Pope makes scathing attack on Vatican ‘ills’ in Christmas speech

Pope Francis said some in the church suffer from lust of power
Pope Francis said some in the church suffer from a lust of power

Pope Francis has harshly criticised Vatican bureaucracy in a Christmas speech, saying that some in the church suffered from “spiritual Alzheimer’s” and a lust for power.

Vatican watchers said they had never heard such a powerful, violent speech from a pope and suggested that it was informed by the results of a secret investigation ordered up by Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI in the aftermath of the 2012 leaks of his papers.

Francis told cardinals, bishops and priests on Monday the Vatican was riven with “existential schizophrenia”, “social exhibitionism”, “spiritual Alzheimer’s” and a lust for power, all of which made for an “orchestra that plays out of tune”.

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35 Comments

  1. Titiwi
    December 28, 2014

    Put that in your pipe and smoke it Malzaire!!

  2. in the name of god
    December 26, 2014

    the church need cleaning jesus christ would say the same as we know.

  3. C
    December 25, 2014

    This speech was specially directed at the very politically subordinate clergy of Dominica. By extension it also appeals to the evangelical pastors who are practicing the same deviancy.

  4. December 25, 2014

    You can’t remove the spots of a leopard neither the stripes of a zebra,it is what it is…

    • Titiwi
      December 28, 2014

      I agree Chris, so if you can not change the spots and the stripes remove that leopard and that zebra.

  5. December 24, 2014

    The Curia is called on to always improve itself and grow in communion, holiness and knowledge to fulfil its mission,” Francis said. “But even it, as any human body, can suffer from ailments, dysfunctions, illnesses.” News Article

    Mister Pope, you are right, that the Curia still maintains the nature of flesh and bones–which is extremely susceptible to all sorts of bad omens–but that is why it is called the “Curia”. This means that the Curia has to acknowledge it flaws of humanity, not to simply go along with those flaws, but to simply desire to deal against that perishing state–I am saying that unless the leaders and congregation can come to terms with the fact that they are called to he Life of Spirit and Truth–we are the Body and Jesus is the Head; it is impossible to live as a “Church”–the future Bride of Jesus Christ– regardless of the name of those Churches–where yours is the Roman Catholic Church.

    It is time for us, the leaders and congregation to realize the God is not about Religion–God is about a Relationship of Love, in Life with Him, through His Person of Love, Jesus Christ. One thing which I am sure about the Roman Catholic Church. is that it is strongly based on Religion; and so the congregation–even the Leaders, themselves– do not have the Gospel of Jesus Christ–but the Gospel is in “Itself” is the Light of Life, which is from God alone–He who is Love.

    The apostle John tells us: Jesus is the Word of God, which became flesh. Jesus tells us His flesh is food for Life; those who will not eat His flesh and drink His blood will not have Life in them” Again He said: It is the Spirit who gives Life; and the Word which He speaks are Spirit and they are Life. John 6

    So we should know definitely that without the Gospel of Jesus, we still exist in our condition of spiritual death–just as we entered into this world; this applies to anyone or everyone. That is the reason the apostle Paul spoke about ancient Israel–today that message is for us Christians–where he said Israel needs the Gospel; for just like ancient Israel, who rejected Jesus, it the same way we, people of toady, have rejected His Word, even if we are claiming Life in Him–but how can that be so.

    So Paul asked those questions, spoken at Romans 10: 14-15 “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent?”

    Exactly! Today, whoever we are, we have chosen our posts in relationship with God and Life, not that He appointed us in that post, but we simply took it on as a job, for our own benefit, but no where in us will anyone find the guidance and teachings of God’s Holy Spirit. That was what God said about the false prophets, of the days of ancient Israelites, who lied to the people for the sake of getting payments from them–whatever its kind. So God said about those prophets: “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied–Jeremiah 23: 21

    Mister Pope, I can only hope that you are not alone in this quest for Life in Spirit, Truth, and Righteousness–the attitude and conduct of Love which glorify our God of Love, who lives in His Person, the Son, whose name is Jesus.

    I hope that the majority of your congregation will stand behind you–but do not forget that the hardest job of this mission is to eliminate the things of religion-for they are “manmade doctrines” which God lamented against His then chosen people, the Israelites–Jesus repeated it at Matthew 15: 8-9; He said, well did Isaiah said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”

    The commandments of men are based on good works (the things of religion) but none of it glorifies God; for God wants a Love relationship between us and Himself–He wants to be the one doing the good works through us–that is His Love, in us; for that reason Jesus has cautioned us saying: “I am the Vine and you are the branches without Me you can do nothing. John 15: 5

    • out of south city
      December 27, 2014

      You have failed to realize that the Roman Catholic (universal) Church is the originator of all protestant churches and that christianity, islam and judaism are all religions and have nothing to do with spirituality. These are religions which originated with man and they all have their literature and their gods. They were also all part and parcel of the slave trade.
      What we need to ask ourselves is why do we believe what we believe and never question what we believe. With whom does the religion we believe in originate?
      How can those who enslaved, raped our foremothers and forefathers, slaughtered, lynched (tied ropes around their heads and hanged them from trees), ripped open the stomachs of our pregnant women, pulled out the foetuses and crushed the heads to the ground; how could such a barbaric and evil people now deliver us and cause fear to grip our hearts telling us that if we do not accept their god we will burn in hell forever? We are just regurgitating what has been written in a book which was revised by king James, a european homosexual. This book has us so confused that all we have to do is to believe and we will be saved. How can we believe in something or someone whom we cannot see?
      We also believe that we were born in sin and shapen in iniquity. Tell me, what sin has a new-born baby committed except what the parents have exposed them to which is the erroneous teachings of the bible.
      The sad thing is we can’t find ourselves unless we emancipate ourselves from the teachings of these religious books. We don’t even refer to each other as Africans but rather as christians and non-christians, or believers and non-believers. Every other ethnic group know their identity except us.
      While we believe the europeans’ stories they continue to reap the natural resources of the greatest and richest continent, Africa. They have made us to believe that Africa is the dark continent, is primitive, and shows us all but poverty and starvation on their christian and news channels and we believe everything that they say because we have been forced to look up to them and despise each other. They have done a good job by using religion, politics and their educational institutions to divide us and dispise each other.
      Africa had civilisation before all these europeans had anything and they had to go to Africa for knowledge. Africans have always had spirituality in their midst and the knowledge of a divine but not what the europeans have handed down to us. They copied the idea of god and the trinity (osiris, Isis and Horus) from Africa. God was not seen as someone in the sky whom you can’t see but rather everything and all things in creation, including you.
      You can’t condemn the pope because you are a part of what he also believes, which is God, Jesus and the holy spirit.
      We need to educate ourselves instead of just believing in a religious book which is filled with mythology, fables allegory and symbols.
      ONE LOVE

  6. Lang Mama
    December 24, 2014

    I hope that this pope made up his mind and prepare for anything cause the guys dress in black and red looking lije fire flies will take him out. When mess with the mob Mr pope the mob become desperate. You see hiw the mob in Dominica try to burn GON Emmanuel on Xmas night. Well the Vatican full of mob operatives that getting money from corrupt politicians,drug dealers,diplomatS etc
    I hope the pope send a letter to the church in Dominica case the jesse applies to them in a very special way.

  7. Equal Rights Justice
    December 24, 2014

    I actually forgot what I thought was the most profound point made by the Catholic Pope Francis. He referred to the cardinals as suffering from “Spiritual Alzheimer’s”. This is profound and so true. I believe the Pope is using imagery (or a metaphor) to describe clerics who have utterly forgotten their true purpose in life – the call to serve God.

    So what have Bishop Malzaire and others done? They have jettisoned that mission for God and led their hapless sheep down a path of serving political and mortal masters, for a few pieces of silver. This is tragic and shameful. But on a positive note, God never abandons His sheep and there is hope for Bishop Malzaire who has effectively betrayed his calling and vocation. He should act quickly though before he loses all credibility and the Catholic Church pews in Dominica become all empty.

    The words by Pope Francis have given Catholics new hope so they will not abandon the Church even though the Bishop is trying hard to drive them away.

    Pope Francis is my hero!

    • Ma Moses
      December 27, 2014

      May God forgive me but as long as that Bishop Malzaire is head of my church in Dominica I will not set foot in his church, I just don’t feel comfortable with him there right now, not speaking out against injustice but holding up his hand for a tainted contribution from a tyrant. That man has no guts.

      • out of south city
        December 29, 2014

        The purpose of those in power (religious and political leaders), is to further oppress the masses. These institutions have been set in place from time immemorial. While the masses get poorer, their wealth continues to escalate and their corruption continues.
        The masses have to educate themselves of what is really happening and speak out against the wicked system that has been put in place.
        Democracy is a form of government where the power lies with the people (being governed). The term comes from the Greek word “demos” meaning people and “kratos” meaning power. The underlying principle behind democracy is freedom and equality for all its constituents. Democracy acknowledges the decision of the majority, and in a democracy, all constituents have an equal vote, regardless of stature.
        This tells me that there is no true democracy. According to the late, Dr. Henrik Clarke, “the European does not have the temperament to practice true democracy” because it’s not in his nature to do so.

  8. Equal Rights Justice
    December 24, 2014

    If I had only seen the manuscript of Pope Francis’s speech, and not been aware of the context or place, I would have thought that, the Pope was at the Parish Hall at Pottersville speaking to Bishop Gabriel Malzaire and some other local priests (EXCEPT Father Jolly and a few other good priests like Father Brancker, Father Cuffy who has a social conscience I must say). I believe the Pope’s speech can be transposed to the Dominica context and it would not be out of place, if not more fitting.

    The Catholic Pope started off his list with the “ailment of feeling immortal, immune or even indispensable”. Sounds familiar? Of course it does. Indeed this is the very same malady that consumes dictators. They cannot visualize their end. They push, and push, and push the people. The more success they appear to accomplish, the more they push. That is where they develop reprobate minds.

    They are like children. You have witnessed children in the corner of your eyes engaging in behaviour you have asked them not to. They persist because they think the adult is not looking. Mercifully these dictators (whether political or religious) self-destruct eventually (history is replete with examples, Idi Amin, Muammar Ghaddafi, Saddam Hussein, and others.)

    Here are the other attributes Pope Francis mentioned: Being rivals and boasting. Wanting to accumulate things. Having a “hardened heart”.

    Wooing superiors for personal gain. Doesn’t this sound like your typical ciphers, grovellers and sycophants? And oh, what about having a “funereal face””? Amazing how Pope Francis has their measure. He knows them. They antagonize people, cheat them of what is rightfully theirs and then put on solemn and and sorrowful faces to hoodwink the vulnerable and the simple minds.

    And “rigid, tough and arrogant”, especially towards underlings. Pope Francis is operating on all cylinders. Don’t you know those types too?

    I hope Bishop Gabriel Malzaire reads this and as a show of penitence, leads the vigil for GON Emanuel at midnight (The dawn of Christmas). He is free to wear his “funereal face” then.

  9. CYRIL Volney
    December 24, 2014

    What an amazing leader.

    • The Facts
      December 24, 2014

      He is amazing indeed! Some people thought that he would change Catholic Doctrines. These cannot be changed for they were inspired and ordained by the Holy Spirit.
      As a Catholic, I like his style and his words. He really reaches out and tells it like it is. He is doing the Lord’s work. He pacifies no one.
      As Our Lord said, “I did not come to bring peace. I came to bring the sword. . . .” This means to speak the truth, lead them to the truth and awake the sleepers who are dormant.
      Some Catholics needed a wake up call. In general, he is also shaking up the people of the world. They are listening and taking note. There are already some who returned to the practice of the faith and some converts to Catholicism.
      God will find a way for his children, especially the lost sheep. God bless him.

  10. Anon
    December 24, 2014

    Why those big ‘men’ don’t find a ‘woman’ and get married and fulfill their lives, Is beyond me. smh

    • out of south city
      December 24, 2014

      Those who started this institution are not about that. They were mostly homosexuals. It is in their history if you do the research. The Greeks and Romans were noted for that. This unnatural lifestyle had no origin in Africa since love, in the European context, is based on lust, sexual attraction, aesthetic attraction, attachment and dependency. They have reduced love to intercourse. On the other hand, love, in the African context, is based on family. Since Africans were the first to people the earth, marriage and community originated with them. Africa first had civilisation and without family you don’t have civilisation.
      As I said, homosexuality was not practised among Africans but the Europeans introduced that lifestyle to the continent. Now, we think that this is a natural thing and we defend that lifestyle. How can two males or two females pro-create? How could men find joy in each others anuses? This is so abnornal and many believe that some people are born that way. Many, who practice that lifestyle, were molested and believe that it is naturalto be that way.
      There are many christians who practice this filthy lifestyle and this is prevalent in the catholic churches.
      Sex, in itself, is for pro-creation and that is why in the African culture the men have more than one wife. One of the reasons being that when the woman is pregnant, there
      should be no inrercourse.
      We live in the Western world and the culture is different so we look down on the African way of life and believe that it is ungodly and perverted. I know that we have adopted the Europeans’ way of life and therefore can’t find ourselves because our history was taken away from us.
      We have become a confused people, not questioning what we believe or what we have been taught and not wanting to educate ourselves. We are content, living our enemies’ way of life.
      ONE LOVE

    • Not afraid of truth
      December 24, 2014

      Because some pope make it illegal so that the church would get all they had when they die and the church would not have the responsibility to pay them more to raise families. But don’t worry in secret plenty have women on the side or man on the side.

    • The Facts
      December 24, 2014

      You made an ignorant statement because you know no better. What do you know about Holy Scripture?
      If you have accessed DNO in the past you should have read what I stated on this matter. One of it is, Our Lord said all those who gave up houses and land, fathers and mothers and followed him will receive their reward.
      The problem with some of you who make such comments, you lack Scripture knowledge. There are times you do not comprehend what you read or are told. In addition, your teachers and preachers do not do a good teaching job. They interpret and water down Scripture based on their mentality to suit them.
      “You lean on your own understanding” without comprehending Holy Scripture. We are warned about that in Holy Scriptures.
      Read/study Holy Scripture. Digest it and you will find the rest if you have the type of mind which is so inclined to learning spiritual matters.
      Having stated that you do know there are single men and women. You should ask them why they are not married. In addition, you should ask married ones who are divorced, why did they divorce their first married partner and second one, etc.” If you get the answer, let us know about it.

  11. Athenia B
    December 23, 2014

    The name eustace thomas comes to mind.

    • can he b saved?
      December 28, 2014

      eustace thomas, eustace thomas, eustace thomas.

  12. The Facts
    December 23, 2014

    I expected the Media to take up this one. It pertains to all those who are in the business of saving souls. God is taking note.

  13. anonymous2
    December 23, 2014

    Francis is one of the better popes. He has ethics. He knows about all of the corruption that is the Vatican and he speaks out. I wonder how long they will let him stay in?

    • The Facts
      December 23, 2014

      He is the Pope. He will stay in as long as he wants. Better yet, as long as God wants. Hopefully, he is not harmed.
      When people speak up for the truth, what is correct to practice, some people will not appreciate it. At all times, the truth must be spoken and prevail. The truth will set us free. Everyone should learn from this down-to-earth Pope and his godly preaching style.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        December 24, 2014

        The Fact:

        God plays no part in the life of those who supports and condone homosexuality. The most recent lie, that man told, to a child at that is “when the child die, the child will be reunited with his/her dead dog in heaven. Animals do not have a soul, and sprit, there is no place in the Bible where God promised a place in heaven for dogs, or any animal.

        Where it pertains to a dogs the Bible had no kind words about them; for example in Judges 7:5 we read “so he brought down the people unto the water and the Lord said unto Gideon: Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shall thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.”

        In 2 Kings 9:36, the Bible said “Wherefore they came again, and told him; and he said, this is the word of the Lord which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite saying. In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel.

        Again in Proverbs 26:11 we read: “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.”

        In Isaiah, 56:10 it reads: “His watchmen are blind; they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down loving to slumber. Note this piece of scripture can be applied to the government of Dominica.

        In Matthew 15:26; it states: “But he answered, and said, it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.”

        Luke 16:21 “And desiring to be fed with crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.”

        In 2 Peter 22 we again read: “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

        Finally,in the book of Revelation 22:15 we find “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth, and maketh a lie!

        There is no place in God words where it is written humans will be united with any dead dog, so Francis is a liar, stated in Revelation 22:15, those are not the word of Francisco Telemaque, but the words of the living God Jehovah

        Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

      • Titiwi
        December 24, 2014

        And the Truth must not be mistaken for “The Facts”, right??

      • December 30, 2014

        Francisco Telemaque December 24, 2014

        If what you have above is factual, then the prophet Isaiah must have spoken futility, here at Isaiah 11: 6-9 but God forbid:

        “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
        The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
        The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
        And a little child shall lead them.

        7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
        Their young ones shall lie down together;
        And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

        8 The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole,
        And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den.

        9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,
        For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
        As the waters cover the sea

    • budman
      December 24, 2014

      you mean how long they will let him live?

      • The Facts
        December 24, 2014

        We Catholics must pray for him. We have an obligation to fulfill to every Catholic, Hierarchy and others.
        I have a religious song, a few words of which are: “I will serve the Lord and if God should choose my life I lose, though my foes may slay me, I will serve the Lord.”
        All those who preach the Word of God will be persecuted. Our Lord Jesus Christ told us about that just as He was persecuted and crucified. Christians must always keep that in mind and be prepared to die for teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord. Their reward will be in Heaven.
        To live and die for Christ. Our Lord also said, in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for My Name.”
        Also, “All those who wish to save their life in this world (hold on to it) will lose it in the end.” This means for all eternity.
        Consider where the lot of those who persecute them and kill them will be for all eternity.

  14. i must speak
    December 23, 2014

    lol!!!!!!!! alas dats a big time diss wi

  15. Shaka zulu
    December 23, 2014

    He should come talk to malzaire

    • The Facts
      December 24, 2014

      What is your point? He does not have to talk to Bishop Malzaire for he is doing just what he has to do and is obligated to do. Cease underestimating him and misinterpreting him. Just where is your mind and what type of mind do you have?
      You must have respect for the Bishop and other members of the Clergy. God expects that of you and others. There is a price to pay for not doing that. Furthermore, you expect others to respect you. You should accord them the same. This is the Golden Rule which Our Lord taught us.

  16. Marcus Hill
    December 23, 2014

    I am not a Catholic but that’s my Pope!!!

    • The Facts
      December 24, 2014

      Thanks Marcus. Many as you just love him. You do know last year he made Man of the Year. They have him as a celebrity. He does not want to be regarded as a celebrity. Nevertheless, we are happy for him that he is loved worldwide.
      By the way, during every Holy Mass celebrated worldwide, the Catholic Church prays for everyone in the world. None are left out. We must pray for Christian unity. One day, God will unite his faithful children. God has his plan as we pray for this great day and unification process. O Happy Day when this occurs.
      God bless you! A Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours.

      • Out of Trinidad
        December 30, 2014

        To the false facts, will you please go away for the new year…thank you!!!

  17. grell
    December 23, 2014

    Perfect speech hope the cardinal and Skerrit reads,will pay out in time.

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