Jesuit superior suggests Christians invented the devil
June 01, 2017
Father Arturo Sosa Abascal, the superior general of the Jesuit order, suggested that the devil is a “symbolic figure,” in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
“We have formed symbolic figures such as the devil to express evil,” Father Sosa said. He added evil can also be a product of one’s social environment, saying that “there are people who act because they are in an environment where it is difficult to act to the contrary.”
Questioned about the role of women in the Church, Father Sosa expressed satisfaction that Pope Francis has opened a discussion on the historic role of women as deacons. While he stopped short of saying that women might be ordained to the priesthood, he said: “The Pope has opened the door to the diaconate by creating a commission. Perhaps they could open more doors afterwards.”
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Further information:
- Jesuit superior general: ‘We have formed symbolic figures such as the devil to express evil’ (Catholic Herald)
- Jesuit superior rejects charges of heresy (CWN, 4/10)
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Posted by: bruno -
Jun. 02, 2017 9:19 PM ET USA
Fr. Sosa is part of the old guard who found solace in embracing fashionable psychological theories of the 60's. But every old dog must die, and the sands of time will not record his passing.
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Posted by: Lucius49 -
Jun. 02, 2017 2:55 PM ET USA
Fr.Sosa denies Church-teaching,St.Ignatius,his Exercises as he spoke in lay clothes.This denial of doctrine is a sign of the corruption of the Society decried by Ven Pius XII to their General Congregation in 1957 (AAS 1957 pp 806 et seq.)Pius was concerned about Jesuit doctrinal orthodoxy/moral teaching;obedience;religious discipline;humility;poverty;abuse of tobacco.If they acted in any other way,the Society approved by the Church would cease to be.Does the Society as such exist anymore?
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Posted by: gcreel8889204 -
Jun. 02, 2017 11:22 AM ET USA
The Jesuit Superior General apparently reads different scriptures than the rest of us. Perhaps he is only a 'symbolic figure'.
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Posted by: Tim S. -
Jun. 02, 2017 10:25 AM ET USA
So, all the references to the devil in the Bible are just 'symbolic?' Isn't it said that one of the devil's greatest tricks is to convince people he doesn't exist?
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Posted by: robertbovenzijr5369 -
Jun. 02, 2017 7:12 AM ET USA
Fr. Sosa needs to read the Bible. The devil is not a "symbolic figure".
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Posted by: mwean7331 -
Jun. 01, 2017 11:04 PM ET USA
He needs to read the old testament. Was the fallen Angel, Lucifer, just a symbol God made up? When and where did Christians invent the devil? Were the demons Jesus cast out just symbols? . Do we have exorcists in the Church so they can cast our symbols? Where are all these "free thinker" Clergy coming from? No wonder the laity are "doing their own thing" Any guidance now in the Church is "suspect" I fear for the Church
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Jun. 01, 2017 9:47 PM ET USA
What did we expect but something like this?
