Pope Francis: Christmas a ‘Charade’ This Year Because ‘Whole World Is at War’

[MADem]

http://time.com/4123703/pope-francis-christmas-charade/

Pope Francis told churchgoers that Christmas this year is going to be a “charade” because “the whole world is at war.”

The pontiff put this holiday season in perspective during mass at the Basilica di Santa Maria last week. His speech comes after a rash of notable violent incidents, including the now infamous terrorist attacks in Paris, as “we are close to Christmas. There will be lights, there will be parties, bright trees, even Nativity scenes – all decked out – while the world continues to wage war.

“It’s all a charade. The world has not understood the way of peace. The whole world is at war,” Pope Francis said. “A war can be justified, so to speak, with many, many reasons, but when all the world as it is today, at war, piecemeal though that war may be—a little here, a little there—there is no justification.”

Pope Francis also pointed to the “innocent victims” of war, calling for compassion for bystanders.

“What shall remain in the wake of this war, in the midst of which we are living now?” Pope Francis asked. “What shall remain? Ruins, thousands of children without education, so many innocent victims, and lots of money in the pockets of arms dealers.”

Not pulling any punches, is he?

[Ferretherder]

1. Ya' know, no matter what differences I have ...

...with the Catholic Church (well, all religions! ) and this man, as the leader of that denomination of Christianity, I do believe he is right about a lot of stuff.

Sorta like, 'when he's right, he's right! '

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

2. I'm thinking of a bit from the old TV show MASH

Someone has just said "War is hell." Hawkeye replies, "War isn't hell. War is war, and hell is hell. And of the two, war is a lot worse."

Father Mulcahy: How do you figure, Hawkeye?

Hawkeye: Easy, Father. Tell me, who goes to hell?

Father Mulcahy: Sinners, I believe.

Hawkeye: Exactly. There are no innocent bystanders in hell. War is chock full of them -- little kids, cripples, old ladies. In fact, except for some of the brass, almost everybody involved is an innocent bystander.

[MADem]

3. 'In fact, except for some of the brass, almost everybody involved is an innocent bystander.'

Ain't THAT a fair point!

[thucythucy]

13. Have you ever read "All Quiet on the Western Front"?

There's a part where these privates are discussing the war, and one of them recites what was evidently a popular ditty among soldiers of the time:

Give them all the same grub and all the same pay
And the war would be over and done in a day.

That particular war was "the war to end war."

[MADem]

16. +1,000! nt

[jonno99]

8. Excellent! nt

[restorefreedom]

4. it does seem rather contradictory

that the haves in the world will be having their toddies and carols and gifts, while the raging worldwide wildfire of war, murder, famine, and terrorism goes on unabated.

[MADem]

7. He's right to point it out, too. nt

[okasha]

5. He doesn't pull punches,

which is why I worry about his safety.

[MADem]

6. He's in a tough spot of late--traveling in rough territory.

He's alluded to his demise on occasion, not quite a "I may not get there with ya" but I think he's made peace with any fate that might befall him. I have to say, I don't know if I'd be so sanguine in the face of such risk. I'd want body armor and lots of it--maybe a sequined robe in the hopes of blinding an assassin! Of course, he doesn't go for all that flash!

[jonno99]

9. Interesting. However, isn't Christmas kinda like Thanksgiving? It's not neccessarily a statement

about the "present" - but rather observing/celebrating an event (or events) from the past.

I'm reminded of the WW1 story about soldiers crossing no-mans land on Christmas eve:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce

It seems to me that those soldiers of old "got it". The current Pope's statement leaves me a little baffled, as the "reason" for Christmas hasn't changed - but he should know that...

[MADem]

10. Well, Thanksgiving is a secular American holiday.

The Canadians have one too, but it doesn't quite have the same root--it's more of a harvest feast kind of thing, and less about the founding of the nation (even if fictionalized to no small extent).

I sure as heck don't speak for the Pope, but I think he's objecting to all the emphasis on superficial stuff--the presents, the lights, the food, the fun--and not focusing on the meaning of the holiday and how it relates to the tragedies happening around the world.

[jonno99]

11. Well I certainly can't argue with that as I have the same opinion re: the superficiality. However,

(and I know it's semantics) but for the sake of clarity I would think that "Celebrating Christmas is a ‘Charade’ this year..." is more descriptive.

Perhaps it was lost in translation...

[MADem]

12. As the video said, it's typical Francis, calling attention to the plight of the marginalized. nt

[thucythucy]

14. Much as I have many issues with him, this Pope seems to me

to be the most forthright high clergy concerned with the poor and their oppression since Oscar Romero denounced the Black Hand reactionaries in El Salvador in the late 1970s early 1980. Romero was cut down by a Salvadoran death squad while he was celebrating Mass in San Salvador.

I'm in awe at that kind of courage and wish I had a tenth of that sort of commitment and fortitude.

Like the White Rose in Germany in the 1940s, who openly opposed Hitler and paid for it with their lives, this current Pope has a great measure of empathy for the poor and oppressed. I just wish he'd see that LGBT folk are just as deserving of his support, and that the priesthood would be so vastly improved by the elevation of women to the priesthood.

I look forward to more stands he might take.

[MADem]

15. I have to agree with you. I think he came up in that day of the "social justice" priests and nuns,

not the "molesting little children" priests and nuns.

He's like a Bob Drinan or a Berrigan Brother, only even more intense.

I think a lot of his ideas about women and marriage and divorce and birth control are just crazy, but sometimes I get the impression that he really doesn't give much of a genuine crap about that stuff, either. It's also pretty clear to me that his greeting to his beloved student and his husband showed genuine love and affection--I don't think he's really "heart in it" opposed to the LGBT community, either. I think he throws a bone to the mendacious in the Vatican infrastructure every now and again so they won't try to poison him, or something (the fact that he cooks his own meals is probably a good thing--best way to stay safe is to cook yourself and invite your enemies to your table).

He approaches these issues incrementally, certainly...he's chipping away at attitudes about those stupid things that could be labeled "GOP agenda items" (abortion, LGBT, women priests, birth control, divorce) by saying things like "Who am I to judge" and "Who knows what is in their hearts" but he knows if he comes at it full bore he'll probably end up like JP1. What he CAN do is prioritize the poor, the sick, the suffering, and get all these bishop/cardinal fat bastards farting through silk up out of their mansions and out in the field doing "the Lord's work." If they can't deal, they can retire, and make room for someone who CAN get the spirit!!!