Now, for the first time in the church’s history, a Jesuit has been elected pontiff. Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentine of Italian
origin, has already set a new tone for the papacy. He is the first to
take the name Francis, in homage to Francis of Assisi, who abandoned
comfort to join beggars. In keeping with the Jesuit ideal to live
simply, Francis in his first days as pope dressed in a plain white
cassock. He opted to ride in a minibus with his fellow cardinals rather
than a private Vatican car. And on Saturday, he suggested a humble
course for the church as a whole. “How I would like a poor church,” he said, one that was “for the poor.” Given the Jesuits’ watchword to find God “in all things,” some are
hoping that the leadership of a Jesuit pope will allow the church to
engage more openly and fearlessly with the world, to project the
church’s message in new ways and to emphasize service
Link (here) to The New York Times
1 comment:
A poor church, for the poor? What does that mean?
I get the "for the poor" part, sorta, although I am suspicious of this kind of pious talk. After all, how does it translate into action? And after a while it sounds both objectifying and patronizing. And sentimental.
But "a poor church?" Do you sell off all the property and have Mass in a barn? What then?
I read this new pontiff as a pious moralist. Not my cup of tea.
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