“I personally deserve attacks and insults because I am a sinner, but the Church does not deserve them. They are the work of the devil.” —Pope Francis, in remarks to the Jesuits of Slovakia on September 12, 10 days ago, recently made public by Jesuit Fr. Antonio Spadaro, the editor of the Jesuit biweekly, Civiltà Cattolica
“Pope Francis responds to attacks from EWTN, other Church critics: ‘They are the work of the devil.’“ —Headline of a new article in the Jesuit magazine America by Gerard O’Connell, published yesterday, September 21 (link)
“Pope Francis has to take responsibility for triggering this unedifying division in our Church. So much for creative ways to solve differences, including everyone, being led by the Spirit!” —A tweet by a poster who names himself after the traditional phrase in praise of the steadfastness of Jesus Christ, “Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and forever” (link)