POPE FRANCIS: THERE IS A CHANGE OF ATTITUDE

The people like Pope Francis (well, most do). He is very human and approachable. He seeks to bring reconciliation in many parts of the church world where there is hurt, scandal or neglect. From time to time, you will hear a self-identified atheist say, “He’s my pope!” Obviously, he has made a difference on the world scene.

 

He touches people. 

 

We can say that Pope Francis has not changed anything in the Church: there is no change of doctrine, religious practice and discipline or the way we worship. What he seeks to change is the attitude that the Church has toward the world and what the world has toward the Church. His ministry seeks to bring about a shift in attitude towards  God and the Church.

 

In the past, Popes have tried to keep the Church together by clear doctrines and firm moral teachings.  It was clear where the Church stood on so many issues: faith, doctrine and morality. But it came with a cost: the Church appears rigid, judgmental and unbending.

 

Not only does Pope Francis speak a new language about Church but he also challenging all Christiaan churches to become a church of the poor. The church is not for those people who can perform correctly and fit into the Christiaan mold securely. He wants the Church to reach out to the people who get left out.

 

It must become a faith community that reaches out to the poor and neglected around them and in the world at large. A church that is motivated and moves from a heart for the poor will be a very different church.  May the secular person not see the Church as rigid and unwelcoming but rather as the ‘field hospital’ that he wants it to become.

 

He challenges us that today’s Christian is to get out of their secure and well-organized structures and move out into the streets. We hear more than once that the shoes of the Christian should be dirty because they have been out in the streets with the poor. 

 

Do not be surprised if you hear of push-back from some bishops, church leaders and staunch Catholics who want things to remain securely in place. This opposition is often a sign that the challenging the Church to become a Church of the poor is on the right track. If some Catholics do not like the way Pope Francis is challenging the church, this is a good sign that the train is going in the right direction.

 

There is a difference at this moment with the history of Christianity. Most often, the reformers, the woman and men who called the Church to a more vigorous life of practice and prayer, were on the edges of the Church. Today, we have the reformer at the very center of the Church. This is a call to reform, to reinvigorate the life of the Church, and move to a stronger service toward the poor of this world. 

 

Pope Francis has set out to give the Church a different tone. He is challenging the people of  the Church to a major shift of attitude and practice. We will not see the full impact of this renewal for a half dozen generations, but he is going in the right direction.

 

Has the teachings and challenges of Pope Francis made a difference to the way you live and practice your Christian faith?