RENEWAL…

The Catholic Church has got itself a new kind of Pope.  Some of my Methodist and Presbyterian friends are adopting a wait-and-see attitude about reports from the Vatican that Pope Francis is serious about his job.  I like him very much.  “The Pope” isn’t his official title.  He is Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City.  In his sermons, news conferences, and general writings, Pope Francis insists that his primary calling is to lead the renewal of the Roman Catholic Church. Early in his reign he is making sure the world knows what he means by renewal, and he invites the world to participate.  

Pope Francis’ latest published writing is called “Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel).  His predecessors preferred a more formal, academic style of writing and speaking.  Pope Francis’ writing feels like the sincere preaching of a warm, humble pastor genuinely concerned with the practical problems of living in an increasingly complex world. He continually articulates his commitment to the ancient church while insisting that he is committed also to taking a fresh look at its doctrines and to the traditional pronouncements of his predecessors. 

In the newly published 84-page document, officially referred to as an apostolic exhortation, Pope Francis calls capitalism “a new tyranny” which must be addressed by world leaders if they are serious about fighting poverty and confronting rapidly growing inequality among world citizens. His Evangelii Gaudium says the global economic system glorifies “the idolatry of money” which denies many of the world’s citizens opportunities for “dignified work, education and healthcare.” He said, “How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses 2 points?”

News agencies like Reuters reported that the Pope in this new writing declares, “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.”  He went on to say, "As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved by rejecting the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation and by attacking the structural causes of inequality, no solution will be found for the world's problems or, for that matter, to any problems.” He adds, “I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor.” 

He begged for cooperation among the leaders of all religions to address the problems of the world. I like this Pope. Time will tell if this is sunrise or sunset.  I'm betting it's rising.