Noted below are the 15 critiques of Pope Francis of Argentina.
When elected pontiff, Francis was given a mandate of reforming the Curia- the religious body of leaders (mostly Italian) housed in the Holy Vatican in Rome, Italy. Prior to his election, Francis of Argentina, had not been a part of the Curia in Rome, so he is uncovering the corruptions of this body as an outsider who was granted access within.
Rarely have we seen such a powerful figure speak with the power of his conviction. What he speaks about inspires me daily to find (or create) the kind of fellowship that would actually please Christ. In many ways, our modern expression of religion is but a re-working of the things Christ seemed to be freeing us from. Sadly, constantly searching for physical evidence of our spiritual liberty relegates lifelong Christians to the same status as brand new Christians- saved and confused. Humility and introspection remain the hallmark of God's hope for mankind and the church, while the status and longevity of the devout disagree.
Pope Francis spoke words that virtually exposed the leaders they most applied to. The discomfort in the room was palpable, even on television, and the scene reminded me of that twice a year sermon that always happened when I was young in which nobody but the first lady said Amen. Divine compulsion might have forced Pope Francis to somewhat abandon his original Christmas address in place of the admonishment that he delivered, because this address was spirit-filled and honest. It was almost too honest to be written and not edited away from the toes that it stepped on.
More than anything,Francis helped me to confirm my own compulsion towards uncomfortable truths. When it appeared that several of the cardinals could not calm their angst sufficiently, I clung to the image with an equal feeling of inspiration towards their agitator and fear for the imagination of the powerful men being agitated.
There was a time when Pope Francis would be subject to the same danger that befalls every leader that dared to be honest with the church. Pope's have always been targets for physical attacks or assassination attempts by outsiders, but has Francis suddenly invited the indignation of the righteously indignant within? If Christ intended to free the Jew from justification by ritual, has the Catholic simply changed the name but kept the game the same? How many of those cardinals who were responsible for the selection of Francis feel slighted by the Pope? How many of those who did not want Francis feel enraged?
If not for the fact that the Pope was speaking directly to the influence of politics within the Vatican, I would have little concern for the direction that papal politics shall take in response. The reason truth and honesty are in such small supply in our world is because we usually kill it off. Whatever spirits Pope Francis decided to protest against are spirits that live within the Curia. Destructive spirits naturally operate on a kill or be killed mentality.
Pope Francis constantly makes me a better me, and this speech was true to form. Nonetheless, this time I am more inspired and afraid for him than ever before.
15 Critiques from Pope Francis
1) Feeling immortal, immune or indispensable. "A Curia that doesn't criticize itself, that doesn't update itself, that doesn't seek to improve itself is a sick body."
2) Working too hard. "Rest for those who have done their work is necessary, good and should be taken seriously."
3) Becoming spiritually and mentally hardened. "It's dangerous to lose that human sensibility that lets you cry with those who are crying, and celebrate those who are joyful."
4) Planning too much. "Preparing things well is necessary, but don't fall into the temptation of trying to close or direct the freedom of the Holy Spirit, which is bigger and more generous than any human plan."
5) Working without coordination, like an orchestra that produces noise. "When the foot tells the hand, 'I don't need you' or the hand tells the head 'I'm in charge.'"
6) Having 'spiritual Alzheimer's.' "We see it in the people who have forgotten their encounter with the Lord ... in those who depend completely on their here and now, on their passions, whims and manias, in those who build walls around themselves and become enslaved to the idols that they have built with their own hands."
7) Being rivals or boastful. "When one's appearance, the color of one's vestments or honorific titles become the primary objective of life."
8) Suffering from 'existential schizophrenia.' "It's the sickness of those who live a double life, fruit of hypocrisy that is typical of mediocre and progressive spiritual emptiness that academic degrees cannot fill. It's a sickness that often affects those who, abandoning pastoral service, limit themselves to bureaucratic work, losing contact with reality and concrete people."
9) Committing the 'terrorism of gossip.' "It's the sickness of cowardly people who, not having the courage to speak directly, talk behind people's backs."
10) Glorifying one's bosses. "It's the sickness of those who court their superiors, hoping for their benevolence. They are victims of careerism and opportunism, they honor people who aren't God."
11) Being indifferent to others. "When, out of jealousy or cunning, one finds joy in seeing another fall rather than helping him up and encouraging him."
12) Having a 'funereal face.' "In reality, theatrical severity and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity. The apostle must be polite, serene, enthusiastic and happy and transmit joy wherever he goes."
13) Wanting more. "When the apostle tries to fill an existential emptiness in his heart by accumulating material goods, not because he needs them but because he'll feel more secure."
14) Forming 'closed circles' that seek to be stronger than the whole. "This sickness always starts with good intentions but as time goes by, it enslaves its members by becoming a cancer that threatens the harmony of the body and causes so much bad — scandals — especially to our younger brothers."
15) Seeking worldly profit and showing off. "It's the sickness of those who insatiably try to multiply their powers and to do so are capable of calumny, defamation and discrediting others, even in newspapers and magazines, naturally to show themselves as being more capable than others."
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