Pope Francis criticizes US Catholics for ‘backward’ beliefs.
Pope Francis Criticizes “Reactionary” State of U.S. Catholic Church
The Catholic Church in the United States has come under fire from Pope Francis, who recently described it as “reactionary” during a closed-door meeting with members of the Jesuit religious order in Portugal.
The pontiff specifically targeted the U.S. Catholic Church for its tendency to align itself with political ideologies rather than upholding the traditions of the Catholic Church. These remarks, made on Aug. 5, were only published in the Jesuit journal Civilta Cattolica on Monday.
A “Reactionary Attitude” Prevails
“You have seen that in the United States the situation is not easy: There is a very strong reactionary attitude,” the pope reportedly stated. “It is organized and shapes the way people belong, even emotionally.”
Pope Francis highlighted a prevailing “climate of closure” in the United States, where the true traditions of the church can be lost and replaced by ideological support, leading to a factional view of the church.
“In other words, ideology replaces faith, membership in a sector of the Church replaces membership in the Church,” he explained.
The pope emphasized that the U.S. Catholic Church’s mistake lies in viewing the doctrine of the church as a rigid entity, disconnected from its roots. He urged for a correct evolution in the understanding of faith and morals, reminding those who resist change that “backwardness is useless.”
Resistance to Pope Francis’s Liberal Approach
Throughout Pope Francis’s pontificate, the Catholic bishops in the United States have faced criticism for not fully embracing his more liberal approach to leading the Catholic Church, which differs from the conservative stances of previous popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II.
Notably, bishops such as Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, and Cardinal Raymond Burke have been vocal critics of the pope’s governing style. Strickland recently published a pastoral letter expressing concerns about potential attempts to soften the church’s teachings on contraception, same-sex marriage, and eternal salvation during the upcoming Synod on Synodality.
“Regrettably, it may be that some will label as schismatics those who disagree with the changes being proposed,” Strickland wrote. “Be assured, however, that no one who remains firmly upon the plumb line of our Catholic faith is a schismatic. We must remain unabashedly and truly Catholic, regardless of what may be brought forth.”
The tensions between Pope Francis and certain factions within the U.S. Catholic Church continue to shape the landscape of the church’s future.
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