It feels like 2019 again when news broke about what the Pope said about same-sex civil unions and the ensuing eyebrow-raising or cheers from all sides of the issue. As I am neither a Catholic nor a lawyer, I just treated it as a rare non-COVID-19 news taking the spotlight as it’s hard to determine what he really said because it was allegedly a line he made in a documentary but fell on the editing floor and no transcript is available for an objective review. Besides, it was stated in a non-English language so although translations abound, we know how things can turn out when interpreted. But what got my attention was the statement by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Yes, I am still not Catholic but I can read English and I am always on the lookout every time the precious Name of our Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned and it is with theological alarm that I pored over it.

“He refused to judge the woman who had been caught in adultery without saying that what she did was right. He just did not think that condemning people or judging them was right thing to do in order to work for their conversion. He didn’t bring them to conversion by judging them, but by loving them, caring for them, being compassionate to them.”

What Jesus refused to do was to take the bait of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees who “were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.” (John 8:6, NIV)

Judgment was still made on the act of the woman by telling her to sin no more. Yes, Jesus said, “neither do I condemn you” (John 8:6) but it was only to contrast His intention with the leaders who did not see a soul in need of restoration but a pawn to be used for their own agenda against the Man whom they saw as a threat to their leadership. In fact, a chapter later, Jesus says, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind” (v.39, NIV)

“He did not think building the kingdom of God was a matter of teaching people proper doctrine and morals. He did it rather by emptying himself, by immersing himself fully in the human condition.”

Jesus corrected the false doctrines with His “Ye have heard that it hath been said” sermon on the mount so He built the kingdom of God on proper doctrine and morals.

“Instead of pointing an accusing finger on them, he preferred to draw near to them, journey with them, listen to them, and break bread with them.”

Yes, He did not point an accusing finger but He still called for repentance as He mingled with them (Luke 7:48, John 9).

“Because he loved even sinners, he was willing to go down to hell for them.”

Is “hell” a figurative word here? If it is, then, yes, because He suffered for us but if the bishop had the literal sense, then that is erroneous.

DesiringGod.org explains it: “Following his death for sin, then, Jesus journeys to Hades, to the City of Death, and RIPS ITS GATES OFF THE HINGES (emphasis mine). He liberates Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, John the Baptist, and the rest of the Old Testament faithful, ransoming them from the power of Sheol (Psalm 49:15; 86:13; 89:48). They had waited there for so long, not having received what was promised, so that their spirits would be made perfect along with the saints of the new covenant (Hebrews 11:39–40; 12:23).

After his resurrection, Jesus ascends to heaven and brings the ransomed dead with him, so that now paradise is no longer down near the place of torment, but is up in the third heaven, the highest heaven, where God dwells (2 Corinthians 12:2–4).”

“He struggled instead to know where they were coming from, why they were who they were, and why they did what they did.”

Jesus did not struggle because being God, He already knew everything (Heb. 4:13).

“This is how we understand what Pope Francis doing. He is not out to destroy our morals and orthodoxy. He just wants to do as Jesus himself did. He valued being kind and compassionate more than being right and righteous.”

I am not sure who the bishop is referring to in the last sentence. Who “valued being kind and compassionate more than being right and righteous?” Jesus or the Pope? If it’s the Pope, then that is for the Catholic church to decide but if he was referring to Jesus, no and a thousand no. It had never been an either-or situation for our Lord.

Jesus was kind and compassionate WHILE being right and righteous. This is what irked the religious leaders and what drew the sinners and tax collectors to Him. This is why the latter group left their former lives behind like Zaccheus, the Samaritan woman, and Peter and company minus Judas Iscariot of course.

To be kind and compassionate without being right and righteous is doing people a disservice because eternity will not pivot. To be right and righteous without being kind and compassionate shows we have not pivoted from our original destination.

Again, I am no Catholic. Never been one. If this is what they believe, then let it stand in their teachings but as a Christian, I cannot let something pass that might mislead my fellow believers in the faith but don’t take my word for it. Do what the Bereans did. Search the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Even Jesus told us to do the same thing, “because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,” (John 5:39, BSB).