Pope Francis says mass near tomb of Bl. Pope John Paul II http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-says-mass-near-tomb-of-bl-pope-john-p
Pope's prayer intentions for November: Priests and vocations in Latin America http://www.romereports.com/palio/po...latin-america-english-11491.html#.UnOawDbD-Uk
Pope Angelus: To be saintly is a vocation for everyone http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-to-be-saintly-is-a-vocation-for-every
Pope Francis celebrates All Saints Mass and prays for migrants who perished http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-celebrates-all-saints-mass-and-prays
Pope Francis: Let us welcome Jesus into our lives with joy http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-let-us-welcome-jesus-into-our-lives-w
A privileged spot for Newlyweds at the Pope's General Audience http://www.romereports.com/palio/index.php?newlang=english
Pope Francis on death: We dont' know when, but we'll meet God http://www.romereports.com/palio/po...well-meet-god-english-11510.html#.UnfVEjYo6Uk
Hello, You will find hereafter some links regarding a questionnaire that Pope Francis wishes, apparently, to send to all dioceses in the world. A lot of believers (and priests) in Europe are very worried that the Pope wants to adapt the Church doctrines to the worldly opinions.... i.e. changing the Holy Church into a democracy.... This is of course a rash conclusion and we should better wait before drawing any conclusions. Nevertheless, I would like to hear your comments, impressions. And... to avoid any misunderstanding: I have just behind me a battle in which I defended Pope Francis against those who believe in MDM.... And thanks to this forum I could give them precious information, but .... now they do not want to have contact with me anymore, although they are faithful catholic church visitors.... My questions to you about this questionnaire have the same intention: defending the Truth. So please, do not think anything wrong...... Elisa http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/vatican-asks-parish-level-input-synod-document http://www.scribd.com/doc/180575701/Letter-from-Msgr-Ronny-Jenkins-to-the-USCCB
Pope Francis visits Vatican Grottoes to pray for deceased Pontiffs http://www.romereports.com/palio/po...ased-pontiffs-english-11518.html#.UnjVPjYo6Uk
Pope Francis prays for deceased Cardinals and Bishops http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-prays-for-deceased-cardinals-and-bish
I think people are jumping to conclusions before a single meeting,conversation, or word is uttered,from this upcoming Synod. This is the purpose of a synod, for the discussion and decision of matters relating to faith,morals, or discipline. I know some are concerned because the pope is a Jesuit,and they tend to be somewhat more liberal, but lets wait and see what our Holy father says and does,rather than spread fear.
Reading the questionnaire, it appears that what is sought is an understanding of current experience with people who are living at odds with Church teaching, and how the local Church is approaching them. For instance: 1. Question 7a: What knowledge do Christians have today of the teachings of Humanae vitae on responsible parenthood? Are they aware of how morally to evaluate the different methods of family planning? Could any insights be suggested in this regard pastorally? 2. Question 7b: Is this moral teaching accepted? What aspects pose the most difficulties in a large majority of couple’s accepting this teaching? 3. Question 7c: What natural methods are promoted by the particular Churches to help spouses put into practice the teachings of Humanae vitae? 4. Question 7d: What is your experience on this subject in the practice of the Sacrament of Penance and participation at the Eucharist? The questions seem to be a way to collect "best practices" and an idea of major problems. I think this is an example of humility and wisdom on the part of Pope Francis and his advisors, to get a deeper understanding of the lived experience of the universal Church. From the NCR article referenced above, it seems the U.S. Bishops are not sending out a questionnaire. Does this mean our shepherds think they are so close to their sheep that they know our experience? (The last time I was in the presence of a Bishop, I did not detect the smell of sheep).
Thanks a lot for your comments Kathy. I look forward to other reactions. I will inform worried people so that they can have a look at this topic in this forum.
Here we have some answers from the Vatican: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/cathol...claims-of-pope-polling-catholics-on-marriage/ Finally...
I think that the Holy Father is in many ways , 'A Sign of Contradiction' . as indeed all the Prophets were. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_contradiction Acts 28:22 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that it is everywhere contradicted. Or to put it another way very often with the Holy Father what you see is not what you get. It is , I suppose easy enough to see why we may be confused. He is after all from Latin America rather than Europe. A region of great extremes in terms of politics and between the rich and the poor. Which of us really has ever seen or experienced true to the death poverty as Francis has? A missionary from Peru told me one time he had regularly seen folks eat their own faeces because they were so hungry. I and I suppose most people do not know what seeing something like this might do to a person. If we loved it might put a real fire in our hearts for change. How exasperated we might be to see the wealth of the Vatican and to hear the Vatican presume to preach to those who have nothing. What a fire a devouring flame this would place in our hearts for reform, to start again. To make all things new! So for me a Sign of Contradictions at so many levels. I do not claim for a second to understand him or begin to understand him. But he is my spiritual Father and so I love him and listen to him and try as best I can to totter along after him as best I can in my own poor way. I have prayed so much and so earnestly about him to Our Blessed Mother and honestly I cannot say in the least I understand. But like Mary I will love him and store up all he says in my heart hoping it will bring forth a harvest of Holiness. Our Lady does not ask that we understand only that we love and follow. So I do I love, I pray I store all things in my heart. I do not believe prayerfully that this present Pope will be long amongst us, but as long as he is I will take this Sign of Contradiction to my Heart. I do not need to understand to love. ..and love I will. For the short time , I believe, we will have him with us. I will also write this. Many who claim to understand him the best, are the very ones who understand him the least. Isn't this so much part of our human frailty that we seek to make those we most admire into our own image? Then when we find they are not as we supposed,when they do not stay in the box in which we presumed to place them, our love turns to hate. A, 'Sign of Contradiction,' indeed.
The questionnaire I quoted from was developed by the Bishops in England and Wales. At the top of the questionnaire, it has a box for the following respondents, with instructions to check as many boxes as apply: Priest, lay person, parent, deacon, professed Religious, teacher, pastoral assistant, catechist, seminarian, hospital chaplain, military chaplain, member of a lay association, and other. I don't see any reason why it would be a bad idea to elicit input from the "boots on the ground."
