“We have perhaps all said things in unguarded moments that we would not want printed in newspapers.” Quote by John I. Jenkins
“I am far more concerned about policies of the Democratic administration and Democratic Party that infringe on the rights of religious institutions and practices and open the door for using taxpayer dollars for abortions, to which many Americans have profound moral objections. Those are steps that would show a lack of respect for Catholics and their institutions.” ShowsReligiousPartyMoralStepsPracticeRightsDoorsPolicyConcernedCatholicInstitutionsDollarsDemocraticProfoundAdministrationAbortionDemocratic PartyTaxpayersObjectionsLack Of Respect Author:John I. Jenkins
“Pope Francis has taught us by his example how we can witness with our lives and actions to our faith and moral principles, but still engage respectfully with those who disagree. He's urged us to find a "new balance," going beyond the few wedge issues of our politics, so we do not lose the "freshness and fragrance of the Gospel."” StillsActionLosesMoralPrinciplesIssuesOur LivesExampleTaughtBalanceWitnessDisagreePopeFragranceTaught UsFreshnessMoral PrinciplesWedges Author:John I. Jenkins
“[Pope Francis] has done this not through angry speeches, but through the powerful symbols and examples of embracing a badly deformed man, welcoming refugees to the Vatican, strolling through a shanty town in Rome, visiting a home for the elderly, washing the feet of prisoners on Holy Thursday, and going to a hospital for newborns.” MenDoneHomePowerfulFeetExampleHolySpeechTownsAngryWelcomeSymbolsHospitalsPrisonerRomePopeRefugeeElderlyWashingVisitingStrollingThursday Author:John I. Jenkins
“[Pope Francis] has reminded us that the way we live our lives is the most important expression of our Catholic identity.” WayImportantLife IsOur LivesIdentityExpressionCatholicPope Author:John I. Jenkins
“Though the archbishop may rightly argue that they are objectively wrong in their positions, I don't understand how he can presume to know the consciences of Vice President [Joe] Biden and Senator [Tim] Kaine sufficiently to question the genuineness of their faith and condemn them personally.” KnowsMayPresidentPositionConscienceVicesArguingSenatorsVice PresidentBidenGenuineness Author:John I. Jenkins
“As Pope Francis says in Amoris laetitia, pastors must "make room for the consciences of the faithful, who very often respond as best they can to the Gospel amid their limitations, and are capable of carrying out their own discernment in complex situations. We have been called to form consciences, not to replace them" (no. 37). As for the former statement, we should only be afraid if the church is smaller because of our failure to welcome people and preach the Gospel in a way that touches their hearts.” PeopleIfsWayShouldHeartHas BeensFormChurchRoomsSituationCapableConscienceComplexesStatementsWelcomeFormerLimitationFaithfulPopePastorDiscernment Author:John I. Jenkins
“I have reflected a great deal on that event, and continue to do so. I cannot give you a complete answer in a few sentences. But I would say that I was struck at that time by the vehemence of the anger from various sides, and the anger was in many cases directed at those who share a Catholic faith. I understand that such anger, such vehemence arises from sincere and passionate conviction, but I believe expressing it in such vitriolic terms gets us nowhere.” GivingBelieveI BelieveSidesTermAnswersDealsCasesShareEventsCatholicPassionateVariousConvictionSentencesAriseSincereVehemenceCatholic Faith Author:John I. Jenkins
“I've never met anyone who has changed his mind or deepened his faith because he has been confronted with such angry condemnations.” MindHas BeensChangedMetsAngryCondemnation Author:John I. Jenkins
“I've seen many dig in their heels and becoming disenchanted with the church because of these kinds of denunciations from coreligionists. We have to find a better way to witness to our faith and our convictions.” WayKindChurchBecomingConvictionWitnessHeelsBetter WaysDisenchanted Author:John I. Jenkins
“I live near Amish communities in northern Indiana and I have the greatest respect for such faithful people. They attempt to live their faith more fully by separating themselves, as far as possible, from the wider culture and its influences. That has never been the teaching of the Catholic faith.” PeopleCultureCommunityInfluenceTeachingCatholicFaithfulIndianaSeparatingAmishCatholic Faith Author:John I. Jenkins