Ted Schmidt, teacher, author of several books, including Never Neutral: A Teaching Life (2012), journalist, political activist, Liberation Theology activist
Ted Schmidt, defines Pope Francis' tour in the US, "a turbo-capitalist culture, extraordinarily run by predatory capitalists and economic fundamentalism."
Schmidt praises Pope Francis' connection to the people and his inclusiveness; yet, he has concerns about the long-term effect of the Pope's influence, if the leadership and People of the parishes (220 in Toronto) do not organize, connect to movements outside of the Church and go beyond charity work/thinking to justice work/thinking.
Schmidt explains that Pope Francis is part of the prophetic, who stand up to the king. The prophet tells the king he is naked when he is naked. The prophet pulls the curtain away from the con-artist Wizard of Oz. (Is Obama the "king" and/or the "Wizard of Oz?) We have always had prophets, such as Thomas Merton, Martin Luther King Jr, and Dorothy Day. They come out of the bowels of the Church and are often on the edge but they are always alive.
Theology in the Vineyard
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Interview with Ted Schmidt
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