Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
Mon Jan 6, 2014, 07:17 PM Jan 2014

The Trouble With Francis: Three Things That Worry Me

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/sexandgender/7484/the_trouble_with_francis__three_things_that_worry_me/

January 6, 2014
By MARY E. HUNT

Mary E. Hunt, Ph.D., is a feminist theologian who is co-founder and co-director of the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. A Roman Catholic active in the women-church movement, she lectures and writes on theology and ethics with particular attention to liberation issues.


A pope who loves and is easy to love—so what's the problem?

Will Pope Francis be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated engaging in "spiritual exercises" in next month's issue?

Given the spate of media attention he has received in the U.S. market, I will not be surprised by anything. Just to head off distractions, let me stipulate that I do have a heart, and approve of the personal direction of this pope: a simple lifestyle, a commitment to the poor, a soft touch with those who are young or ill, all indicate a fine human being, indeed what Christianity would hold up as a model.

I note only that his predecessor popes and some of their episcopal sycophants gave the job such a bad name that the bar is low. Undoing their structures and policies, especially regarding criminal sexual scandals and Vatican finances, will take longer than these first nine months of the Francis papacy.

The phenomenon of a pope becoming a pop culture icon is fascinating, troubling, and not a little confusing. Here are a few of the puzzles I'm struggling with as I try to make sense of the current Catholic religious scene.

more at lnk
14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Trouble With Francis: Three Things That Worry Me (Original Post) cbayer Jan 2014 OP
And here's the linky-dink! struggle4progress Jan 2014 #1
Oops. Thanks for that. cbayer Jan 2014 #2
So, would it be better that the Pope gets no press coverage and these issues not be discussed? pinto Jan 2014 #3
She understands, for the most part skepticscott Jan 2014 #4
What is her own precarious spot at the table? nt goldent Jan 2014 #7
The same precarious spot at the table skepticscott Jan 2014 #8
I don't think she is a reporter goldent Jan 2014 #9
Thanks, I read the post skepticscott Jan 2014 #10
Funny how she says the same things many of us have been saying, trotsky Jan 2014 #12
Well argued article. nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #5
This pope rubs a wide range of people the wrong way goldent Jan 2014 #6
It depends on whether he does some things that lead to actual changes, imo. cbayer Jan 2014 #11
Very true. goldent Jan 2014 #13
I'm pleased that he's rubbing the fanatics okasha Jan 2014 #14

pinto

(106,886 posts)
3. So, would it be better that the Pope gets no press coverage and these issues not be discussed?
Mon Jan 6, 2014, 09:54 PM
Jan 2014

Yeah, he was on the cover of a couple of magazines. Has become something of a pop culture item. So what?

I think the press coverage, which seems the primary point of the author, is a good thing. Obviously he and the media interest has stirred up some stuff.



&feature=player_embedded
 

skepticscott

(13,029 posts)
4. She understands, for the most part
Mon Jan 6, 2014, 11:20 PM
Jan 2014
To say it baldly, the nicer the pope the stronger the papacy, and the harsher the pope the stronger the papacy.

substantive structural and doctrinal issues do not evaporate just because the pope does not wear Prada.

But she's a little too concerned with her own precarious spot at the table to come right out and say everything that needs to be said. And does she really not understand how women can be "valued" in the RCC, even though they cannot be ordained and do not have the authority to make decisions about things that matter? Indentured servants used to be valued, too.
 

skepticscott

(13,029 posts)
8. The same precarious spot at the table
Tue Jan 7, 2014, 07:35 AM
Jan 2014

that virtually every reporter in Washington is so concerned about preserving. Made even more precarious by her status.

goldent

(1,582 posts)
9. I don't think she is a reporter
Tue Jan 7, 2014, 09:18 AM
Jan 2014

>Mary E. Hunt, Ph.D., is a feminist theologian who is co-founder and co-director of the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. A Roman Catholic active in the women-church movement, she lectures and writes on theology and ethics with particular attention to liberation issues.

Looking at the blogs, I don't think she tows the Vatican line

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
12. Funny how she says the same things many of us have been saying,
Tue Jan 7, 2014, 01:09 PM
Jan 2014

and getting shat upon for doing so.

I guess when you're a liberal theologian, your opinion matters. When you're a liberal atheist, you need to STFU and genuflect.

goldent

(1,582 posts)
6. This pope rubs a wide range of people the wrong way
Tue Jan 7, 2014, 02:33 AM
Jan 2014

I think that is his goal.

But the new becomes old, and I guess after another year or so, people will grow used to him. We won't hear so much outside of Catholic circles except for the occasional news soundbite as he travels around the world.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
11. It depends on whether he does some things that lead to actual changes, imo.
Tue Jan 7, 2014, 01:01 PM
Jan 2014

The upcoming meeting of the cardinals should be interesting. They can either sit on their hands and do nothing or begin the process that will lead to real change.

okasha

(11,573 posts)
14. I'm pleased that he's rubbing the fanatics
Tue Jan 7, 2014, 06:06 PM
Jan 2014

at both ends of the spectrum the wrong way. It's an indication he may actually be open to change, since both types of extremists desperately want him not to change the Church.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»The Trouble With Francis:...