I’ve become a papal junkie. Every day I hit the Internet for Pope Francis’ latest interview, homily, photograph or video. I’m not alone. Few popes have so quickly and effectively captured the interest and affection of both church members and non-Catholics. This both pleases and saddens me.
It saddens me because Pope Francis isn’t saying anything new. His words and actions reflect a Gospel that’s 2,000 years old. That he gets people so excited tells me that the rest of us are doing a lousy job of practicing what is preached. It shouldn’t be so remarkable when a Christian acts like a Christian.
For example, Francis made headlines saying that it’s not his place to judge someone else’s soul. That’s straight from Matthew 7:1-3. It drew attention because he said it in relation to homosexuality. That suggests that we as a church have done a poor job of explaining our understanding of human sexuality. The recent debate over gay “marriages” featured far too many Christians presenting their views in ways that are far from Christian.
The pope has also said that God is not Catholic. This shouldn’t shock anyone. “The Catechism of the Catholic Church” states, “Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience — those too may achieve eternal salvation.”
Francis has said, “How I would like a church that is poor and for the poor.” His choice of a guesthouse over the Apostolic Palace and a compact car over a limousine reflects that desire. I don’t know any priests or bishops living high off the hog. However, I seldom hear a homily on social justice. The American bishops have taken positions on immigration, defense spending, and banking practices, and I know individual lay Catholics who are heroically generous. Still, our church is not perceived as fighting poverty. And why is it that I so seldom see the truly impoverished in our pews?
Clericalists believe that only ordained clergy are competent to teach Christian doctrine and govern church affairs. The pope has explicitly rejected their views. For every priest or bishop clinging to power, though, I see a hundred pastors who would weep in gratitude if more lay Catholics got involved in running the parish.
The pope has also said that a celibate clergy is tradition, not doctrine (and could presumably change). However, ordaining married men isn’t going to happen unless we lay parishioners show ourselves willing to pay the higher salary a family man would require.
Francis has said, “Let us not reduce the involvement of women in the church, but instead promote their active role in the ecclesial community. By losing women, the church risks becoming sterile.” For some, only the ordination of women will do. This smacks of the same clericalism I mentioned earlier. Today women teach the children, visit the sick, read the Word, distribute Communion, play the music, clean the church, type the bulletin and count the money. Perhaps if we women valued these ministries more, outsiders wouldn’t see us as second-class Catholics.
When asked to describe himself, Pope Francis said, “I am a sinner whom the Lord has looked upon.” People are astonished that a man in his position is so humble. Perhaps when we Catholics become noted for our generosity to the poor, our compassion toward sinners and our respect for other traditions, Francis won’t be a big deal. Meanwhile, viva il Papa!
Kathleen welcomes comments. Send them to Kathleen Choi, 1706 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720, or e-mail: kathchoi@hawaii.rr.com.
