Iran War started. Pray for Peace. And for Victory.

Queen of Peace pray for Israel, Iran and the U.S.

 

I like to try to think the best of Bishop Barron. Many, many people testify that they have been converted and brought to the Faith by himself or his Apostolate and as Jesus said, 'By their fruits you shall know them.' Also his recent speaking out against Synodality took courage and was wonderful.

But still he makes me uneasy on several counts. Compare this to Fulton Sheen. You could always bet the house in Fulton. He never put a foot wrong. You could have 100% confidence in him. The same could not be said or Bishop Barron, he keeps dropping clangers. It is a bit like someone playing beautiful music but keeps hitting wrong notes.

 

Instead of throwing out a generic accusation of such a serious nature could you please be more specific about who and what post(s) you are referring to?

Ad hominem attacks like this are so annoying on the forum when thrown into the middle of a discussion. Why don't you debate with those you disagree with instead of making a sweeping statement that leaves us all pondering what you mean.

 

On Totus Tuus page today:

"VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, describing the violence and suffering as “a scandal to humanity.”

Speaking with deep concern, the Holy Father lamented the devastating toll of war, particularly on innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. He emphasized that the continued loss of life and destruction is not only a regional tragedy but a moral crisis that affects the entire human family.

The Pope urged the international community to act with urgency, calling for an immediate end to hostilities and a renewed commitment to dialogue and peace. He stressed that war only deepens wounds and divisions, while true solutions can only be found through understanding and compassion.

In his appeal, Pope Leo XIV also called on world leaders to prioritize human dignity over political and military interests. He encouraged all people, regardless of nationality or belief, to reject indifference and instead stand in solidarity with those who suffer.

The Vatican has consistently voiced concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East, urging restraint and peaceful resolution. The Pope’s latest statement reinforces the Church’s long-standing position that peace is the only path forward.

As the conflict continues, his message serves as a sobering reminder: in war, humanity itself bears the cost."

 

My remark was not an ad hominem attack...in fact quite the opposite.
If I had directed the comment to a particular person attacking the person (definition of ad hominem) rather than asking for introspection by all here to discern if detraction and/or calumny were present in commenting on leaders of the Church. The higher the rank/authority of the person spoken of the more serious is the matter.

We all have to examine our own consciousness to see if we are being charitable, assuming the best intentions of others, as the Church teaches we must...something I often fail at.

May Our Lady guide our words.

 

Perfectly said. Amazing how many Christians fail to see this.

The prophets who came to announce the coming of the messiah were persecuted and killed.

The messiah himself was persecuted rejected and killed.

2,000 years later he is still rejected and his followers persecuted.

It doesn’t get any clearer than that.

 

Pope Leo is playing a blinder on this issue. It's a very difficult tight-rope to walk and so many lives are at stake.

Spare a thought, and a prayer, for the Christians of Lebanon. They must not know where to stand, torn between the West, the Muslims in Lebanon, the Israelis and the Al-Qaeda in Syria. Any one of these could turn on them.

 

Discussing opinions respectfully among responsible, concerned people, that are expressed in public, provided that one sticks to the facts, does not necessarily amount to calumny or detraction. For example, I brought up the undeniable fact that Bishop Barron referred to God the Father in the feminine in his biography of Aquinas (which was otherwise quite sound, I thought). Should people be left unaware of such things?

I think someone who publicly engages in politics is fair game, provided one's comments remain honest.

It is stated in the documents of Vatican II that even a Pope should not use his spiritual authority in prudential matters. In other words, when Pope Leo blesses a block of ice, he does so as a private individual, not as a Pope. I should think that the principle applies further down the chain of command. A Bishop has no right to hide behind his authority when he involves himself in politics, no more than a pope.

Agree that yours was not an ad hominem criticism, but it is a collective one of an unspecific kind, that leaves all of us questioning ourselves without knowing why.

If you think I have said something out of place, I'd like to know and I can then review it and apologise if necessary.

Times are terrible and it's difficult to avoid anger.

God bless you.

 

I am glad you explained as I couldn't make sense of your post as to the audience you were directing it at. Your explanation makes more sense now that you have contextualised it.

Ave Maria

 

I agree with you - God bless Pope Leo and the Christians of Lebanon.

We appear to have entered tribulation times as it feels like the world is on a knife edge.

 

Amen.

 

Yes it has to be said Pope Leo gets the Gold Star for this.

Wonderful, bless him.

He is an American too, this cannot be easy for him

 

Five-day pause to US attacks on Iran energy sites after talks

https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0323/1564710-middle-east-iran/

 

Thank God.

 

Praying

 

With the help of God, some kind of grand settlement can be found that will satisfy all the great powers behind the scenes, allowing all to live together reasonably peacefully.

If the reports are true, Pope Leo's stature is going to rise significantly. He was the only major international statesman, apart from the PM of Padraig's new home, to speak with sanity. It reminds me of St Pope John Paul II's lone stance against the First Iraq War, back in 1991. Hopefully, it will give him the courage and confidence to deal with those who are undermining the Church.

 

Looking a very wise post now.

 

From my understanding, Trump was voted-in by the American people because he promised to concentrate on putting America and Americans first. With a particular focus on fixing the economy, infrastructure and improving the quality of life for everyday American workers and people. He promised to reinstate America's Christian values by stopping abortion and promoting a Christian way of life.
I believe also that he promised an end to the forever-war cycle that America had been steered into (by some kind of unseen /behind the scenes group) .
So I fail to see how he's "doing a good job".
And I really don't mean to be cynical. But the bombing of a girls school and similar such atrocities undertaken by a carpet-bombing policy are not conducive to your viewpoint.
I am absolutely gutted at what he has turned into. I had so much hope for him. I believe he's just another puppet on a string, unfortunately.