I recently learned that someone I know has finally and fully left the Catholic Church. It wasn't because of the pedophile scandal or birth control or any of the other usual suspects. It was because of Pope Francis.
The pope, formerly Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a Jesuit and, of course, a Latin American. Although many Latin Americans hailed the first election of a pope from their continent, at least one of their number is so outraged at Pope Francis's election and subsequent activities that he has lost what little faith he may have had.
This person, born and raised in Latin America, was once a member of the privileged elite. But the socialist revolutions across the continent sent him into exile, twice, while his family was denounced and threatened for their status and their decision to leave the "socialist paradise." It was during this period that "liberation theology" came into vogue, with Catholic clergy members, especially Jesuits, promoting the cause of the poor in the political arena. Pope John Paul II clamped down on these liberation theology priests, but Pope Francis has apparently reinstated them.
So on Christmas Day, a family came to mass without its husband/father. He came as far as the church parking lot but remained in the car to protest the pope who supports the people who insulted his parents and to defy the God who "shits on him" by giving him special needs children, a stunted career, and only a modest dwelling.
It's hard to pray for a guy like this, but I guess it's what one is called to do.
The pope, formerly Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a Jesuit and, of course, a Latin American. Although many Latin Americans hailed the first election of a pope from their continent, at least one of their number is so outraged at Pope Francis's election and subsequent activities that he has lost what little faith he may have had.
This person, born and raised in Latin America, was once a member of the privileged elite. But the socialist revolutions across the continent sent him into exile, twice, while his family was denounced and threatened for their status and their decision to leave the "socialist paradise." It was during this period that "liberation theology" came into vogue, with Catholic clergy members, especially Jesuits, promoting the cause of the poor in the political arena. Pope John Paul II clamped down on these liberation theology priests, but Pope Francis has apparently reinstated them.
So on Christmas Day, a family came to mass without its husband/father. He came as far as the church parking lot but remained in the car to protest the pope who supports the people who insulted his parents and to defy the God who "shits on him" by giving him special needs children, a stunted career, and only a modest dwelling.
It's hard to pray for a guy like this, but I guess it's what one is called to do.