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Pope Francis: music to my progressive Catholic ears Pope Francis: music to my progressive Catholic ears
(about 3 hours later)
From the moment Pope Francis stepped out on that balcony, I knew that something was different. Maybe it was the shy smile, the warm wave. The choice of "Francis" perhaps. Or his Jesuit roots, his Argentinian homeland. But still, I was waiting for the Prada loafer to drop.From the moment Pope Francis stepped out on that balcony, I knew that something was different. Maybe it was the shy smile, the warm wave. The choice of "Francis" perhaps. Or his Jesuit roots, his Argentinian homeland. But still, I was waiting for the Prada loafer to drop.
I was waiting for Francis to bash gay and lesbian people and advocate against our equality. And then he said not to judge us. I was waiting for him to wash over the sex abuse scandals as if they never happened. And then he authorized new laws for the Vatican City State that criminalize sexual abuse of children.I was waiting for Francis to bash gay and lesbian people and advocate against our equality. And then he said not to judge us. I was waiting for him to wash over the sex abuse scandals as if they never happened. And then he authorized new laws for the Vatican City State that criminalize sexual abuse of children.
I was waiting for him to be silent on issues that matter to me, issues of worker justice and human rights. And then he spoke out against corporate greed and called for a day of prayer for the people of Syria.I was waiting for him to be silent on issues that matter to me, issues of worker justice and human rights. And then he spoke out against corporate greed and called for a day of prayer for the people of Syria.
This isn't to say that he's been perfect. We're still trying to help him find the key to that door Pope John Paul II shut on women's ordination. But he's got many progressive Catholics enthusiastic about our church again.This isn't to say that he's been perfect. We're still trying to help him find the key to that door Pope John Paul II shut on women's ordination. But he's got many progressive Catholics enthusiastic about our church again.
Yesterday, when @pontifex was showing up on my Twitter feed at a rather alarming rate, I expected the worst. Decades of secrecy and scandal from popes and bishops alike taught me that, when it comes to the church hierarchy, the worst can too often be expected.Yesterday, when @pontifex was showing up on my Twitter feed at a rather alarming rate, I expected the worst. Decades of secrecy and scandal from popes and bishops alike taught me that, when it comes to the church hierarchy, the worst can too often be expected.
But Francis, as he's done since the white smoke rose, confounded my expectations. His words from a lengthy interview in the latest issue of America, a Catholic weekly, rang more like poetry than prose to my progressive Catholic ears.But Francis, as he's done since the white smoke rose, confounded my expectations. His words from a lengthy interview in the latest issue of America, a Catholic weekly, rang more like poetry than prose to my progressive Catholic ears.
The church should be a "home for all" and not a "small chapel" limited to a chosen few? Yes.The church should be a "home for all" and not a "small chapel" limited to a chosen few? Yes.
"I have never been a right-winger"? Me neither."I have never been a right-winger"? Me neither.
"I believe consultation is very important"? Call me anytime."I believe consultation is very important"? Call me anytime.
The church is "the people of God, pastors and people together"? Amen.The church is "the people of God, pastors and people together"? Amen.
All I could think was, "This guy gets it". He gets what Catholics have been saying for years. He gets that Catholics don't want our hierarchy to have limited views that don't reflect our own. He gets why so many Catholics have been searching for the nearest exit. He gets that things need to change.All I could think was, "This guy gets it". He gets what Catholics have been saying for years. He gets that Catholics don't want our hierarchy to have limited views that don't reflect our own. He gets why so many Catholics have been searching for the nearest exit. He gets that things need to change.
I wish that I could just bask in the knowledge that the pope and the people in the pews share many of my views for a transformed church. But I can't. American Catholic that I am, I've got the bishops to consider.I wish that I could just bask in the knowledge that the pope and the people in the pews share many of my views for a transformed church. But I can't. American Catholic that I am, I've got the bishops to consider.
Since Francis' election, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops hasn't seemed to reverse course. The bishops are still advocating against the rights of LGBT people with both money and voice. They are still undermining women's access to reproductive healthcare. They are still hard on nuns. They are still maintaining the very small chapel they've carved out over the years.Since Francis' election, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops hasn't seemed to reverse course. The bishops are still advocating against the rights of LGBT people with both money and voice. They are still undermining women's access to reproductive healthcare. They are still hard on nuns. They are still maintaining the very small chapel they've carved out over the years.
Perhaps the bishops can't go cold turkey and they need to wean themselves off their "obsession" – Francis' word – with abortion and gay and transgender people. I'd suggest silence as a good option. Or a stop payment on their checks to anti-gay, anti-women organizations. Or both.Perhaps the bishops can't go cold turkey and they need to wean themselves off their "obsession" – Francis' word – with abortion and gay and transgender people. I'd suggest silence as a good option. Or a stop payment on their checks to anti-gay, anti-women organizations. Or both.
If this were a game of chess, it'd be the bishops' move. I hope they choose to "find new balance" with me and my friend Francis. If not, I too fear that the church we love could crumble like a "house of cards".If this were a game of chess, it'd be the bishops' move. I hope they choose to "find new balance" with me and my friend Francis. If not, I too fear that the church we love could crumble like a "house of cards".
Pope Francis is different. He isn't willing to settle for mediocrity or myopia, and that alone is refreshing. What we need now is quick and decisive action - or inaction, as the case may be – by the pope and the US bishops that reflect these transformational words. Until that happens, I'll still be waiting. Pope Francis is different. He isn't willing to settle for mediocrity or myopia, and that alone is refreshing. What we need now is quick and decisive action – or inaction, as the case may be – by the pope and the US bishops that reflect these transformational words. Until that happens, I'll still be waiting.
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