Pope Francis denounced priests who are "attached to
money" and who mistreat people, saying the people
of God cannot forgive them for turning churches into
businesses.
During his homily on Friday, Nov. 21, at a mass in
the Vatican's Saint Martha guesthouse, the Holy
Father did not mince words in condemning priests and
laity who impose unreasonable charges for weddings,
baptisms, blessings and other services.
"It is interesting: the people of God can forgive their
priests, when they are weak; when they slip on a sin,
the people know how to forgive them," the Pope told
the mass attendees.
"But there are two things that the people of God
cannot forgive: a priest attached to money and a priest
who mistreats people. This they cannot forgive! It is
scandalous..."
The Pope based his homily on the day's Gospel from
Luke in which Jesus turns over tables and drives out
those who were selling things inside the temple,
saying it is a sacred place meant for prayer and not for
business.
The Pope noted that many parishes worldwide are
involved in the "scandal of doing business, the
scandal of worldliness," citing the price list in parishes
shown to people who want to get married, have their
children baptized, or seek blessings and other
services.
The Holy Father recounted the story of a young
couple who went to their parish to seek a wedding
ceremony for them during a Mass. The couple were
told that the parish could grant their wish if they pay
for two time slots – one for the wedding ceremony
and the other for the Mass. They were told that the
Mass could not be included in the ceremony since the
latter was limited to just 20 minutes; that's why they
have to pay for two time slots.
If both priests and lay people become businessmen,
"this is the sin of scandal," Pope Francis said.
"It is scandalous when the Temple, the House of God,
becomes a place of business, as in the case of that
wedding: the church was being rented out," he said.
Pope Francis noted that Jesus was filled with the wrath
of God when he saw the temple converted into a
marketplace. He said this is rightful indignation
because redemption is supposed to be free; "it is
God's free gift."
So when a church or a parish start doing business, it's
like saying that salvation is no longer free, the Pope
said. That's why Jesus drove the traders out of the
temple, he added.
Just Distribution Of Wealth
On Thursday, Nov. 20, Pope Francis demanded a
more just distribution of the world's wealth for the
poor and hungry, telling a U.N. conference on
nutrition that access to food is a basic human right
that shouldn't be subject to market speculation and
quests for profit.
"We ask for dignity, not for charity," Francis told the
U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.
He made the speech a day after more than 170
countries represented in the conference adopted new
voluntary guidelines to prevent malnutrition, promote
healthy diets and reduce levels of obesity worldwide.
Meeting Autistic Children
On Saturday, Nov. 22, Pope Francis tenderly
embraced children with autism spectrum disorders in
the Vatican as he called for an end to the isolation and
stigma of people living with this condition, which is
characterized by varying levels of social impairment
and communication difficulties.
The audience capped an international conference on
autism hosted by the Vatican.
Pope's Fiat Car In Raffle For The Poor
Meanwhile, the Vatican said it is raffling off gifts that
the Pontiff has received, including a four-wheel-drive
Panda Fiat, to raise money for charity.
The raffle will also include his Homero Ortega brand
hat, bicycles, and an espresso coffee machine, among
13 objects and 30 unspecified "consolation prizes."
Tickets on sale at the Vatican will cost $12.50, and
the winner will be announced on Jan. 8.
Last week, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis
was building bathrooms for the homeless near St.
Peter's Basilica.

Source: www.christiantimes.com/article/pope.francis.condemns.priests.who.turn.churches.into.businesses/49596.htm

Indeed, men are making serious merchandise of the Gospel of Christ.

The emphasis on money and prosperity is disturbing.

They won't hear. He's wasting his time

Nigerian Jetflying Pastors should read this, that shows that they are in churchbusiness and fake christians.

nora544:
Nigerian Jetflying Pastors should read this, that shows that they are in churchbusiness and fake christians.

Dem dey hear?