Comments

A slew of comments, from caustic to enthusiastic, flooded in as Inquirer readers reacted to the Nov. 30 column titled “Slow suicide.” This “Viewpoint” essay tried to place Pope Francis’ letter Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) in Philippine context.

We do not live better when we refuse to share, locked up in our own comforts, Francis writes. “Such a life is nothing less than slow suicide.”

The Pope says the Church “failed to accompany women in their difficult times,” commented Eulogio Agunias. I’ll be happy to hear from our local bishops who are against the Reproductive Health Law. Beyond rhetoric, have they contributed to alleviate the women’s sufferings?

“Pope Francis came not to bring peace but a sword,” wrote TinimbangNgunitKulang. “(Some) priests were lulled into peaceful slumber, unmindful of the situation of the flock…. It’s time to make them uncomfortable so they can again think and feel.”

Was it Max Beerbohm who wrote about “disturbing the comfortable and comforting the disturbed”? Walter Paul Komarnicki responded.

“What a breath of fresh air, this Pope Francis is!” Evelyn Opilas e-mailed from Sydney, Australia. Evangelii  Gaudium  spurs questions like: “What steps would the Church take to limit the adverse effect(s) of extramarital liaisons such as population increase, economic hardship in many cases among ‘original’ families, etc.

“Many Filipinos don’t seem ‘disturbed’ by these anymore,” she added. “Perhaps, the survey on family life and sexual ethics will trace the roots. That’d usher in a paradigm shift for many/most/all Filipino Catholics.”

Reading “The Joy of the Gospel” is a “must” for laymen and Church hierarchy, whose next leadership looks promising (I hope!), added Basilo Onisisa. But RyanE compared the views of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) with that of the Pope’s. “The difference is 180 degrees,” he claimed.

Not so, wrote bgcorg. A unifying theme of the “The Joy of the Gospel” is the seamless authority between bishops and pontiff. Bishops consider the local condition of their churches, and can speak. Catholics who hold fast to the CBCP’s position are not against the new

“aggiornamento” of Pope Francis. “I don’t think the Bishop of Bacolod and Archbishop of Lipa, from where they stand, are out of touch with people’s lives.”

The debate in the Philippines, sparked by Pope Francis’ letter, is welcome, Manuel de la Torre e-mailed from Idaho in the United States. Note, this debate is worldwide.

The opinion piece of history professor John Fea of Pennsylvania on 10 reasons why “evangelicals” should listen to Francis is relevant.  Evangelii  Gaudium offers a defense of the family that is more sophisticated than what the evangelicals of the 1970s mounted. The Pope describes a “profound cultural crisis” facing the family: from parents failing to pass the faith to their children to the erosion of marriage. “This is a pro-family message that evangelicals can believe in.”

“The letter calls for a Spirit-inspired evangelism…,” Fea continued: “Billy Graham could not have put it any better. If the Catholic Church takes Francis seriously, we evangelicals may have some competition on the street corner.”

Evangelicals and Catholics will continue to have theological differences. But we might find some common ground in what Francis teaches, Fea concluded.

“This is another bombshell by the Pope,”

e-mailed Virgo Yap. “The Church is not a tollhouse,” he says. “It is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone.” True enough. It includes those who don’t literally follow what their bishops command but heed the dictates of their conscience.

“‘Did you hear that, Bong, Johnny, Jinggoy, Bongbong and company?’ the Viewpoint column asks,” wrote Cry_Freedom. “The answer is a resounding no. How could they? They cannot  afford to listen? All they hear are the bells and whistles of ambition, and the ‘kalansing’ and  jingles of monies in their pockets. And could I ask a question please? Does ‘and company’ include Jejomar’ (Binay) and extended clan?”

“Please pardon my skepticism,” added John Lagrimas. “I agree that when the Pope speaks, people listen. But do they obey? One case is the use of contraceptives. The Pope presented some insights on their essential use (but broadened his teaching to other issues). But do our bishops heed?…”

Nobody bothers when other religious leaders speak. But the Pope disturbs the conscience of others, even non-Catholics. “This is quite mysterious yet revealing.”

Francis cautions against “ostentatious preoccupation with liturgy and doctrine.” Bishops and pastors should not listen only to those “who would tell what they would like to hear.” Use Canon Law to broaden the pastoral dialogue.

More pressing is the need to ensure that the Gospel has “a real impact” on people and engages their present needs, especially of the poorest. Pakinggan at sundin ninyo sana ito, Bruno Giordano told some “Damaso” Catholics. “It would be great if you heeded this counsel.”

“Jesus was/is down-to-earth. Pope Francis is down-to-earth,” Kino e-mailed…. “What happened in between them? Those in between them were/are in ivory towers.”

The Marcos family goes all-out against the RH Law, added RudeWell. But do they heed conscience when it comes to ill-gotten wealth? That is true of the Arroyos, too. And wasn’t  there a bishop who asked for a Pajero gift? “Should we give them mercy without justice? Or should we say: ‘May God bless you very far away from us, Filipinos?’”

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