A reader asks about somebody named Ann Barnhardt

I know it has been a while since I wrote and hope all is well. I really enjoy your website and reading your material. May God continue to bless your ministry.

I am excited about our new Pope Francis. I pray for him. Like many others, I am learning more about him and his wonderful humility. However, I recently came across an article from Ann Barnhart’s site entitled “On Francis” and it is very disturbing. Ann is a catholic and I have read a lot of her writings. She seems to be very intelligent regarding the Faith. I am just wondering what your thoughts were on this? I hope these are not true.

I’ve never heard of her, but she reads like a Urine and Vinegar Traditionalist hysteric and Pharisee to me. Has it occurred to her, for instance, that the Pope *can’t* genuflect because he is 76 and maybe his knees don’t work any more. Has it occurred to her that a kid’s Mass is not the end of the freaking universe?

I would avoid stuff like this. She’s a panic vendor. She sells poisonous fear and judgment. It’s not the voice of the shepherd.