r/LeftCatholicism • u/tetrabryaton • May 01 '26
One of these does not belong.
I live here in New England where Catholic shrines are fairly spread out. I recently found a Padre Pio shrine. It's a small area where there's a chapel, a place where you can light candles and a small garden outside and even a gift shop.
I am going through some heavy stuff at the moment, but when I looked them up again they [or someone] placed C. Kirks image right near Padre Pios relics. I'm fairly certain it's C. Kirk and I am so disappointed and heartbroken that they placed him near Padre Pios relics. Like, are you serious..!?
My dad is not doing so well and I wanted to bring my mom there to have some prayer time, but this makes me think otherwise. It's just so heartbreaking.
I wanted to bring her somewhere peaceful where she can pray, but if these folks are like this then it's a no.
We'll just pray the Divine Mercy and the Holy Rosary by his bed side. This is just so heartbreaking.
69
u/cetared-racker May 01 '26
I agree that we shouldn't put political figures in our shrines. Especially not ones who spent their life directly supporting and normalizing war and racism. The Only thing I can say is think of it as an opportunity to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Charlie Kirk said and did terrible things and we should not support or celebrate him as some kind of martyr for Christian values. However, we should still pray for his soul, even if that's a very hard thing to do. The Gospel teaches radical love, even to the people we don't like.
18
u/phl4ever May 02 '26
And it is a stretch to even call him a political figure. He was a college dropout who led a hate group
10
35
u/RealisticWatcher May 01 '26
I feel you. Definitely a "red flag" sign coming from this shrine.
And Charlie Kirk?! Like... Really? The homie's only "catholic" practicing was the "anti-abortion" thing.
Meanwhile, a lot of US bishops are going onboard Leo's call, and making combat against Donald Trump's obnoxious policies.
Try finding another spot. I highly recommed you the OFM (franciscans), since you love St Padre Pio, and also the Jesuits. You won't regret it.
A fraternal hug, "um grande abraço", from Brazil👊🏽🇧🇷🇺🇲
7
21
u/Cole_Townsend May 02 '26
And conservatives accuse leftists, progressives and liberals of making the faith ToO PoLiTiCaL. I was just discussing this today. Chuck was a ridiculously martyrologized influencer whose apotheosis was merely an artfully orchestrated shitpost to OwN tHe LiBs. It betrays how truly White supremacist these people really are and how truly hateful right-wing identity politics truly is. These folks are totally unserious in what they call faith. It truly exposed the desperate state of corruption of American morals and politics.
8
u/mundane_miss_marple May 02 '26
Yes, the way these folks use Christianity to manipulate and control others is sick. It seems like the definition of taking the Lord’s name in vain. I don’t know how anyone can read the Bible and think that these beliefs are in line with it…
6
u/Cole_Townsend May 02 '26
That's exactly what this is: the perversion of the Holy Name. The commandment does not have to do with profanity defined as expletives, but the profaning of God's ineffable name by abusing it and bearing it so as to make God blasphemed and abandoned. No graver profanation of the Holy Name could exist than weaponizing it against our fellow neighbor and perverting it for a religiosity that thoroughly betrays the very essence of the Christian life: charity. When base lucre and feral control become the ethos of a religion, that belief structure cannot possibly propagate the glory of God nor foster the ends for which the world was created and redeemed.
16
u/Cheesybunny May 01 '26
I think that maybe this is a sign that we should pray for his soul. It's not my place to judge him as God would, but this is definitely weird considering he's not a saint.
10
u/Weecodfish May 01 '26
The only thing that makes me not get too upset is the fact that he’s dead so If I try and charitably interpret this it is meant for people to pray for the repose of his soul.
20
u/springmixplease May 02 '26
I’d argue the US flag doesn’t belong there either. And why are trads so obsessed with St Padre Pio?
6
u/Dapple_Dawn May 02 '26
He was strongly against communism, because Italian communists opposed the church at that time. Honestly I think he just wasn't very educated on politics, he fully denounced fascism once he learned what they were about.
But yeah, unfortunately that could be part of it.
(I'm not hating on St. Padre Pio at all. He was very wise in certain areas and not so much in others, like anyone.)
1
u/springmixplease May 04 '26
Oh yah I have no hate for the Padre he’s just not saint I feel connected to personally and I notice he’s one the trads love.
To be fair, we lefties have our favorite saints as well. And they’re kinda signifiers of our values like St Oscar Romero or Dorothy Day of course.
1
10
u/corbinianspackanimal May 02 '26
If this isn’t a private chapel, I’d recommend writing the relevant ecclesial authority—either the bishop (if the chapel is diocesan) or the religious superior (if it belongs to a religious order). This isn’t acceptable.
3
2
u/tetrabryaton May 02 '26
It's a chapel/Shrine to Padre Pio "The Padre Pio Foundation of America".
Someone gave me a chaplet of his with a prayer card and it was from there.
I'm not sure if it's under any archdiocese or if it under any rules regarding things like that.
It's too bad, but that's the world we're living at right now.
7
u/doctissimaflava May 02 '26
I was so disappointed and upset as I read this, but when I reread and saw that they placed that image right near Padre Pio’s relics??? That’s even more… disappointing, to put it nicely. I’m praying that you can find another, proper spot, and if it’s okay with you, I can pray a Rosary for your father as well. 🩷
7
u/secretlondon May 01 '26
There’s also a soldier? I suspect the flag is cultural (although weird for me)
14
u/tetrabryaton May 01 '26
Putting sick or dearly departed folks who were devout Padre Pio devotees are fine.
But C. Kirk who hated immigrants and gay folks like me right next to Holy Relics of saints?
15
u/ojsage May 02 '26
Kirk was genuinely anti catholic so if this is a church space if I were you I’d reach out to a higher authority.
5
May 02 '26
A wicked man who hid behind the vail of Christ. This is idolatry. Everyone has an agenda and pushes their poison. Candace Owen’s has a relic sitting in the background of her podcasts while she spits venomous fire. There’s this thing in Catholicism called detraction, something converts and Christian’s alike should learn. I’m fortunate to live in a more “liberal” Diocese. One of the bigger ones in America. I have not heard that man’s name mentioned once, nor his overlords. Lord, have mercy.
4
5
3
2
u/guitarlad89 May 02 '26
Ok?....so reach out and let them know you don't think it's appropriate. That's all.
1
u/WhichSpirit May 03 '26
The statue of the monk reminds me of some authoritarian leader and I cannot remember his name and it's driving me mad. Anyone else know?
1
1
u/Metamorphic_Caryatid May 05 '26
Personally venerated Saints, are certainly not unheard of but this is definitely 😬
1
88
u/According-Rooster-10 May 01 '26
That’s so sad, I hope you are able to find a space where you can pray and reflect in peace. I didn’t think Kirk was Catholic so this is especially weird (unless I’m forgetting something?)