American nuns at rough end of Pope Francis’s mixed messages

[theHandpuppet]

Last edited Mon May 12, 2014, 05:09 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/american-nuns-at-rough-end-of-pope-francis-s-mixed-messages-1.1791257?page=1
The New York Times
Maureen Dowd
12 May, 2014

American nuns at rough end of Pope Francis’s mixed messages
Whether deliberate or not, Vatican ambiguity is most harsh on women

So much for all the cozy hugs and soothing cold calls and fun selfies and humble gestures and talk of mercy, love, inclusion, equality and justice. Pope Francis appears guilty of condoning that most base Vatican sport: bullying nuns. The cool pope suddenly doesn’t seem so cool, allowing Rome’s grand inquisitors to torque up the derogation this Mother’s Day of the American sisters who have mothered so many - even as an endless parade of ghoulish priests were shielded as they defiled vulnerable kids in their care...

...“This latest slapdown raises a big question about Pope Francis’s character,” said Kenneth Briggs, the author of Double Crossed: Uncovering the Catholic Church’s Betrayal of American Nuns. “Is he content projecting a Mr Nice Guy image while giving the green light to the Vatican big boys to pursue a hard line? Is he the butterfly who delights everybody, or is he also the strong arm?”

Although the 77-year-old pope has said that women could gain greater power in the church, other comments have been typically atavistic. While praising women for their “sensitivity,” “intuition” and mothering skills, he said flatly that women’s ordination to the priesthood “is not a question open to discussion”...

... Women, gays and dissident Catholics who had fresh hope are going to have to face the reality that while this pope is a huge improvement on the last, the intolerance is still there. We are still going to be discriminated against, but with a smile instead of a frown. Maybe a frown is more honest. – (New York Times service)

[AtheistCrusader]

1. I don't see how this is a 'huge improvement'.

He seems like a return to John Paul II's positions. Which is a net zero movement after Ratzinger's brief rightward lurch.

[theHandpuppet]

2. Agreed

I thought it was an odd statement for her to make without providing any examples of what she would consider a "huge improvement".

[cbayer]

4. I think he is indeed a huge improvement over Ratzinger.

While by no means perfect, as Ms. Dowd so clearly points out.

[theHandpuppet]

5. How so?

I would like to know how you qualify "huge improvement".

[cbayer]

7. Emphasis on social justice, economic equality.

Opening the door, if even only a small crack, to greater understanding and acceptance of GLBT people.

Forming various task forces to look at the church's finances, stances on marriage/birth control and clergy abuse.

He seems to me sincere, even if in the end he is able to do little.

Look, I'm not fan of the RCC and have absolutely no interest in being placed in the position of defending it or it's pope.

However, I do see a huge improvement and am going to support what I see as steps in the right direction, even if they are small.

The RCC isn't going away. The best one can hope for is that the ship gets turned in a better direction.

[theHandpuppet]

8. Sorry, I'm just not feeling it

He has recently and repeatedly stated his stance on reproductive choice, women's rights, and marriage. Nothing has changed. I see a lot of PR while behind the scenes the bishops dig in their heels and fight even harder against these rights.

And I'm still waiting for him to speak out on the persecution of LGBTs in Uganda and Nigeria, hateful laws publicly supported by his own bishops and archbishops. He certainly loves to talk, so why the silence on this issue?

[cbayer]

9. I don't expect you or anyone else to feel it.

It's a really hard sell, but I'm an optimistic kind of person.

I also await him speaking out on some issues which I consider urgently critical, like Uganda and Nigeria.

Again, I'm not going to take the position of promoting or apologizing for him or the RCC. But I do think there is a big difference from his predecessor and I am willing to give him a chance.

That's the long and short of it.

[cbayer]

3. Just an aside - your link goes to the second page of the article.

[theHandpuppet]

6. Sorry -- I'll fix the link.

Thanks for the heads up.