I'm, sure most of you would not be surprised by the reality that I get more than a few e-mails from parishioners inviting me to read an attached article or video.  Sadly, one parishioner sends e-mails with articles that are critical of Pope Francis in some of the decisions he makes.  I honestly don't usually read them because the articles come from groups that seem to find fault with everything he does and never seems to speak positively (and respectfully) about him or any of his decisions or his teachings.  The heading of one of these e-mails this morning was titled "Pope Francis Declares War on Conservative Catholics."  My first thought was: "here we go again," in what I knew would be an "opinion based" and not a "fact based" article.  I did choose in this instance to read it and not to my surprise it was critical of his decision to name Bishop Robert McElroy of the Diocese of San Diego a Cardinal, the only one from the United States that is included on a much larger list of bishops and archbishops who were chosen from all over the world.  While I won't go into that many details of the article except stating the fact that two archbishops in California were not chosen to be Cardinals, including one, Archbishop Cordileone of San Francisco, who recently barred a California Representative in Washington D.C. from receiving Holy Communion in his diocese because of her promotion of abortion, I was pleased to see the writer of the article, who lives in San Diego, spoke kindly about Cardinal-elect McElroy, calling him "warm and engaging" and a good pastor to his flock.  After reading this part of the article, I find myself applauding and affirming this attempt (though small) to say something positive about this archbishop, and indirectly the pope for naming him a Cardinal.

Whether it be in politics, religion or other areas, I find it sad indeed that there are way too many people who look for and find only what they see a negative or distasteful about someone and hammer away at that (no matter who they are), and don't look for, find and acknowledge the positive and good things the person does, instead making judgements without knowing any or many of the facts and other things that should be considered.  The perspecticve that syas and beliee that some people are all bad or are all good, does not imitate the love, compassion, and fair-mindedness of Jesus Christ.  Jesus, in more than a few instances spoke unfavorably about those who would judge and even condemn others.  While I would say that I don't agree with every decision that our bishop and Pope (and other bishops) make, I do respect them, recognize and give thanks for all the good they do in their role as Shepherds of their flocks, and pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in them and through them and in all believers and bless us all with peace of Christ as the guiding force in our thoughts, words, and deeds!!