Reactions to a published interview with Pope Francis in last week’s America magazine have Church pundits puzzled, but they are at no loss for words in trying to explain what the Holy Father meant.
The section that has received the most comments was: “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods… It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.”
Pope Francis seems to be saying that the Church needs a reality check on how it presents itself. He says that the Church should not be obsessing over the issues that he has singled out.
At the same time, we should not be deluded into thinking that a lack of aggression on those topics means a change in what the Church teaches about them.
His words can be compared to how a parent approaches one of his or her children. Parents love their children and are protective and nurturing of them. When something goes wrong, the first reaction of a parent is not to scold the child or to start reading a checklist of what is right or wrong. The first reaction is to hug the child and ask what is the matter and how can the parent help that child.
The same is true with the Church. Clergy and representatives of the Church should not walk around as presiding judges ready to condemn people when they step out of line. They should live side-by-side with people and be prepared to help them move through life and better appreciate the presence of God in our midst.
The Holy Father envisions the Church as an institution that sets people free and does not stifle their creativity and ability to grow in wisdom and understanding.
The Second Vatican Council’s concept of the People of God on a journey from this life to everlasting life is at play here. We are all moving together, honestly trying to interpret what comes our way. The Church is available to help us read the sign posts along the way.
Pope Francis is presenting a different approach about how the Church should be seen and heard. However, he is not proposing changes to the beliefs of the Church. The Church still believes certain things are right and wrong. But it should not be seen as a cop standing at the ready to enforce the Ten Commandments. The Church exists to help others, not make them feel worse.
The Holy Father’s vision for the Church is a fluid one. We cannot understand it fully until he begins to make some practical moves that spell it out.
For instance, he talked about tapping into the genius of women, but he is not speaking about ordaining women priests. He acknowledges that the Church has already spoken on that. But he realizes that many people have been turned off in discussing the role of women.
How will he approach updating the role of women in the Church? Only time and action will tell. When he does something practical, we will have a better idea of what he actually means.
The same is true about Church governance. He has called for curial reforms at the Vatican, but he is not denying the fact that we are a hierarchical Church. When he puts some teeth into those reforms, we will have a better idea of where he is going.
The pope is telling us that we need to be able to cope with instability. We need to bob and weave with the punches that life throws at us, and not be so rigid. A successful journey is one on which the travelers are able to read the signs, and it’s made easier when we help one another find our ways.