examining their faults and lambasting Catholics for being Catholic.
This papacy, God-willing, will not last for much longer, as I’m not sure how much more the Church will be able to bear. Remember, when Pope Benedict XVI abdicated the throne, that very night lightning struck the top of St. Peter’s. Many thought it was an ominous sight.
Looking back, we can confidently say that that was a warning shot from God letting us know that He was not pleased. These last three years have done no good for Catholicism, with the only benefit being how many more people have rediscovered authentic Catholicism. Continue to pray and fast for the Church and this Pope, and pray that his successor will uphold authentic Catholic values.
Articles like this divide the Holy Catholic Church. You should be ashamed.
Popes like this divide the Holy Catholic Church. Simply pointing out that we have a bad pope does not merit shame. You should be ashamed for pinning the blame on the messenger.
AMEN. Not everyone has the grace to see what is taking place for what it really is. The devil is very cunning, and he knows that the strongest way to influence human behavior is an intermittent reinforcement schedule. Perceiving what is happening not only through this Pope but in our world today which has turned its back on God on a colossal scale, requires more than human reasoning for its so clear and so simple to understand.
I’m not even Catholic and all I see this man doing is good. He uses your faith to unite people instead of what religions historically do which is to divide. Is this such a terrible thing or should we subscribe to petty issues that miss the big picture?
That’s mean. lol
So very well stated, Jeff. Again. Thank you. Again. Interesting how one person who comment (and who is also a victim of the charade in shepherd’s clothing) blamed the victim, meaning you as the author and one who has not only the wisdom and insight to see what is clearly taking place but also tremendous courage to speak the truth and be willing to defend God’s honor, His Catholic Church, His Sacred Priesthood, and His people properly as the smoke of Satan continues to pour into Christ’s Church hoping to choke the whole world from inside Christ’s Bride on out. IN GOD WE TRUST, and we also know that you can be trusted. Thanks be to God and His Immaculate Mother for that. Good leaders are needed more than ever before. What a wonder.
Thank you Michelle, You have answered Richard adequately and truthfully.
the church is in confusion concerning the attitude of the pope francis,some blindly accept his way of doing things,while others are astonished and some are truly annoyed .We have not to judge him but how can we excuse him in his antics .1 he inclined in front of Mugabe,2 he refused to sit on the throne of his predecessors [too much of humility is pride]3the washing woman’s feet.4 he sat on a a seat representing the chalice and the host.5 he said that the bible and the koran are the same.6etc etc etc truly i say to you he is an anti ,……..
we should not be ashamed to announce or denounce,its a democratic way to act,sorry for inconvenience that it may caused .Jesus did not hesitate to criticise Pharisees and sadducees and those who imitate them . Fanatics will refuse to accept the reality in their side.
i am a catholic not a blind sheep.i refuse to follow an anti one.
God bless you and your work. THANK YOU.
SAINT JOHN EUDES: “The most evident mark of God’s anger, and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world, is manifest when He permits His people to fall into the hands of a clergy who are more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than the charity and affection of devoted shepherds. They abandon the things of God to devote themselves to the things of the world and, in their saintly calling of holiness, they spend their time in profane and worldly pursuits. When God permits such things, it is a very positive proof that He is thoroughly angry with His people and is visiting His most dreadful wrath upon them.”
You have exposed the current position of the church and the cunningness of antipope. Even the clergy ,bishops knowingly or unknowingly hiding every thing from the faithful and and giving Francis a very clean image,!,!.For what? They do not want to loose positions and favours from Francis
Amen. Let’s hope Jorge is deposed, one way or another, quickly. I can’t imagine that the next one elected could be much different, but I’ll take my chances.
Excellent Post. Keep up the great work Jeff.
I’m not even Catholic and all I’ve seen this man do is good. He uses your faith to bring people together and bring down those barriers which divide us as a human race. Historically, most religions have served as a vehicle to divide and separate us. Yet, we still worry about petty ideas that fail to see the bigger picture.
Read the Catechism. This Popeis doing nothing contrary to it.
You and I must be reading different catechisms then.
You seem in grave danger of schism with this blog.
I don’t think I am. Simply pointing out the errors of Pope Francis does not justify “schism”.