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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Pope Francis in Context

Fr. David Friel · October 6, 2013

HERE IS NO GOD. Is that a surprising statement? Not something you were expecting to read on this blog? Well, it is a quote right out of the Bible. It’s from Psalm 14: “There is no God.” Of course, if you read the whole verse, what it really says is this: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” The context changes everything, doesn’t it?

Nearly everyone is aware of the interviews Pope Francis has given in recent weeks, but surprisingly few have read the texts for themselves. The reality is that most Catholics are getting their sense of Pope Francis not from Pope Francis, but from the media, which can be dangerous. As the example of Psalm 14 shows, context really matters.

I’ve seen the news and read the interviews, and there is one thing that has disturbed me more than anything else. A number of headlines and articles mentioned that the Pope made remarks about “abortion, gay marriage, and the use of contraceptive methods.” That is true. He said, “It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.” But, in the same sentence, a number of news outlets quoted the Holy Father talking about “small-minded church rules.” The obvious implication—what anyone reading the news story would think—is that Francis said that Church teachings on abortion, homosexual unions, and contraception amount to “small-minded church rules.” In fact, though, the two different quotes come from completely separate parts of the interview, many paragraphs apart. The two thoughts, in the context of the interview, are totally unrelated.

What did Pope Francis mean by “small-minded church rules”? I’m not sure, and I won’t presume to put words in his mouth. It is no surprise that the Church does have rules. For example: the faithful are required to fast for an hour before receiving Holy Communion; Confirmation sponsors are supposed to be at least 16 years old; every Catholic must either abstain from meat or do another act of penance every Friday. I don’t view those rules as small-minded. The salvation of all the world may not hinge on them, but they are sensible rules.

But it is not a Church rule that killing children is wrong. That is a Divine Law and a dictate of natural reason. Neither is the invalidity of homosexual unions a Church rule, much less small-minded. It is not the rule of the Church, but rather the Law of God, written upon our hearts, that contraception is a grave moral evil.

Pope Francis is right when he said in his interview: “It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.” But we do have to talk about these things some of the time. In my role as a priest, and in every Christian’s role as a disciple of Christ, we cannot shy away from talking about important things, even when we know we might upset folks. Today is “Respect Life Sunday”—a good opportunity to talk about the importance of protecting and preserving human life. I think Pope Francis is challenging us not only to proclaim Church teachings on these topics, but also to explain the reason for them in fundamental, compelling ways. If people understood the immeasurable worth of the human person, they would never consider abortion a legitimate “choice.” If people understood what men & women are really doing when they offer each other the gift of themselves, they would never consider artificial birth control acceptable.

I have quoted a particular English hymn here on “Views from the Choir Loft” before. The title is “Help Us, O Lord, to Learn,” and I have found the lyrics to be quite thought provoking. The third verse goes like this:

Help us, O Lord, to teach the beauty of Thy ways, that yearning souls may find the Christ and sing aloud His praise.

Perhaps that is what Pope Francis would like us to do. Proclaim the unchanging truths of the faith, yes. But don’t forget to explain that these teachings are meant to bring us true happiness—in this life, and in the life to come. “Help us, O Lord, to teach the beauty of Thy ways”!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Pope Francis Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Before any seminarian is accepted for ordination, he must not only strive for chastity but actually achieve it. He must already be living chaste celibacy peacefully and for a prolonged period of time—for if this be lacking, the seminarian and his formators cannot have the requisite confidence that he is called to the celibate life.”

— Archbishop Viganò (16 February 2019)

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