O’Malley: Pope softens church tone, not stance

[Warren Stupidity]

Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley says he shares in the sense of wonder at how swiftly Pope Francis has captured the world’s attention and softened, with his sometimes startling words and personal gestures, the image of the Roman Catholic chirch.


But he cautions that those with high expectations that the shift in tone presages major changes in church teachings on contraception, abortion, homosexuality and other flashpoint issues are likely to be disapppointed.


“I don’t see the pope as changing doctrine,’’ O’Malley said in an interview with the Globe, though he said the pontiff’s focus on compassion and mercy over doctrinal purity has reverberated powerfully throughout the church

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2014/02/09/pope-francis-softening-tone-not-stance-cardinal-sean-malley-says/3hn2hD4N6gBZareBtGUQPK/story.html

Yup, same shit in a new wrapper. At least O'Malley is being honest.

[skepticscott]

1. No doubt the pope lovers here

will dismiss O'Malley as not to be believed, and continue their see-no-evil, hear-no-evil fawning over the new pontiff.

[rug]

2. And no doubt the pope haters here will continue their pope hate regardless of what's said or done.

If it is something good their focus will simply change.

[Warren Stupidity]

5. I would celebrate an actual substantive change in policy.

No evidence at all that this is going to happen.

[rug]

12. Glad to hear that. So would I.

We'll see.

[notemason]

3. While Pope Francis may not reverse doctrine

he seems to be on a path of guiding towards more acceptance of those affected by the doctrines and that alone is a worthy goal and certainly a move in the right direction.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. The church will continue to oppose equality and contraception and abortion.,

How being more accepting of the people you are deliberately fucking over is ameliorating is a mystery of faith.

[skepticscott]

8. Can you give us a single concrete example

of his actually DONE anything like that, as opposed to being sort of on a path sort of guiding towards something sort of warm and fuzzy?

[notemason]

9. He has spoken for the poor.

I know what you want and support you and by all means keep up the pressure but he seems to present a sea change from the past.

[hrmjustin]

10. I am glad he has made clear he stands with the poor.

[skepticscott]

11. Benedict spoke for the poor too

so did JP II. Francis still vehemently opposes abortion, same-sex marriage, same-sex adoption (same-sex anything, in fact), contraception, divorce and women priests. The church under his reign is still covering up and abetting child rape. Just like Benedict and JP II.

So tell us again where this "sea change" is. And no, making you feel warm and fuzzy and "cautiously optimistic" does not count. Show us what ACTION Francis has taken.

[hrmjustin]

6. I likr Pope Francis but we must continue to challenge him and the bishops.

[skepticscott]

7. Really?

Ya think?