The Vatican bells would not ring and had to be rung manually by the men, when Pope Francis died. I have been praying for him all through his pontificate and now after his death, but I will always speak the truth....when it comes to our Church.
To forgive wrongs great or small is to let go of the animosity with an act of will. " I will to forgive you in Jesus's Name and I pray you have happiness in this world and the next" ( Fr Ripperger) Forgiveness is in the will. Emotions come and go. You might not feel forgiving but you do it in the will in the name of Christ and let God sort it out. And for our own transgressions we confess them and beg God to bring good out of the evil we have done. IMHO.
Exactly, it's like being wounded by a family member for them having done something despicable, which every single Catholic can relate to. We can forgive, without approving. Very important distinction.
There is little doubt that some will find this difficult, wounds run very deep and these feelings are understandable. We cannot forget, but we can forgive and put it behind us in order to move forward, if we don't we can get spiritually stuck.
There has always been great confusion surrounding his papacy. I always wondered if Pope Francis had mental health issues that played a role in some decisions that he made. I have to agree, all of this is so strange and disturbing. I pray that Francis was saved. .
Historic meeting between Trump and Zelensky at St. Peter's Basillica. Unbelievable that this took place on the day of Pope Francis' funeral. I hope the meeting brings peace.
I just watched Fr Murr saying that when he heard the news, he felt sad - because he wasn't sad, and that made him sad. I heard it on coming downstairs in the morning, and my son in law was looking at his phone and he said laconically, 'You probably already know, the Pope has died'. I didn't know but I didn't feel surprised. Gavin Ashenden says he felt relieved and I think I did too, in a way. I can't mourn him. I hope he did repent in the end; it looks as if he might have. I don't wish anyone a horrible afterlife, but those given great responsibility for souls will face a harsher judgement than most of us. Didn't Cardinal Re suggest we can now pray to Francis? So dangerous a thing to do, to assume someone is in heaven. When I die I want everyone to pray for my soul.
"In Stockholm, under Arborelius, a church dedicated to Saint John recently became a center for Ukrainian refugees.
23.12.2024 The Catholic Church Purchases St. John’s Church in Stockholm Listen The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden’s St. John’s Parish and the Catholic Diocese of Stockholm have recently agreed that St. John’s Parish will transfer St. John’s Church to the Catholic Church. St. John’s Church, with its iconic tower, is a beloved landmark atop Brunkebergsåsen in Stockholm. Designed by architect Carl Möller, the church was consecrated in 1890. With its cathedral-like Gothic interior, the church offers a stunning space that accommodates 900 people. For a long time, St. John’s Church has been pastorally surplus to the needs of St. John’s Parish, as the parish’s other church, St. Stephen’s Church in Vanadislunden, has become the main parish church. In recent years, however, St. John’s Church has already served as the home of the Polish Catholic Mission in Stockholm. Following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the church has also become a place where the Ukrainian Catholic Mission holds services and where Ukrainian refugees have found comfort. This has fostered a spirit of cooperation and dialogue between St. John’s Parish and the Catholic Diocese of Stockholm. The discussions leading to the current agreement have taken place in an atmosphere of mutual trust and ecumenical goodwill. Before the sale, St. John’s Parish made it clear that they wished for the church to continue being used as an active Christian place of worship, a goal now fulfilled. Cardinal Anders Arborelius, OCD, the Catholic Bishop of Stockholm, commented on the matter: “I am deeply grateful that we have been able to acquire this magnificent church and for the trust that the Church of Sweden has shown us through this agreement.” St. John’s Church will become the fourth Catholic church in central Stockholm. The city already has St. Eric’s Cathedral at Medborgarplatsen, St. Eugenia’s Church near Kungsträdgården, and the Church of the Annunciation on Linnégatan. The Catholic Diocese expects to take possession of the church and parish hall in late 2025. However, a precise date has not yet been set, as the transfer agreement requires certain governmental approvals. The cemetery and bell tower are not included in the sale. The tower of St. John’s Church has undergone extensive renovations in recent years, and the Catholic Diocese plans to continue restoration work on other parts of the church. katolskakyrkan.se / KATT
I have struggled deeply with the concept of obedience to and submission of intellect and will to the Supreme Pontiff and the Bishops united to him. I understand there is an argument to be made also for, as Robert Nugent put it, the distinction between 'obedience' per se and 'obedience to the Truth'. I am not good at reasoning within the paradoxes of our Faith. Anyway I have confessed it to a priest and publically repented. It is best to move on now; to try now to live the Gospel and to ask Our Lady to make an offering of me as a little child to Jesus so that I may do God's will and be always immersed in the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, praying with Jesus and Mary to the eternal Father in the power and love of the Holy Spirit. May I also live the messages of Garabandal. It is not easy to work out one's salvation in fear and trembling. If I fail in that regard, may I substitute my sufferings in reparation for my sins and the sins of others. On a very positive note one of the last acts of the late Pope Francis is very interesting. The shrine status of Our Lady of Revelation and Trefontane has been given the all clear. https://youtube.com/shorts/zcXM2h6aUMM?si=OMpijld7hdW-GR6A
Regarding the Pope and his bank account. Diocesan Priests are allowed to keep their money, inheritances etc. Religious order Priests take a vow of poverty and do not accumulate wealth. Usually any inheritance goes to their community. Since the religious order priests started out as mendicant priests. This was told to me, correct me if I am wrong. I do think the Jesuits fall under the religious community definition.
I think one can pray to souls in Purgatory. They can't help themselves, but they can help us. One can't assume someone is in Heaven, certainly, but neither can one assume someone is in Hell. On the other hand, there seems to be a touch of clerical elitism, nowadays, manifested in so many recent Popes being canonised, while Leo XIII and Pope Pius XII wait patiently, among others. One could be tempted to suspect group-think or mutual back-scratching.
