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Susan Barsy's avatar

I'm fortunate to have found my way back to Christianity after being non-observant for most of my adulthood. I'm Episcopalian, benefitting from all the intellectual riches of the "one true catholic and apostolic faith." Belonging to a church is a way to experience God's goodness within. It isn't the only prop to virtue in modern society, but it is one of the most complete and satisfying. Churches are human institutions whose leaders and members can inspire and guide us toward right action in the world. Francis did all he humanly could.

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Lauren Hall's avatar

Thanks for commenting, Susan. I'm feeling very hopeful about Pope Leo in the same way. He's clearly a man of God in every sense of the word. I'm hopeful about the future of the church, particularly given his clear outreach beyond the Catholic world.

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Bradley J. Birzer's avatar

This is absolutely beautiful, Lauren. I shared it as a note (I'm not sure how to restack?). And, for what it's worth, your thoughts and emotions almost perfectly echo my thoughts and emotions. I was raised Catholic, left the Church for about 10 years and then returned. Again, thank you. Beautiful.

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Lauren Hall's avatar

I've long meant to thank you for serving as a powerful witness to your faith over the years at the various conferences we've attended. You and a handful of other Catholics in my academic orbit reassured me that I wasn't crazy and that it was possible to combine deep faith with intellectual rigor (and humor).

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Bradley J. Birzer's avatar

Wow, Lauren. Thank you! I'm deeply honored by this, and please know the respect is absolutely mutual.

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Paul Poenicke's avatar

Excellent consideration of Francis's significance for the contemporary Church. I share your worries: the political orientation the church could take on, to become more "relevant," is antithetical to its traditional spiritual calling.

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Lauren Hall's avatar

I agree: as soon as we worry about relevance we lose the enduring power of the Church's message. And that goes for both sides. Someone once remarked that the separation of church and state doesn't exist to protect government from the church as most people think, but to protect the church and its message of unity and enduring truths from politics. That's true now more than ever.

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Muse Tutor's avatar

Historically Pope F never weighed in about US elections but in 2024 HE GLEEFULLY DID! Said Kamala vs trump was CHOOSING BETWEEN TWO EVILS! Both R against life!

Yet in 2022 PopeF admitted in public NO CHRISTIAN BIBLE FORBIDS abortion but as a Roman Cath we r choosing to. No medical or ethical reasons. Just a stance to take.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkdmdg78jgo.amp

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Bradley J. Birzer's avatar

Ok, just figured out how to restack.

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