Francis: Portrait Of A Pope, Part Three
Pope Francis is causing quite a stir around both in the Vatican and around the world with what appears to be a reform of sorts in regards to the way the Roman Catholic Church treats not only its own people, but non-catholics as well.
Part of that process has been a shake up of long-time leaders at the Vatican. Utah’s Bishop John Wester has met with Pope Francis, and is a big supporter. He shared his insights with Gephardt Daily. In Pope Francis’ time in office, his words ring loudly through the Vatican: reform.
“Who am I to judge them if they’re seeking the Lord in good faith?” Pope Francis said in regards to gay people in the church. He has also made statements that women should have more of a role in the church, and even that perhaps catholic rules concerning divorce should be less stringent.
This has reportedly been a source of controversy within the Vatican, where more conservative leaning Cardinals have been replaced by leaders who might have more of a focus on human suffering and the poor. Based on his meetings with Pope Francis, Bishop John Wester believes that that the Pontiff’s goal is to change the culture. “If you’re going to be an agent of reform, you’ve got to change the culture,” said Wester. “And so Francis is doing that through these symbolic actions, gestures and words.
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Bishop Wester said that the next step is to change the leadership. “You get people who are going to lead that are resonant with the culture you’re trying to establish,” said Wester. In February 2014, Cardinal George Pell was appointed to be the first Cardinal-Prefect of the newly appointed Secretariat of the economy, and Pietro Parolin has served as Secretariat of State since 2013. Wester speaks highly of both men.
Wester emphasizes that this is not a reform in the sense that the whole church was on the track. Instead, he sees it more as a reform of the tone and the attitude of the church. “More kind of with the people, the poor,” Wester said. “Not worried so much about careerism, or prestige or power, but worried more about ‘How can I serve? How can I help people? How can I proclaim the Gospel of Christ more effectively?”
Western said that an good example of this is the appointment of the Archbishop Blasé Cupich of Chicago. According to Wester, Cupich is a man who really reflects the pope’s thinking, and the pope played a major role in making that appointment.
Wester says that it all really comes down to listening and following Christ, and showing people that the church knows that Christ loves them and God loves them. “Wester we may disagree on doctrinal issues, we may disagree on moral issues,” said Wester. “But God loves you, and you’re my brother, you’re my sister and I want to be with you.”
In Part Four of this exclusive series, Gephardt Daily will be be exploring one of the most controversial aspects of Pope Francis’ announcements: a more gentle attitude toward the LGBT community and atheists.
