In a recent trip to Quebec City, Canada, Pope Francis addressed the so-called scourge of “Christian Nationalism,” criticizing those who have dared to influence non-Christian public institutions with Christian beliefs.
He (God) does not want to make decisions for us or oppress us with a sacral power, exercised in a world governed by religious laws. No! He created us to be free, and he asks us to be mature and responsible persons in life and in society.
Previously Francis, who when asked to make a judgment on whether homosexuality is permissible within the church, made the infamous statement, “Who am I to judge?” has persistently pushed leftist antinomian positions within the Catholic church.
Francis visited Quebec City to apologize on behalf of the Catholic church for sexual abuse against indigenous peoples, along with practices of the church and Canadian government authorities that contributed to the “eradication of indigenous cultures”. While the Pope certainly should apologize for abuse, the idea that scriptural teachings that call all men to repentance and faith in Christ should be subordinated to pagan indigenous religious practices in the name of politically correct cultural relativism is patently absurd. Christ is Lord over all, including the indigenous peoples.
Francis urged leaders in the Catholic Church to refrain from imposing the church’s beliefs on a secular society but rather to use “pastoral creativity” and utilize “mercy that silently speaks of Christ.” The words of Francis reflect the false teaching of St. Francis of Assisi, who famously said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” The idea that Gospel proclamation can be made in the absence of a verbal scripturally-based Gospel-centric framework is patently false. Silent Evangelism doesn’t appear in the New Testament because God has prescribed Evangelism through the proclamation of scripture.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14-17
Ironically, while advocating for a pietistic posture towards society, Francis lamented the increasing secularization of many Catholics, who live as if God is of no consequence.
God seems to have disappeared from the horizon, and his word no longer seems a compass guiding our lives, our basic decisions, our human and social relationships.
It would seem that pietist views within the Catholic church that place artificial boundaries between religious belief and the creation of law would ultimately lead some Catholics to also divorce the doctrine that they hear at Mass from the way that they live in everyday life.
