Wow. Pope Francis told Catholics to go make a “mess.” How awesome is that?
Pope Francis reportedly said:
“I want to tell you something. What is it that I expect as a consequence of World Youth Day? I want a mess. We knew that in Rio there would be great disorder, but I want trouble in the dioceses!” he said, speaking off the cuff in his native Spanish. “I want to see the church get closer to the people. I want to get rid of clericalism, the mundane, this closing ourselves off within ourselves, in our parishes, schools or structures. Because these need to get out!”
The call to Christ is a radical one. Love is countercultural. Embrace your inner radical.
Remember what Jesus said about lukewarm Christians.
July 29, 2013 at 12:29 pm
I wish somebody would quit using google translate. I looked this up in Spanish because make a mess doesnt make sense! He said, "hacer un lío," which means, shake things up in this context. That does make sense. He also told the bishops to get out of their offices and cathedrals and live with the people.
Thanks, Matt
July 29, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Guitars and felt banners 2.0. Too thrilling.
July 29, 2013 at 3:08 pm
I don't know what it's like in Argentina, but in my experience in North America, the Church has always been close to the people, sharing the joys & pains of life. This is becoming less & less likely, only due to the shortage of priests & religious. Does the Pope have an idea for increasing vocations? I understand he was none too successful in getting them in Argentina.
On the other hand, my experience of clericalism has been one where those who complained about how it used to be in "pre-Vatican times" were themselves the worst when it came to "my way or the highway" attitudes. And the mundane is the status quo in most liturgical celebrations around here as well as the papal celebrations at WYD.
July 29, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Ok, lets's put this in context.
Francis has recently appointed Msgr. Ricca a notorious member of the infamous "gay lobby" to reform the Vatican Bank. He has called traditionalists Pelagians and is cracking down on the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate for the unforgivable crime of offering only the Mass of the Ages. And on his flight home from WYD, speaking of gay priest said "who am I to judge"
So, now that we know what he means by shaking things up I must say that the mis-translation "I wand a mess" seems to be accurate after all.
July 29, 2013 at 4:56 pm
I hate to say this after four months after his election but I tend to agree with FGA on this one. Other prelates including Dolan and O'Malley have talked about how much slower the reform is going. Then this morning he says Chinese is wrong and that the Latin Mass is to be used only with a bishops approval. Is this in line with Benedict XVI I am afraid its NO.