Besides that, all you have to do is read the original completely, and you will see that Pope Francis did not say that abortion was OK, or that criticizing gay marriage is small minded.
Since there are so many good commentaries and rebuttals to the media misconceptions, I won't offer my own, but rather briefly summarize some main points I remember, and then a list of useful blog posts:
- Problems (doctrinal disputes, etc.) should be solved on the most local possible level; a long-time Catholic principal.
- The Church is not just the magisterium. Lay people offer some very important contributions that theologians cannot, such as popular devotions.
- We shouldn't focus only on abortion, gay marriage, etc. all the time.
- When we do, the focus should be an example of love, and the hope that those who've sinned in these ways will repent and find forgiveness.
- When this doesn't happen, we must love these people none the less.
- Whether talking about these or other concepts, first comes love for Christ, then out of that love discipline will grow.
- The Church functions best as a "field hospital after the battle;the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity."
None of this implies a change of the Church's teachings on morals or other matters, but I see as a challenge about how we present these to the world, and how we interact with the world. The final point, the "field hospital" metaphor, is the one which, for me, best summarizes what Pope Francis wants to see, which is a good thing!Here are some good commentaries to read:
- First thoughts about the Francis Interview
- Why LifeSiteNews and the New York Times are both wrong about Pope Francis
- Pope Francis’ comments on homosexuality in the Big Interview
- THURSDAY: MSM reports Francis said Church is obsessed about abortion! FRIDAY: Pope Francis talks about abortion!
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