Defending The Pope

The cartoon on the right was posted to the Sacred Heart Facebook page. The following was posted to accompany the cartoon, “People need to be aware that MAGA loyalists are voicing fierce opposition online, labeling the new pope a “woke globalist” due to his outspoken pro-immigration stance and pointed critiques of Trump-era policies. Yet, amid the noise, Pope Leo XIV’s early messages emphasize peace, compassion, and a global call for unity.”

Calls were made to Fr. Bernard to complain about it and demand that it be removed. What most people don’t understand is that Sacred Heart does not own or control either the parish web site at this URL or the Facebook page which was generated under my personal Facebook account. I have paid for all the costs and contributed thousands of hours over the past decades to create and manage these sites as a contribution of my time, talent, and treasure for the good of Sacred Heart Parish. 

Following My Conscience

I can not in good conscience delete this content just because some people put politics above faith. I have made the decision to take down both the parish web and Facebook pages rather than be subject to censorship.

Catholic teaching views conscience as a judgement of reason, guiding individuals to discern what is morally good and evil. It’s not simply a feeling, but a capacity to recognize and apply moral principles, and ultimately, to make a practical judgment about what action to take. Catholics are called to form their consciences according to Church teaching and to follow its dictates, but also to respect the consciences of others.

Catholic teaching distinguishes three aspects of conscience: synderesis (the innate capacity to grasp basic moral principles), moral science (the process of discovering what is good or evil in a specific situation), and judgment (the final decision about what to do). Conscience is seen as a guide, urging us to choose good and avoid evil. It is a capacity that is present in every human being, not just Catholics, and it is a gift from God, given to help us discern moral truth

Catholics are called to follow their conscience in moral decisions. However, it’s crucial to recognize that conscience can be erroneous, and therefore, must be formed and informed by Church teaching. Even an erroneous conscience must be followed, because it is a violation of conscience to act against what one believes is right. The Church acknowledges the primacy of conscience, meaning that one must ultimately follow the judgment of their conscience. This is not a rejection of Church teaching, but rather an affirmation that one must act in accordance with what they believe is morally right, even if there is a conflict with Church teaching

Catholics are also called to respect the consciences of others, even if they disagree with their choices. This includes respecting their right to make their own moral decisions, as long as they are acting in accordance with their conscience.

I was a great admirer of Pope Francis and I am equally excited about the papacy of Leo XIV. In the spirit of the cartoon I posted, I want to post some of his quotes so people understand the context of the cartoon and question why people were offended by it.

– Linden Lentz

Pope Leo XIV Quotes

His first words to the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square were words of peace, directed to all of the world:

“Peace be with you all! Beloved brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who has given his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, reach your families, to all people, wherever they may be, to all peoples, to all the earth. Peace be with you!”

In a 2023 interview, he emphasized the role of a personal relationship with Jesus, rather than doctrine, in evangelization:

“We are often preoccupied with teaching doctrine … but we risk forgetting that our first task is to teach what it means to know Jesus Christ.”

In a 2024 statement, he called for a model of humble service in leadership:

“The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom, but rather called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them, to suffer with them, and to look for ways that he can better live the Gospel message in the midst of his people.” 

In a 2023 press conference, he followed in Pope Francis’ footsteps of declaring the Church a welcoming a place for all: 

“Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church.”

He reiterated his connection to Pope Francis during his address yesterday, picking up on many of Francis’ key themes: the need to love without fear; to build bridges to unite, rather than divide; to be welcoming to all; and to be a synodal church:

“God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God’s hands. Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and each other – let us go forward.”

“We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as the bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us also, and then help each other to build bridges, with dialogue, with encounter, uniting us all to be one people always at peace.”

“We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive, like this square, with open arms. Everyone, everyone who needs our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.”

“To all of you, brothers and sisters from Rome, from Italy, from all over the world, we want to be a synodal Church, a church that walks, a church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close especially to those who suffer.”