In episode 186 of The Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. filmed on January 6, 1970, Bishop Sheen clearly mentions Pope Francis and Buckley does not catch it. During minute 37 of this episode Bishop Sheen says, "Being related to the world, I think it (the Catholic Church) has become much more compassionate of sinners and I would say perhaps that is the spirit that has changed us from the rigidity of excommunication to the patient bearing of Pope Francis."
As you may know Pope Paul VI was pope in 1970 when this episode of Firing Line was aired. Also our current Pope Francis is the first to ever call himself Francis. Someday if another pope wanted to call himself Francis that future pope would be called Pope Francis II. So how do you explain this , when in 1970, 54 years ago, a man as smart as Bishop Sheen refers to Pope Francis?
I think Bishop Sheen had a mystical experience and he was made to know the future. Our current Pope Francis can certainly be described as a man with "patient bearing." Our current pope is patient, loving, accepting and willing to walk with others.
Buckley's question was about excommunication, he wanted to know why people (of 1970) who claim to be Catholic but clearly live a life in contradiction to a Catholic lifestyle are not excommunicated. This clip was part of Bishop Sheen's answer.
I think Bishop Sheen inadvertently let slip information that he received in a mystical/prayer experience. Why do I say this?
1. Everyone knows he was a brilliant scholar. Sheen was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century. He could not make a mistake like that especially because at the time this was spoken, there had never been a Pope Francis in all of history. Our Pope Francis is the first!
2. Mystics are known to have visions. Not all mystics are known or want to be known. Saints and mystics are known throughout history to have visions of the future and be privy to information that others do not have. In 2002, Bishop Sheen's cause for canonization was opened and a miracle has been attributed to him.
3. With God all things are possible.
7 июн 2024
