"The priests of scandals authors give the people a poisoned meal"

FATHER FRANCIS

The homily of Pope Francis in Santa Marta: "We are ashamed of those scandals, of those defeats of priests, bishops, laity?"

ANDREA TORNIELLI VATICAN CITY

"But we are ashamed? So many scandals that I do not want to mention individually, but all we know ... ". Francis Pope celebrates Mass in the Casa Santa Marta and returns to talk about the corruption in the Church. The scandals, said Bergoglio, occur because there is a living relationship with God and His Word. Thus, the priests 'corrupt' instead of giving the "bread of life", give a "poisoned meal" of God's people

The Pope, as we read from the report published by Vatican Radio , he commented on the reading of the day and where the responsorial psalm describes the defeat of the Israelites by the Philistines. At that time, said Francis, God's people had forsaken the Lord and it was said that the Word of God was "rare." The Israelites to fight the Philistines used the ark of the covenant, but as something "magical", "something external." So are defeated and the ark fell into the hands of their enemies. What is missing is the true faith in God, in His real presence in life.

"This passage of Scripture - the Pope said - makes us think about how our relationship with God, with the Word of God: it is a formal relationship? It is a relationship far? The Word of God enters into our hearts, change our hearts, has this power or not, is a formal relationship, okay? But the heart is closed to the Word! It leads us to think of so many defeats of the Church, so many defeats of God's people simply because they do not feel the Lord does not seek the Lord, seek the Lord shall not leave! And then after the tragedy, prayer, this: "But, Lord, what happened?'ve Made us the scorn of our neighbors. Ridicule and derision of those around us.'ve Made us a byword among the nations! On us the peoples shake their heads. '"

Francis then made an explicit reference to the scandals of the Church: "But we are ashamed? So many scandals that I do not want to mention individually, but all we know ... We know where they are! Scandals, some of which they charged a lot of money: right! You must do so .... The shame of the Church! But we're all ashamed of those scandals, of those defeats of priests, bishops, laity? The Word of God was rare in those scandals, in men and in women the Word of God was rare! They did not have a relationship with God! They had a position in the Church, a position of power, even of comfort. But the Word of God, no! "But, I wear a medal," "I carry the cross" ... Yes, as these bore the ark! Without the living relationship with God and the Word of God! I am reminded of the words of Jesus to those for which they are scandals ... And here came the scandal: a forfeiture of the entire people of God, to the weakness and corruption of the priests. "

Francis concluded his homily with a thought to the people of God: "Poor people! Poor people! We do not eat the bread of life, do not we feed - in those cases - the truth! And even we feed poisoned meal, many times! "Wake up, sleeper because Lord." Let this be our prayer! "Awake! Do not reject us forever, why do you hide your face, why forget our affliction and oppression?". We ask the Lord to never forget the Word of God, which is alive, that it enters into our hearts and never forget the holy faithful people of God who asks us strong meal. "

They are different and yet the headlines scandals mentioned Francis. From those related to child sexual abuse to the more strictly financial structures that have swept the men and church-related, as well as religious orders