The big news out of the Vatican this week is that Pope Francis has put major restrictions on the celebration of the Tridentine Latin Mass - a form of the Mass cherished by many traditional Catholics. In this episode, I explore this decision and share some thoughts on it. 

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For some more perspective on Pope Francis' decision: https://wherepeteris.com/traditionis-custodes-the-council-and-the-roman-rite/

Correction: At around 10 minutes in the episode, I give the impression that I know, personally, people who are lovers of the Tridentine Latin Mass and who are also schismatic, hateful of the Pope, or don’t think he is the Pope at all.

On later reflection, I realized that I don’t know a singular person who exemplifies all those characteristics at once. I know many in the Catholic community who do not like Pope Francis. I know some who think he was not the legitimate Pope (their views may have changed since last I talked to them). I know people who are very conservative that love and go to the Latin Mass. But these are all separate sets of people I personally know.

It is easy for me to lump those who have these views into one group. And I do believe, among very conservative Catholics and in Latin Mass communities, these sentiments or leanings are floating in the air. But to say that I personally know people who exemplify all three of these sentiments in one person is wrong. And I apologize for saying it on here.

Pope Francis offers advice and encouragement, reminding us of the meaning of Lent and offering practical advice on how to deepen our experience of it. He gives his perspective on the practices of almsgiving, fasting and prayer while also diving deeper into the meaning of the virtues of love, hope and faith in this season. 

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This week in Wisdom of Pope Francis, I get into another section of chapter 5 in the pope's encyclical, Fratelli Tutti. Here, Pope Francis addresses the need for international organizations that bring countries together to "acquire real teeth." Also, politics has an important role to play in the world. Politicians, if they can do it right, can fulfill their lofty callings of working for the common good. Lastly, where does the local church fit into all of this? Check out this Rutger Bregman video mentioned in the episode. 

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In this episode, I explore the beginning of chapter five in Fratelli Tutti. Here, Pope Francis addresses the need for good governance and politicians who look towards the common good of all those they serve. This means setting robust, long-term goals and organizing resources and people to accomplish them. This must not be done, however, without the input of the most poor, vulnerable, and affected in the decision-making process.  

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Wrapping up chapter 4 of Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis makes the point that we need to hold the twin goals of dealing with global problems and taking care of our own in tension with one another. It is not either/or. It's both/and. Grounded in our own culture and way of life, we can still interact and learn from those outside our communities and countries. I explore how this might affect how we live our own individual lives and what light this might shed on the divisions in America and in the Catholic Church today.   Read Fratelli Tutti for yourself at this link. 

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It has been busy here so I'm taking a little break this week from the regular content of Wisdom of Pope Francis to tell you about myself and the different projects I do under the heading of Catholic Anonymous. I hope you enjoy, but I won't be too offended if you skip this one. ;) I'll hopefully be back to talking about the teachings of our dear pope next week.  

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Pope Francis in the fourth chapter of Fratelli Tutti explores how we can practically welcome, protect, promote, and integrate the immigrants in our midst. He teases out what it means for us to practically live out the call of the Bible to embrace the immigrant, and he outlines the responsibilities countries have to one another in making room for the outsider.          

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