Cardinal George asks, Pope Francis answers

I am totally stealing this blog entry from Fr. James Martin’s Twitter feed. It is so right on, I hope Martin, the Jesuit priest and social media guru, doesn’t mind my theft.

Martin tweets:

Today in @nytimes Cardinal George asks about the Pope: "[W]hat does he want us [bishops] to do?" @Pontifex answers: en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/11/1…

Laurie Goodstein (I guess I’m stealing from her too) writes in the Times today, U.S. Bishops Struggle to Follow Lead of Francis, quotes Chicago's soon to depart archbishop Cardinal Francis George as saying: “He [Pope Francis says wonderful things, but he doesn’t put them together all the time, so you’re left at times puzzling over what his intention is."

Cardinal George, who is 77 and being treated for cancer, remains a voting cardinal until age 80 and says he would like to travel to Rome to see Francis: “I’d like to sit down with him and say, Holy Father, first of all, thank you for letting me retire. And could I ask you a few questions about your intentions?”

Martin’s Tweet points to a Vatican Radio report of Francis’ general audience today where he said, Bishops and priests must listen humbly and learn.

Vatican Radio reports:

Pope Francis today urged bishops, priests and deacons always to be humble and to recognize that their ministry is an unmerited gift of God’s mercy. …

A bishop, priest or deacon must never assume that he knows all, always has the right answer and never has to ask for help. To the contrary – the Pope said – he must always be humble and understanding towards others, he must listen to his people and be aware that he always has something to learn, even from those who may still be far from faith and from the Church.

Thanks Jim, Laurie and Vatican Radio.