The Pope's Visit: What It Means for the Church | National Catholic Reporter

The Pope's Visit: What It Means for the Church | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Those who started going to Mass again because of Francis have done so already.  The trip did not add to that.  Latino Catholics are excited about a Latino pope in the same way.  The fact he spoke Spanish so much, however, was great after more than a century of people trying to push English on them and being punitive if they did not.  Sadly, that current is still with us but this helped repudiate it.



As for the USCCB staff, the problem is that they are reliable Republicans in some positions and, yes, they should be chaged - except that some of the bishops who put them there are also reliable Republicans.  Until we elect bishops again, only Francis can change them out (or God).  I doubt the middle moved that much in the Conference and if Faithful Citizenship does not change, it will simply be ignored again. Worse, the Democratic Candidate may go on full frontal assault on the movement and the bishops about this issue.  Now that would be refreshing.  Of course, if abortion is not seen as issue in play, there is no place in the GOP for Catholics.  Those who remain should be anathemized (not really, but its an interesting thought) for not supporting real change to reduce abortions, which would be making it easier to not only get through the pregnancy but see it through until high school and college graduation.  THAT would be a Francis effect.



The excitement of the people should excite the rank and file clergy, which is always good.  Best to have a volunteer Sunday, ahora! (now rather than soon).  Of course, letting them marry would do wonders for morale, and on this there might be hope.  It would be great if one of the bishops at the Synod said that allowing married priests would revitalize his clergy, speaking of families.  Family life is basic, for traditional families, for gays and lesbians and for priests.  Its time we recognize that.



Francis shows the holiness of living simply, however consumerism for some is a sign that pay is at least adequate.  For many it is not - so much so that it hurts the bottom line of some companies.  The problem is not consumption, it's luxury.  That does not come from being in the working class, it is an upper middle class issue and it bespeaks an even greater moral problem - the desire to have your children avoid pain and upset whatever the cost.  That sounds noble, but it turns them into bad human beings and not very good Catholics - from getting divorced to staying home on Sunday (although the working class stays home because it is too tired to get dressed up yet another day of the week).