Thursday, September 26, 2013

"Is he Aware of the Damage He Causes?" -- Michael Novak and the Interview of Pope Francis

(Washington / Rome) The American Catholic philosopher Michael Novak commented on the Civiltà-Cattolica interview with Pope Francis': "A friend asked me if the Pope is aware of the damage, which he causes with these comments. The word obsession [Ossessione] applied to those working for the defense of life, especially for the unborn child, is something that hurt."

"In the more than 20 years, we have known him, it's never happened before that Michael Novak, perhaps the most famous Catholic philosopher in the U.S., who was closely connected to John Paul II and Benedict XVI., has uttered critical words about a Pope," said Vatican insider , which published the following interview with Michael Novak.

What do you think about the interview, which Pope Francis granted to Civiltà Cattolica granted?

I have seen two types of reactions: those of my friend, which I have described, and those of George Weigel, according to which we must get used to the behavior of an evangelical pope, who turns to us not as an academic, but as a preacher. Weigel is right, but to use words like "obsession" injured believers who have even risked their own lives to protect life."

Francis wants to change the tone or the doctrine of the Church?

The sound. There is still a risk that the result is detrimental.

Why?

He added that many Christians are on the defensive, although they are under attack. He also encouraged the criticism against the Church by the declared opponents of the Church who've been waiting for it.

What are you referring to?

His words put him in a position to be exploited by those who want to harm the Church. It is enough to look at how the New York Times has used them.

There is the risk that a part of the American believers leave the church?

I do not think so. Perhaps the most unstable extremists, but it will be a limited phenomenon. The Left, however, is encouraged to push for changes in doctrine.

Is not there also the reverse possibility, that that an "Evangelical Pope" will reconnect the faithful?

Christ also had contradictory elements, perhaps it is not possible without it. Maybe it is good that this Pope, by leading the Church to the roots of her mission, urges us to think.

Text: Vatican insider / Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Vatican Insider
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMGD

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

He calls the poor suffering Catholics hanging on by sheer will through 50 years of apostacy "unstable extremists"? That is all I need to know about this jackass.

Tancred said...

Novak has always been a Liberal, a purveyor of Lonerganism and Liberalism, but he's still criticizing this Pope. Amazing.

Aged parent said...

It truly is amazing. There might be hope even for the likes of him.

P.J.David said...

Where would all these statements of Our Pope lead the world ? Adding to the confusions

TH2 said...

"Christ also had contradictory elements" !!!

And Novak is a "Catholic philosopher"?

I need a drink.

Anonymous said...

Why is God not showing us His face; why the curtain?

Anonymous said...

Mr. Novak has no credentials to criticize a Spirirt inspired teacher like our Holy Father Francis

Tancred said...

Whatever your enthusiasms, he's alienated a lot of people who have historically been practically papolaters, like yourself I imagine. At least Pro-Lifers have the sanctity of human life and the evils of abortion down, even if they miss many other things, thanks to poor catechesis, but many of Francis' new fans are even less well-formed.

Anonymous said...

Jesus alienated a few in Nazareth also! Let us be grateful for the Pope God has chosen for us at this time in our Church's history
The retrentrenchment and fear of the past few decades is over.

Tancred said...

Stop pretending that your thoughts coincide with His.

Anonymous said...

Whose yearly do? Certainly not those expressed in this blog!

Codgitator (Cadgertator) said...

Pope Francis considers unemployment and loneliness the world's gravest evils. Well, just as he has given endless work to his online apologists, so he's created a boon in liquor sales in traditionally Catholic areas. Bottums up! --> http://ebougis.wordpress.com/the-f1-fx-files-my-ongoing-discernment-of-pope-francis/

Codgitator (Cadgertator) said...

You're a soft-ultramontanist tool. Stop flaming the faithful. Open your eyes. Bergoglio was anti-traditional and divisive in Argentina, hence Pope Francis is, too.

Tancred said...

Rorate’s stock is going up.

Anonymous said...

The Novak quotes that have been republished in this blog post sound just as disjointed and confusing as the coverage the secular media has been giving regarding the Pope's comments. This post certainly doesn't give sufficient context to understand Novak's comments, let alone elicit all this upset over them.

Tancred said...

Quibble.

N.D. said...

"Christ also had contradictory elements..." ?

Christ contradicted The Word of God?



Thomas Poovathinkal said...

Even the Apostles did not understand at times. So it is O.K. if some people do not understand the Lord's representative on earth. They need to be humble, instead of being negative, and ask for light, understanding...