Pope urges breastfeeding in Sistine Chapel

[marmitecat]

news.sky.com/story/1194030/pope-urges-breastfeeding-in-sistine-chapel

Go Pope Francis

I have to admit I felt a bit awkward feeding in church with dc1 so this is pretty much the ultimate way of dispelling that worry.

[HoneyandRum]

Cardinal Sean O'Malley announced on December 5th 2013 a Pontifical (Papal) approved commission for the protection of minors and to prevent clerical sex abuse. Cardinal O'Malley stated that although there had been an emphasis worldwide on the judicial prosecution of the accused (as there should be) the Pope and commission wanted to also focus on the pastoral care and support that would be appropriate for the victims and their families.

This follows on the work of Pope Benedict, who though getting less publicity than the charismatic Pope Francis also worked for justice and healing (as well as prevention) for victims of abuse within the church.

[curlew]

Oh, good. A commission.

Oh and oh, good. CRB checks for Catholics working with children.

[HoneyandRum]

If you're being sarcastic don't forget the whole concept of apparently trustworthy people possibly sexually abusing children was not on the radar for many people in many contexts - a la Jimmy Saville. I'm not defending anyone but Catholics have not been the only people caught off guard.

[SmudgyDVDsAreEvil]

As well all the commissions, might it not be helpful if people took responsibility for their own morality, rather than relying on unelected, wealthy, powerful and self-interested institutions with an implied 'hotline to God' to tell them right from wrong? And when things go wrong, bully them into silence for the greater good of the institution?

[curlew]

"I'm not defending anyone but Catholics have not been the only people caught off guard."

No. That makes the behaviour of the Catholic hierarchy better exactly how?

[aciddrops]

Curlew why don't you just shut up? Bringing up sex abuse so predictable. We know all about it. Do you have any evidence that this Pope protects paedo's? In fact, Pope Francis is to set up a Vatican committee to fight sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church and offer help to victims. www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25235724

[HoneyandRum]

I can only speak from my own local experience which has been a good and loving one and in which everyone at all levels has taken this very seriously. The response has been ongoing for a long time now. How when you have an organization that is worldwide can you not spread ideas and experience on how different dioceses have responded to the child abuse in the church without such things as a commission? If it didn't happen then there would be voices saying "Well, there's never been a Papal commission so the church doesn't take it seriously." Seems the Vatican is damned if they do and damned if they don't.

As just a regular Catholic, the parishes and dioceses I have been part of in three countries all took this very seriously. That's all I can say.

[aciddrops]

Sorry, just noticed that this has already been mentioned by HoneyandRum but Curlew wishes to close his/her mind to this.

[curlew]

This thread has become about all the wonderful things the current pope has said and done.

I asked for examples. All that has been put forward is a commission into child abuse. "Why don't you just shut up" does not strike me as a particarly constructive contribution!

[JugglingBackwardsAndForwards]

When you say "caught off guard" I hope you mean in not having adequate procedures and the right culture within the church institution to prevent child abuse becoming the too widespread tragedy that it was (for many years) Other institutions have evidently had similar problems, for example things were evidently wrong (not as robust and effective as they should have been) at the BBC.

[aciddrops]

As well as saying "shut-up" I provided you with a link to the story. That is an example. Presumably you want other examples of what other wonderful things the current Pope has said and done. Well, here are a few others.

He sells his Harley Davidson to raise money for a soup kitchen:
news.sky.com/story/1194458/pope-sells-his-harley-davidson-for-charity

Pope Francis has recruited eight cardinals to help him reform the Vatican bureaucracy and has acted to address mismanagement in the Vatican bank.

He refuses to live in the papal apartment or to wear the regal clothes that go with his office.

He washed the feet of young offenders last Easter - leading by example to embrace the less favoured members of society.

What do you want Curlew? He is not changing the Church's teachings on homosexuality, abortion or euthanasia but he does not condemn people who have engaged in any of these things either. He is also clearly speaking up for the poor and vulnerable.

[curlew]

I want something real as opposed to spin that marks him out from his predecessors. His statements about abortion, the role of women and homosexuality suggest that there is no real difference.

[checkmates]

Good for him. If he keeps speaking up for the poor of the world

[SmudgyDVDsAreEvil]

The issue isn't whether the current Pope does 'nice stuff' though - or whether Catholics in general are 'nice people' - I'm sure most are.

The problem is that the institution is structured in a way (unelected, rich, influential, powerful, free with its opinions) which completely lends itself to abuse of power, corruption, guilty secrets, cover ups etc.

That's before you even get started on the homophobia, misogyny and contraception issues.

[aciddrops]

His actions are very real - He is much more "in the community" than his predecessors. If you want to put that down to "spin" then so be it. I think he is leading by example. Have YOU done anything good for others lately?

You won't get any change in doctrine in respect of the role of women in the church, homosexuality and abortion. I do not dispute you on that point. Yes, Catholic doctrine remains as it was but there is much more to being a Catholic than the doctrine.

However, you chose to raise the usual paedo stuff. That is just lazy.

[SmudgyDVDsAreEvil]

"Yes, Catholic doctrine remains as it was but there is much more to being a Catholic than the doctrine."

Is believing in the doctrine not the point of following a particular religion?

[curlew]

"However, you chose to raise the usual paedo stuff. That is just lazy."

Why? Best forgotten?

[aciddrops]

Yes, best swept under the carpet, obviously.

Yawn.....

[SmudgyDVDsAreEvil]

Re the good deeds, surely it's his job to be the 'holier than thou' figurehead. You wouldn't expect him to go around publicly punching grannies and kicking puppies, would you?

[HoneyandRum]

Back on topic Maria Lactans is the image of Mary nursing Jesus which you find in the Christian church from very early days. I nursed three kids, each for two and a half years and up and never had any negative comments from anyone in church. I was one of many anyway as there were always plenty of nursing mothers in our parish - and there wasn't a "crying room" for rambunctious younger children so this was in the main congregation.

[aciddrops]

Sorry, being flippant. The answers are above but you are dismissing them.

[aciddrops]

I think it is good that the Pope says it is OK to feed in church. There are debates all the time about breastfeeding in public so he has ended that debate in respect of breastfeeding in Church. Well done to him. It is not about "giving permission" it is about allowing women to feel comfortable.

[fromparistoberlin]

I got to say, I kind of LOVE the new pope at the moment

[curlew]

Yep. I dismiss publicity stunts and spin.

[JugglingBackwardsAndForwards]

HoneyandRum - you can say "back on topic" but personally I think it's a broad topic, as it says in the DOTD header "thoughts?"

I mean after we've said, oh yes, jolly good, what are we going to discuss then?

PS I also BF my two for what some might call an extended or natural term.
It's always helpful when people make it clear that BFing your baby/child in a particular place is welcome/encouraged.