Today I watched the introduction of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as the new Pope: Francis I.
I’m not Catholic, but I married one. I’m not even religious. But I like goodness and good people. He does appear to be “good people.” He travels Argentina, taking public transportation and working directly with the poor. I respect a leader who acts as a servant. I also like that of all the gilded and bejeweled crosses he could have worn for his big moment, it seems that he chose his own, more modest piece, that has traveled with him through the rural and desolate parts of Argentina.
Now, granted, if I had voted (and even if I were Catholic, I can’t since I’m a woman) I would have voted for a nun. I think there is no better leader in spiritual matters than a woman.
I’m like a lot of people who take issue with “The Catholic Church” on misogyny, and on homosexuality. However, I have many friends and family members who are Catholic, are more progressive than “the Church” itself, and regardless of our religious differences, they are just damn good people.
Do I worry that he’s very conservative, that he’s a Jesuit? Maybe a little. But like so many areas of life, I put my faith in people more than institution, and every Catholic in my circle of friends and families is a good person, some even more progressive than me on certain issues.
So I do hope for the best for the Catholic Church in the way it interacts with the world at large. I hope “The Church” can better embody serving the poor and focusing on the best aspects of Christianity (goodness, mercy, non-judgment, etc.), and I hope the Pope stays simple and humble. Here’s hoping for this Poping!
Love, Marla
P.S. You may not have won the papacy, or the right to vote for your pope, but one of you won a signed copy of While the Savage Sleeps by Andrew E Kaufman. The winner is Melissa Tkach! Melissa, if you’re reading, please email me: marla at marlasinkdruzgal dot com so we can arrange to get you your signed book. Congratulations, Melissa! And thank you, Mr. Kaufman, for letting me feature you for Writer Wednesday! We will resume our regular Writer Wednesday again next week.
Looking for something else to win? There’s a brand new Boston Red Sox hat waiting to be won in yesterday’s post! Click here for details.
I think Christianity is generally a lot more popular in the US than it is in the rest of the Western world – in New Zealand, maybe 10% of the population attend church with any sort of regularity, and they’re expecting the census numbers to have less than 50% of people call themselves christian at all.
That said, Francis of Assissi was a good guy, So here’s hoping. But until the churches push for marriage equality – and all forms of equality – and truly see women as equal to men in every sense (including allowing the possibility of a female as pope), I won’t be supporting much of anything to do with them. I really think they need to voice a message of love, which is what I seem to remember Jesus was about, after all 🙂
It’s exciting and I have a good feeling about him so I’m hoping with you!. Taking the name of St. Francis of Assisi is a good sign! I’m one of the only Catholics left in my oldest circle of friends and it makes me sad, but I attribute it for myself to having found a fabulous church in Mt. Washington with priests the entire time I’ve been a parishioner that are so good, and so wise that I learn from them every time they give a homily. We currently have two of those priests and I can honestly tell you, I seriously consider going to church twice in a weekend so I don’t miss one of the two priests’ homilies. As you said, it’s the people, not the institution. And, I have found a comfortable place still being a practicing Catholic but disagreeing with some of the overall teachings. I’m at peace with that. I think it’s rare to find a Catholic, priests included, that totally buy into everything. It’s like being an American…do we agree with everything America as a nation does, don’t know anyone who does, but can we still call ourselves good Americans? I think so (imho!)