This morning I read that Pope Francis has issued an "apostolic exhortation". This is the first time I have ever heard of such a thing. I don't remember anyone else ever issuing an apostolic exhortation before. I wasn't sure what it meant, but it sounded important. An exhortation is emphatically urging someone to do something.
As I read in the news report, he is urging global leaders to fight poverty and growing inequality. Among other things, he addresses the "idolatry of money" and asks that politicians work to guarantee all citizens "dignified work, education and healthcare".
It sounds to me that he is speaking of Biblical Christianity (is there any other kind?). It seems some leaders over the last 2,000 or so years have strayed from those basic values.
Something to think about during Thanksgiving.
p.s. Senator Bernie Sanders has had some things to say about this, too. See, I'm in good company!
I'm not a Catholic but, like many others, I like what I see about this man. He seems to live and breath Christian values, not just preach about them.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a Catholic either, artist, but I like so many others like what I see and hear from him, too.
ReplyDeleteFight poverty? Great when you take from those who can least afford it to contribute to the great gilded cage and self-serving patriarchy that is the Vatican.
ReplyDeleteI like the guy too Judy but lets not kid ourselves that this organization is no stranger to the 'idolatry of money' and keeping women firmly in their place, and away from witnessing scandalous information.
When I truly see them practicing what they preach I will be a little more generous.
He seems to have a good heart and live by an example of simplicity and humility - as much as you can surrounded by all that accumulated wealth! - but is his election a well-orchestrated PR exercise?
(It makes the simple and beautiful nativity birth in a manger more pointed I think!)
I have doubts too, Pam. I was raised by a Catholic father who urged me not to take things at face value and I have no illusions about the church as a model for humanity. I am the one who was called out when I asked a priest, after Vatican II whether all of those "sinners" in hell for eating meat on Friday would be freed now that their sin had been rescinded.
ReplyDeleteI do hold hope in my heart that this man who is pope is more than a PR stunt, though. I guess I got carried away with the message. I was mostly impressed with the enormity of the words "apostolic exhortation". It just sounded so BIG that I had to note it.