VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has voiced his concerns about what he perceives as a “reactionary” Catholic Church in the United States, noting instances where political ideology seems to have taken precedence over faith.
During a private meeting with members of the Jesuit order in Lisbon on August 5, the pope shared his observations regarding the state of the Church during his 10-year papacy.
Throughout his tenure, Pope Francis has encountered criticism from conservative segments of the US Church who oppose certain reforms, such as expanding roles for women and lay Catholics and cultivating a more inclusive and non-judgmental atmosphere.
His remarks, made in response to a question from a Portuguese Jesuit who expressed dismay at the hostility some Catholics and even bishops in the United States had shown towards the pope’s leadership, were published by the Jesuit journal Civilta Cattolica on Monday.
Pope Francis Acknowledges Existence of Reactionary Attitude in US Church
Pope Francis acknowledged the existence of a “strong reactionary attitude” in the US Church, which he attributed to organized and emotional affiliations that have replaced a focus on faith. He noted that in some situations, the true tradition of the Church is lost, giving way to ideological stances.
The pontiff’s critics, often aligned with politically conservative media outlets, have taken issue with his positions on topics such as climate change, immigration, social justice, gun control, and opposition to the death penalty. Pope Francis urged them to understand the need for an evolving understanding of faith and morality, emphasizing that clinging to backward-looking perspectives is unproductive.
He provided the example of the Church’s evolving stance on slavery, explaining that past popes were tolerant of it centuries ago, yet the Church’s position evolved over time.
Pope Francis also touched on the upcoming October meeting of bishops convened by him to discuss the Church’s future direction. He acknowledged that some critics, including the Rome-based Cardinal Raymond Burke, have expressed concerns about the meeting potentially causing confusion and division within the Church.
