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Errin Clark's avatar

I briefly (very briefly!) listened to a YouTube conversation between Lilia Rose and Jimmy Akin, who were discussing Francis’ recent statements about all religions being different ways to God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_9-ANB7oks&t=67s

Rose commented that those who take exception to these statements and call them heretical or contrary to the Catholic faith are just “looking for him to trip up”. Akin commented that we have to understand Francis’ words in the context of what he has said of his broader views of evangelization and in the the context of the early Fathers’ understanding that the truths of God that are found in other religions are “seeds”. Moreover, this view of truth seeds, consonant with Catholic teaching, they say, should be understood as the main thrust of Francis' words even if those words are misleading on the surface. I would be interested in hearing others’ opinions about this line of defense.

My quick take is that we have seen too much in his many other public statements and in his actions to reasonably believe that Francis himself views, and thus intends others to see, the Catholic Faith as the one true faith and the Catholic Church as identical to Christ’s Church. That even understates it. His animosity toward proselytism and lack of call for any non-Catholics to convert are just so much glaring evidence. Further, he distinguishes his message from that of pre-V2 Church:

"If in the past, our [religious] differences set us at odds, nowadays we see in them the richness of different ways of coming to God." — Meeting of the Holy Father Francis with the representatives of religions on the theme “Religions and Education: towards a Global Compact on Education”, 05.10.2021

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/10/05/211005c.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawFhUxxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHU7xe0BgNC_8S85RwwHAyBU1CuPpFf-KwBWAQLqILGwK9VynpQML1kJ-Mg_aem_vZbATTS0Tv6purHO48qubw

Finally, the whole spirit of Assisi and V2 ecumenism that largely founds his message runs afoul of the obvious truth that any false religion is a grave evil — indeed among the gravest. No one in their Catholic right mind would want another person to follow a false religion or call such a religion “rich” or say God wills it in any positive sense.

Any additional thoughts?

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Rufino Ty's avatar

Another point.

The work of Jesus Christ is finished already. How could Someone who had reached God having ascended there, have fraternity who are still in the way, and who are not even with Him. It is really hard to comprehend how?

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