A typically lucid and convincing George Weigel interview. I continue to find it amusing but a bit mystifying that so many people who know almost nothing about Catholicism (and that certainly includes a great many news reporters and editorialists) are projecting so many of their own wishes and fantasies for the future of Caholicism on this remarkable pope. We live in an era when style seems to matter so much more than substance. In an age of of soundbites and one-liners, all sorts of folks from all across the ideological spectrum have jumped to hasty conclusions about the humble pope from Argentina, conclusions that are wildly implausible and contrary to the well-documented orthodoxy of Jorge Bergoglio. Even the NPR host, Scott Simon does that in this interview.
This sort of sensible, calm interview helps dispel the nonsense. George Weigel knows whereof he speaks, since he is so well acquainted with all three men (especially popes JPII and Benedict XVI). Weigel helps set the record straight about all three. But alas, in the end, people believe what they want to believe, whether or not it bears any relation to reality.
I’m reminded increasingly of all the vicious rumors that ancient pagans believed about Christians during the first couple of centuries: including that Christians engaged in incest (didn’t they call each other brother and sister and exchange a kiss (of peace) during their services?), and even cannabilism (eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ). The pitifully small (and inaccurate) amount that most modern Americans and Europeans know about Christianity and true Christians is a huge problem that faces all Christians these days in the Global North, whether Catholic or Protestant.
A typically lucid and convincing George Weigel interview. I continue to find it amusing but a bit mystifying that so many people who know almost nothing about Catholicism (and that certainly includes a great many news reporters and editorialists) are projecting so many of their own wishes and fantasies for the future of Caholicism on this remarkable pope. We live in an era when style seems to matter so much more than substance. In an age of of soundbites and one-liners, all sorts of folks from all across the ideological spectrum have jumped to hasty conclusions about the humble pope from Argentina, conclusions that are wildly implausible and contrary to the well-documented orthodoxy of Jorge Bergoglio. Even the NPR host, Scott Simon does that in this interview.
This sort of sensible, calm interview helps dispel the nonsense. George Weigel knows whereof he speaks, since he is so well acquainted with all three men (especially popes JPII and Benedict XVI). Weigel helps set the record straight about all three. But alas, in the end, people believe what they want to believe, whether or not it bears any relation to reality.
I’m reminded increasingly of all the vicious rumors that ancient pagans believed about Christians during the first couple of centuries: including that Christians engaged in incest (didn’t they call each other brother and sister and exchange a kiss (of peace) during their services?), and even cannabilism (eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ). The pitifully small (and inaccurate) amount that most modern Americans and Europeans know about Christianity and true Christians is a huge problem that faces all Christians these days in the Global North, whether Catholic or Protestant.
David Handy+