JD and Ed talk about recently published excerpts of Pope Leo XIV’s first interviews— including his reflections on the papacy, Vatican finances, and the clerical sexual abuse crisis.
Ed got the quote about right: "I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ***, and I'm all out of bubble gum." It was "Rowdy" Roddy Piper in the movie "They Live."
I'm getting a kick that, somehow, this episode became a near occasion of gossip about Marty Brodeur.
Also, it would be a beautiful thing if Pope Leo could disappear for two weeks and walk part of the Camino de Santiago. Didn't the royal family of ... somewhere ... do that recently?
Very amusing that the statement no one had a problem with (family/marriage being a sacrament) was such a big deal to JD but the statement we’re all worried about (teaching can change) doesn’t worry them at all.
What does it tell you that it is literally just social media influencers that have a problem with that one quote? Literally every reporter that has talked about what he said have no issue with it and just see it as Leo said "Church doctrine will not change and will try to be welcoming without changing church doctrine?"
Well I wouldn’t say it’s just influencers. I think many everyday Catholics were worried by it. I’m not a Catholic influencer and I found it concerning - well before I saw any other reactions. I’m encouraged by JD and Ed’s takeaway though.
I did not take it as teaching can change. I think when we speak off the cuff sometimes we say things that are not clear. I also think people spend way to much time analyzing every little thing he said trying to find fault with what his statements. Which is not healthy for catholics. We are not called to agree with everything the pope says we are called to pray for him. We also have to focus more on what we can learn from him, which does not mean taking his quotes out of context and looking for faults in the pope. At the end of his rambling about the LGBT issue he said, "Church doctrine will stay as it is, and I am going to leave it at that." That was the most important thing.
Agree overall, but I still wish he hadn’t said it that way and don’t think it’s unreasonable to be worried by it. Agree that the catastophizing reactions are way overblown.
Re: the disputed phrasing. JD's is obviously the correct interpretation. But the explanation is also pretty obvious: Leo wasn't speaking with lawyerly precision and in fact he made a mistake.
JD, I'd definitely recommend a trip to Arkansas whenever you get the chance. The Diamond Crater park is cool, and a good spot for kids. There's a small water park there too, which was a nice consolation after spending the whole day in the heat and finding nothing, lol. You could also go looking for quartz crystals around Mt. Ida.
Hot Springs is worth a visit for the national park, and the historic bathhouses there - some are museums, but some are still functioning spas!
Beyond that, I'd also recommend Subiaco abbey, a lovely Benedictine abbey off of the beaten path. They also happen to make excellent hot sauce. From there, it's not far up to Altus, where you can visit several wineries owned by Catholic families for generations, and the lovely St. Mary's church right at the top of the bluff there, above the whole town.
I am still in the honeymoon phase with Hope Leo. That comment did cause me to pause, though, and gave me a moment of, “he left his dirty socks on the floor instead of in the hamper”. Appreciate hearing you guys talk it out!
I agree with Ed’s comment that including the sacrament in the definition of a family was completely reasonable and coherent, especially in light of Pope Leo’s emphasis on the pastoral nature of his office.
I would bet a majority of Catholics would not understand the term “valid marriage” and would equate it with a legal, civil marriage. So he chose “solemn commitment,” which seems like it would be more widely understood. However, although necessary, a solemn commitment is not sufficient to make a valid marriage. Many Catholics have divorced their spouses and made a solemn commitment to someone else. These misguided souls are not validly married, and instead are in a state of public, committed adultery. Including the sacrament in his definition communicates that a relationship undertaken with someone who is not one’s sacramental spouse is not familial.
As someone who really hates imprecise language, I can’t believe the side I’m coming down on here, but I think the importance of avoiding saying something that could affirm poorly catechized people in their sin was more important.
Concerning the pope “not losing sleep” over the financial crisis: usually the best way to not feel anxious about something is to just tackle it, which as you guys noted, he seems to be doing.
I found the actual video of the popes remarks on the definition of marriage upon which Ed and JD were at loggerheads! https://youtu.be/kwk1weylwpw. It's at the 2:30 mark. I think when you listen to it, it's clear that he distinguishes marriage from sacramental marriage.
Don’t know where else to post this - but just got my first issue of The Lamp (your sometime sponsor) - a very handsome publication!
Ed got the quote about right: "I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ***, and I'm all out of bubble gum." It was "Rowdy" Roddy Piper in the movie "They Live."
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Most entertaining wrestler ever.
He is in the team photo, but I'm going to have to go with Ric Flair or Randy Savage.
I'm getting a kick that, somehow, this episode became a near occasion of gossip about Marty Brodeur.
Also, it would be a beautiful thing if Pope Leo could disappear for two weeks and walk part of the Camino de Santiago. Didn't the royal family of ... somewhere ... do that recently?
Very amusing that the statement no one had a problem with (family/marriage being a sacrament) was such a big deal to JD but the statement we’re all worried about (teaching can change) doesn’t worry them at all.
What does it tell you that it is literally just social media influencers that have a problem with that one quote? Literally every reporter that has talked about what he said have no issue with it and just see it as Leo said "Church doctrine will not change and will try to be welcoming without changing church doctrine?"
Well I wouldn’t say it’s just influencers. I think many everyday Catholics were worried by it. I’m not a Catholic influencer and I found it concerning - well before I saw any other reactions. I’m encouraged by JD and Ed’s takeaway though.
I did not take it as teaching can change. I think when we speak off the cuff sometimes we say things that are not clear. I also think people spend way to much time analyzing every little thing he said trying to find fault with what his statements. Which is not healthy for catholics. We are not called to agree with everything the pope says we are called to pray for him. We also have to focus more on what we can learn from him, which does not mean taking his quotes out of context and looking for faults in the pope. At the end of his rambling about the LGBT issue he said, "Church doctrine will stay as it is, and I am going to leave it at that." That was the most important thing.
Agree overall, but I still wish he hadn’t said it that way and don’t think it’s unreasonable to be worried by it. Agree that the catastophizing reactions are way overblown.
The last few minutes I think are exactly right. Great work, you two, and God bless.
Ed does know Yes Minister!!! Woohoo!!!
Re: the disputed phrasing. JD's is obviously the correct interpretation. But the explanation is also pretty obvious: Leo wasn't speaking with lawyerly precision and in fact he made a mistake.
JD, I'd definitely recommend a trip to Arkansas whenever you get the chance. The Diamond Crater park is cool, and a good spot for kids. There's a small water park there too, which was a nice consolation after spending the whole day in the heat and finding nothing, lol. You could also go looking for quartz crystals around Mt. Ida.
Hot Springs is worth a visit for the national park, and the historic bathhouses there - some are museums, but some are still functioning spas!
Beyond that, I'd also recommend Subiaco abbey, a lovely Benedictine abbey off of the beaten path. They also happen to make excellent hot sauce. From there, it's not far up to Altus, where you can visit several wineries owned by Catholic families for generations, and the lovely St. Mary's church right at the top of the bluff there, above the whole town.
I am still in the honeymoon phase with Hope Leo. That comment did cause me to pause, though, and gave me a moment of, “he left his dirty socks on the floor instead of in the hamper”. Appreciate hearing you guys talk it out!
I agree with Ed’s comment that including the sacrament in the definition of a family was completely reasonable and coherent, especially in light of Pope Leo’s emphasis on the pastoral nature of his office.
I would bet a majority of Catholics would not understand the term “valid marriage” and would equate it with a legal, civil marriage. So he chose “solemn commitment,” which seems like it would be more widely understood. However, although necessary, a solemn commitment is not sufficient to make a valid marriage. Many Catholics have divorced their spouses and made a solemn commitment to someone else. These misguided souls are not validly married, and instead are in a state of public, committed adultery. Including the sacrament in his definition communicates that a relationship undertaken with someone who is not one’s sacramental spouse is not familial.
As someone who really hates imprecise language, I can’t believe the side I’m coming down on here, but I think the importance of avoiding saying something that could affirm poorly catechized people in their sin was more important.
Concerning the pope “not losing sleep” over the financial crisis: usually the best way to not feel anxious about something is to just tackle it, which as you guys noted, he seems to be doing.
I found the actual video of the popes remarks on the definition of marriage upon which Ed and JD were at loggerheads! https://youtu.be/kwk1weylwpw. It's at the 2:30 mark. I think when you listen to it, it's clear that he distinguishes marriage from sacramental marriage.