What we learned about Pope Francis during his trip to Cuba and the United States was that he knows how to walk a fine line. In his heart, he is a pastor, forgiving sinners, giving support rather than judgment.
He also knows that many bishops and congregants are very conservative. The fine line separates them from those with more progressive views. We saw him dodge the tough questions while showing no fear of addressing issues he deems important.
Whole state governments have banned the use of words like climate change and global warming. Pope Francis waded right in calling it a major crisis of our time. He also pointed out that poor people suffer most from the effects of a warming planet.
What we saw was the first pope in recent history to eschew trappings of the papacy. No red shoes, no fancy papal apartment, he gets around in a modest car and he listens to all.
Returning to the Vatican, he called together a synod on the family — a three-week meeting of more than 250 Roman Catholic bishops — which is said to contain more progressives than conservatives this year. However, it isn’t a democracy. All will have their say and may vote to maintain the status quo on issues dividing Catholics. But it is only the pope who has the power to modify church teachings. When all is said and done, he will write his findings after listening to weeks of contentious discussion.
This pope has already initiated a change in the divorce process for Catholics, making it easier to obtain an annulment. Up until now, it has been a laborious procedure conducted by a Bishop, a Cardinal or someone high up in the clergy. Documentation was required and many couples were turned away with advice to work harder to find agreement. Pope Francis has said that couples need to love one another but sometimes that just isn’t possible.
He has also said that any parish priest can forgive the sin of abortion during the sacrament of confession. The church has been very clear that abortion is a serious act not to be condoned in any way. Well, so are the other sins confessed to parish priests along with sincere contrition. I think what Pope Francis is saying here is that one sin, however serious, shouldn’t drive parishioners away from the church.
One of his famous quotes, “A church with closed doors betrays herself and her mission, and, instead of being a bridge, becomes a roadblock,” speaks to the need for priests to listen, forgive and support those who struggle.
The term “lapsed Catholic” has been applied to those who have been turned off by rigid orthodoxy that scolds but often does not forgive. I’m wondering how the pope’s words have affected their feelings about a church that has closed its doors to sinners. And aren’t we all sinners in thought if not in deed?
Raised Catholic, I had a serious falling out with the church when I was a teen. Well, teens need to rebel against something and to rebel against one’s faith is relatively safe because they will always take you back when you’ve “come to your senses.” If ever written off by a family member, the rift might be permanent.
Many of us remember a time when it was considered sinful to attend another denomination’s services, even a wedding or funeral. Pope John XXIII convened what was called the Ecumenical Council after which those rules no longer applied. Conservative bishops thought that pope was ahead of his time but the changes he made in church rules were welcomed by most of the faithful and seemed to further understanding among all worshipers.
Judging by the huge crowds attending Pope Francis’ appearances in this country, there are still many faithful who are hoping for relaxed rules on contentious issues. It’s too early to say if that will happen, but one shouldn’t give up too soon. Change often comes very slowly but for lapsed Catholics it can’t come soon enough. This pope’s message of inclusion among those of many faiths and his encouragement for priests to forgive and support the wayward are like a breath of fresh air in a very old and entrenched hierarchy.
Among conservatives, Pope Francis’ message to be less judgmental may not ring true.
But they can’t say he doesn’t walk the walk.