Pope Francis I greets the crowd in St. Peter's Square
March 15, 2013 - Of course. It is the Ides of March and an attack on the leader of a Roman Empire emerges.
2057 years ago, a Roman colossus was attacked by little men from the Roman Senate and so ended Julius Caesar. Today, small-minded men coordinate and consolidate an attack on the pope.
It was called "a dirty war" and a young Jesuit provincial who was not yet cardinal or even bishop was unable to recover two Jesuits abducted by government thugs in Argentina in 1976. Well over 30 years later, a journalist comes forward with his telling of the story.
In his account, the un-named journalist offers the opinion that Fr. Jorge Bergoglio (now Pope Francis I) did not do enough to obtain the release of the captured Jesuits. What biographers of Pope Francis I have declared is that he was working through back channels and even humiliating himself and his position to advocate for mercy from the Argentine dictator Jorge Videla.
He celebrated Mass for the dictator and offered his clerical services to incur favor and obtain the release of the prisoners through more diplomatic ways. This was not in keeping with the Jesuits who were publicly rallying against the Chilean dictators of the same time.
However, it was in strict keeping with Bergoglio's own character: never gathering attention to himself, choosing the path of humility and simplicity. What may be his great strengths of humility and simplicity may be a double-edged sword used against him by those who do not understand the strength of a humble heart.
That humble heart shows itself again and again with each passing day. When he was ascending the throne of St. Peter, he stumbled on his way up but smiled and continued up unabated. When he addressed his assembled cardinals, the spoke from the pulpit and not from the throne.
Whatever scandals and accusations continue to rock the Church, it becomes apparent that this pope will meet them head-on with humility... just like his Savior did.
As I have said before, I am not a Roman Catholic but there is something moving and inspiring about seeing someone take the role of Vicar of Christ and take it seriously in all its implications.
This site and the material contained herein is protected by copyright and trademark laws under U.S. and International law. No part may be copied without written permission of the author.
© copyright 2011-2013. Travis Rogers, Jr. All rights reserved.
2057 years ago, a Roman colossus was attacked by little men from the Roman Senate and so ended Julius Caesar. Today, small-minded men coordinate and consolidate an attack on the pope.
It was called "a dirty war" and a young Jesuit provincial who was not yet cardinal or even bishop was unable to recover two Jesuits abducted by government thugs in Argentina in 1976. Well over 30 years later, a journalist comes forward with his telling of the story.
In his account, the un-named journalist offers the opinion that Fr. Jorge Bergoglio (now Pope Francis I) did not do enough to obtain the release of the captured Jesuits. What biographers of Pope Francis I have declared is that he was working through back channels and even humiliating himself and his position to advocate for mercy from the Argentine dictator Jorge Videla.
He celebrated Mass for the dictator and offered his clerical services to incur favor and obtain the release of the prisoners through more diplomatic ways. This was not in keeping with the Jesuits who were publicly rallying against the Chilean dictators of the same time.
However, it was in strict keeping with Bergoglio's own character: never gathering attention to himself, choosing the path of humility and simplicity. What may be his great strengths of humility and simplicity may be a double-edged sword used against him by those who do not understand the strength of a humble heart.
That humble heart shows itself again and again with each passing day. When he was ascending the throne of St. Peter, he stumbled on his way up but smiled and continued up unabated. When he addressed his assembled cardinals, the spoke from the pulpit and not from the throne.
Whatever scandals and accusations continue to rock the Church, it becomes apparent that this pope will meet them head-on with humility... just like his Savior did.
As I have said before, I am not a Roman Catholic but there is something moving and inspiring about seeing someone take the role of Vicar of Christ and take it seriously in all its implications.
This site and the material contained herein is protected by copyright and trademark laws under U.S. and International law. No part may be copied without written permission of the author.
© copyright 2011-2013. Travis Rogers, Jr. All rights reserved.
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