Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Pope Francis Gives First Interview to German Journalist: "I am a sinner and I am fallible"



[From Die Zeit] In an interview with the ZEIT, which will appear on Thursday, Pope Francis has critiqued the faith. When asked whether he also experiences moments in which he doubted the existence of God, he says: "I also know the empty moments." But the crisis is also an opportunity to grow: "A faith that does not fall into crisis (...) remains infantile." Pope Francis himself has the experiences of a normal believer. "I do not see myself as something special," says the head of over a billion Catholics around the world: "I am a sinner and am fallible." To every kind of papal cult, therefore, Francis declares a rejection. "We must not forget that the idealization of a person is always a subliminal kind of aggression." When I am idealized, I feel attacked," he says in an interview with ZEIT, which took place at the Vatican in late February. It is the first interview that Francis has given during his four-year term to a German journalist.

The Pope is concerned about the rise of populism in the Western democracies: "Populism is evil and ends badly, as the past century has shown," says Francis. "Populism means to use the people", it always needs a Messiah and also the justification to keep the identity of the people.

The Pope described the increasing lack of priests as a problem in many countries, for example in Germany. The Church is challenged and should face this and other problems also fearlessly. The task of theology is to research. "The truth is not to be afraid," says Francis, "Fears closes doors, freedom opens them, and when liberty is small, it opens a window." In addition, in the interview, there will be a discussion on celibacy, the ordination of married men to the priesthood, Francis addresses himself to the hostility toward his person and whether he will accept the invitation to visit Germany in the "Luther Year."

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

12 comments:

JBQ said...

There is not a bone of humility in his entire body. The Christ was a pre prophet for Mohammed. Francis exudes that Christ was only a preparation for his coming. It is called "delusions of grandeur".

Constantine said...

Pope Francis says he is a fallible sinner. He also says he believes in marriage. But as all things, him being a "sinner" and "fallible" is, as Pope Francis says, not a "black and white" thing. There are shades to his sinfulness and fallibility. That is why many chose to obey him: because most Catholics find it difficult to draw lines. And he takes advantage of the fear of doing something that may later be determined to be "clearly" on the wrong side.

GMUA said...

Unlike the article states, he is not the "Head" of anything.
He is a layman in papal garb.

Anonymous said...

He talks about being open to the idea of married priests? I hope the Lord removes Francis from power before there is EVER any talk of that issue.
And I didn't say dead necessarily.....just removed.
Damian Malliapalli

JayJay said...

Okay then, Done deal. Where's the part about get the hell out of Dodge???

iowapapist said...

JayJay:

Your statement is a wonderfully succinct description of that which is on the mind of all faithful Catholics. In other words, "Don't go away mad, just go away."

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately you are right, a CEO like many others, populist,sorry, papulist,a disgrace for us.

ColdStanding said...

That's an odd thing to say. I thought his program was essentially populist. If he knows populism always ends badly and he knowingly pursues a populist program... what am I missing here? He wants this to end badly? I don't see another conclusion.

Tancred said...

I guess, as long as GMU decides it must be true.

P.J.David said...

PF is a man of confusion and he condemns himself. Time is nearing that he steps down ; May be he is waiting that the wicked wolves around him ask him to hold on for a little more time. May our Blessed Mother intercede for us and save us from wolves in Vatican. St.Joseph pray for us.

JBQ said...

You have the right answer. Prayer is the only valid "trump card". If Francis be not of God, then there will be a sign. Malachi Martin, the former Jesuit who died in 1999, said that there would be in a direct quote from Our Lady of Fatima.

thomas tucker said...

A sinner, and fallible? Finally, I agree with Franics 100%.