VATICAN CITY, August 28, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In his Angelus address Sunday,
Pope Benedict XVI spoke of Judas’ betrayal of Christ, saying that
Judas’ problem was failing to leave Christ when he no longer believed – a
“falsehood,” said the Pope, “which is a mark of the devil.”
“Judas,” said
Pope Benedict, “could have left, as many of the disciples did; indeed,
he would have left if he were honest. Instead he remained with Jesus. He
did not remain because of faith, or because of love, but with the
secret intention of taking vengeance on the Master.”
According to Human Life International Rome Director, Monsignor
Ignacio Barreiro, the comments are very relevant to the current
situation in the Catholic Church. Msgr. Barreiro, who holds a doctorate
in Dogmatic theology, told LifeSiteNews that “for those Catholics who
cannot bring themselves to believe the formal teachings of the Church on
life and family matters it would be more honest to leave the Church
rather than betraying Her.”
But, he added, “We regret very much that the person is so inclined and we wish they would have a conversion to truly believe.”
Pope Benedict, in his remarks, drew a distinction between believing
and understanding, noting that some disciples walked away from Christ
because they did not believe. However, he said, even those who remained
believed before they fully understood.
The HLI Rome Director commented, “Intellectual difficulty is not
disobedience.” He explained, “You might have teachings you find
difficult to accept. However, (in those circumstances) it is virtuous to
believe since you make a sacrifice of your own will, taking as your own
the mind of the Church.”
Msgr. Barriero noted that submission of will and intellect is
required when it comes to the official teachings of the Church, rather
than prudential opinions. “For example,” he said, “it is required for
the teaching on abortion, but there can be legitimate differences of
opinion among Catholics on how to take care of the poor.”
Giving another example, he pointed out that “while the Church can
never ordain women as priests, there can be difference on how to ensure
all are provided access to medical care.”
The pope concluded with a prayer asking God to “help us to believe in
Jesus, as St. Peter did, and to always be sincere with Him and with all
people.”
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