This is me, Eccles

This is me, Eccles
This is me, Eccles

Tuesday 28 June 2016

Pope says Catholics should apologise to the Jesuits

In his latest aeroplane conversations, Pope Francis was asked whether he agreed with Cardinal "Rhino" Marx's recent suggestion that the Catholic Church should apologise to Jesuits. As an SJ himself, Pope Francis agreed that Jesuits should not be discriminated against, but should be respected and accompanied pastorally.

Rhino Marx

"Rhino" Marx: "The Church has been very negative about Jesuits".

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that being of an SJ orientation is not in itself sinful, but acts of a Jesuitical nature (e.g. dishonesty, distorting Church teaching, going around with a silly smug grin on one's face, and other things not suitable for a family blog) are indeed considered sinful;. Accordingly, SJs who happen to be Catholic should try to abstain from such acts. We recall Pope Francis's earlier words "If a Jesuit is genuinely seeking God, then who am I to judge?"

3 clowns

Showing mercy to Fr James Martin S.J.

But now the Holy Father has now gone further, and insisted that the Catholic Church should apologise to the SJ Community for any offence it has given over the years. This has not gone down well with the more traditional commentators, many of whom regard Jesuitism as a lifestyle choice (and are shocked by "SJ" marches), rather than something intrinsic.

Jesuit day

Fr Thomas Reese SJ gives offence by participating in an SJ event.

Many Catholics point to the Bible, quoting phrases such as "brood of vipers" and "whited sepulchres", which are traditionally held to refer to people of an SJ orientation. (St Paul is even ruder...) However, in this year of Mercy we should try and forget these uncomfortable words, says Pope Francis, knowing that Christ Himself would have been horrified to think that He was causing a minute's offence to anyone.

John the Baptist apologises to Salome for his rudeness.

18 comments:

  1. Actually, it was Herodias yo whom J the B owed sn apology...

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  2. This means we'll have to endure Jesuit Pride Parades.

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    1. Yes, I did think about that, but isn't "pride" a synonymn for "homosexuality" these days? Life is so confusing.

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    2. Everything seems to celebrate "pride" though. Passed a high school in south Florida last weekend with a big sign "Brahma Pride!", the brahma bull being their mascot. Flew on JetBlue and they had an advertisement on the little TV screen in front of the seat - "JetBlue Pride" but of course Jet Blue celebrates homosexuality so maybe that doesn't count. But everything is all about "pride" today whether speaking of homosexuality or not.

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    3. Contemporary society considers pride as a good thing. Unsurprisingly.

      "Pride is the commencement of all sin".

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  3. It's been pointed out to me by @Nicaea1 that Fr. Fessio (Ignatius Press & Catholic Answers), Fr. Pacwa (EWTN) & Fr. Hardon are/were Jesuits. Of course these are ones genuinely seeking God.

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    1. I must say, I do love Fr Mitch Pacwa.

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  4. Well, personally I had to apologize to a Jesuit because I accidentally stepped on his tail, and he simply showed me the teeth. Always a bit unsettling when they do that.

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  5. I guess Clement XIV really needs to be dug up so he can also formally apologize for his unwelcoming act! God bless his soul! -- oops, I relapsed.

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  6. I think, as Eccles will surely know, this is what we mean by an Ignatian retreat.

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  7. Eccles darling, you are a genius.

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  8. You are so good at this, Eccles!

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  9. I went to confession to a SJ and, after hearing my sins, he said I was a Pharisee. I responded, "Well, you're a Jesuit."
    I think we were even.

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  10. I can't laugh at this stuff any more.

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  11. I thought Salome looked familiar....Conchita Wurst of Eurovision.St John the Baptist should have apologised for making her cut his head off...he could also be responsible for making all those Brits vote 'leave' in the referendum.

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