Food for thought from Pope Francis

[Sponsa-Christi]

Here's an article with some of the highlights from (I believe) a recent talk from Pope Francis to a meeting of religious superiors general: https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/02/09/pope-denounces-restorationist-orders-takes-shot-medjugorje/

Despite the somewhat sensationalist headlines,  I thought there was actually a lot of good food for thought here. 

[Guest]

I really liked the statue of St Joseph reclining - never seen the statue before.

These spoke to me especially: "To live in peace, he also said, a “healthy couldn’t-care-less attitude is needed......”..... "  The operative word is "healthy". ................ "The pope also repeated some of his usual concepts, such as the need for a Church that “goes out,” which he defined as one that is in the outskirts, both existential and social."

[NadaTeTurbe]

to take a gentle shot at reputed Marian apparitions

Since when Medjugorge is reputed ??? It's the most controversial pseudo-apparition of the XXth century ! 

Marthe Robin, about Medjugorge : "These time, the Mama is really wordy"

About restorationnist orders, the Pope is speaking from experience. He had to deal with the IVE in his diocese (if my memory is correct, he forbad ordination for three years) as well as another institute that I can't remember the name. 

[LittleDiana]

8 hours ago, NadaTeTurbe said:

About restorationnist orders, the Pope is speaking from experience. He had to deal with the IVE in his diocese (if my memory is correct, he forbad ordination for three years) as well as another institute that I can't remember the name. 

Miles Christi (?)

I don't feel at ease with this in particular. What does it mean to be restorationist in this context? IVE and the Legionaries for example aren't traditionalists: they don't have a widespread use of the VO Mass, as far as I know. If we strech the notion of "restorationism" in general as to include them, then it would include almost any "new" religious institute. (e.g. the Sisters of Life or the DSMME).

In my opinion the real problem is the personality cult in institutions like the IVE or the LC (I mention those because the problem is public, but there are more - the first community I discerned with had this problem). Think of it: if you take from the IVE and the LC the jesuit spirituality, What is left? The figure of the founder and the structures to protect him.

The "restorationist" part, if it means habits, horarium, care for liturgy, traditional philosophy and theology, is a lure to atract young people. I think that part of the problem is that some provinces of many ancient orders got rid of those things (e.g. a sister once told me that, as she was sick and thought that superiors wouldn't let her out to do some errandings, so she just sneaked out. I was like ); otherwise, a good number of the vocations of institutes like the IVE or the LC would have felt attracted to more time-tested institutes.

[Jack4]

Quote

The pope also acknowledged that he’s worried about the decline of religious vocations in the West, something for which he said he hopes the next Synod of Bishops, directed to youth and vocational discernment, can address and suggest solutions.
Yet he’s also worried about the rise of some new religious institutes that attract many religious vocations, but which then fail, some because of the scandals of their founders. These, he said, are not inspired by the Holy Spirit but by a charismatic person.
Some of these new orders, Francis added, are “restorationist,” seemingly providing security when in reality they give “rigidity.”
“When they tell me that there is a congregation that draws so many vocations, I must confess that I worry,” he said. “The Spirit does not follow the logic of human success.”
Some of these new religious congregations, Francis denounced, are “Pelagians,” who want a return to asceticism and penance, “soldiers who seem ready to do anything for the defense of faith and morality, and then some scandal emerges involving the founder [male or female].”

Is he referring to the FSSP?

[NadaTeTurbe]

11 minutes ago, LittleDiana said:

Miles Christi (?)

I don't feel at ease with this in particular. What does it mean to be restorationist in this context? IVE and the Legionaries for example aren't traditionalists: they don't have a widespread use of the VO Mass, as far as I know. If we strech the notion of "restorationism" in general as to include them, then it would include almost any "new" religious institute. (e.g. the Sisters of Life or the DSMME).

In my opinion the real problem is the personality cult in institutions like the IVE or the LC (I mention those because the problem is public, but there are more - the first community I discerned with had this problem). Think of it: if you take from the IVE and the LC the jesuit spirituality, What is left? The figure of the founder and the structures to protect him.

The "restorationist" part, if it means habits, horarium, care for liturgy, traditional philosophy and theology, is a lure to atract young people. I think that part of the problem is that some provinces of many ancient orders got rid of those things (e.g. a sister once told me that, as she was sick and thought that superiors wouldn't let her out to do some errandings, so she just sneaked out. I was like ); otherwise, a good number of the vocations of institutes like the IVE or the LC would have felt attracted to more time-tested institutes.

Maybe ? I really can't remember. 

I agree with what you say. I would call "restorationist" an order who doesn't have any other charism than "do things like they were done before, because it was better", or who use old tradition without understanding them, but, as you say, as a "lure".