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From: Chase MEL 99 Nov. 2, 1999
Date: 11/2/99
Time: 8:38:18 AM
Remote Name: 130.68.108.91
Two sides, on one hand of the same essence yet on the other, denying the other's validity as an order. The Franciscans (that is the so-called "spirituals") hold firm to their belief that since the Bible clearly states that Jesus did not hold possessions, that rather he only used the things he had and discarded those things he had no use for and told his apostles to do the same. The Dominicans and Pope John XXII hold the view of the Minorite Franciscans as heretical, as the Bible clearly states that Jesus did in fact have possessions. William of Baskerville, a Franciscan, believes that Christ had possessions in the way that one might wear clothing until it was worn out-- for use. The sad fact is that these are all very bright men arguing vehemently for their side, and in a sense, both are right. There are passages in the Bible that point to either of these two sides as correct. That does not legitimize either, for at the same time, one could likely find two passages in the Book, one condemning an act as sinful, the other praising it as virtuous. The Minorites and the Dominicans revert from a highbrow debate of issues to the verge of a food-fight. The Minorites hold that Jesus was poor because they see him as a savior for the common people as well as the wealthy. The Pope and his followers believe that Christ did possess things because they possessed things, and Christ surely wanted his Church to be well-off. What it boils down to is that the Church, in doing what the fathers had set out to, converting, had aquired wealth and wealthy members who were accustomed to living well. The poor fell by the wayside as the Church pursued "greater" interests. St. Francis responded to the needs of the people the Church was founded on and then forgot. This was God's work he had done, and was canonized for it. His followers were caught up when the order went away from this and divided among those who wanted to live as Francis had (and therefore as Christ had) and those who loved their wealth. The poor, Christ's people, were left in the dust by a Church that cared for other things.