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Let him who is without sin cast the first stone at Pope Francis’s refugee gesture | Let him who is without sin cast the first stone at Pope Francis’s refugee gesture |
(4 months later) | |
When it comes to Pope Francis, the voice of the naysayer is never far away. “It’s all very well him talking about refugees,” it may say, “but you don’t see him on Lesbos, do you?” Then the pope goes to Lesbos. The voice pipes up again: “You don’t see the pope opening the Vatican to refugees, do you?” And then the pope houses 12 refugees in the Vatican. But nothing will mute the naysayer: “Why doesn’t he open every church to them?” it may say, or: “He’s just making the problem worse.” | When it comes to Pope Francis, the voice of the naysayer is never far away. “It’s all very well him talking about refugees,” it may say, “but you don’t see him on Lesbos, do you?” Then the pope goes to Lesbos. The voice pipes up again: “You don’t see the pope opening the Vatican to refugees, do you?” And then the pope houses 12 refugees in the Vatican. But nothing will mute the naysayer: “Why doesn’t he open every church to them?” it may say, or: “He’s just making the problem worse.” |
The pope has not claimed that housing 12 people is an especially radical or benevolent act. Indeed, the Vatican itself has described it as a “gesture”. Yes, of course the pontiff and his church can do more, and perhaps they do, out of sight. But gestures and symbols are important in themselves. The pope can be applauded for trying to change the way we perceive refugees, while not neglecting their immediate needs. What more can we realistically ask of him, on this issue at least? | The pope has not claimed that housing 12 people is an especially radical or benevolent act. Indeed, the Vatican itself has described it as a “gesture”. Yes, of course the pontiff and his church can do more, and perhaps they do, out of sight. But gestures and symbols are important in themselves. The pope can be applauded for trying to change the way we perceive refugees, while not neglecting their immediate needs. What more can we realistically ask of him, on this issue at least? |
I’d like to say to the naysayer: still that voice for a moment. And beware of creating a culture in which the rewards are greater for doing nothing bad than they are for doing something good. | I’d like to say to the naysayer: still that voice for a moment. And beware of creating a culture in which the rewards are greater for doing nothing bad than they are for doing something good. |
As an institution, the Roman Catholic church has provided us with no shortage of ammunition to unleash against it. Aside from the profound darkness in its history, there are its views on sexuality, abortion, contraception and female leadership, which run counter to liberal, progressive values (and, some would say, Christian justice). Moreover, its wealth and ostentation often seem at odds with the apparent simplicity of Jesus. It’s not surprising, then, when the actions of a man who so many see as embodying that institution are met with hostility, as a glance at the thousands of comments left on stories about the visit show. | As an institution, the Roman Catholic church has provided us with no shortage of ammunition to unleash against it. Aside from the profound darkness in its history, there are its views on sexuality, abortion, contraception and female leadership, which run counter to liberal, progressive values (and, some would say, Christian justice). Moreover, its wealth and ostentation often seem at odds with the apparent simplicity of Jesus. It’s not surprising, then, when the actions of a man who so many see as embodying that institution are met with hostility, as a glance at the thousands of comments left on stories about the visit show. |
Yet we can hardly hold Pope Francis responsible for all the evils perpetrated down the centuries by the Roman Catholic church, nor for all the dogma that it clings to. And even if we were to lay on him the sins of his church, that would not necessarily render worthless a work of love. For if we are always to focus on the darkness within individuals or the organisations they represent, who or what could we ever praise? | Yet we can hardly hold Pope Francis responsible for all the evils perpetrated down the centuries by the Roman Catholic church, nor for all the dogma that it clings to. And even if we were to lay on him the sins of his church, that would not necessarily render worthless a work of love. For if we are always to focus on the darkness within individuals or the organisations they represent, who or what could we ever praise? |
The charge of hypocrisy against religious leaders is nothing new – after all, it was Jesus’s insult of choice – but the fear of being guilty of it should never stop any of us doing what we feel is right. We could all do more to help others; we all do and say things that are hurtful and harmful, and play our role in systems that exploit our planet and its people. The only ones among us who are never hypocritical are those who never say or do anything good. | The charge of hypocrisy against religious leaders is nothing new – after all, it was Jesus’s insult of choice – but the fear of being guilty of it should never stop any of us doing what we feel is right. We could all do more to help others; we all do and say things that are hurtful and harmful, and play our role in systems that exploit our planet and its people. The only ones among us who are never hypocritical are those who never say or do anything good. |
There is a danger in any culture that is immediately suspicious of good deeds. The sneer du jour is “virtue signalling”, a phrase that targets acts or words of kindness in the manner of a torpedo. We do need to be alert to duplicity and manipulation, especially when perpetrated by corporations whose sole purpose is to make money from us; but surely Pope Francis, imperfect as he may be and as we all are, warrants the benefit of any doubt. | There is a danger in any culture that is immediately suspicious of good deeds. The sneer du jour is “virtue signalling”, a phrase that targets acts or words of kindness in the manner of a torpedo. We do need to be alert to duplicity and manipulation, especially when perpetrated by corporations whose sole purpose is to make money from us; but surely Pope Francis, imperfect as he may be and as we all are, warrants the benefit of any doubt. |
While scepticism is healthy, cynicism is toxic. It engenders mistrust and misanthropy and blinds us to that which is good and beautiful. The cynic’s way is mean and arid and shrivelled. It is also safe. The pope has done something small, for which he surely knew he’d be criticised; a thing that thus contains an element of danger, but that he also knows is good. Surely it’s not too much for us to at least try to do the same. | While scepticism is healthy, cynicism is toxic. It engenders mistrust and misanthropy and blinds us to that which is good and beautiful. The cynic’s way is mean and arid and shrivelled. It is also safe. The pope has done something small, for which he surely knew he’d be criticised; a thing that thus contains an element of danger, but that he also knows is good. Surely it’s not too much for us to at least try to do the same. |
Much of the anger directed at the Catholic church,often via its figurehead, is entirely understandable and necessary. Many of its actions, be they institutional or personal, have been deplorable. There are many individuals who have been scarred by it, and continue to be scarred by it. Like most major Christian denominations, the Roman Catholic church is in dire need of repentance. | Much of the anger directed at the Catholic church,often via its figurehead, is entirely understandable and necessary. Many of its actions, be they institutional or personal, have been deplorable. There are many individuals who have been scarred by it, and continue to be scarred by it. Like most major Christian denominations, the Roman Catholic church is in dire need of repentance. |
Yet there have been plenty of people on the world stage who have offered no hope to those in need. Pope Francis is one who has. The former have not been criticised enough for what they failed to do; yet, by doing something, Pope Francis has left himself vulnerable to criticism from all sides. I know which I believe to be the more laudable. Let’s not let the naysayer have the last word. | Yet there have been plenty of people on the world stage who have offered no hope to those in need. Pope Francis is one who has. The former have not been criticised enough for what they failed to do; yet, by doing something, Pope Francis has left himself vulnerable to criticism from all sides. I know which I believe to be the more laudable. Let’s not let the naysayer have the last word. |
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