In a PANEL DISCUSSION with Archbishop Bernadito Ausa (Vatican Observer at the United Nations), Archbishop Alexander Sample (Portland), Bishop Michael Barber (Oakland), Bishop Robert Vasa (Santa Rosa), this year’s Napa Institute BISHOPS PANEL focused on the topic: “Genuine Mercy in the Year of Mercy.” Mercy is at the heart of Pope Francis’pontificate. The Bishops noted that “Mercy can change us forever. When we experience real mercy, it motivates us to be merciful.” However, the bishops went on to point out that “there are many counterfeits of mercy.”
Among the bishops’ comments: “The object of mercy is conversion and belief. If not, mercy is a false compassion.” “Mercy is always linked to Truth and Justice.” When we say, “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Sin is recognized, not glossed over.”
“The merciful confessor has a tough job,” explained Bishop Vasa. “One tends to be very legal or very lax. For the legalist, Christ is not present, only the confessor is. For those on the other extreme, laxity, neither the confessor nor Christ present. Laxity is an attempt on helping everyone feel better, including the confessor. Genuine mercy straddles legalism and laxity.”
“The goal is conversion. If not, mercy is a false compassion. Mercy must always be linked to justice and Truth.”
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Exclusive coverage of The Napa Institute by Thomas M. Loarie for the Catholic Business Journal.