Pope's Visit to Ireland #2: Evangelii Gaudium

Responding to the charge that, in embracing the pope's theology and mission, he was acting as “a false light that glows over the destructive marshland that is occupied by the pope,” former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Rev. John Dunlop strongly affirmed a passage from the Pope's book:

“The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness ... . The salvation which God offers us is the work of his mercy. No human efforts, however good they may be, can enable us to merit so great a gift.”

This is the only passage in a 224-page document that sounds something like the gospel. However, even the best segment does not stand up to biblical scrutiny – and is not carried out in Catholic practice.

We cannot share the exhuberance over the manner in which the Pope has articulated the Gospel because nothing is ever joyful about the proclamation of a false Gospel.