Pope's Comments - A Reality Check

There are a lot of people, including some here, who quote endlessly about the Pope's comments on atheists, as evidence of his progressive views. Well, I've grown tired of hearing it. So here is some references about it:

"Correction: Atheists ARE going to Hell, says Vatican":

[newhumanist.org.uk]

"Never mind Pope Francis's conciliatory words – the Catholic Church wants you to know that eternal damnation does lie in store..
...With the Pope's conciliatory mass generating headlines around the world, Vatican spokesman Father Thomas Rosica has moved quickly to quash rumours that a life reading Richard Dawkins and not going to church provides a route to the pearly gates."

"Not so fast: Vatican says Pope Francis got it wrong, atheists do go to hell"
[washingtontimes.com]

"The Vatican has issued a new statement running counter to Pope Francis‘ recent suggestion that good deeds can earn atheists entrance to heaven.
The Rev. Thomas Rosica, a Vatican spokesman, said in what was described as an “explanatory note” that those who know about the Catholic Church “cannot be saved [if they] refuse to enter her or remain in her,” United Press International reported."

"Did Pope Francis Say It Was Better to Be an Atheist Than a Bad Catholic?"

[snopes.com]

"...This translation, provided by the Vatican Radio, makes it clear that the Pope didn’t directly say that it was better to be an atheist than a “bad” (or “greedy” or “hypocritical&rdquo Catholic or Christian. Rather, the Pope was repeating a common phrase commenting on Catholics who conduct their lives in ways contrary to their faith."

--

The Pope is a spin doctor. His strategy is to try to keep so called progressive Catholics by offering these media managed comments, while not intending any serious change to Catholic theology, and keeping a calming hand over the reactionaries in the Church by clamping down on liberal minded church people, quietly away from media glare.

--

Why Pope Francis Isn’t a Liberal Reformer
[huffingtonpost.com] "

"But, as the old saying goes, talk is cheap. Pope Francis can present himself as a more compassionate pontiff all he wants. With over 40 years experience working within the stubbornly Conservative Catholic Church, the 78-year-old is no liberal. The reality is he is quite content maintaining the status quo.

.... And considering what happened to former Australian priest Greg Reynolds, the idea of this Pope embracing any kind of significant reform is truly laughable.

So stop calling him “progressive” already."

Greg Reynolds
"Church dumps rebel priest"
[theage.com.au]

"Dissident priest Greg Reynolds has been both defrocked and excommunicated over his support for women priests and gays - the first person ever excommunicated in Melbourne, he believes.
The order comes direct from the Vatican, not at the request of Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart, and apparently follows a secret denunciation in the best traditions of the inquisition, according to Father Reynolds"

--

So -
If you're an atheist, you are still going to hell. Sorry.
No, Pope Francis didn't say It was better to be an atheist than a bad Catholic;
And, no, he isn't a progressive;

For those who wish to buy this Pope' spin, and the phony story about progressives and conservatives fighting over the church, well, better you than me;

I don't buy a word it it.

And those "Residue Catholics," as I call them, who want to report back how I don't understand how wonderful the Pope, is, spare me.