Pope Criticizes ‘Backward’ Conservatives for Prioritizing Ideology Over Faith

In a recent meeting with Portuguese members of his Jesuit religious order, Pope Francis criticized some conservatives in the U.S. Catholic Church for their backwardness and emphasis on ideology rather than faith. He acknowledged the divisions within the Church and the long-standing support that conservatives received from previous papacies. However, Francis believes that a correct understanding of Catholic doctrine allows for change over time.

Many conservatives have been critical of Francis’ focus on social justice issues and his willingness to open up opportunities for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive the sacraments. These conservatives have accused Francis of deviating from traditional Catholic teachings.

The Pope’s comments were captured in a transcript published by the Jesuit journal La Civilta Cattolica. During the meeting, a Portuguese Jesuit mentioned his own experiences with criticism of Francis within the U.S. Catholic Church. In response, Francis acknowledged the presence of a strong and reactionary attitude among some U.S. Catholics, which he deemed as backward.

According to Francis, this backward attitude leads to a closed-minded climate and replaces true faith with ideologies. He emphasized that the understanding of the doctrine of the church should not be seen as a monolith, but rather as something that can evolve and progress over time while remaining connected to its roots. Francis hopes that those who hold backward views will understand the necessity of doctrinal progress and consolidation.

This is not the first time that Pope Francis has faced criticism from U.S. conservatives. However, he remains resilient, even joking that being attacked by Americans is an “honor.”