UNITED STATES
Question from a Ewe

How to determine if clergy listen humbly and learn…

Soon to retire Cardinal George of Chicago said before last week’s US bishops’ annual fall meeting that he doesn’t get what Pope Francis wants him to do. “He says wonderful things, but he doesn’t put them together all the time, so you’re left at times puzzling over what his intention is… What he says is clear enough, but what does he want us to do?”

I don’t know… Maybe follow the gospels? Maybe imitate Jesus’ effusion of inclusion, love and mercy?

It’s a bit ironic that a 77 year-old self-acclaimed career Jesus-expert suddenly becomes confused when asked to imitate that very guy. Maybe thoughts like this are rattling through his and other clergy’s heads these days, “The last two popes were so much easier…. You just really couldn’t go wrong with mindless regurgitation of…