Pope Leo: It's OK to be a Cultural Catholic



An interesting analysis showed up in intellectual-type discussion of Pope Leo. The link notes the large amount of time Pope Leo has spent traveling, meeting with officials and speaking in Spain and Italy. Pope Francis spent almost none of his travel time there. 

Reading exerts from Leo's speeches, the message I see is, "We who come from a Jesuit background have a focus on the poor and bedraggled. The old message of cultural wars of Pope Benedict is out. Today, we need to include cultural Catholics as real Catholics or there will be no Catholics. If you don't buy into anti-abortion or birth control that's OK. Focus like the Jesuits on the poor and bedraggled." 

The link thinks Leo sees opportunity in Europe. Catholicism's history is so strong there he thinks if that a new version that is Catholic-lite is promoted numbers will improve. Certainly, this is not an approach previous Popes ever considered. 

One problem Leo's new approach is the vast number of older priests and Bishops who cannot see the forest for the trees. When one has spent his entire life being told, "You are among a select group of men identified by Jesus himself to lead the denomination," it is hard for some to be humble. Self-importance is part of becoming a priest. Most priests I have known are not like this, but I've known some who are. The Pope knows many too.

Previous Pope's have tolerated watered-down influence into order to stay in the game. In China, or example, some Bishops are named by the government. This does not conform to the narrative used by     Pope's that Jesus told Peter he is to build the church. Peter and the Popes who followed have been frozen out in some cases in China. 

Why not adopt the same approach in Christian-hostile Europe? That seems to be Leo's approach, stay in the game even if you are losing ground. 

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