As a former Evangelical who converted to Catholicism, I appreciate the outlook and perspective you will offer on the Holy Father’s visit. I will say that locally (within my diocese) there has been a big push on “greening” up our faith, and I am glad that this is not regularly addressed by the Pope. I find that there are cafeteria Catholics of all ages, and will be interested to hear the comments of others. I am hopeful that the Vatican will continue to say Islamic terror is wrong, and abortion is wrong, and offer separate Latin services for those in the US who really enjoy/appreciate/benefit from them, without being required. The Church in the US is so different—we are losing members because it appears we don’t “care” about them; we need to follow our Protestant brethren in Christ by offering ministries outside of the Mass to meet their emotional, social, spiritual, and other needs—we do a good job of meeting basic needs with Catholic Charities—lets do it all.

“If only more of our fellow Americans would trust their eyes instead of ‘journalists’ with anti-Western [not to mention anti-Judeo-Christian] agendas, they would see the light,” I wrote recently on my blog in a post called “When you meet the pope, you cry.”

The title of that post was taken from the story of Italian-American pianist-composer Pierluigi Sampietro, who played Mozart and Bach for Pope Benedict XVI in Rome last year and told a reporter that “When you meet the pope, you cry” tears of ecstasy.

I’m looking forward eagerly to your own bloggy coverage of the Holy Father’s visit. While I’m not Catholic, two of my best bloglfriends are, and one of them is doing her best to convert me.

God bless.

I was living in the San Francisco when Pope John Paul II visited, and I find myself (although not a catholic) looking forward to Pope Benedict’s visit and plan to watch as much as possible. As to why I cant say that I’m sure other than following most world leaders when they visit the United States. And I would argue that being the leader of some 16-18 billion (or more) people of all races across the world would most certainly qualify as a world leader.

Although I am Jewish, I have the greatest respect and admiration for Pope Benedict. His warnings to Europe and America on the dangers of relativism are a wake-up call for our shared Judeo-Christian, western civilization. I look forward to following his visit and hearing his message to us.

Dear F. Jonathan,
I just saw a graph published by the NYT about the logistics of the Yankee Stadium mass. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/12/nyregion/12pope.html
In the graph on holy communion, whose source is the Archdiocese of New York, they say “during the public Mass, the pope will consecrate -symbolically transubstantiate into the body of Christ- about 26,000 wafers…etc…)”
Could you please clarify this to me? I thought that there is nothing symbolic about the Eucharist. It is the real presence and it is the body of Christ when the priest consecrates the host (or the wafer as the times refers to it).
I am very thankful that you will be covering the visit. We try to tune in to your comments on Fox news as much as we can so we are eagerly awaiting for you to take us step by step into the visit!
Congratulations on your new book, and thank you for your dedication, time and rightful direction!!!
With the assurance of my prayers, Monica Oppermann

I was enchanted with your assertion that “There is an element of awe and mystery behind the Pope and the Vatican that is attractive to people who are naturally spiritual.” Maybe that’s why I’ve loved this pope who loves cats and Mozart from day one.

I’m very excited about the Pope’s visit to the U.S. for a number of reasons, but mainly because he is the voice of religion for all of us. No matter what our denomination is, the Pope demonstrates unity for all peoples. He gives me hope that we as a nation need to constantly examine our priorities. As a conservative person, I miss the times in my life when things were simple and easy. I’m not a Catholic, but a person of Protestant faith. However, in my 56 years, I have remembered three Popes, each bringing their own message of faith and promise to the people of the world. Pope John Paul II, particularly for me, was a man who exuded charisma and charm and made being Pope a “cool thing.” Pope Benedict XVI brings a more serious tone to his papacy and one who also reminds us of biblical scripture and teachings that should be front and center in our lives. I have hoped and prayed that Pope Benedict XVI would come to the States and remind us as a nation of our heritage and values which has somehow been lost or forgotten.

I’ve recently purchased your book and received it in the mail over the weekend. What coincidental timing of your book’s arrival with the Pope’s. I call that a God thing………………….

Pope Benedict has often been seen as a forebearer of peace. Will he bring peace this time as the late Pope Jhon Paul II had?

Father Jonathan,
Thank you for response. I have to agree there is a certain awe that comes over one even watching the Pope on TV or watching one of the many specials that cover the art,history,and workings of the Vatican. But there is also a feeling with Pope Benedict that this man should be listened to. And I think that those who claim hes a transitional Pope have a big surprise coming. Thank you again.

Am I wrong to believe that leading a billion + people is a little too much power?

Am I also wrong to believe that the pope’s agenda is a global agenda, and therefore not safe for a country like the United States of America?

Why should I put my faith into a religious system and one man’s interpretation of how I should serve the lord Jesus Christ?

Is Catholicism not tainted by man made traditions, statues ( a violation of the 2 commandment), and ordaining homosexual priests?

What should one think when one compares Mary worship as really Mother Goddess worship? ( which isn’t very tolerant, yet subtle, of Protestantism?

The tough questions never seem to be answered. I find this disturbing.

I feel as if i’m to be led on blindly and not finding Jesus for myself when the topic of “Catholicism” ever comes up.

I find it both interesting and most hopeful that young Catholics born in the 80’s are following along with those of us from the pre 60’s in church teachings. The pendulum seems to be swinging back.( I hope)

Father Jonathan,

You commented:

“We will go against the facile approach you will see in many media outlets that will fixate on fabricated and stale controversy. They will refer to the pope as a hardliner (as did the New York Times this morning) because he actually believes and teaches Catholic doctrine.”

For clarification, yesterday’s NYT front page article is not a fabricated or stale controversy. The Bishop of Camden announced on April 3rd the largest parish closing in the country. We will be going from 124 parishes to 66. My parish, St. Mary’s in Malaga, NJ, is one of many that will be closing. For us, the most frustrating part of the parish closures is that, in the Diocese of Camden, there is no actual priest shortage and there is no financial justification for these closures. Our parish, like many others similarly situated, is an active, vibrant, self-supported parish.

This is not a conservative or liberal issue; it’s a problem affecting parishes across the spectrum and around the country. I think the New York Times (Laurie Goodstein) did an excellent job presenting this issue and I thank her for giving us a voice. To those of us directly affected, this is a very real and very recent controversy.

I am a Roman Catholic, KofC, etc. in Atlanta. I have a good friend from high school days in the Panama, Canal Zone who is an “Anglican Catholic/Episcopal” priest in MN. He has informed me that there are over 400k Anglicans who have petitioned Pope Benedict to allow them to come to the Roman Catholic Church en masse to worship and operate under his leadership. He says this all began years ago with the decidedly unfavorable activities involving the Episcopal Church’s leadership
(I am sure you are aware of those details). My parish is All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody, GA, whose pastor is Monsignor Donald Kiernan. Several years ago, one of the local (near our parish) Anglican Churches closed its doors and all of its parish members joined our church and their pastor became a Roman Catholic priest after a year of study and preparation (married with 4 children). My friend says he and the other 400k really think that Benedict is open to their petition.
Any thoughts on the future of their petition? I have been praying that Benedict would approach all such petitions and inquiries about becoming R.C. with open, unobstructed arms so to speak. I have another friend who wants very much to become a R.C. but, she is divorced (ex is dead) but her present husband is also divorced (ex still in life) and he will not consent to have his former marriage annuled (as required by the R.C. Church) so that she may become Catholic. I think our Church should extend welcome arms to anyone who wishes to join us in spite of spousal objections. She has one daughter who has joined us (age 17).

I’m so excited that the Holy Father is in America finally! We American Catholics need his ministry so badly! I am interested in his discussion with President Bush and his address to the United Nations. Mostly though, I’m just thrilled our Pastor is coming for a visit!

Years ago, when I was only 17, I met Cardinal Ratzinger moments after reaching out and touching John Paul’s arm…I agree with Sissy Willis “when you meet the pope, you cry.” I cried twice that day. Benedict’s signature (as Cardinal Ratzinger) is currently on the first page of my catechism. Viva Il Papa!

I thank God for your faithful ministry to the church. The service you are offering is absolutely needed. I think that most Catholics truly love the Church and are able to muddle through the negative bent that the media coverage presents but you will be presenting an invaluabe stable voice for a stable yet persecuted Church. It will be a real treat to hear “An analysis and discussion of the pope’s message as it relates to our personal lives and the future of our country.” I myself yearn to hear such commentaries. I think we sometimes preoccupied with the unfair media twist and that makes it far to easy to focus on such nonsense rather than on the Popes message. Thank you Father Jonathan and God bless.

Father Jonathan, I read about the Pope that he wants us to return to Catholic tradition and revive our Catholic Identity. Oh for that blessing! I am 65+, Catholic 39 years, so blessed by this faith! And I pray for the Pope and all our clergy, and you. Thank you for giving us what we search for, truth. Bless you. loisf

I’ll be honest The first time I heard of Cardinal Ratzinger was after Pope John Paul II had started to become severely ill. I may have heard of him in passing while studying to be a Holy See Delegate to the Model United Nations in Chicago a few years ago. I dismissed the media calls that he was a nazi during World War 2 (Having studied the subject to some extent) I knew that if you didnt join the party you, your family (and not just your mother and father) would be rounded up and sent off to a camp somewhere. Since he came to the forefront after the death of the Pope John Paul II’s death, I have watched and listened to what this Pope had to say…and I must say it is good to hear a man in such a position stand his ground when there is (or was) an up swell in the Church for a more liberal Church. But Pope John Paul II said no…Pope Benedict has said no. It cant be easy when you have thousands calling for change just for change sake.

I very much look forward to the rest of today and the week, and look forward to hear what the His Holiness has to say as he speaks to the American people.

I would also like to mention to those who might feel that no President (and I know their are those out there) should meet with Pope or any other religious figure. That the Pope is the head of a recognized world nation that being Vatican City. He is the leader of a sovereign nation..and although as Father Johnathan as pointed out he has no party affiliation, he is indeed the head of world power. Weather it be as Leader of the worlds smallest nation or as the Supreme Pontiff (sp) to over a Billion people.

Well thats my ramble for this morning..not sure if makes any sense but its early here in AZ…

Father Jonathan, I wish you luck in presenting the Real Theology of our Pope Benedict even though I am afraid our liberal media such as the New York Times an CNN calling him “out of touch” because he to enforce our Catholic doctrine.
As a retire member of the USAF I can asure you that all the military members of our armed forces will be listening to his declarations just as we did in 1984 when John Paul visited Zaragoza Spain, also the media at that time spoke that “the catholic church was not following the doctrine” they got a surprise when in order to be able to see the Pope in fron of The Pilar Basilica the city people start camping the night before(me included).
Once more a wish you and the Pope well
ESC

I’d love to hear this new networks address how Benedict will continue JPII’s legacy of defending life from womb to tomb, including, of course: Abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, poverty, stem cell research, WAR, and so on. Especially how this robust view of life directly confronts each American political faction (Dems and Repubs) in unique and challening ways…

It is a mixed blessing having the Holy Father visit you see and hear wonderful things, but also a lot of Anti-Catholicism rears its head. I look forwards to Fr. Jonathan’s reports because he provides an intelligent and articulate voice.

For CHRIS G.
If you are honest about getting your questions answered and not just engaging in mud slinging go to http://www.catholic.com so you can get answers to every one of your objections. First we DO NOT WORSHIP MARY we honor here as the scripture tells us to and because she is the mother of the savior; read Luke Chapter 1. If the Pope can not even get 75% of “Catholics” to go to mass every Sunday how can he wield any temporal power? The only power he has is moral.

I am a Catolic born in the 1960s whom has recently (within the last month) begun to return to the church for mass, say a rosary every evening, etc. It was the Easter season that made me want to return - a feeling that I needed to do it. Even when I did not attend church, I still said my prayers every morning (an “Our Father” and a “Hail Mary”).

I hope the Pope will simply remind us to “belong” to the faith. Remember what you believe, pray, attend mass, and become part of your parish again.

I think this alone is the beginning of a beatiful relationship.

I am so deeply moved and excited about His Holiness, Pope Benedict, visiting the United States of America. It is truly a monumental moment for America. It is also special that the President of the United States is welcoming his arrival at Andrews. It shows extreme respect by the President for the Pope and his mission here.
I pray American’s, and the world, will listen closely to the Pope’s message.
I wish I could be in Washington or New York at the upcoming events …but since I can’t FOX is the next best thing.
I will be following the next six days with great joy. And thank you, and FOX, for giving this the coverage with such dedication. I deeply appriciate your intelligent, insightful, and compelling news coverage.
Again. thank you for your great service to the Church and Fox News.
Ann from Raleigh, North Carolina

After you set up you reporting that way, I can’t wait to follow your writings can comments on Fox, Fr. Jonathan!

Father Jonathan,

I would like to thank you and FOX News for providing coverage of this very important visit to our country from the Pope. You bringing it “live” to my living room in Missouri means so much. My prayers to you, Pope Benedict, President Bush, and everyone involved in this historic visit. God Bless You!

Good read on the state of the world and where we are headed.

The Great Controversy…..read through with an open mind!

God bless you,

Jo

Is the Catholic Church perfect? I have read many blogs who make charges against the Church, that it is self proclaimed “perfect” Well, my opinion is that it is in terms of faith it is, but less so in terns of the humans who run it. Note that the Church has been in its same form, believed the same dogma, and cared for people for over 2,000 years, whereas the non-Catholic denominations have continued to splinter over the centuries, and will continue to do so everytime a preacher wants to change something he doesn’t like. So it’s good to have some sort of command and control as the Catholic Church does. Has the Church made mistakes? Of course it has, but the Church is ran by humans, and unfortunately, all humans make mistakes. That is not to say that all mistakes are acceptable, i.e. the abuse scandal. My view is that America has a tarnished and somewhat perverted view of the Catholic Church. There are reasons why the clergy are not allowed to marry, why women are not allowed to be priests, the Sacraments, and the list goes on and on. People who think that they are going to change an institution that was founded at and on ground zero (Jesus), and has continued to this day might want to check themselves and see if they are the ones that need fixing. One vingette, I read this somewhere so I won’t accept credit: “Take any moral issue (say abortion or the death penalty)) and compare it to the Catholic Churches’ opinion of the topic. The Churches view on the matter will always be either a) the most morally correct choice that you can make, or b) you and the catholic church will have the same opinion on the matter”. Also, name another insitution that has as many incredible human beings (we call them Saints!) that have given so much to humanity. All the non Catholic Cristians combined could not come up with as many, that have produced miracles during and after their life, and have set such a fine example for ALL humans, whether they be Catholic, non Catholic, or anything else. Good people are good people. Go get ‘em Father Jon (tell the pope that Jon said HI!!!!)

What will the Pope do wrt growing the Catholic church? More specifically, most of us former Catholics will say that church was boring and that the sermons, in particular, were difficult to listen to and seemed poorly prepared and delivered. I believe that if the Church focused on teaching the priests how to sermonize effectively, to become much better public speakers, they would begin to grow again. Nondenominational Christian churches have exploded with growth across the country (I attend one myself), and often time as many as 50-60% of the memberships are former Catholics. Most of really didn’t mind the rigidity, I think, as much as we simply didn’t find relevant messages or we found that messages were delivered poorly. That is the priests’ responsibility, and most of them are never graded or evaluated by their members except in lost numbers.

Response to Chris G:

I hope you didn’t mean anything by your comments other than “disturbed” that you can’t seem to find anyone to answer your questions. I would feel bad it you posted that just for spite and “Catholic Bashing”. Sometimes I feel like the catholic Church is a REALLY good relationship counselor. It facilitates God’s message when we have problems understanding, and provides tools, such as Sacraments, the Saints, the intersession (not worship) of Mary, to strengthen our relationship with God. Why not use those tools, rather than go it alone. If someone gave me an open book test would I not USE the book! I’m gauranteed a perfect score if I utilize the book correctly, am I not? Some faucets of the Catholic Church are hard to understand, but like the big guy says, “seek and you shall find…..”

Father Jonathon,
I am a former Catholic who would love to return to my roots, but I can say that I found Christ 10 years ago at age 36 in a non-denominational Christian church, which is 50% full of former Catholics very much like myself. I believe the overriding issue is what we’ve found: interesting sermons, Bibles brought to church and referenced during the service, and encouragement to develop small Bible study groups, were elements all missing from the Catholic church. And, none of these things would cause the CC to lose its way or to give up its past. Will the Pontiff relay the message to the priests through the Bishops that they need to become much stronger sermonizers, much better at actually delivering their Sunday sermons, and significantly improve their public speaking skills?
I also went through 12 years of Catholic schools and while I learned Catholic doctrine very well, we never studied the actual Bible. Will this change? Does Pope Benedict get this?
Thank you and may God Bless you,
Dan

I am an Eastern Orthodox Christian who has great respect for Pope Benedict. I am especially grateful for his visit to the United States at such a time as this - when morality is at an alarming low and secularism along with the church’s relativism is at an alarming high. I look forward to his words of spiritual inspiration and moral conviction for the country with great anticipation for personal and corporate renewal on all levels of our society.

May God bless his trip with abundant personal physical and spiritual strength.

Alleluia: He Has Risen!

What Tim and I would like to hear about are the abuses going on during the Sacrifice of the Mass. It seems we, as lay people, have no say in the matter, and when we try and bring these matters up with our priests, always in a very charitable and heartfelt way, we are told it is just that we do not agree with so and so on what they think is sacred music, or what instruments to use. We go to Mass and from the minute we arrive until we leave, except for a few minutes at the Consecration, we are bombarded with music that, for the most part, is non liturgical and really is not enhancing the Mass, but because of its content and volume detracts from the Mass. Also, many new churches do not seem like churches and lack the vertical sense all souls need, i.e. no statues, or abstract statues, no stained glass, no stations, no tabernacle on the altar, etc.

We love our Faith and our heart hurts when these abuses occur. It also hurts us to see people dress as if they are going to the beach or some other casual experience, when our King, our Lord, the one who died for our sins, is there and will come down again, in a bloodless Sacrifice at the Mass and all Masses.

Thank you Father Jonathan, for all you do! I (Judy) love your new book, and the talk you gave in St. Louis, at Gateway Academy, touched the depth of my heart, and brought about thoughts that are being explored and will bring greater peace to my soul.

Christ’s peace and joy during this Holy Easter Season!

Tim and Judy Capistrant

As a cradle Catholic, born in 1975, I went through a period of being totally immersed in the secular and relativistic attitude to what is right and wrong. I figured, well if it’s o.k. with society and everyone else around me, well, then it must be right. Over the past 4 years, I have been strengthened in my faith, got my rear back to Mass, more than once a week, and explored my faith with a new found fervor. I realized that all the immorality I was committing, truly disconnected me from God. I truly believe, the Catholic Church will be a great beacon of moral strength, during this time of moral decay. It will weather this breakdown in morality, and the impact of the sexual revolution, as it weathered the Reformation, and French Revolution.
The Church has been strapped with corruption from within in the past, there is one Judas for the multitudes of Peter’s. But the truth of Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, tradition of the early Christian fathers, and doctrine, will remain strong. Jesus Christ is hope, strength and truth for this world!

I am always interested in the comments of those who have devoted their life to their faith. Though not Catholic, I consider all believers as a part of the whole Body of Christ. On the same “team” so to speak. I admire him and look forward to his message.

Fr. Jonathan,

Are the stats regarding pre-1960 and post-1980 Catholics possibly indicative of a period of uncertainty immediately following Vatican II? I’m in that middle group that seems to have missed something during the time it took for our parents and Church leaders to figure out exactly what they were supposed to teach under the new rules! (Something must have gotten into my thick skull though, after a 25-year detour, I am back in a pew and I couldn’t be happier.)

Thanks,

John

I’m 43 yrs old and a devout Catholic. Yes, I’m extremely exited to have the Holy Pope visit America. I hope his focus is to bring everyone closer to Christ. I also hope he delivers a strong moral message to all Americans, but with plenty of hope.

Father Jonathan -

I love to see you on FOX. I know this is a little off of the subject of the Pope’s visit, but could you tell us a little about your book? I am in my mid 40s and am constantly seeking GOOD spiritual readings. However, many are written above my head, although I’m a “cradle Catholic”. My husband just converted, after nearly 30 years of marriage. We are just so excited and wanting to expand our faith by spiritual readings.

I am looking forward to watching coverage of Pope Benedict’s visit to America. I always watched and listened to everything Pope John Paul had to say, he was a very uplifting and intelligent Pope. A collage of pictures of Pope John Paul hangs in my living room as a tribute to the Pope and the reminder of my heritage. Hence, I am eagerly awaiting the chance to get to know Pope Benedict better.

Again, I love watching you on FOX…….I think you are wonderful and articulate. With the anti-Chatholic sentiment in the press almost daily, it is refreshing to see you answer in a clear, non-defensive manner.

I truly believe that once the Catholic church permits it’s priests to marry before they are ordained would remove much of the pressures of priesthood. I am Orthodox Catholic and our priests are permitted to marry before they are ordained. Further, how can an unmarried priest counsel young married couples without experiencing the day to day problems of marriage. Many of my close Roman Catholic friends agree with my thoughts.

An answer to Dan.

We Catholics, during the A,B,C cycle of the Church, hear all the Gospels, and much of the Old Testament and remainder of the new. Especially when we attend daily Mass. We have all been encouraged to read the bible daily (I am sixty, so this is not a “new” thing, but encouraged even more now). The danger of reading the bible at the services you speak of is that there is personal interpretation, which is very dangerous. That is why there are thousands of Protestant sects, because people kept disagreeing on how things were interpreted, were as we Catholics are so blessed to have the magisterium. The Pope is infallible only in matters of Faith and morals, not every word he utters, but a prayerful, faithful pope utters the truth.

We have the Blessed Sacrament, body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ, which he gave us at the Last Supper and told us to continue that, as well as the other six wonderful and grace filled sacraments.

While other churches have truth, it is only partial (they took five books out of the bible, which, by the way, was given to us by the Catholic Church), do not hold to tradition, when it is stated in the bible that not all that Jesus said is in the bible, as it would take too many books, and that we honor the bible and Tradition, words from the early Fathers of the Church, Saints, etc.

Hope this was helpful. I am so sure Fr. Jonathan would do a much better job….

Christ’s peace to you Dan.

Judy

I read an article posted on the Fox news about a muslim holy man extremist stating that Rome would be the start of conquering the world.then naming other countries in order that would become Muslim. That is a scary thought. Will the pope address this?

Fr. Jonathan, I am also excited by the statistic you quoted above “Catholics born before 1960 — among the most faithful parishioners — and those born since the 1980s have similar outlooks. In other words, today’s youth are not following their parents, who in the 1960’s and 1970’s famously threw out tradition for a free-loving and Godless approach to life.” (I was born in August 1979, so I consider myself to be in the same group as those born since the 1980s). I have found that today’s Catholics in their 20s & early 30s have a greater respect for Catholic teachings, especially those concerning right to life (incl contraception, captial punishment, abortion, & so on).

I love the writings of Pope Benedict XVI (Spe Salvi is AWESOME) - He is a fantastic theologian who seems to have a compassionate, humble heart. I just wish he’d come down to Texas

I am so sorry that Dan and others who have left the Catholic Church do not really understand what they had and have given up in the church. Even though Dan says he went to 12 years of Catholic school, somehow he missed what is the Source, Center and Summit of the life of the Catholic Church. That is the real substantial presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Dan, you must also have missed the fact that there are three scripture readings at every Sunday Mass, four if you count the psalms. And I dare say that the relevance of a religious congregation is not to be found in the priest or minister’s public speaking ability. Personally I do not go to Holy Mass to be entertained, but to enter into the mystery of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God bless our protestant brothers and sisters for their great reverence for the Word of God. I would caution them to remember that according to Holy Scripture, not everything that Jesus said or did is contained in Scripture. There is also Sacred Tradition which has been handed down from the Apostles. That is Tradition (higher case) not tradition (lower case).

My prayer for Dan and all those who have left the Catholic Church is that their love of Jesus Christ and fervent study and reverence for Holy Scripture will finally bring them home to the Catholic Church.

Seeing the Pope today and also seeing John Paul II when he was alive in Rome is a thrilling event. You need to visit St. Peter’s Square to witness first hand how much the Pope is loved and cherished. God Bless the Pope and God Bless America!

Thank you, Father Jonathan, for reporting and clarifying the pope’s words for all those who will read and care. It means a lot that you’re doing this. I’m depressed now that my husband and I moved from New York City last year so I cannot see him personally now (I’m presently in Indianapolis) but I will be glued to the TV and your blog.

If I may answer your poster, Dan, above who wrote:
“Will the Pontiff relay the message to the priests through the Bishops that they need to become much stronger sermonizers, much better at actually delivering their Sunday sermons, and significantly improve their public speaking skills?”

More than likely he’ll impress upon them to be good shepherds. However, not everyone has the gift of great speech, and it isn’t required to become a priest. The point of the priesthood is to confer the grace of the Sacraments instituted by Christ. (All of them are scriptural, btw.) It is not to sermonize, though there are some wonderful priest speakers out there. I suggest you google “Father Corapi” on youtube, “Father Larry Richardson” and also, a classic, Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Nevertheless - the point of the Mass is to receive grace, to encounter Christ, truly, physically, in the blessed sacrament for he is there, body, soul and divinity. At the Mass, we are literally at the Calvary - the one Calvary long ago. The sermon is not the focus, the Eucharist is. I’m sorry that you and your fellow former Catholics are missing out on that, but that is the truth. I love meeting my one, true Lord every Mass and being able to touch him and know him physically.

“I also went through 12 years of Catholic schools and while I learned Catholic doctrine very well, we never studied the actual Bible.”

That’s too bad. I did. However, it was read to you every Sunday (and actually, every day if you went to Mass daily at Catholic school like most of us) - were you listening?

God bless and Viva Il Papa!
–Ann
Thank you and may God Bless you,

Comment to Dan and Judy.

I also was raised Catholic and attended Catechism while growing up. I was a young adult before I actually “accepted Christ”. It was through a Passionate Priest who did a presentation on the life of our Savior. It was then that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit became real to me.

I harbored resentment against the Catholic Church because of its rituals, which I believed were of man – not God. I started attending non-denominational churches and actually began to learn what the Bible says. Now that has been 24 years ago. I have recently been shown that there are Holy Spirit-filled people in many different Christian denominational churches – regardless of whether they are Catholic, Protestant, Baptist and the list could go on and on. God will use us in spite of ourselves and our man-made practices.

I no longer resent the church and believe that it gave me my basic foundation and knowledge of Jesus Christ – Emmanuel – God with Us!

I believe we believers are starting to rise again and form our side – God’s Side – the army’s are being pulled together (for both sides) We should all stay in prayer for the Pope and his mission – as he plants seeds and recruits warriors along the way.

Dear Father,

Thank You for your kind words about a man who has given all for his beloved, the Lord Jesus Christ. This wonderful Pope of ours, and I mean all of ours, is a wonderful prophet who has a very important messasge for the world. That message is not an easy one to deliver but he will do it just as the Lord did so lovingly. We cannot take the message of Christ and only pick the things which are easy for us personally. The message of Christ calls us to cast off those things which are petty loves for his greater love. “Come back to me with all your heart”

We need to listen to the Lord and who better to bring us this message of hope than the one to whom the keys of the kingdom were given. This wonderful church with all it’s sacraments were given so that we might have life and have it abundantly. The seemingly difficult things our Holf Father will say to us will be only for our good. Let us listen with all our might.

Gerard

Hi Father,
I’m looking forward to all you have to write and am very satisfied that you’ll leave out the dissenters. We know they are there and they already get enough publicity.

Mary Majkowski

Dear Father Jonathan I would like to ask Pope Benedict when when when will he ask all the Bishops to Consecrate Russia? Alot of us Catholics having been waiting waiting and waiting for this question to be addressed and it has been put on the back burner. I hope you will post this and see if by some miracle this will be addressed.

Blessings,

Marie Kidd From Taylors, SC
Prince Of Peace Catholic Church Member

Fr. Morris,
It was good to hear you today on Relevant Radio.

Frequently, I am reminded that being a convert to Catholicism is a true blessing, never more so than when the topic of the Church comes to the forefront of public discussion. There is so much hurt and anger toward the Church! I really feel for those who have been wronged. I pray for healing of all of this pain. I pray for the priests and relgious who live under the shadow of the sins of others. I entered into the Catholic communion as an adult. I feel that as a result of that spiritual and theological journey I am blessed. I can explain exactly what I believe and why. I can appreciate my Lutheran roots even as I thank the Holy Spirit for coaxing me to grow out of my “It’s me and the Bible” stance to a communal understanding of what it is to be a Christian among other Christians. I revel in the richness of the tradition, history, teachings..all that is recorded in our living Christian history. Perhaps I never will be as close to the Virgin Mary as a “cradle” Catholic. Maybe I will never be comfortable with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I know that the outward doting on statues I’ve witnessed in some countries makes me cringe. Nevertheless, I’ve been a happy, fulfilled Catholic Christian for almost 30 years and hope to die in God’s good graces.

I have been praying much for this visit of our holy papa, the world can be very harsh on any who stand for truth. If only we were not all formed by the media to stand in criticism of what we see of the pope, making our personal decisions if we will accept what he says, or not. The world used to have an openess and curiosity for what could be a sign from God, now it acts as judge, jury and verdict on any ‘traditional’ belief system that is centered in Jesus Christ. God bless Pope Benedict XVI and his wonderful presence here in our homeland. May his message be truly heard, there is nothing he will present that is not for the good of this nation we all love.

Mr. Jonathan, I am disturbed as a devout Christian to see so many people who have no discernment. How can any man be called Father, His holiness, or Holy Father, when Jesus specifically says to call no one Father, because we have one father, and that is God in heaven? Pope Benedict desires to be worshiped and catered to by the world. Jesus rode in on a donkey, but Pope Benidict flys in on a private jet with his unholy garb, and it is a shame to real christians who have been reformers of the Roman Catholic Church. Do we forget so easily about how real Christians, Jews, and Muslims were crucified, tortured, and burned at the stake by the millions over the last 2000 years? If the Pope has any message to America it should be an apology for forcing our fore fathers to flee England because of the religious persecution against them. Shame on you christians who donnot know the scriptures and fall so blindly into the bed of the great harlot who is the unholy catholic church.

I would like to know why the Pope will not attend the dinner at the White House? It seems a reasonable invitation and rude not to accept a gracious invitation from the President of the United States.

James Roosevelt. Go learn your history. If it was not for the Catholic Church there would be Sacred Scripture

Sorry. There would not be Sacred Scripture

I am only going to respond to one of the many errors that I observed in James Roosevelt’s blurb.

In regards to calling priests, or popes, “Father”:

This is simply another example of what can only be called the “fundamentalist gridlock” of some Christian groups in understanding and interpreting the Scriptures: the taking of this or that biblical passage out of context and applying it to whatever you want. St. Athanasios, the 4th century patriarch of Alexandria in Egypt, was the first person in Christian history to definitively list those 27 books that we today call the New Testament. A pivotal person in the formation of the New Testament canon, St. Athanasios says that when Christians read the Bible, they are not to take passages out of context but rather to keep the “skopos”, the scope or “big picture” in mind. Let’s examine this question keeping the full scope - or “big picture” - of the Scriptures in mind.

First: the question asked seems to presuppose that this passage of Scripture should be taken literally as an absolute prohibition ie, that we should call no man father. In other words, if we were to interpret Matthew 23:9 literally, no one could be called father, not even our biological fathers. Christians could not, for example, celebrate Fathers Day. Nor could George Washington be called “the father of our country.” Is this what Jesus intended? Of course not! Doesn’t Jesus Himself tell the rich young man to “keep the commandments” including the one to “honor your father and mother” (Matthew 19:19)? And when the Jews questioned Jesus about His teaching that He is “the bread of life,” doesn’t He respond to them by saying: ” I am the bread of life. Your fathers (ie the ancestors of the Jewish people who took part in the Exodus from Egypt with Moses and are therefore called the “fathers” of Israel) ate the manna in the wilderness and they died” (John 6:48-49)?

Second: What would we do with the apostle Paul? When St. Paul discusses the Exodus, doesn’t he - like Christ Himself - refer to the ancestors of the Israel of his day as “our fathers” (1 Corinthians 10:1)? When discussing discipline in the Christian family, doesn’t he say “Fathers, do not provoke your children or they may lose heart” (Colossians 3:21).

Furthermore, with regards to spiritual fatherhood in the Christian community, to the Church in Corinth he wrote: “I do not write this to make you ashamed but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you might have 10,000 guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:14-15). And he describes his relationship with the Christians of the Church in Thessalonica as being “like a father with his children” (1 Thessalonians 2:11). Doesn’t St. Paul, in the above passages, claim to be the spiritual father of the Corinthian and Thessalonian Churches, their father in the Gospel - Father Paul, if you will?

Third: When interpreting Matthew 23:9, it would be helpful to read the entire 23rd chapter of Matthew in order to get a proper understanding of the context of this passage. This 23rd chapter of Matthew contains the Lord’s indictment of the scribes and pharisees for their hypocrisy, their focus on the externals of religion without genuine repentance and a corresponding conversion of heart. So, not only does Jesus condemn the scribes and pharisees for their use of the address “Father” in a vain and empty way, but in the very next verse says: “Nor are you to be called teachers, for you have one teacher, the Christ” (Matthew 23:10). Yet, many contemporary non-denominational TV preachers describe themselves as “Bible teachers” and no one has ever argued that the