Speaking of the possible perversions of authentic faith in the one true God, Pope Francis said, “The definitive revelation of God in Jesus Christ makes every recourse to violence in God’s name ultimately impossible. It is precisely because of [Christ’s] refusal of violence, because of his having overcome evil with good, with the blood of his Cross, that Jesus has reconciled men to God and each other.” (Vatican Radio, 1/15/14,Pope Francis address to the participants in the Plenary Assembly of the International Theological Commission)

This came from my friend Father Charles McCarthy of the . He points out
“If the Pope had said that Catholics must return to the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue only, the U.S., British, Irish, etc. airwaves, TV, radio talk shows, Internet, papers, magazines and pulpits—from the far right to the middle of the road to the far left—would be ceaselessly and volcanically bellowing in all directions.” But this radical statement is followed by silence in the media and church.

When the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church makes a statements on gays or abortion it is repeated around the world by foe and friends. But this statement, as others he has made on violence, is met by silence. Yet violence in our cities, in our wars, between nations and between persons rages.

The whole statement will come soon but probably will be followed by the same silence. The media is constantly talking about or showing violence yet when the Pope says “every recourse to violence in God’s name ultimately impossible” he is ignored.

Being ignored is something I know about and it is a difficult form of hatred to deal with. Our Holy Father, unlike me, will not be defensive about his statement but will also keep making it over and over again.

Another friend who was seriously hurt by a Catholic institution she has served for nearly 25 years told me tonight that she has forgiven them and is ready to move on with life. Forgiveness of this violence to her, she says, has given her many blessings and she prays for the person who caused this great harm.

The pope is saying what most people of faith, many Christians and Catholics, do not want to hear: you cannot justify violence in God’s name.” What the Pope Francis says makes big news but not when he is speaking truth to power.

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