We have now entered the paranoid stage of the current pontificate:
VATICAN CITY, Sept 21 (Reuters) – Pope Francis has joked that some people in the Church hoped he would not survive his recent colon operation, and denounced vociferous conservative critics for doing “the work of the devil” by undermining the Roman Catholic Church.
Francis made the comments during a meeting with members of the Jesuits, a Catholic religious order, in Slovakia this month. They were reported on Tuesday by the Jesuit magazine La Civilta Cattolica.
Asked about his health by one of the Jesuits, Francis was quoted as replying: “Still alive. Although some people wanted me dead.”
“I know that there were even meetings between prelates who thought that the Pope was in a more serious condition than was being said,” he added. “They were preparing the conclave (to elect a new pope). So be it. Thank God, I am well.”
Go here to read the rest. PopeWatch is sure our paranoid Pope will make life a living hell for any cardinal he suspects of disloyalty. Things always get interesting at the court of a Caudillo during his twilight years.
Don, I’ve often wondered why upper clergy especially can be so afraid.
Is it a fear of being banished to an obscure Nazarene town? Working with the downtrodden? Loss of creature comforts? Of what men (not God) might think? A cross?
Or is it a lack of supernatural faith?
We expect a Bishop or a Cardinal to be a saint in training. Too often they are merely fairly ambitious men, terrified that if they set one foot wrong they will lose everything they have gained by their rise through the heirarchy. Simple careerism is a besetting sin of the clergy.
I won’t shed a tear when this guy dies. The concern is how much more damage to the Church he will do beforehand and even more frightening, who’s next. Unfortunately I see a Francis II. Lord help us.
Accusing EWTN, of all people, of being “of the devil” is possibly the most absurd thing this awful excuse for a Pope has said publicly. It will drive many more people over the line of losing respect for the man (not the Office.) I genuinely pray for him for a holy and peaceful death, because Hell is too terrible to wish on anyone, but I now have an added reason for such hope. It would be most amusing to be a witness when he enters the Gates and finds Mother Angelica waiting for him, not to mention to hear their conversation. 😁
I agree with what Don said, but especially with bishops I think the opposite can be true. I can’t think of the right word for it, so I’ll say “meekness”, but in this case not as a virtue. A lifetime of being in the center of the pack can get you into middle management.
https://youtu.be/v52DkzGWlrQ