Bishops celebrate Mass along Mexico border

[hrmjustin]

AP BRIAN SKOLOFF


NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) — Roman Catholic leaders made a rare visit to the border and celebrated Mass on Tuesday in the shadow of the fence separating the U.S. and Mexico, offering Holy Communion through the steel barrier to people on the Mexican side as they sought to bring attention to the plight of immigrants.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the leader of the Boston Archdiocese, led a delegation of bishops from around the country and Mexico in the trip to the border, less than a week after President Barack Obama discussed immigration reform in a meeting with Pope Francis. They toured the border city of Nogales, walked along a notorious section of the border that was once a popular crossing point for drug and immigrant smugglers, and celebrated Mass just a few feet from the fence.


http://news.yahoo.com/bishops-celebrate-mass-along-mexico-border-180442848.html

[DonViejo]

1. Wow. Good for O'Malley and his entourage...

O'Malley has not been progressive on the social issues, and he allowed himself to be used by Mitt Romney on gay issues (adoption of children..."Catholic Charities left MA because of the State's anti-discrimination law.&quot Not so.

[Goblinmonger]

2. He's not a Franciscan

He's a Capuchin.

[rug]

3. He's a Franciscan, OFMCap.

The third branch of the Franciscan Order are the Conventuals, OFMConv.

[DonViejo]

4. Yeah, so? Capuchin = Franciscan...

Franciscans are people and groups (religious orders) who adhere to the teachings and spiritual disciplines of Saint Francis of Assisi. The term is usually applied to members who also adhere to the Roman Catholic Church. However, other denominations also have members who self describe as Franciscan. They include Old Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran.

The most prominent group is the Order of Friars Minor, commonly called simply the "Franciscans". They seek to follow most directly the manner of life that Saint Francis led. This Order is a mendicant religious order of men tracing their origin to Francis of Assisi. It comprises three separate groups, each considered a religious order in its own right. These are the Observants, most commonly simply called "Franciscan friars", the Capuchins, and the Conventual Franciscans. They all live according to a body of regulations known as "The Rule of St. Francis".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franciscan

[Goblinmonger]

5. "each considered a religious order in its own right"

I am well aware of the Franciscan order and it's offshoots. The Capuchins are not what are normally referred to as "Franciscans." Your source even indicates that. I was trying to be more specific and accurate. They aren't all the same.

[rug]

6. You said he's not a Franciscan, not that he's "not what are normally referred to as 'Franciscans.'"

Diversionary pedantries aside, a Catholic (do you prefer "Roman" Catholic?) Cardinal making this statement on the border is a big deal.

[No Vested Interest]

7. Cardinal O'Malley wears a brown habit.

Most would say that signifies he's a Franciscan.

[Goblinmonger]

9. He's part of the Franciscan tradition

Specifically he is a Capuchin. Different color brown (a red-brown that gave way to the coffee drink being called the cappuccino) than Order of Friars Minor--what most would call Franciscans--and there is a longer pointed hood.

It's a different religious order. He is not part of the order that most people call Franciscans. If you want to get all vague and general, there are Lutheran Franciscans, too, but I'm guess that's not what people mean when they want to call O'Malley a Franciscan. I'm being more specific. I'm not sure why people are getting their shorts in a bunch. I'm right on this. It's OK that the atheist in the room knows the specific order of a Catholic Cardinal and knows the difference between those orders. God still loves you.

[No Vested Interest]

10. Thank you for the explanation. I especially like your

last sentence.
God still loves you, too.

[rug]

11. Specifically, the OFM branch are Observant Franciscans and O'Malley is a Capuchin Franciscan.

They are both Franciscan.

I won't speak for God.

[No Vested Interest]

14. More importantly, how does O'Malley describe himself?

Now, now, rug, you know that God loves all DUers.
Even those in the atheist group.
Maybe, especially those in the atheist group.
You know, Good Shepherd and all that.

[rug]

15. Oh he's a Franciscan all right and loves everyone.

I don't think the Franciscans would take me.

[No Vested Interest]

8. I especially like that Communion was available and given to those

on the Mexican side.
A unifying factor.
Wish I had been there.
Maybe Mass should be offered regularly along the Mexican-American border.

[rug]

12. That was a potent message, wasn't it?

[Brettongarcia]

13. Is the new Pope responsible? The Vatican recently praised the founder of "Liberation Theology"

The idea in Liberation Theology was rather Marxist: that one of the main goals of the church would be to help oppressed peoples; particularly materially.

Liberation Theology has long been popular in South America especially.