Pope Francis wants "a poor church for the poor." Really?

"A Poor Church for the Poor"

Pope Francis went on record with the media today, saying he wants "a poor church for the poor."

Okay, so what does that mean?

Does it mean a public audit of the untold billions of Vatican dollars in cash, property, and treasures?

Does it mean liquidating all Vatican assets and giving them to the poor? Does it mean ridding all Catholic churches of their garish trappings of prestige?

Does it mean ... "Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Does this mean opposing repressive regimes that violate human rights and slaughter the innocent?

Wish you well, Pope Francis ... maybe start by selling your humble Papal chair?

zjm

Pope Francis: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?

"History condemns him. 

It shows him to be opposed to all innovation in the Church 

and above all, during the dictatorship, 

it shows he was very cozy with the military," 

Fortunato Mallimacci

former dean of social sciences at the Universidad de Buenos Aires

I chose to lead with the above photo of the new pope, rather than this one:

The reason being, that we, the human community, are possibly being sold the best public relations con job since 'The Emperor's New Clothes.' The difference being, 'The Emperor's New Clothes' was honestly marketed as a fable. Pope Francis is being marketed as the genuine jovial, joking, smiling lover of the world's poor. 

I actually don't doubt he loves poor people, and that he has a true pastor's heart for their suffering. 

But a major problem exits: The new pope's historical collusion with fascist regimes that screw the poor, and in the case of his native Argentina, slaughtered thousands under his watch over the Catholic Church. Whether he stood by in silence, or actually assisted the junta, is still up for historical judgement. 

What is clear is that Francis silenced his own 'liberation theology' priests, and opposed 'liberation theology' that advocates standing in solidarity with poor. In addition to these troubling questions is the new Pope's staunch and continuing support for the most reactionary elements of catholic theology and dogma, including suppression of human rights for women and the gay community, and fellow catholics who express and defend different points of view. He continues to defend mandatory celibacy for priests, despite empirical evidence that such policy has led to an unfathomable breeding ground for sexual abuse.

Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador was assassinated by the military junta in 1980. He too, professed love for the poor, and stood with them. Unlike Pope Francis, he also stood in direct opposition to the government killing his brothers and sisters, and paid for it with his own life...at the very same time Pope Francis seemingly got on well with the same sort of government doing the same things. 

I do hope Pope Francis shows us a new side of a converted soul, a commitment to social justice that goes beyond kissing the feet of the the poor, to courageous opposition of the governments and economic system that screw the poor. 

In the meantime, Pope Francis, you owe the world a few answers.

zjm

Is God?

Alessandro Di Meo / EPA file

Lighting strikes the basilica of St.Peter's dome in Vatican City 

during a storm on Feb.11, 2013, the same day 

Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation

So, if, as conservative catholics believe, God actually chooses the popes in a mysterious divine manner, what are we to say about God, given His last two choices for Pope?

Back to back pedophile protectors? Really? This is God's will? 

How about the long lineage of corrupt pontiffs chosen through human history?

Perhaps God's plan is a mystery? 
Perhaps God is incompetent? 
Perhaps God is just a screw up? 
Perhaps God's lightning bolt above St. Peter's is just a quiet "Fuck off!" 
Perhaps he just missed Benedict? 
The Cardinals?
The Curia?

And lest one think I am singling out catholics, I'm not. 
The same idiocy applies to blind authority allegiances in all religion
...and they are a plenty.

Time to duck...

zjm

'As Long As I Have My Plastic Jesus ...'

Oli Scarff / Getty Images file

Vatican follies are in full bloom, and soon we will have a new pope, the face and hands of god in the world. Most important, the mercantile offspring of prayer is alive and well. And if that doesn't sustain us, there is the sweet history of choosing a new pope.

zjm