"...their appeals for peace risk becoming utopian — aspirations that lack the means necessary for their fulfilment."
To some degree this articulates the deficiency of the Pope's intervention, but perception in the United States is that the Holy Father is not only speaking from his pastoral experience but with a prejudice against the United States and against President Trump as well. Both "sides of the aisle" see this. I surely do and I could not be more disappointed. Those who are giving the Holy Father the benefit of the doubt [and it is doubt] appear to be idealizing the man and the office he holds. The papacy is not a magical enterprise. Bishop Melchior Cano, O.P., at the Council of Trent stated: “Peter has no need of our lies or flattery. Those who blindly and indiscriminately defend every decision of the Supreme Pontiff are the very ones who do most to undermine the authority of the Holy See – they destroy instead of strengthening its foundations.”
In reality the Holy See has the upper hand here, or could have. It merely need articulate its concerns without any semblance of prejudice. It should clearly acknowledge the abysmal tyrannical conditions within the Islamic state and rebuke its belligerence against the international community. It should acknowledge its disingenuous participation in past dialogue and present negotiations. Lacking at least this, Leo paints himself at the very least a pawn of the radical wing of the Democrat party, an Obama tool. He must exercise more prudence in the future by not sitting down with the likes of a David Axelrod for an hour and a half in the middle of world chaos. He might, as well, express a bit more appreciation for the values inherent in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution as we approach the 250th anniversary of our independence.
April 19-25 is America reads the Bible Week. The President and a number of Republicans will participate. I'm unaware of Democrat participation but surely a few will. We have relatively strong though porous separation between Church and State, but far less draconian than much of Europe. The nominal Presbyterian, though devout pragmatist, has offered abundant support for the principles of Catholicism in during his tenure. The response of the USCCB has been far less reciprocal.
With this intervention in international affairs Leo continues to grossly miscalculated. Retention of the Bergoglian personnel, episcopal appointments, the continuation of synodal theatrics and his support of the scandalous Marian minimalism of Tucho Fernandez...and now this "utopian" intervention in world affairs for which he has no credential at all. It is as if a protracted adolescent stuck in seventies Catholicism has been left off the leash.
Well said, thanks. This week I have been reflecting on the religious dissonance of the Pope as diplomat v the Pope as priest of Jesus Christ. It's a tension that has been present in the papacy for centuries, but came into stark relief with some of the comments made in the last week or so. Add into that mix some undoubted personal opinions the Pope has, it can create quite a mess.
For years I have argued with politically motivated social justice warriors that there will not be social justice and peace in the world until the world is converted and recognizes that the only peace is Jesus Christ! I’m happy to see that others with a bigger “soap box” than mine are now saying the same thing!
Well said, Fr. Bux. It is very troubling to this American Catholic to witness the feud between the Pope and our President. Perhaps they can meet quietly in a place like Malta for a day or two and enjoy some wine and pasta and have a meeting of the minds about their shared goals to foster lasting peace in the very troubled region of the Middle East. Yes, mutual humble apologies quietly expressed for harsh words and scolding criticisms. God Almighty would be pleased. 🤠🙏 Phil Sevilla, San Antonio, TX
I hope Pope Leo reads and understands and takes to his heart this fundamental Truth. And that he starts preaching in an unmistakable and unambiguous and unapologetic Way Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
If the Church returned to the original mission of preaching the Gospel with boldness, many souls would be saved and peace would abound. So many of all of us (clergy and laity alike) get distracted and lax from this. Come Holy Spirit! Renew our hearts, our fervor, our minds and our courage to stand for Jesus Christ.
The vatican leadership is incapable of serving its mission and mandate. How can apostates, people who dont believe in the deposit of faith serve in the church. Wake UP
I believe this is why shared values in any community is essential to peace, and conversion to Christ is existential to promoting peace, unity and empowerment of disciples to further communities of shared values. This also makes me understand the church must take back it's larger role in society which has been usurped by government. The role of charity on a much larger scale.
At last!!! He is saying what I have been wanting to hear! Our Lady of Fatima saw so clearly and stated it this way: War is a punishment for sin. She also gives us the prayers and the path to conversion. “ I offer this (your act) for Love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for the sins against the Immaculate Heart of Mary”. “ Make of everything you do a sacrifice”. We must listen to this Best Mother.
Pope Leo has spoken repeatedly about peace coming about through reconciled hearts - he always manages to get the kerygma into his speeches, if one has the eyes to see it. Which is why the rest of us need to pray for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those who hear him and the Bishops, so that the Word lands on good soil.
What I mean is that he is speaking clearly- but many times people are not ready to hear the Gospel, which the Lord himself says needs to fall on good soil. I'm sure you've experienced this as I have- speaking about Jesus to people who look back at you, not understanding, because they do not yet have ears to hear it. And then later on something clicks for them and they 'get' it. Pope Leo speaks very clearly, in my opinion.
See for example his address today at the Marian Shrine in Angola:
"We have meditated on the Glorious Mysteries of Jesus’ life, contemplating our destiny in his exaltation and our mission in his love. At Easter, Christ conquered death, showing us the way back to the Father. And so that we too may walk this luminous and demanding path, sharing its beauty with the whole world, he has given us his Spirit, who animates and sustains us on our journey and in our mission. Like Mary, we too are made for heaven."
Problem is many times people only see quotes, not the whole speech, because the media doesn't highlight the kerygma, because they do not have ears to hear it.
I sincerely hope many(!) will read and take to heart this insightful and clarifying statement.
This is brilliant!
"To speak of peace without proclaiming Christ is to propose an effect without its cause."
"...their appeals for peace risk becoming utopian — aspirations that lack the means necessary for their fulfilment."
To some degree this articulates the deficiency of the Pope's intervention, but perception in the United States is that the Holy Father is not only speaking from his pastoral experience but with a prejudice against the United States and against President Trump as well. Both "sides of the aisle" see this. I surely do and I could not be more disappointed. Those who are giving the Holy Father the benefit of the doubt [and it is doubt] appear to be idealizing the man and the office he holds. The papacy is not a magical enterprise. Bishop Melchior Cano, O.P., at the Council of Trent stated: “Peter has no need of our lies or flattery. Those who blindly and indiscriminately defend every decision of the Supreme Pontiff are the very ones who do most to undermine the authority of the Holy See – they destroy instead of strengthening its foundations.”
In reality the Holy See has the upper hand here, or could have. It merely need articulate its concerns without any semblance of prejudice. It should clearly acknowledge the abysmal tyrannical conditions within the Islamic state and rebuke its belligerence against the international community. It should acknowledge its disingenuous participation in past dialogue and present negotiations. Lacking at least this, Leo paints himself at the very least a pawn of the radical wing of the Democrat party, an Obama tool. He must exercise more prudence in the future by not sitting down with the likes of a David Axelrod for an hour and a half in the middle of world chaos. He might, as well, express a bit more appreciation for the values inherent in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution as we approach the 250th anniversary of our independence.
April 19-25 is America reads the Bible Week. The President and a number of Republicans will participate. I'm unaware of Democrat participation but surely a few will. We have relatively strong though porous separation between Church and State, but far less draconian than much of Europe. The nominal Presbyterian, though devout pragmatist, has offered abundant support for the principles of Catholicism in during his tenure. The response of the USCCB has been far less reciprocal.
With this intervention in international affairs Leo continues to grossly miscalculated. Retention of the Bergoglian personnel, episcopal appointments, the continuation of synodal theatrics and his support of the scandalous Marian minimalism of Tucho Fernandez...and now this "utopian" intervention in world affairs for which he has no credential at all. It is as if a protracted adolescent stuck in seventies Catholicism has been left off the leash.
All that said, Father Bux is simply brilliant.
Well said, thanks. This week I have been reflecting on the religious dissonance of the Pope as diplomat v the Pope as priest of Jesus Christ. It's a tension that has been present in the papacy for centuries, but came into stark relief with some of the comments made in the last week or so. Add into that mix some undoubted personal opinions the Pope has, it can create quite a mess.
For years I have argued with politically motivated social justice warriors that there will not be social justice and peace in the world until the world is converted and recognizes that the only peace is Jesus Christ! I’m happy to see that others with a bigger “soap box” than mine are now saying the same thing!
Well said, Fr. Bux. It is very troubling to this American Catholic to witness the feud between the Pope and our President. Perhaps they can meet quietly in a place like Malta for a day or two and enjoy some wine and pasta and have a meeting of the minds about their shared goals to foster lasting peace in the very troubled region of the Middle East. Yes, mutual humble apologies quietly expressed for harsh words and scolding criticisms. God Almighty would be pleased. 🤠🙏 Phil Sevilla, San Antonio, TX
I hope Pope Leo reads and understands and takes to his heart this fundamental Truth. And that he starts preaching in an unmistakable and unambiguous and unapologetic Way Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
I am a great fan of Msgr Nicola Bux. Please let's share this with many.
If the Church returned to the original mission of preaching the Gospel with boldness, many souls would be saved and peace would abound. So many of all of us (clergy and laity alike) get distracted and lax from this. Come Holy Spirit! Renew our hearts, our fervor, our minds and our courage to stand for Jesus Christ.
“This helps explain why many modern appeals to peace appear ineffective..”
Peace without Christ is just peace of this world. Most unfortunately, it became almost an idol in last decades.
Pope Benedict XVI on Christ as Peace:
https://danapavlick.substack.com/p/we-gave-you-strict-ordersto-stop
The vatican leadership is incapable of serving its mission and mandate. How can apostates, people who dont believe in the deposit of faith serve in the church. Wake UP
I believe this is why shared values in any community is essential to peace, and conversion to Christ is existential to promoting peace, unity and empowerment of disciples to further communities of shared values. This also makes me understand the church must take back it's larger role in society which has been usurped by government. The role of charity on a much larger scale.
Amen!
At last!!! He is saying what I have been wanting to hear! Our Lady of Fatima saw so clearly and stated it this way: War is a punishment for sin. She also gives us the prayers and the path to conversion. “ I offer this (your act) for Love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for the sins against the Immaculate Heart of Mary”. “ Make of everything you do a sacrifice”. We must listen to this Best Mother.
Pope Leo has spoken repeatedly about peace coming about through reconciled hearts - he always manages to get the kerygma into his speeches, if one has the eyes to see it. Which is why the rest of us need to pray for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those who hear him and the Bishops, so that the Word lands on good soil.
Or he could preach boldly.
Or he could preach clearly, without prejudice.
What I mean is that he is speaking clearly- but many times people are not ready to hear the Gospel, which the Lord himself says needs to fall on good soil. I'm sure you've experienced this as I have- speaking about Jesus to people who look back at you, not understanding, because they do not yet have ears to hear it. And then later on something clicks for them and they 'get' it. Pope Leo speaks very clearly, in my opinion.
See for example his address today at the Marian Shrine in Angola:
"We have meditated on the Glorious Mysteries of Jesus’ life, contemplating our destiny in his exaltation and our mission in his love. At Easter, Christ conquered death, showing us the way back to the Father. And so that we too may walk this luminous and demanding path, sharing its beauty with the whole world, he has given us his Spirit, who animates and sustains us on our journey and in our mission. Like Mary, we too are made for heaven."
Problem is many times people only see quotes, not the whole speech, because the media doesn't highlight the kerygma, because they do not have ears to hear it.