I am concerned about language being used.
For at least 50 years, the language regarding positions in the Church has changed.
For centuries, the Church described or defined people and ideas in two ways: orthodox or unorthodox.
Or, if you prefer, true or false; revealed or heretical; evil or good.
These terms served us well for a long time.
In the past week, I have seen terms such as "progressive", "centrist", "leftist", "right", "reactionary", "liberal" and "traditional".
Such terms are political and not theological or religious in meaning.
That such terms are being used consistently to described movements in the Church reveal the great problems of division within the Church.
Did Benedict have a vision of the universal Church which was so unique that the majority of cardinals did not share it? I think not.
I remind Catholics and other readers that men who pray are not the same as men who do not pray.
Men who live a life of self-denial, asking God for purification and perfection are not necessarily the same as men who think politically.
With regard to Church teaching, thinking politically is NOT putting on the m
Mind of Christ.
Seminarians should not think politically,
Priests should not think politically.
Bishops should not think politically.
Cardinals should not think politically.
Until we have truly holy men of God leading the Church, we shall have to rely more and more on the Truth of the Teaching Magisterium of the Church.
Do not fall into political thinking. Think like Christ, and if you do not know how to do that, pray for His Holy Spirit to purify your mind and heart.
The Mind of Christ is to be found in the Gospels and in the Tradition of the Church; in the Creed and in the teachings of the Councils; in the statements from the Chair of Peter.
The Mind of Christ is usually not found in interviews or television sound bites.
We have had warnings from some good men about modernism in the Church. Modernism is the great heresy of the last 150 years. Check out the definitions. Pay attention.
To stay with Rome does not mean being confused. It means learning what is the Mind of Christ.
The Mind of Christ is not socialism, or compromise on moral issues. Christ has not changed. His teachings have not changed.
Learn your faith. That is your duty as adult Catholics. Anything less will endanger your immortal soul.
Pray for Pope Francis. Pray.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).