The reform of the Church already evident in the words and witness of Pope Francis may be starting, but it won’t be stopping at the revamping of the Vatican Curia and the renewal of the clergy.
It also will involve a thorough reform of the laity, since some of the cancers the cardinals elected him to confront in Rome have metastasized throughout Christ’s mystical body.
In his conclave-changing address to the cardinals four days before his election, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio identified what he believes is the Church’s fundamental illness: “ecclesiastical narcissism.”
Well so far Pope Francis has been a breath of fresh air – though probably not for the protocol droids.
[blockquote]…though probably not for the protocol droids. [/blockquote]
Meaning those for whom liturgy matters. Lex orandi lex credendi.
One of the confusions among Catholics is whether the laity are to serve in the Church, or serve Christ in the world. In other words, is my role as a layman to be a lector, Eucharistic minister, catechist, or to bear witness to Christ in my work, family, school, or wherever. Obviously, its not an either/or situation. But last Sunday my own wonderful pastor was talking about ministry as something within the parish. But in reality, my “ministry” isn’t inside the parish. That’s where I’m equipped for ministry, as the Apostle says. Hourly, the new pope can help us sort it all out
“Meaning those for whom liturgy matters”
Perhaps, but most probably those for whom red slippers and capes matter.
[blockquote] “Meaning those for whom liturgy mattersâ€
Perhaps, but most probably those for whom red slippers and capes matter.[/blockquote]
LOL If I were you I would be extremely careful never to attend an Orthodox service. The shock might prove fatal.
#5 Fear not, AO, I have done. The protocol droids are everywhere.
When I was in the military I didnt wear a sidearm whenI was Officer of the Day. If you have to have a pistol to exercise your authotity, you really don’t have any authority. So I would say if you need a coronation to prove you are Pope, you aren’t.
Not a good analogy David Keller. The Pope’s coronation is the same as the lieutenant’s commissioning ceremony – which I bet you didn’t dispense with….!
[blockquote] “This is “not only because her mission is to announce the Gospel, but because failing to do so harms us. … A Church that limits herself to administering parish work, that lives enclosed within a community, experiences what someone in prison does: physical and mental atrophyâ€.” [/blockquote]
This is a point that all churches would do well to take to heart.
The last pope to wear a crown was John XXIII. Popes today are “installed”as Bishop of Rome, or sometimes their Petrine Ministry is “inaugurated”. Language varies, but no coronation. I might ask if the Archbishop of Canterbury wasn’t recently “enthroned”. Personally, I don’t get excited about terminology like this, but goose and gander, you know.
MichaelA,
This pope is giving good example of his words, but then he was doing that in Argentina add well. He appears to have been walking the walk, as they say. Us Catholics are seriously in need of his words and example.
[blockquote] The last pope to wear a crown was John XXIII.[/blockquote]
Actually it was Paul VI. But close enough. He set aside his tiara in the mid 60’s. It is now on display at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC.
Thank you, AO. I remembered that Paul put aside the tiara, but forgot he wore it. I wonder if he used the sedan chair, as John 23 did. 😉
Yes, he did use the sedia gestatoria. He didn’t like it but bowed to the insistence of the Vatican protocol droids (lol) who said that the people expected it, which was probably true at the time. John Paul I also bowed to this during his month long reign though he refused a coronation. It was JP II who finally retired the sedia.
I never saw it, but was told that Episcopal bishops of Fort Worth used the chair when he was at St. Timothy’s. Bp. Davies declined (smart, given the low ceiling) but I did see him process with flabella.
Charles, that’s a fair point: Many Anglicans still speak of their bishops as being “enthroned” and can hardly point the finger at Rome in that regard.
We install our bishops and archbishops in their cathedra. There is only one occupant of The Throne and He is worthy.