Semantics! The favorite game of Jesuits.
LifeSiteNews.com: In a new interview with America Magazine, Pope Francis upheld the humanity of our unborn brothers and sisters but refused to say that they were, well, people.
“Therefore, there is a living human being,” he said of the month-old fetus. “I do not say a person, because this is debated, but a living human being.”
Here’s his full quote:
On abortion, I can tell you these things, which I’ve said before. In any book of embryology it is said that shortly before one month after conception the organs and the DNA are already delineated in the tiny fetus, before the mother even becomes aware. Therefore, there is a living human being. I do not say a person, because this is debated, but a living human being. And I raise two questions: Is it right to get rid of a human being to resolve a problem? Second question: Is it right to hire a “hit man” to resolve a problem? The problem arises when this reality of killing a human being is transformed into a political question, or when a pastor of the church uses political categories.
It seems to me that he’s the only playing politics here. What theological distinction is he making between a “person” and a “living human being.” That is purely a political distinction. In reality, he’s making a distinction without a difference. He claims to be trying hard to not talk about politics and by doing so talks politics.
In reality, I think politics is Pope Francis’ wheelhouse. He can’t seem to stay off the subject for very long. If a month goes by without some political comment, be sure he’ll hop on a plane, hold an impromptu presser, and say something outrageous and political, all while claiming to be non-political.
It’s the same way he attacks those in the Church he doesn’t like. He claims they are the attackers and he calls them every name in the book and excoriates them for name-calling.
November 29, 2022 at 9:34 am
Consider this an effective deterrent for the sin of papolatry.
November 29, 2022 at 10:40 am
“To talk about making it illegal to hire a hitman is politics. So we can’t do that.” — what Francis just said translated into non-Jesuit speak.
November 29, 2022 at 10:43 am
“He claims they are the attackers and he calls them every name in the book and excoriates them for name-calling.”
i.e. the Jesuit cries out as he strikes you.
November 29, 2022 at 9:44 pm
CCC 2270 “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a ***person*** – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.”
Will Pope Francis also change this CCC paragraph (like with capital punishment)?
How about these?
CCC 2273 “…[The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual] belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act [i.e. conception] from which the person took his origin.”
2274 “Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being.”
November 29, 2022 at 10:29 pm
I am thoroughly confused by how this is so upsetting. Are the terms human beings and person that different that you cannot use one for the other? Or is this just another excuse to be outrage at a pope that you do not like?
Yes, Pope Francis has said some questionable things in the past but this is not one of those times. The term “person” has lost its rightful meaning as we classify more things as persons. For example, in some circles, pets are considered persons while in other circles objects are considered persons (think of the women who have married buildings or dolls). To use the words ‘human beings” classifies that they unique and should not be included in the other descriptions of persons.
Being outraged over this is a non-starter but then again I read it as a person who wanted to understand what was being said verses someone who is looking for one more excuse to distance themselves from Pope Francis and the Chair of St. Peter.
November 30, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Sorry, but a man mistaking his wife for a hat does not make his wife actually a hat.
If you really get down to it, all humans are persons, but not all persons are humans. Angels and demons are persons, but they are not humans. More importantly, the concept of “person” is an expansion by analogy with the three divine Persons of the Holy Trinity. A person bears the image of God, even if the likeness is marred: a person is BY NATURE capable of true thought (unlike a computer, or probably most or all non-human animals) and capable of making decisions for good or for evil for which the person is morally accountable. Of course, BY ACCIDENT, so to speak, these capabilities may be partially or wholly diminished, but the nature remains unchanged, just as a dog that has lost a leg remains a tetrapod. It is nonsense to question the personhood of an unborn child, unless one also questions the personhood of the pope, or for that matter yourself, when asleep.
November 30, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Again, this is the dumbest thing to get upset about. By pointing out that angels are persons but not human beings, proves my point.
If this had been any other pope, would this even be an issue? I have a feeling the answer to that question would be no. When you look for things to be outraged about, guess what happens? Everything becomes an outrage and you go down this rabbit hole of time wasting and needless anger when there are better things to get angry about.
November 30, 2022 at 4:25 pm
You have to actually make a point, which you have so far failed to do.
November 30, 2022 at 5:48 pm
Let me put it to you this way: Suppose Pope Francis had said of the lynchings and other racially-inspired murders of African Americans, “Therefore, there is a living human being. I do not say a person, because this is debated, but a living human being.” If he had said that, would you say, “This is the dumbest thing to get upset about”? Do you think it is important to acknowledge that George Floyd was a person, or not?
December 1, 2022 at 9:35 am
Your efforts to sanitize Jorge’s remarks and intentions just serves to identify you as one of many who pose as Catholic for the purpose of confusing the faithful. Like antipope Bergoglio himself. I’m truly surprised at the number of leftists who find the time to troll Catholic sites just to muddy the waters.
November 30, 2022 at 1:14 am
I do not allow Pope Francis, or any other cardinal, bishop or priest to jumble my mind with confusion, liberal mumbo jumbo. The Baltimore Catechism is my guide. Prolife not seamless garment. National Catholic Register not Catholic Reporter. Frequent Sacraments, daily Rosaries, works of mercy. We will all answer Almighty God. Face to face. Trying to be ready.