The Pope – In All His Wisdom – The Jesuit Interview - Mischaracterized by Media – “If they have ears, let them hear”.

Pope Francis, the wise and humble Leader of Catholics - image AP via NYTimes

Pope Francis is clearly a breath of fresh air, if one is an evangelical and holding that the way to life and God is through scripture – however, certain media and social groups have a tendency to take the Pope’s intent out of context: The New York Times is a prime example. In an article about an article in the Jesuit Journal the New York Times led with an article titled– “Pope Says Church Is ‘Obsessed’ With Gays, Abortion and Birth Control” – going on to imply that the Pope feels that the one who is involved in a gay marriage, or supports abortion is doing just fine.

The pope’s interview did not change church doctrine or policies, but it instantly changed its tone. His words evoked gratitude and hope from many liberal Catholics who had felt left out in the cold during the papacies of Benedict and his predecessor, John Paul II, which together lasted 35 years. Some lapsed Catholics suggested on social media a return to the church, and leaders of gay rights and gay Catholic groups called on bishops to abandon their fight against gay marriage.

In the actual interview available at Thinking Faith.org: The Pope’s meaning becomes perfectly clear – on all subjects – as it is rooted in the Gospels, and he relies on Hebrews, in part to form his opinions – read the entire article here. In interpreting the meaning of the Pope’s wording on the subject one finds that he is referring to the call of Christ, and the early Church fathers (including St. Paul) to heal the sinner, and not judge them, regardless of what they eat (referring to Paul-Romans). Clearly, Jesus came to call the sinners, as they were in need of healing. Clearly God, in whose image man is made, loves each one and offers each the opportunity of redemption in several levels – Therefore, looking at this humble and brilliant Pope’s stance on the issue, it is in common teaching within the biblical context. First one heals the sinner, then the sin. In speaking of the confessional – and the confusion that is caused by pastors who are either too strict or too lax in consoling those who are ‘confessing” their sins (think of pastoral therapy with a sacrament rolled in for good measure) – should an individual confess an abortion to a priest who is too rigid in doctrine, there will be no hope offered, and if the priest is too lax, there will be no chance to speak to the saving grace of God, should one renounce the sin, and seek to live a whole life.

Therefore, first, heal the rift between God and his child, and then heal the sin.

The man is brilliant and perhaps the world has a Pope who understands the Church and the Politics behind religion, which tends to get in the way of salvation.

The writer is a Catholic by birth, an Evangelical by logic and the gift of the Spirit.

Wisconsin Latest to Fuel Abortion Debate – Gov. Scott Walker Signs Bill Requiring Ultra Sounds – and MD’s to supply Proof of Privileges at Hospitals - Media calls "Extreme" Measures

The above photo from Jillstanek.com, shows the abortion provider, Herman Gosnell's, procedure table

From USNews at NBCnew.com: Wisconsin Governor, Scott Walker has signed a new bill into law, one which requires women seeking an abortion to have an ultra-sound first, as well as insure abortion providers in the State of Wisconsin have privileges to admit at Hospitals within a 30 mile radius of their clinic. The abortion lobby (or the left in general) is screaming “Restrictions!” – Or to put it bluntly a women’s right to be unaware of any problems arising from a pregnancy, even if said pregnancy is one the women wishes to terminate. Also, women should not be concerned that their provider of services – which can be life threatening, are provided by an individual who is not allowed to step foot in a hospital.

So much for looking out for women from the left – to play devil’s advocate here – and understanding that abortion providers are a billion dollar tax payer funded industry, in most cases (except for the Herman Gosnell type clinics, who are privately run, and may receive limited federal funding).(Life News)

That said, should any of those clinics be actually brought up to health standard, some on the left are suggesting that would be a disservice to women as they might close! The bills are being herald as “restrictive” by most of the media. One has to ask the question – when it comes to women’s health, where are the restrictions? – It appears only to be enhancements that have been put into place – unless, of course, a woman has an ultrasound, sees a baby or hears a baby’s heart beat, and decides not to have the abortion (that restriction there is the loss of income to said abortion provider). Additionally, if any were to choose a provider of health care, abortion or otherwise, one would hope that provider had admitting privileges to an actual hospital – in the event something went horribly wrong – which can be the case in the average abortion. There are risks in any surgery, most go off with a hitch, but if something did occur, would it to be in the women’s best interests to have a hospital handy?

Although one might be pro-life, by choice, it does not take away from the fact that these “restrictions” go a long way towards helping, rather than hurting women. Therefore, regardless of which side of the issue one decides to stand, or how one wishes to parse words, these two above referenced provisions make sense form a women’s health standpoint. The ultrasound can be used to detect everything from a normal heartbeat, to abnormalities in the fetus or the uterus, to cancer – of course, if the provider doesn’t not permission to send a patient to a local hospital, then one might question that particular providers ability to perform not only a simple test, but a minor to major surgery. That is what abortion is, a surgery, and to cheer on women having these “procedures” done is “clinics “which can be liked to badly kept car-washes, speaks volumes about how little those individuals actually care about women’s health.

One would have thought these types of procedures, would be on a par with any other out-patient, or same day surgical procedure –with all the care and concern that goes with – apparently not if one is in the camp of the abortion lobby (NARAL or Planned Parenthood both come to mind).

As more states go to the "extreme’s" that Wisconsin just did, say limiting abortions to a certain amount of weeks, in order to prevent a women from aborting a baby that can live quite easily outside the womb, and having the doctor (if they are really doctors) stick an ice pick in the baby’s head to complete the “Procedure” (See Gosnell Trial, where that is considered the standard in the industry (Defense). One would think that the deeper psychological harm might not come from the women hearing to seeing a child prior to deciding whether or not to end that child’s life, rather from knowing that child was being brutally murdered upon delivery. (Of course, that might not be exactly told to the woman, having the procedures). What should take place, in addition to safeguards in place for all women, is education of women as to the actual procedures which take place during and after an abortion at all weeks that should be part and parcel of a jr. high school or high school’s health curriculum – but they rather hand out condoms – how overwhelming unhelpful on so many levels! – Yet applauded as forward thinking, those that pretend to represent women in all stages of their lives and to have their “back” so to speak, should something pop up – in reality are looking out for themselves and the woman, are nothing more than the “masses”, faceless names who have insurance that will cover “procedures” and some will die, most will live, and some will suffer the rest of their lives, regardless of how palatable the abortion industry makes these procedures appear.

Pictured below, the results of the standard late term abortion - as described by Gosenll's defense team. (Image: expose the media dot com)