Say What, Pope Francis?

"Our Father...forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

In recent months, Pope Francis has given interviews that have stirred the emotions of the Catholic and secular world alike.  To be sure, he discussed many topics, but my focus here is his statements on sin.  I’ll admit that my initial emotional response as a traditional Catholic was one of dismay.  But that first feeling was quickly replaced with peace; I knew there was more to his statements than what I was reading. And so, even thought I didn’t need the reassurance, it was important to be informed in case I was ever given the opportunity to share Pope Francis’ message of salvation through the love, mercy, and forgiveness of our Lord.

First of all, I want to address the most controversial statements right off the bat.  Yes, in the July 28, 2013 interview with reporters during his return flight from Brazil, Pope Francis did say, “If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, then who am I to judge him?” And, yes, he reiterated his statement in subsequent interviews in August with Antonio Spadaro, S.J., editor of LA Civilta Cattolica.  In these interviews, he also spoke of the Church’s need for mercy instead of judgment when he stated, “Those who today always look for disciplinary solutions, those who long for an exaggerated doctrinal ‘security,’ …they have a static and inward-directed view of things.”

Wow! What did he say? It’s not a sin to be gay? Yes, that is what he said. What the Pope did not say is that homosexual acts are not sinful.  As a matter of fact, just prior to his judgment statement he says, “…when you are dealing with such a person, you must distinguish between the fact of a person being gay and the fact of someone forming a lobby, because not all lobbies are good. This one is not good.”  There is a difference, people.  A person of same-sex orientation should not be discriminated against just because of their orientation.  That orientation does not automatically make them pedophiles, rapists, immoral, etc., any more than being heterosexual does.  Your actions are what define you as a sinner, and heterosexuals commit immoral acts just as well as anybody. 

Also, there is the defining phrase in his non-judgment statement of a person of good will who is searching for the Lord.   Anyone, except maybe those suffering with mental illness, can change their actions. They may not be able to change their inclinations towards sinful actions, but they can control their actions rather than accept and give into them. It's not easy, and many times we fail, but we ask for forgiveness and keep trying. Anyone truly searching for God will not be refused...He will change you.  St. Paul, Christian persecutor; Mary Magdalene, prostitute; and St. Matthew, tax collector (exploited the poor) are just a few examples.

Moving on, Pope Francis also did not say that issues related to abortion, gay marriage, and the use of contraceptive methods are unimportant. In fact, on September 20, he spoke before a group of Catholic gynecologists in Rome and firmly condemned abortion.  His message is that we need to spread the Gospel with a balanced approach: “It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.” And, “The Church has already spoken quite clearly on this.  It was unnecessary to return to it, just as I didn’t speak about cheating, lying, or other matters on which the Church has a clear teaching.” And, “Proclamation in a missionary style focuses on the essentials…”  The essentials, the first of which is, "...Jesus Christ has saved you."

The Pope is not proposing a change in doctrine, just a new focus.  He clearly states that he is a “..son of the Church.” And believes in the “position of the Church." So, what Pope Francis IS saying is that there needs to be a change within the faithful to truly spread the Good News.  This change involves a re-focus on the message that Jesus brought to us: Love God above all and to love your neighbor as yourself.  Love…and within the concept of love flows mercy and forgiveness.  And in this atmosphere of love flows a change of heart, a wonderful, life-altering change of heart towards our awesome God and our fellow man!
 

Of course, all of this love and mercy is a gift that can be refused, but punishment is not to be our focus. Jesus allowed people the choice of accepting his message or not.  And as Christians, we are being challenged to spread God's love, not His judgment. 

Remember and reflect on the Lord's Prayer to...forgive us our trespasses AS WE FORGIVE those who trespass against us. That is a focus on mercy.  And thank God for His mercy, because without it we ALL would be shaking in our boots come judgment day.
 

http://americamagazine.org/pope-interview

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/july/documents/papa-francesco_20130728_gmg-conferenza-stampa_en.html