The Pope talked to reporters on the flight back to Rome from Slovakia. He talked about dialogue with the Hungarian government, anti-Semitism and vaccines, and the subject of communion by politicians who approved abortion laws.
(Vatican News Network)“Abortion is murder”, the church does not change its position, and “every time the bishops do not deal with the problem as pastors, they will stand on the side of politics.” This is what Pope Francis said on the flight back to Rome from Bratislava after finishing his international pastoral visit to Hungary and Slovakia on the afternoon of September 15. As usual, the Pope answered questions from random reporters on the return journey.
The pope first answered his motives for his visit to Hungary and his expectations for the European Union. The Pope said that at the beginning, some people did not understand it very well, thinking that this visit was just to participate in the etiquette. He originally promised the President of Hungary to visit. The pope said: “Hungarians have a wealth of value, and I am moved by their profound ecumenism.” “In short, Europe must regain the dream of the founder of the EU. The EU is not Gathering together in order to do things, there is a spirit on the basis of the EU. Now there is a danger that the EU is just a management office. This is not good. It must go to the mystery, explore the roots of Europe and carry it forward. All countries have it. We should move forward.” “Inspired by the dream of the founders of the European Union, the European Union must be independent and all countries are equal. This is my opinion.”
On the issue of vaccinations against the new crown, the pope said that humans and vaccines have a friendly history, such as measles and polio. The Pope said: “Perhaps because of the toxicity and uncertainty of the virus, not only because of the pandemic, but also because of the diversity of vaccines and the reputation of some vaccines. Some vaccines are not suitable or just distilled water. This has caused people’s concerns.” . “There are also people who claim that vaccines are a danger. They say that vaccines will allow the virus to enter your body, and a lot of controversy has created this divergence.” “Some people say that because the vaccine has not been tested enough, they are worried.” Therefore, we “must clarify and talk calmly.”
Next, the Pope responded to the meeting with President János Áder on the morning of September 12th. He said, “It was the President who brought Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén to meet me.” The Pope said that the two sides did not talk about immigration, but about the protection of the environment and the family. The Pope said that there are “many young people and children” in Hungary. “The same is true in Slovakia. I am surprised that there are so many children and young couples. This is a hope.” “The current challenge is to find work, otherwise they will It’s the current situation to go abroad to find a job.” The Pope said: “The President talked freely. The two prime ministers and deputy prime ministers provided some data from time to time. The meeting lasted long enough, about 40 minutes.”
Later, a reporter from the American magazine “America” published by the American Society of Jesus asked: “You often say that we are all sinners. The Eucharist is not a reward for the perfect person, but a good medicine and food for the weak. As you know, After the last election in the United States, the bishops discussed the issue of receiving the Eucharist by politicians who support abortion. Some bishops wanted to refuse to send Eucharist to the president and other civil servants; some bishops agreed, and some bishops said,’Don’t use the Eucharist as a weapon. ‘. What do you think? What is your suggestion to the bishop? As a bishop, have you publicly refused to give communion to certain people over the years?”
The pope replied: “I have never refused to give the Eucharist to anyone.” So, the pope recalled that when he was a priest, he went to a nursing home to celebrate Mass. People who are willing to receive the Eucharist are invited to raise their hands. All The old people raised their hands. An old woman who received the Eucharist said, “Thank you, I am a Jew.” I replied, “The one I just gave you was also a Jew.” The Pope said: “The Eucharist is not a reward for the perfect. The Eucharist is a gift and a gift. It is the presence of Jesus in the church and the church community. Those who are not in the church community cannot receive the Eucharist, just like this one Jewish woman, but the Lord would reward her without my knowledge.”
Regarding the question of abortion, the Pope replied: “This is not only a problem, this is murder, abortion is murder, this is unambiguous. Human life must be respected, the principle is very clear.” “For those who do not understand. , I’ll ask this question: Is it correct to kill a person’s life in order to solve a problem? Is it correct to hire a killer to kill a person’s life?” “For this reason, the church is very strict on this issue, because if Accepting an abortion is like accepting daily murder.”
Subsequently, the pope turned the topic to the question of whether people who support abortion can receive the Eucharist. The Pope said: “The Eucharist is to reunite people in a community, but abortion is not a theological issue, but a pastoral issue.” When dealing with problems with their identities, they will stand on the side of politics”
“When the church does not defend a principle in a pastoral spirit, it will take sides on a political level. It has always been like this. Just look at history and you will know.” “What should the pastor do? Don’t condemn it as a shepherd. To be a shepherd with God’s style, God’s style is closeness, compassion, and gentleness, as taught in the entire Bible.” “A shepherd who does not know how to herd the flock in God’s style will be slippery. If you fall, you will be exposed to many things that have nothing to do with the pastor.”
“At any moment, the pastor should know what to do. However, if he loses the pastoral mission of the church, then he immediately becomes a politician.” “The principle of pastoral action is theology. Pastoral work is theology and sacredness. God leads you to act in the style of God.” “People will remember the storm caused by the chapter on separated and divorced couples in the Apostolic Exhortation in “The Joy of Love”… heresy and heresy are endless.” Thank God, we have the great theologian Cardinal Shunborn (Schönborn) who clarified things. But there is still this kind of condemnation, always condemnation. Enough, we don’t want to expel the church anymore. This is the poor man, they They are the children of God who desire and need our pastoral care. Pastors must solve problems according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
Anti-Semitism is on the rise, and the Pope is deeply concerned that this is “very bad and sinister.”
Finally, the Pope talked about family and marriage issues. The Pope said: “Marriage is a sacrament, and the church has no right to change the sacrament established by God.” “There are some laws that try to help many people with different sexual orientations. This is very important. Many people get help, but Please do not impose on the church.” “However, if a couple of the same sex wants to live together, the state has the possibility of civil support to protect them in terms of inheritance, health, etc. France has legal regulations on this. It applies not only to homosexuals, but also to all people who want to live together.”
“Marriage is marriage, but this does not mean condemning them. They are our brothers and sisters. We should accompany them. Marriage is a sacrament. It is clear.” “Yes, we should be equal and respect each other. God Is good, willing to save all people, please don’t let the church deny his truth. Many people with homosexual tendencies come to receive the sacrament of penance and seek the guidance of the priest. The church helps them to advance in their lives, but marriage is holy. Things are another matter.”
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