Who's at the Helm of the Barque of Peter? Catholic Writers Express Concern about Pope's Letter

Topsy & Little Eva

Number of Catholic writers expressing concern about Pope’s exhortation rapidly growing

Grow'd like Topsy....

By the way, if you don't know where the expression comes from check it out. Hint: it's a literary illusion to a famous book that helped incite the Civil War.

Plenty of "Gongs Clanging and Cymbals Clashing" in the Pope's Exhortation

Fr. George Rutler has a way with words and his insights are always worth reading or listening to. Here's an excerpt from a recent article on Amoris Laetitia:

there are a lot of gongs clanging and cymbals clashing in the contradictions and redundancies of much of the exhortation’s diction. Parts like the affirmation of Humanae Vitae settle the text in the sacred tradition, but there is also the muddled treatment of moral culpability that almost nods to the neuralgic interpretation of the “fundamental option” theory rejected by St. John Paul II (Veritatis Splendor, nn.65, 67)....

Great Post on Amoris Laetitita Quoting a Dissenter who Pegs It!

St. Ann teaching Mary

But, as the author says, the dissenter rejoices, he himself is in mourning. Me too and other faithful Catholics I know. So much of the apostolic exhortation is beautiful, but like a beautiful dinner that's been poisoned, it will sicken the flock, not nourish it.

I completely agree with James Carroll, the dissenter, that the pope has just brought the practice of pastoral dissent out of the shadows. Those of us who survived the sixties all knew about the dissent to Humanae Vitae: in the confessional, through the conspiracy of silence in the pulpit, through the failure to teach.

For those of us who lived those days it's deja vu. Read the article. It puts things in sad perspective. Keep the faith no matter what those around you are doing. Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.

James Carroll (Yes THAT James Carroll) Pens the Best Analysis Yet of Amoris Laetitia and It's Relation to Post Vatican II Catholicism

Sunday Meditation: Do You Love Me?

In today's gospel Jesus asks that question of Peter --- three times. Why three times? To make up for the triple betrayal on Good Friday. I was reflecting on Peter's betrayal this morning in the light (or the dark) of the pope's apostolic exhortation. I admit outright that I haven't read more than the first few pages yet, but people I respect have read it. And they are saying things that don't exactly bolster one's confidence in the outcome we'll see following the promulgation of this encyclopedic exhortation.