text: People like Father Weinandy have a paternalistic view of the Catholic faithful. They think we're an easily confused lot that must be constantly protected from misinformation. The truth is, most of us don't care about the things that people like Weinandy care about. We're occupied with things like trying to raise children in a dangerous world and making ends meet -- the kind of stuff bishops and theologians generally know little about.
  
  For all his rough edges, Pope Francis respects the faithful and trusts that they have the wherewithal to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to spiritual discernment. He trusts us more than he trusts the hierarchy, which irks some of them. That, I believe, is really the root of all the anger directed at this pope by people like Weinandy.
  
  Cupich is right that most Catholics are not scandalized by Pope Francis. They just don't spend that much time thinking about these things, and when they do, they use their God-given gift of reason.