Pope Francis is a trojan horse. His aim is to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ. Yes, it is happening now. When you see these changes come true, you will know that The Warning SEcond Coming prophecies are true. there will be new cross introduced, changes to the text of Holy Mass, change of words during Consecration, change of the meaning of Holy Communion (the church will say that it is a symbol of communion between all people and not the body of Jesus Christ). Church will say – All of this is in the name of renewing faith and church. but the truth is that all of this has one aim: killing the Church.

Marcus
Hitler Stalin, etc.,  did not follow conscience to make theIr decisions. Their thoughts and actions were influenced by hypotheses of self proclaimed theorists who were part of a progressive movement that began in the mid 18th century,  this movement has extended into today’s political system.  Seems like you better brush up on your history.

“It is assumed that the sceptic has no bias; whereas he has a very obvious bias in favour of skepticism.” - G.K.Chesterton

“Pride consists in a man making his personality the only test, instead of making truth the test. The skeptic feels himself too large to measure life by the largest things; and ends by measuring it by the smallest thing of all.” - G.K.Chesterton

“It is ludicrous to suppose that the more skeptical we are the more we see good in everything. It is clear that the more we are certain what good is, the more we shall see good in everything.” - G.K.Chesterton

“No skeptical philosopher can ask any questions that may not equally be asked by a tired child on a hot afternoon.” - G.K.Chesterton

And let us not forget that Stalin, Hitler, Luther, Pol Pot followed their consciences!

I think the Pope needs to read Benedict’s “On Conscience”.

G.K. Chesterton: “It is not that atheists believe in nothing; it is that they believe in anything.”

‘The Courtyard of the Gentiles’, mentioned in the last paragraph, and founded by Pope Benedict, is a brilliant idea I knew only of his book-long conversations (“Salt of the Earth” and “God and the World”) with Peter Seewald, an atheist journalist. (Seewald is now Catholic).
I disagree with those atheists who say they know everything there is to know about the Gospel and Jesus Christ. Though I went to English national schools which were Anglican, I adopted the belief systems of my atheist-socialist, trade-unionist, Irish Republican Daddy and the attitudes of anti-Christian newspaper cartoons.  I had received First Communion and Confirmation by the age of seven but never went to Church again, until the age of 37, when I had my first experience of Jesus Christ. That experience led me to relive long-forgotten moments in my childhood and young adulthood. The new understanding about myself was the catalyst which made me decide to commit to Christ. Against the barbs of all-knowing atheists, we have the interior experience of God who defends us, we have a (mostly)  glorious history of founding universities and hospitals and of supporting the Arts and Sciences. We also have confidence that we are the largest, oldest, most integrated NGO on the planet,  which gives the most in money, goods and manpower to the poor of the world. We are aware that the Church is growing in faith and numbers, under the non-discerning noses of the media, in the countries where they still believe that children are the future, and where they never doubted that the traditional family is the safest, healthiest place for their nurturation. Paradoxically, the Church also grows in the places where persecution is the most terrible, such as Syria, Iraq and China.
Paraphrasing G.K. Chesterton: “If there were no God there would be no reason to be an atheist”. For church members, the atheist who opposes us is one whose arguments show, that he or she is unsettled about God and is likely very close to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Fallen, Casting Crowns, Bill S:

Abraham Lincoln once said that if you look for the fault in a man, you will surely find them…....Fallen and Casting Crowns, I find absolutely no confusion. I am clear on the Doctrine of the Church, and the context of the Bishops statements. When I am confused, I speak to a pastor or Bishop, etc. with as much fervor as you seek to prove the church and faithful Catholics as a bunch of fools.  I propose that it is your bias and for some a relentless quest to find fault…...is there no other way to spend your time?  What contributions to your community have you made recently? Quoting scripture to support your claims is very frustrating to someone like me.  For your own sake, give it a rest, lest it becomes your self-fulfilling prophecy.

Bill S.  - For your information:  The Episcopal Church was once a part of the “Roman” Catholic Church, until King Henry VIII declared himself as head of the Church, at the same time calling for the beheading of the Roman Catholic Bishops and clergy.

For those with faith, no explanation is necessary; for those without faith, no explanation is possible…... St Thomas Aquinas.

Very good blog.Much thanks again. Awesome.  nike air max airmax90er.com.

@Bill S:  Fresh air?  This is the same type of oxygen which has caused schisms and declining membership in the Episcopalian and Methodist churches.  Why do you think Episcopal priests have converted to Catholicism? 
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Jesus did not come to earth with a “marketing plan” which would appeal to everyone.  The small chapel Pope Francis mentioned in the interview released yesterday is indicative of those names written in the Book of Life outlined in Revelation.  The cost of discipleship is high.  The gate is narrow.  The church is not here to “go along to get along.”

He now thinks the Church should stop obsessing about gays and abortion.

I could have told you that but you probably wouldn’t have listened to me. Now the Pope tells you and you still won’t listen. Aren’t you suppose to not question the Pope’s authority and do what he says?  What’s with all this dissent because this pope doesn’t condemn everyone who doesn’t follow the book to the letter ?  He’s a breath of fresh air.

The pope is sowing confusion.

Okay, I just read his some more this “popes” statements…. and once again I’m thoroughly worried. He now thinks the Church should stop obsessing about gays and abortion.

See that? Apparently this guy feels like the church has been speaking out TOO MUCH about these intrinsic evils in the world today. Yeah. THAT’S what’s wrong with the world. The darned ole Catholic Church is just stuck on that gloomy ole “sin” thing. What the Church really needs is to cue The Beatles! All You Need Is Love!

IS HE FREAKING KIDDING ME WITH THIS BILGE?

He wants a gospel that is lived in a compassionate, forgiving and
Christ-like manner. He pushes against a Catholicism that is legalistic,
puritanical and condemnatory.

Christ Himself WAS legalistic, puritanical, and condemnatory IN HIS compassion, forgiveness, and ultimate Mercy. Don’t believe me? Read Our Lord’s words for yourself:

“The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” - John 4:17-18

“You have heard that it was said,r ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.s It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.” - Matthew 5:27-30

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.’ But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” - Matthew 5:31-32

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 5:17-20

Casting Crowns:  IMHO it seems that you proselytize your own doctrine here. I usually become annoyed when someone quotes scripture in a manner that proves their own point, as if the Catholic Clergy have overlooked its relevance.

You wrote:  “Whether one be clergy or laity, it is critical the message always be crystal clear regarding gospel teaching or people and the media will adopt only the interpretation they choose to hear.”

IMHO the Pope’s message is crystal clear, and aligns with the Doctrine.  Unfortunately, is is typical for the media and individuals to overlay their own bias and opinions when processing such statements. Mainstream media does spin their message.  We have lost the art of true investigative journalism.

I have seen your confrontational posts for quite some time now with a pattern of negative assessments. I have read your challenges and attacks to innocent readers who express their opinions openly. I say game over.

Charles, above, says: “The next pope is going to have quite a challenge rightening the ship especially if this papacy drags on for 12 years or so. What were the cardinals thinking at the last conclave?”
Perhaps, Charles, the cardinals electing him were just trying to overcome the shipwreck that the Church has become in the western world under Popes JPII and Benedict.  Something had to be done.
And Gitanjali -  the people writing these comments are the same people who, until a few months ago, were so adamant that the Pope as the representative on earth of Jesus Christ had to be followed and obeyed without question.  How the world turns!!

Fallen:
I’m happy to know that you found your answers.  I’m not insulted by any of the questions you asked.  With that said, I often do feel frustration.  It seems that we are so quick to to find something wrong, when it comes to God,  faith, the Catholic Church, etcetera.  While people in general seem to question these things vehemently, we so easily listen celebrities, biased news reports, sensationalized magazines, and everything else in the media.  Faith is clearly a journey to be taken seriously in with one’s eyes open, but there is some point where one should just let go. This is one way to find peace in one’s life. I will say that there are others in this thread who seem to be here as a sport, in my honest opinion.  I find it annoying.

To Gita:

Some people on this blog are here just to antagonize others.  If I were you I would ignore them.  Quite frankly,  your posts have been gracious unlike some others that are filled with sarcasm and anger.  I often see the same snide blogger who considers this to be some sort of sport!!!  Imagine that someone would be able to critique the Pope so adamantly given the fact that they have never met him, they don’t know anything about the church, they don’t go to Mass, they’ve never read the Catholic catechism, they don’t agree with anything or anyone within the Catholic Church, and they think we’re fools….......  Very sad, very cliche…...like petulant adolescents. They should be apologizing to you, but then again for them it’s just a game.

God Bless You….......

Wow.  I just went from here to First Things and read George Weigel’s piece about Cracow being “where the 20th Century happened.”  The quote below is from that article. It seems exactly on point with respect to the idea that following one’s conscience, without God, determines whether actions are good or evil.

“According to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, another man who read history through Slavic cultural lenses, the unique horrors of the 20th century had taken place because (as the Russian novelist and chronicler put it in his 1983 Templeton Prize lecture) men and women had forgotten God: “The failings of human consciousness, deprived of its divine dimension, have been a determining factor in all the major crimes of this century.” French theologian Henri de Lubac made a similar point in The Drama of Atheist Humanism: The 20th century proved that men and women could indeed organize the world without God; but without God, they could only organize it against each other.”

@Fallen:  [From Pope Francis:  “First of all, you ask me if the God of Christians forgives one who doesn’t believe and doesn’t seek the faith. Premise that – and it’s the fundamental thing – the mercy of God has no limits if one turns to him with a sincere and contrite heart; the question for one who doesn’t believe in God lies in obeying one’s conscience. Sin, also for those who don’t have faith, exists when one goes against one’s conscience. To listen to and to obey it means, in fact, to decide in face of what is perceived as good or evil. And on this decision pivots the goodness or malice of our action.”]
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This idea of “conscience” is altruistic.  Romans 1 describes people following their “conscience” but describes such people on their way to Hell because their mind has been seared.  Their mind has exchanged evil for good.  Truth for a lie.
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The statement from Frances is inconclusive but likely is motivated by his seeking the goodly desires of people yet Scripture points to the reverse.  The humility of man, mourning over sin, separation from God, servanthood, confession of sin, repentance, deliverance, redemption and salvation only come about due to an awakening and belief in Christ.  Obedience thus follows not because you “have to” but moreover, because you “want to.”
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Fallen, we need to know whether to evaluate these statements on basis of what was said or in the context of what was meant.  The statement above is open ended.  Does a person not believe because he has never heard the gospel—or has he heard the gospel and rejected it?
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In this modern era, few people in the world have not heard the gospel and have no idea who Jesus Christ was, is and claimed to be —that of not “a” way but THE way,—not “a” door but THE door.  “No man comes to the Father BUT by me.”  The worldview will tell us there are many paths to God.  The gospel says there is only ONE way.
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Granted, there is much mercy granted to someone having never heard the word for the blood of Christ can be applied to whomever the Lord chooses in this regard.  However, the gospel is clear regarding the outcome of those having heard the word—-and then choose to not believe.
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Whether one be clergy or laity, it is critical the message always be crystal clear regarding gospel teaching or people and the media will adopt only the interpretation they choose to hear.

Pope Francis has many great qualities.  He is charismatic. He appeals to the commom person. His personal holiness is above reproach. He wants desperately to “reach out” and “engage” the world, which is perhaps the most important thing for the Church right now. 

But honestly, I just can’t find a way to reconcile this with Catholic teaching: “Sin, also in those who are without faith, exists when it goes against our conscience. Listening to and obeying one’s conscience means, indeed, to make decisions in relation to what is perceived as good and bad. And on this decision rests the goodness or evil of our actions.”

It is hard to fathom how a Pope could write that statement in any context. It is even harder to fathom how the Pope’s advisors could allow it to be published in a major secular newspaper.  And it is harder still to imagine that neither the Pope nor his advisors suspected that the statement would set off a firestorm. What the Pope says and writes DOES matter. He can’t afford to be careless.  It is worrisome.

Hi Fallen:

I too apologize to you and everyone if I sounded like looking things exclusively from the land of my origin, and not more globally and “catholically”.

I strongly feel Pope Francis is not an anti-missionary Pope: Because I value his life style both in Argentina and the Vatican; Because he is born in the very womb of the Jesuit congregation which sent me some of the greatest of evangelizers to my country: St Francis Xavier, Henri Henriques, Robert De Nobili, Constantine Beschi and St. John De Britto; Because I read through with tears in my eyes the entirety of his address to the Bishops of Brazil during during the World Youth Celebrations.

And finally, I sense the greatest havoc is done to all of us by the local language media which picks up pieces and sensationalizes the whole truth!

News, you know is not dog biting the man, but always the man biting the dog. I do acknowledge that there is this vast difference between Media News and Gospel News.

GITANJALI - CHENNAI - INDIA

Gitanjali, after reading the actual words Pope Francis wrote, and not the media’s version of his words - I now realize that I was wrong. He did echo the authentic teachings of The Church and of the Catechism.

Here is the full passage. I included the first line that you left out, because it is the key to the entire context of his reply:

“First of all, you ask me if the God of Christians forgives one who doesn’t believe and doesn’t seek the faith. Premise that – and it’s the fundamental thing – the mercy of God has no limits if one turns to him with a sincere and contrite heart; the question for one who doesn’t believe in God lies in obeying one’s conscience. Sin, also for those who don’t have faith, exists when one goes against one’s conscience. To listen to and to obey it means, in fact, to decide in face of what is perceived as good or evil. And on this decision pivots the goodness or malice of our action.”

Please understand, my objections were never based in any animosity towards unbelievers out of jealousy, but rather, my anger and anxiety had its basis in a specific fear, as all anger and anxiety does. It was the fear that this Pope was advancing the heresy of all heresies; that faith in Christ is not absolutely essential to those who have been exposed to His Truth. But alas, that is not what he was saying. He was saying that the basis of true faith is found in Mercy - not understanding. God’s Mercy knows no limits - not even the brokenness of our own limited human understanding. His Mercy lays bear the reality that none of us truly understand our own hearts, much less the real motives of our hearts. The spiritual basis of this reality was recognized in the 5th century by the incomparable St Augustine when he wrote: “In my heart of hearts Oh Lord, You are closer to me than I am to myself”.

And of course, Pope Francis was ultimately echoing the Divine Mercy of Our Savior’s infinite and unfathomable understanding of our hearts deepest broken motives as He cried out from the Cross: “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.”

I apologize for my misunderstanding and my ranting. And Lisa - I apologize to you too and to everyone here.

@Gitanjali:  [“if He is approached with a sincere and repentant heart,” the pope wrote, “the question for those who do not believe in God is to abide by their own conscience.”]
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Excuse me?  Talk about convoluted logic.  Why would someone who doesn’t believe even consider approaching any god (small g) “with a sincere and repentant heart?”
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It’s fascinating the way people like you will spin anything to validate the office of Rome rather than to evaluate the man vis a vis the gospel.

Fallen
if you require his clarifications then you must read the various encyclicals that have been published by the church and the doctrine to clearly understand what he means. I find no confusion . it is very clear to me.

Fallen  
You point out the exception not the norm.  You are right there have been heretics and sinners within the clergy and laity of the Catholic Church, as with many institutions.  Again it is the exception not the norm and cannot compare to the positive contrbutions.  Sorry but your argument holds no wait with me.

I felt sad to read some of the comments of Pope Francis.

Many are beginning to wonder if he is genuinely a pope-material, even if his election is valid etc. May be, in another 2 months, Catholics will brand him as heretic!

a. After all, this what the Pope Francis wrote: “Given – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits, if He is approached with a sincere and repentant heart,” the pope wrote, “the question for those who do not believe in God is to abide by their own conscience. There is sin, also for those who have no faith, in going against one’s conscience. Listening to it and abiding by it means making up one’s mind about what is good and evil”.

b. About 50 years back, on November 31, 1964, Pope Paul VI promulgated the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, LUMEN GENTIUM, in which the Vatican Council Fathers taught the following: “Those also can attain to everlasting salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and, moved by grace, strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of their conscience” (Lumen Gentium, No 16)
How come my good readers didn’t object to such inclusive teaching in 1964?
It sounds more like the Prodigal Son’s older brother feeling jealous of the generosity of the extravagant Father…

Or more basically and subtly, there is an underlying discomfort and class thinking in all these comments that Pope Francis is not a good enough European to run matters in the Vatican?
GITA - CHENNAI - INDIA

Posted by Casting Crowns on Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 3:19 PM (EDT):

“@Fallen:  Consider the body who elected him.  Are they any better?  They elected one of their own.  Jesus also had something to say about church leaders in His day.  Fancy vestments and regalia were only a covering of whited sepulchres discussed in Mathew 23.”

Oh I couldn’t agree more, Crowns. Everyone needs to remember that the same College of Cardinals that elected him was made up of many of the very same malcontent Bishops who actively oversaw the spiritual rot and scandal that has decimated the Church over the last few decades. And that unseemly fact coupled with the unprecedented act of Benedict surrendering his chair all leads me to wonder if the Holy Spirit didn’t simply clear the way to LET this guy be selected as opposed to the Holy Spirit selecting him Himself. Several times we read in scripture where the evil of men is so complete that God simply gives them over to their misguided desires. The Good Lord promised His Church would survive until the end of time, but He never said it wouldn’t burn it self down to its moral foundation and then be rebuilt by the Holy Spirit along the way. And I have to wonder if that isn’t exactly what is happening now. Scripture warns of Angels Of Light who will deceive many in the faith. And this current Pope certainly has a lot the earmarks of confusion and deceit that could easily sway well-meaning people. A good test is to note how hard he tries to appeal to the world by adopting the world’s false “truth” of sentimentalism. That is: the discernment of “truth” purely through good feelings. This seems to be happening on a regular basis with this guy. All you need is “love”. Forget actual faith. Actions are all that matter, he seems to think.

Faithful Catholics must be vigilant. The Truth never changes, no matter what any man in a beanie says. Even a wayward Pope. ESPECIALLY a wayward Pope.

@Fallen:  Consider the body who elected him.  Are they any better?  They elected one of their own.  Jesus also had something to say about church leaders in His day.  Fancy vestments and regalia were only a covering of whited sepulchres discussed in Mathew 23.

Jesus never promised the church would be immune from Satanic attack and never have false teachers.  Jesus predicted and warned of false teachers.  People need to stop clinging to grade school Catechism notions all clergy are holy men and can do no wrong.
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Leaven in Scripture is always viewed in the negative.  The Parable of the Leaven indicates NOT that the church will rise up and influence the world ** but rather that leaven (the world) will infiltrate and negatively impact the church.

Posted by Lisa on Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 10:40 AM (EDT)  “The Pope said what he said and he meant the context of the doctrine, and faith.  Let’s remember that his comments were edited and he was limited in the word count for the publication. Let it go.”

Really? Where are the Popes clarifications? Are we to believe that he is completely unaware of the confusion and chaos his words are creating? Or does he just not care? Because his words are now echoing heresies. And his papal authority can never change the immovable Truth that Salvation is impossible for those who refuse to accept the Truth of Christ’s Divinity.

Posted by Lisa on Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 10:40 AM (EDT):

“The duty of every Catholic clergy and laity, is to speak about the Word of God and the promise of everlasting life.”

Please note, throughout Church history, the most destruction has almost ALWAYS come through the clergy. There have been horrible and outright sinful Popes and Bishops.

Lisa wrote - “if one believed in the Catholic faith then one also believes in the Pentecost that is the Holy Spirit working through the clergy and laity.”

Correction, the Holy Spirit doesn’t always work through the Clergy and and individual laity at all times in all things. Sometimes the Holy Spirit allows the clergy and laity to have their own destructive ways. You seem to be making the mistake of assuming that every pope speaks infallibly all the time. Don’t ever assume that fallacy. How many times has this pope’s words needed dire clarification? And what seems to be the reoccurring theme with him? This: Hey, don’t judge sins. Who’s to say? “Who am I to judge?” Well, first of all You’re the freaking POPE! If you can’t call out sinful action - then who can? And that’s a problem because the Good Lord COMMANDS us to call out sin in the world. We are to help our brothers remove the speck from their eyes, and ALSO the beams. But how is that even possible if we refuse to recognize the specks and beams at all?

This pope keeps spreading confusion and strife among the faithful devout. He keeps challenging immovable Truths with a wishy-washy fog of blurred feel-good sentimentalism. And that is something the Holy Spirit would NEVER do. He’s not speaking Truth to the world, he’s speaking the “truth” the world wants to hear. Did Christ or His Apostles and Disciples ever do this? I don’t ever remember seeing that in scripture.

Love is the greatest of ALL the virtues. It overcomes a multitude of sins. But Love is not always a happy feel-good acceptance of all people and all actions. The Way, The Truth, and The Life, will necessarily call-out all those actions and philosophies that offend it.

I’ll say this again: there is something very wrong with this popes words. And it keeps happening.

@Lisa:  [“that is the Holy Spirit working through the clergy and laity.”]
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That’s another one of those tribalisms.  If it sounds good, it must be true.  You cannot make such a blanket statement.  Try selling that to all SNAP victims and the good people of the Boston and Philadelphia Archdiocese.  A more accurate statement is from the gospel:  “Ye shall know them by their fruit.”

Cici , and others who critique Pope:  I empathize with you and can understand your comments and opinions. After some thought, however I began to see this differently.  The duty of every Catholic, clergy and laity, is to speak about the Word of God and the promise of everlasting life.  It is their duty to preach the ways of Christ.  What I learned is that for those who have faith, no explanation is necessary, but for those without no explanation as possible.  I think we’re over thinking this.
IMHO, Pope Frances is a humble unassuming kind man who I believe has quite a bit of wisdom based on his experiences and the experiences of the Church. further, if one believed in the Catholic faith then one also believes in the Pentecost that is the Holy Spirit working through the clergy and laity.  Catholics believe in a supernatural God.  Why would anyone with different philosophies or different religious beliefs, expect anyone faithful Catholic to speak differently about their own truth.  Just as the atheist or agnostic expresses his or her own beliefs or unwavering truth,  so does the Catholic,  even if those around them disagree and do not believe. Media reports, whatever, we are overthinking this guys.  The Pope said what he said and he meant the context of the doctrine, and faith.  Let’s remember that his comments were edited and he was limited in the word count for the publication. Let it go.

People are focusing on the “follow your conscience” and “atheists are going to heaven” heresy.  But, there are several more heresies in this short letter. It’s kind of funny that so many people tried to cover Pope Francis and claim that when he made the same statement last May, that he really didn’t say what he said, or mean what he said.  Well, now he said it again.  He didn’t say it as an off the cuff slip up.  He said it after careful consideration.  He wasn’t quoted out of context.  He said it in writing. What now everybody?  What now?  How long will this go on that every time Pope Francis contradicts the doctinal teachings of the Catholic Church someone in the Catholic media rushes is to try to find some loophole to claim that he didn’t. It’s ridiculous.  He did.  What now?

In this modern era, there are no atheists, but only those who choose to reject Truth. The “Truth” being a person, not a “thing.”

No. There are atheists who know that there in truth in your “Truth”.

In this modern era, there are no atheists, but only those who choose to reject Truth.  The “Truth” being a person, not a “thing.”  They have rejected the word (gospel) given by the Word (Christ).  A true atheist would never spend so much time defending something which they say does not exist.
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The Papacy is too often myopic in thinking everyone is interested in salvation and the love of God which is contrary to what Jesus taught.  Jesus taught exactly the opposite as did Paul.  A close read of the parable of the soils will tell you that along with the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus regarding His likening of the Spirit being analogous to the wind in John 3.
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This Pope should spend more time concentrating on the gospel rather than Church Dogma and Canon Law ruling the day.  The road to salvation is by the narrow gate.  The road which “leadeth to destruction” is broad to merely accommodate the large number who are on that path.  Most people simply are not interested.

I wrote about what he means by conscience and the atheist. Check out my full post on the letter.
http://jeremiahgibbs.com/2013/09/12/is-pope-francis-changing-the-teaching-of-the-catholic-church-a-theologians-commentary-on-his-open-letter-to-eugenio-scalfari/

Without God’s revelation to Abraham (and his descendants); and then His revelation through the Lord Jesus (to Christians) who could have known, really, how to please God?

Pope Francis needs to understand that atheists are not looking for a way to please God and go to heaven. They look for ways to enjoy this life and make this world a better place to live for themselves, their children and others. If the Pope gives advice to atheists it should be for achieving those goals, not how to get into heaven. That is just childish to them.

Posted by benjamin on Thursday, Sep 12, 2013 10:58 PM (EDT):

“I cannot recall any other Christian leader in currrent times who, through the willingness to engage with those who indicate that they do not believe, has provided such a humble, honest, and deeply personal explanation of his personal faith; attempting to answer questions posed by someone of contradictory belief. Our world needs more of this type reasoned dialogue, not less.”

Actually, Fr Robert Barron’s ‘Word On Fire’ series on youtube has been doing this for the last several years. And they do it much much better than this confused and weak excuse of a pope.

Not to mention the countless professional Catholic apologists.

Lord, please limit the damage this guy is about to inflict upon your precious Church. 

Posted by Gitanjali on Thursday, Sep 12, 2013 9:06 PM (EDT):

Are these statements by the Pope infallible teaching ex cathedra? No.

Is the pope beyond accurate criticism? No.

Does this mean the pope is necessarily a “heretic”? No. There is a vast range of error from unintentional to intentional between schismatic to heresy.

There have been less than stellar popes in the past, and they too had to be corrected by the laity, priests, and/or bishops.

So just relax. This pope is not above criticism. And we laity are not committing any sin in our honest dissent from his sloppy theological ramblings.

@Gitanjali:  Sorry, but ordination by the church is not pixie dust which instantly transforms all clergy into a special class of holiness and wisdom to which you desire to bow down to.  Better to evaluate the man, not the title.  The Holy Spirit provides us all —even we in the pew the gift of discernment.  2,000 years of history doesn’t mean the church has been immune from some bad actors in leadership along the way.

To Charles and tg: and others

How quickly we are to critique the Pope’s responses! It amazes me how individuals equate the Pope with the average guy….unlike the Hollywood elite who most people fawn over…..really?  Don’t you think our Holy Father in Rome just might have it together and he knows a lot more than the rest of us, just in his experience alone?.....Perhaps we mistake his humility and the humility of the Church, as lack of knowledge, ability and strength…...how cliche.  I suspect, as with any publication, the Holy Father’s response was edited and restricted to a limited number of words.

When the Pope refers to examining one’s conscience, do not think that is an internal process alone. It is not!!!  Conscience examination is both internal and external. It involves prayer, contemplation, Mass attendance, confession, discussions with a priest among other things…...Perhaps reading Luke 6: 39-42 may help us.  Examination of one’s conscience must be external and internal, otherwise no man could overcome the barrage of anti-Christian rhetoric, nor the human tendency to define one’s own truth.

So I implore every Catholic, Christian and Atheist alike, if the words of the Pope do not resonate with you, please inquire further with your local clergy or the USCCB for example, instead of extending negative criticism.  It is certainly in your best interest to do so.  We are so quick to negatively critique the Pope and yet Lady Gaga was purported to be in the top ten most influential people in the world in 2013!.........Are you kidding me?  If any of us took the time to research the life service, achievements, and contributions of these clergymen up to and including their service as the Pope, we would have nothing but positive things to say.  As it says in Luke 6: “remove the (wooden) beam from your eye.”

perhaps everything is not as simple as the pope’s critics assert?

To follow ONLY one’s conscience is to head for a dead-end. Without God’s revelation to Abraham (and his descendants); and then His revelation through the Lord Jesus (to Christians) who could have known, really, how to please God? In short God himself is our conscience.
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Examine me and test me, Lord;
  judge my desires and thoughts.
3 Your constant love is my guide;
  your faithfulness always leads me
(Psalm 26)
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I praise the Lord, because he guides me,
  and in the night my conscience warns me.
8 I am always aware of the Lord’s presence;
  he is near, and nothing can shake me.
(Psalm 16)
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None of us can see our own errors;
  deliver me, Lord, from hidden faults!
13 Keep me safe, also, from willful sins;
  don’t let them rule over me.
(cf Psalm 19)
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Lead me to do your will;
  make your way plain for me to follow
(cf Psalm 5 v 8)

Was Hitler following his conscience? Did he sincerely believe in racial supremacy, the sacredness of the Reich, the inferiority of the Jews and the Slavs? Was he following his deeply held beliefs? Just wondering.

To a true atheist, there is nothing that Francis or any other pope can say or do to impress us.  Going to heaven isn’t even a concern. Atheists know that our consciousness is dependent on the functioning of our brain and when the brain stops functioning we lose consciousness. If it stops permanently, then we cease to exist. There is nothing hard to understand about that. We should always follow our conscience because it is the right thing to do, and, in life, we want to do right and avoid doing wrong, not because it determines the kind of afterlife we will have (which is none) but because it makes for a better life and a better world.

For one thing, I would have preferred to read the Pope’s whole message translated into English without editorializing it. 

On the other hand, I enjoyed the letter for the most part. You don’t convert someone in one letter. He stated the most important parts of the gospel in the cross and Christ AND our relationship to one another.

People here are complaining that Francis said to follow your conscience. My initial interpretation of the letter was that if we listen to our conscience we will come to know, at some point or another, that God exists.

The Pope’s comments on following your conscience are no different that some of what the Bible teaches:

“Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” Romans 2:14-15

The Pope is in full agreement with St. Paul in this context, so I hope some of the more conservative Catholics get off their high horse and come to love the Lord and be less judgmental.

Dear Lillian, “In The Beginning Was The Word…”,

Did everyone read the full transcript? There, I read a very respectful attempt by the pope to explain his faith in JESUS CHRIST that was initiated and maintained through THE CHURCH. I cannot recall any other Christian leader in currrent times who, through the willingness to engage with those who indicate that they do not believe, has provided such a humble, honest, and deeply personal explanation of his personal faith; attempting to answer questions posed by someone of contradictory belief. Our world needs more of this type reasoned dialogue, not less. You cannot read the full transcript and conclude that Pope Francis does not have full faith in Jesus, the only Son of God and the source of man’s salvation. Note (and I sometimes wonder if most folks have the ability to accurately understand reasoned expression at this level) that the pope wrote: the mercy of God has no limits if one turns to him with a sincere and contrite heart. THANK GOD! But note: he said the mercy of God has no limits IF ONE TURNS TO HIM…This is the condition for salvation - Turning to God. He is not saying that turning to God is not necessary. He continues by explaining that lack of belief in God does not get one off the hook….explaining that even atheists have a conscience and that turning your back on your conscience is SIN - whether you believe in God or not. Not having time to go further, I conclude by asking you to read the conclusion of the pope’s letter:

“Believe me, the Church despite all the slowness, the infidelities, the errors and sins she could have committed and can still commit in those that accompany her, has no other sense or end but that of living and witnessing Jesus: He who was sent by Abba “to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).”

How can we criticize such a candid, graceful, and Jesus (GOD) honoring message to an unbelieving world?

Wake up folks! The world will not respond to haughty superiority and orders to get in line the “the truth as we see it!” Pope Francis might be trying to teach us how to evangelize our neighbors, colleagues, and countrymen. I certainly wish our American leaders would learn to discuss differences of opinion and position in such a graceful and constructive way!

For your consideration….

How amazing it is to notice the long line of “orthodox teachers” among the respondents!
I used to think that there was just one Pope; now it looks there are many, so many…
In fact, I had predicted that pretty soon certain Catholics and certain Catholic countries would call Pope Francis a heretic.
Let the Curia hurry to poison him…as early as possible.
If he is manifestly unorthodox, he has no right to be in the Vatican.
Let us forget the Lord, his Church, 2000 years of history, the worldwide community of the Faithful, their aspirations, and God’s world.
Let us enthrone the tradition on the altar of self-referential narcissism
and light a few candles around and adore…

GITA - Chennai - INDIA.

P.S. Sociopaths don’t have a conscience and one out of ten people are sociopaths.  What happens to them?

Divine truth is not subject to the human conscience.  We are to subject our conscience to Divine Truth.  Something is very very wrong.  Many Catholics are watching very carefully and they do not like what they are seeing. Something needs to be done in their service soon!

Pope Francis has a spotlight on him, and instead of him using it to reveal Jesus and to preach the Gospel, he is acting like he’s Pastor to the World, but he’s not.  He should just focus on Scripture and teach Catholics the Good News.  That said, if I answered these questions, I’d say:

1) God’s mercy and God’s general grace (the sun shines on everyone) extends to everyone, non-believers among them, and throughout their lives.  But God’s FORGIVENESS and ACCESS to the Father, in prayer, comes ONLY through Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit.  So Original Sin, which we all have, is in place, until we accept Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross as payment for our own personal sin.  The wages of sin is death, and sin, by definition, is separation from God the Father, who hears and answers prayer.  The question indicates a misunderstanding between what God’s MERCY is, & what God’s FORGIVENESS is.  Big difference.
Everyone can have His mercy, and even His General Grace.  But NOT His forgiveness.  Result: not being with Him in Heaven.  It is a one-way ticket to Hell. 

2) Is it wrong to believe that no absolute truth exists?  *YES*  It’s wrong, it’s a sin.  First, it negates Jesus and His work on the Cross as propitiation for our sin, and secondly, it negates the entirety of God’s word: the Bible.  The Bible is how we know A) Who God is b) Who we are, as a human race, and C) How God interacts with us, throughout history and to date, in our own lives today, D) What God wants from us: belief in Him.  My word, just look at the sin of Merribah!  It’s not rocket science.

3) Is belief in God fabricated by humans?  No.  There is a Creator and sustainer of the Universe.  Nothing comes from nothing and everything needs constant care -it does not self-sustain, for millenia, without help.
Will our houses clean themselves?  Will our cars morph into newer models?
Will our dinner tonight cook itself?  Name ONE thing, outside of nature and that is in God’s care, that is self-sustaining?

Nothing does not “explode” into being.  God exists and He has revealed Himself to us, ad nauseum, for 4,000 years of recorded history.  Those that have ears to hear, let them hear.  Those that reject Him, reject Him and His grace, which leads to eternal life in Heaven, with Him.

Posted by Gitanjali on Thursday, Sep 12, 2013 4:38 PM (EDT):

About 50 years back, on November 31, 1964, Pope Paul VI promulgated the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, LUMEN GENTIUM, in which the Vatican Council Fathers taught the following: “Those also can attain to everlasting salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and, moved by grace, strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of their conscience” (Lumen Gentium, No 16)

———————

First of all, modern atheists DO know the Gospel of Christ and they DO know His Church. They misquote the Gospels often to cause confusion and dissension and they attack His Church endlessly. And no, they DO NOT sincerely seek God they ARE NOT moved by His grace and they DO NOT strive by their deeds to do His will because they ARE following the dictates of their conscience.

So you see, your entire point is not only invalid, but it actually exposes the popes ridiculously flawed premise. 

Now how do I know these things? Because I AM a former atheist and a current Catholic revert. And having walked in darkness for nearly twenty years I can assure you this in the experienced Light of my New Life in Christ: I know corrupt teaching when I see, hear, and smell it. And this “pope” has something fundamentally wrong about him.

The Huffington Post is having a field day with the remark about the athiests.  I had to googled it because my Baptist son-in-law sent me an email. I hadn’t read anything about it in the Catholic blogs till now. He likes to send me emails of what Pope Francis says.  I guess to show how liberal Jesuits are.  I pray for the Holy Father to discern his words.

Dear Nancy,
Children exhibit an understanding of right and wrong,  before they can read or comprehend the Bible. Though unchurched, I went to Church of England schools, where we had Bible readings, hymns and prayers every day. I did not understand most of that until I became a believer - at the age of 37. I didn’t get a whole lot of training from parents either. I learned about evil in other ways such as through ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’, and in seeing images of liberated concentration camps and South African apartheid.  I could measure those things against what was good and pure and beautiful, without reference to the Word of God.
I think that what the Pope said,  regarding conscience, is similar to what Paul said in Romans 1:20 - “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been MADE, so that people are without excuse”. In Pope Francis’  words “the real question for those who do not believe in God, lies in listening to one’s own conscience.”
Adam and Eve were pure beings who walked, in good conscience, with God, until the temptation. The organized, comprehensive written Word of God, which includes all the books of the New Testament, was not around for several thousand years, yet Noah, Abraham and Daniel had well formed consciences.

The next pope is going to have quite a challenge rightening the ship especially if this papacy drags on for 12 years or so. What were the cardinals thinking at the last conclave?

Perhaps there is a misunderstanding among some of us souls about what the Pope intended.  You cannot get to heaven in any other way ,but through the death of Christ.  He died once for every soul he created. He died for all of us.  Since all of us are not Catholics or Christians for that matter, it must mean His death opened the gates of heaven for souls of good will.  If one soul sees the suffering of people from afar and one sees it up close and they both want to help, obviously the decision of the soul that is further from the suffering will not be able to help as well as the soul who ministers directly.  In another case a non catholic who becomes interested in serving God through Catholicism, maybe, has to travel a road that involves stumbling blocks along the way.  In the meantime that soul must follow his conscience which will require more of him as he learns more about what he must do to be a catholic.  Before he was a Catholic he had a personal relationship with God who resides in his soul as his conscience.  He is obligated to follow his conscience and when he doesn’t he sins.  Every soul through his conscience knows lying, stealing, cheating on your wife etc. is immoral and we should do those things we know are in line with goodness as God or our conscience demand and know when we don’t bad things happen.
We all are responsible to living a selfless life in order to do good and when we meet our maker He will hold us accountable.  “To some much is given and much will be expected.”  All of us are touched by God in our conscience where He resides.  The closer we are to Christ the more we will be expected to do.  None of us has the right to deny our consciences in order to do what we, as individuals want to do because it serves us and not God.

I felt sad to read some of the comments of Pope Francis.

Many are beginning to wonder if he is genuinely a pope-material, even if his election is valid etc. May be, in another 2 months, Catholics will brand him as heretic!

a. After all, this what the Pope Francis wrote: “Given – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits, if He is approached with a sincere and repentant heart,” the pope wrote, “the question for those who do not believe in God is to abide by their own conscience. There is sin, also for those who have no faith, in going against one’s conscience. Listening to it and abiding by it means making up one’s mind about what is good and evil”.

b. About 50 years back, on November 31, 1964, Pope Paul VI promulgated the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, LUMEN GENTIUM, in which the Vatican Council Fathers taught the following: “Those also can attain to everlasting salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and, moved by grace, strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of their conscience” (Lumen Gentium, No 16)
How come my good readers didn’t object to such inclusive teaching in 1964?
It sounds more like the Prodigal Son’s older brother feeling jealous of the generosity of the extravagant Father…

Or more basically and subtly, there is an underlying discomfort and class thinking in all these comments that Pope Francis is not a good enough European to run matters in the Vatican?
GITA - CHENNAI - INDIA

[“Addressing the second question, on whether it is wrong or a sin to believe that no “absolute truth” exists, the Pope writes: “The truth, according to Christian faith, is God’s love for us in Jesus Christ. So the truth is a relationship! Each one of us receives the truth and expresses it in his or her own way, from the history, culture and situation in which he or she lives.”]
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Now isn’t that interesting?  The “Truth” is spun to be an object (love)  rather than the direct primacy of the person of Christ.  So why isn’t the pope flat out saying people who do not believe in “absolute” truth are biblically in error?  Why must he and others always want to coddle people who reject Christ and play nice all the time?
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Why not simply present the uncompromised, unadulterated gospel (as written) instead of doing fuzzy make-overs so as not to offend people?  Jesus offended plenty of people Himself.  The gospel is the Good News.  You do not need to re-invent it with sugar coating.  This pope and lots of other clergy have lost their way falling into the trap Jesus mentioned of being “a friend of world is an enemy of God.” 
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Problems in the church abound because there are too many goo goo mush heads in charge who are afraid of the gospel (or don’t understand it).
When Jesus warned of false teachers, He meant INSIDE the church.  Looks like we can put Francis on that side of the ledger.  And then, look at those who elected him.

About 80 percent of my country is Non-Christian.
Is Conscience the monopoly of Roman Catholics alone?
GITA - CHENNAI - INDIA

“Francis seem to be a moral relativist if he believes atheists have a
conscience.”

Atheists have a conscience. It’s just a lot less cluttered with dogmas, doctrines and superstitions.

God’s mercy is limitless and knows no boundaries.  it seems to me the Holy Father said that atheists sin.  they can know they sin when they do what they know to be wrong.  what the Holy Father did not say is that a human being can not gain God’s mercy without repenting their sins.  i did not understand the Holy Father’s words to mean that we are granted forgiveness regardless of whether we repent.  the heart of the atheist must still respond to God’s will at the moment of death.  at the moment of death, there are NO atheists because at the moment of death every human being encounters God.  the real question is how does the heart of the atheist respond to the glory and goodness of God.  since we catholics are very aware of our sinfulness, it is incumbent upon us to use all means available to form humble and contrite hearts.  that is why we have the sacraments.  although the Holy Father did not comment upon this, a question that is raised is can any human beings, atheist or not, be following their consciences if they are not diligently pursuing truth?  is it not innate in humans that truth exists?  since, God exists, an atheist who is following his or her conscience by seeking the truth will eventually arrive at belief.  the Holy Father is quite clear that atheists sin and require God’s mercy.  he does not address how they receive that mercy.  i find it invigorating the manner in which the Holy Father stimulates discussion with the secular world.  it is my opinion that his seemingly off the cuff (informal) remarks could well be planting seeds of faith in many who do not have it because without his remarks, these people may never ever have engaged with the teachings of Jesus.  i now this post is somewhat wandering and meandering, but i felt compelled to defend our Holy Father against the attacks and verbal abuses i read from others who have posted to this thread.  very, very rarely are papal communications simple black and white statements.  there are nuances and levels of insight and understanding to be explored and discussed in virtually every papal communication.

Now, I’m really confused.We need Pope Benedict XVI, and maybe cardinal Dolan to talk about this inportant issue,We the layman are confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We can’t expect our Holy Father to convert a publicly assertive atheist in one session, but we can expect himi to make an effort to save the dying man.  He instructs us, who are called b yJesus to evangelize and yet rarely do, by his effort.  And “conscience” ALWAYS leads to Christ, and the “atheist” is not in fact following it if he remains stuck where 99% of so-called “atheists” are, i.e., in (often secret, rarely acknowledged) paganism. One cannot fail to find God if one truly follows his conscience. And it is a long path. (A hard one, too, if one has deviated from it for any length of time.) One day won’t do the trick (unless you’re given the gift of death on that day, like St. Dismas). And the road leads straight through the Church that Jesus left us.  So our Holy Father is being a good Jesuit (i.e., subtle but not against tradition), and the atheists are “right” (though of course they cannot ever be truly right in defending their paganism) to distrust him. They are blind, so to speak, due to their lack of anything near the faith we beg that God grants to us, but God denies no man a chance at salvation, if he will but ask.  (“Seek and you shall find.”)  And what is it when we listen to our conscience, but a way of seeking? 

Pope Francis explained that sin, for those without faith, is ...“when it goes against our conscience. Listening to and obeying one’s conscience means, indeed, to make decisions in relation to what is perceived as good and bad. And on this decision rests the goodness or evil of our actions.”
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Most people without faith don’t find artificial contraception and abortion as going against their conscience. Nor is “casual sex.”
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I don’t understand why the members of the conclave made him Pope—I expect they knew his views and nature were quite different from Ratzinger’s. Francis seem to be a moral relativist if he believes atheists have a conscience.

Pope Confusion,Inc?

More confusion from this Pope.  So atheists get to heaven by “following their conscience”?  Even though they reject this God and His heaven?  Is this consistent with Scripture and Church teaching over the millenia?  If so, someone please explain it to me, because I don’t get it.

Bro PENTIN:

You have titled this news item so appropriately. Compliments.

Both Vatican Council Documents on the Church and on the Mission respectively have the first words, “GENTES” (Lumen Gentium and Ad Gentes).
Of course, there are GENTES who are un-evangelized as the mission countries. That is the fundamental Biblical reading of the word, I suppose.

However, there are also, the GENTES who are poorly evangelized or the fallen away Christians of mostly the West.

May the concerned Bishops and their collaborators (lay and religious alike) take the cue from Papa Francesco to communicate in secular media, inviting all of good will and others no will as well to introduce
Jesus…

GITA - Chennai - INDIA

Turning to the first question raised by Scalfari, about whether God’s mercy extends to nonbelievers, Francis answers: “Considering — and this is the fundamental issue — that the mercy of God knows no limits, if we turn to him with a sincere and penitent heart, the real question for those who do not believe in God lies in listening to one’s own conscience.”
He explains: “Sin, also in those who are without faith, exists when it goes against our conscience. Listening to and obeying one’s conscience means, indeed, to make decisions in relation to what is perceived as good and bad. And on this decision rests the goodness or evil of our actions.”

If an individual does not believe in God, does not that mean that their conscience is flawed. Look at the history of humanity. It is not faithful catholics who are causing most of the trouble, it is people who reject Jesus who are causing the most problems. I look forward to the day when we have a pope who basically tells everybody that easiest way to get to heaven is to follow church teaching and not their conscience.

What Francis said about non-believers still going to heaven is a violation of Scripture itself. (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-assures-atheists-you-dont-have-to-believe-in-god-to-go-to-heaven-8810062.html) Jesus specifically said that the only way to the Father was through Him (John 14:6), yet Francis felt the need to blatantly contradict that, and for what, so that atheists could feel better about themselves.

A lot of what Pope Francis wrote in that letter contained far too much New Age influenced themes to it, which is highly disturbing.

Ever since Pope Francis started his Papacy…he has been nothing but a verbal contradiction to Tradition. He says his viewpoint, the media spins it, and the Vatican has to come out and give its version on what the Pope meant. He chooses to wear a plan vestments in Mass…doesn’t want the papal apartment..goes where he wants outside of the security area provided for him..he gives now some speech on conscience and just believe whatever your conscience says, just like biden,pelosi, the kennedys and the rest of the gang of Lucifer follow…enough is enough. Pope Francis seems to be a protestant and just do want you want, believe what you want, and you will be fine. No respect for the Traditions of the Church, but all the respect for ill informed consciences. Enough already, Pope Benedict reclaim your Papacy..I’m tired of having my stomach in knots

Why does the atheist founder of a newspaper deserve so much time and attention from the pope? Is this 2500 word missive part of church teaching or is it just a response to an editorial? Did anyone caution or advise the pope as to the wisdom of this? Could not the pope have called this person to the Vatican for a brief private discussion? Is the pope now obliged to answer similar inquiries in the future? Could not the pope have advised this publisher to read the catholic catechism first before expecting a direct response from the pope?

Here’s his quote that the secular media is raving about “God forgives those who obey their conscience,” And here’s how the media is interpreting this:

(The Pope has struck a surprisingly conciliatory tone towards atheists and agnostics, saying that God will “forgive” them as long as they behave morally and live according to their consciences.

The Pope wrote: “The question for those who do not believe in God is to follow their own conscience. Sin, even for a non-believer, is when one goes against one’s conscience.

“To listen and to follow your conscience means that you understand the difference between good and evil.”

He said that the “mercy of God has no limits” and encompassed even non-believers, but his remarks failed to impress the Italian Union of Atheists and Agnostics.)

How is this helpful to the faith? How does this serve Truth when time and time again this pope delves into this “inclusive” “openness” for the secular world AT the expense of objective Truth? And he never seems to personally correct any “misunderstandings” or “misinterpretations” of his meanings.

There is something very very wrong about this guy. He seems to be constantly serving an ambiguity of relativism that is magically justified if only people do “good works”. As if works alone (separate from and in lieu of faith) will save a soul. But alas, this is NOT what scripture tells us. Scripture tells us that we are saved by Grace and the Grace of our salvation requires works AND faith together. But this pope seems to place all his theological stock in the sentimentalism of feel-good works. He seems to believe that one can find objective Truth by feelings alone. This is a dangerous notion to advance to the world. This will not end well. The devil does his best work with a warm smile and a sentimental embrace of false goodness.

I’ll say it again, there is something very very wrong with this guy. Lord please help us.

He explains: “Sin, also in those who are without faith, exists when it goes against our conscience. Listening to and obeying one’s conscience means, indeed, to make decisions in relation to what is perceived as good and bad. And on this decision rests the goodness or evil of our actions.”

Francis seems to be telling those without faith to just follow their consciences. This is a lot better than saying that one must believe.

Conscience can be manipulated or groomed.
A certain person believed it was okay to hide some information when filling in his tax return forms.
He committed a crime as well as a sin. Just because his conscience condoned it does not mean that he did not transgress.
I can understand following one’s conscience when it is well informed and not closed to goodness and love.

Three yes-or-no questions were asked, and although many words were used, the Holy Father did not answer any of them.

A well formed conscience is a conscience that is in communion with The Word of God. To suggest that it is not necessary for our conscience to be in communion with the Word of God in order to know what is good and evil, and thus we can let our conscience be our guide, reminds me of a conversation that took place in The Garden of Paradise before Adam and Eve, no longer clothed with The Word of God, found out that they were naked.

Atheism wallows in a self-destructive hodos. It has grown from mere academic wonder to a way of life. But I put it to them more concretely, “Even ordained, certified or professed Atheists can be saved on the last day”. It is not too late.. Long live the Vicar of Christ on Earth, Long live the Church, Long live the Rock of Ages: for His love endures forever..