I have been listening to and watching the newly-elected pope, Francis, with a fair amount of interest. He is the spiritual leader of a Christian institution which adheres to a hierarchical model excluding women from key roles of leadership. He holds the "party line" on Roman Catholic doctrine regarding birth control and abortion. Still, he has been refreshing in bringing new sensibilities to aspects of his role. He has made repeated comments about God's "preferential option for the poor" and he has challenged the false religion of financial gain at all cost. He has chosen to live in simple, even austere quarters rather than in papal splendour. All this is rooted in his work with the poor and marginalized as a priest, then bishop and cardinal, in South America.
This week he stirred things up by suggesting that God was impressed by good deeds, including those performed by atheists, and Christians should be as well. In a radio address he said:
“The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!” he said. “If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”
In the past I have mused about the contrast between "orthodoxy and orthopraxy," the right believing and "right doing" of faith. As the years have gone by I am increasingly impressed by those who live out compassion, radical hospitality, generosity, self-giving love. While I continue to invite people into a transforming relationship with the living Christ, I have more appreciation for those who "walk the walk," regardless of background, than those who "talk the talk" but choose exclusion and suspicion.
For once I am willing to support the claim that the pope is infallible! Okay, I appreciate that he is opening dialogue.
Thoughts?
Can we make a connection between Christian faith and species extinction. I invite you to read my Groundling blog today http://groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-tragedy-for-all-creation.html
1 comment:
Perhaps the "institution" could rent out the papal splendour living quarters he chose to give up and use the $ towards the counselling of the many men that were abused by catholic (notice no capital c on catholic) priests over the last how many decades. I do applaud his work with the poor. As far as a previous post goes re forgiveness...well, I guess there is a lot of work ahead for me in this regard...baby steps.
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