Rev. James Martin

You know, one of the things that Pope Francis is trying to teach, and I think is Christian teaching, is encountering the person where they are and as they are, right? And, you know, he said, the name of God is mercy.

You know, one of the things that Pope Francis is trying to teach, and I think is Christian teaching, is encountering the person where they are and as they are, right? And, you know, he said, the name of God is mercy.

So, yes, we have, obviously, we have all these rules, we have all these traditions, you know, but what is the pastoral application of these things in the confessional, in a person's life? And I do think there is something of a over-focus on some of these topics. And I think Pope Francis was trying to remind us that there are other topics.

So, yes, we have, obviously, we have all these rules, we have all these traditions, you know, but what is the pastoral application of these things in the confessional, in a person's life? And I do think there is something of a over-focus on some of these topics. And I think Pope Francis was trying to remind us that there are other topics.

Because I feel like there aren't many Catholics in the world who don't understand what the Catholic Church teaches on marriage and homosexuality and masturbation and things like that. There aren't a lot of Catholics that don't know what the Church teaches on marriage. poverty, the environment, those kinds of things. So I think this is what Pope Francis was trying to do.

Because I feel like there aren't many Catholics in the world who don't understand what the Catholic Church teaches on marriage and homosexuality and masturbation and things like that. There aren't a lot of Catholics that don't know what the Church teaches on marriage. poverty, the environment, those kinds of things. So I think this is what Pope Francis was trying to do.

Interestingly, in an interview with Jesuit magazines, including America in 2013, he said something like, I'm paraphrasing, I'm not changing anything. He said, but when it comes to questions of sexuality and abortion and things like that, I feel like people know it and it's time to, like a good teacher, move on to the next lesson.

Interestingly, in an interview with Jesuit magazines, including America in 2013, he said something like, I'm paraphrasing, I'm not changing anything. He said, but when it comes to questions of sexuality and abortion and things like that, I feel like people know it and it's time to, like a good teacher, move on to the next lesson.

And I found that a really interesting insight because I think what people saw is his ignoring that Was rather him saying, you know, we've understood this and now let's move on to other topics, which I think have been less stressed. You know, poverty, you know, the stuff you pointed out and the environment, which was a surprise.

And I found that a really interesting insight because I think what people saw is his ignoring that Was rather him saying, you know, we've understood this and now let's move on to other topics, which I think have been less stressed. You know, poverty, you know, the stuff you pointed out and the environment, which was a surprise.

And we certainly don't want to say that we're in the same place that we would be a thousand years ago about homosexuality, because we've learned things. And so I think, you know, when you look at, for example, you know, the Second Vatican Council, it's the church in the modern world, not the church against the modern world or the church frustrating the modern world.

And we certainly don't want to say that we're in the same place that we would be a thousand years ago about homosexuality, because we've learned things. And so I think, you know, when you look at, for example, you know, the Second Vatican Council, it's the church in the modern world, not the church against the modern world or the church frustrating the modern world.

And so I think it's, this is where discernment comes in, honestly. And I know people might roll their eyes and say, oh, that's just like a buzzword. I think he really is, he really was the pope. trying to help us reflect on the signs of the times, say, where is the Holy Spirit active? What am I calling people to do? What am I calling the church to do?

And so I think it's, this is where discernment comes in, honestly. And I know people might roll their eyes and say, oh, that's just like a buzzword. I think he really is, he really was the pope. trying to help us reflect on the signs of the times, say, where is the Holy Spirit active? What am I calling people to do? What am I calling the church to do?

But that's an inherently frustrating and messy and open process. Discernment is really open-ended, and that's okay, right? So I don't know where it's going to end up, but I think I would be- How do you think the modern world is going right now? Oh, not too well. Not too well, okay.

But that's an inherently frustrating and messy and open process. Discernment is really open-ended, and that's okay, right? So I don't know where it's going to end up, but I think I would be- How do you think the modern world is going right now? Oh, not too well. Not too well, okay.

I think the church is very oppositional to the modern world as it is now. I mean, you know, just talking about the poor. Yeah. and migrants and refugees and the sick. And I think that's very countercultural. I think the thing is that, you know, Pope Francis, like all good church leaders, preached the gospel, you know, as he understood it. And if it became political, so be it.

I think the church is very oppositional to the modern world as it is now. I mean, you know, just talking about the poor. Yeah. and migrants and refugees and the sick. And I think that's very countercultural. I think the thing is that, you know, Pope Francis, like all good church leaders, preached the gospel, you know, as he understood it. And if it became political, so be it.

But I don't see him... And in my conversations with him, one of the things he didn't like was ideologies. He was allergic to that. He wanted to meet people where they were. And if he... Got the sense that you were pushing an agenda or an ideology. He didn't want any part of that. And so this is this person who has a deeply pastoral heart. And I think that's a wonderful thing for the church.

But I don't see him... And in my conversations with him, one of the things he didn't like was ideologies. He was allergic to that. He wanted to meet people where they were. And if he... Got the sense that you were pushing an agenda or an ideology. He didn't want any part of that. And so this is this person who has a deeply pastoral heart. And I think that's a wonderful thing for the church.