“In these times, it seems like the ‘Great Accuser’ has been unchained and is attacking bishops. True, we are all sinners, we bishops. He tries to uncover the sins, so they are visible in order to scandalize the people. The ‘Great Accuser,’ as he himself says to God in the first chapter of the Book of Job, ‘roams the earth looking for someone to accuse,'” Pope Francis said, according to an official report in Vatican news.
He added that in the current times, "the Great Accuser, has been let loose and he's got it in for the bishops. True, there are, we are all sinners, we bishops."
The "Great Accuser" is a reference to Satan first seen in the book of Job, in the Old Testament. Satan is there attempting to sow division by making false accusations of sin. Many faithful Catholics took the Pope's word, however, as an attack on lay people seeking transparency from the Vatican, which is accused of covering for bishops, cardinals, and other clerics accused of sexual abuse over the course of at least four decades.
Concluding, it appears the Pope suggested that people consider the real victims of the sexual abuse scandals currently roiling the Church: the bishops. The Devil, he said, "roams the world seeking how to blame. The strength of the bishop against the great accuser is prayer — his own and Jesus', the humility to feel chosen and staying close to the people of God without heading toward an aristocratic life."
Pope SHOCKS With Homily, Attacks 'Great Accuser' Satan For Exposing Bishops' Sins In Church Scandal
He added that in the current times, "the Great Accuser, has been let loose and he's got it in for the bishops. True, there are, we are all sinners, we bishops."
The "Great Accuser" is a reference to Satan first seen in the book of Job, in the Old Testament. Satan is there attempting to sow division by making false accusations of sin. Many faithful Catholics took the Pope's word, however, as an attack on lay people seeking transparency from the Vatican, which is accused of covering for bishops, cardinals, and other clerics accused of sexual abuse over the course of at least four decades.
Concluding, it appears the Pope suggested that people consider the real victims of the sexual abuse scandals currently roiling the Church: the bishops. The Devil, he said, "roams the world seeking how to blame. The strength of the bishop against the great accuser is prayer — his own and Jesus', the humility to feel chosen and staying close to the people of God without heading toward an aristocratic life."
Pope SHOCKS With Homily, Attacks 'Great Accuser' Satan For Exposing Bishops' Sins In Church Scandal