Suffice it to say I’m not a huge fan of “the Holy Father.” (Stick with me, Catholics.)
Respectfully, I must admit that more often than not I tend to see the pope as a political-religious puppet/dictator more than a spiritual pastor to the masses; due largely in part to centuries of popes who abused their authority to propagate European superiority and legitimize a host of maladies swept under the rug as furthering Christianity, aka imperial conquest. (BUT bear in mind, Protestants, that many pro-American, God-n’-country pastors could be accused with strikingly similarity in contemporary terms.)
As an Anabaptist (thus Reformation extension), I don’t acknowledge that the pope has any supremacy second only to God, nor will I consent to refer to him as “His Holiness.” (Because he’s not.)
Nevertheless, I harbor no malice towards the Catholic Church or the pope. In a spirit of unity and brotherhood for Christ’s church, I sincerely wish goodwill towards the Papacy.
But as thrift-trained Mennonite, something that’s always grated me about the Vatican’s grandeur refers less to the concept of church leadership structure, but how it is demonstrated in such a hierarchal statehood surrounded by lavish extravagance. Let’s be honest folks: Catholic City Roma is really glitzy. Apparently I’m not the only one who thinks so. The more I read about newly elected Pope Francis I (formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio), the more I’m becoming a fan of this guy. For those of you who haven’t been devouring this stuff for the past 24 hours, listen:
-Francis I is the first South American pope. He’s also the first electorate born outside of Europe in 1,200+ years.
-At the age of 22, he took a vow of poverty. This is particularly impactful to me since I am 22 this year. What would my life be like if I eschewed all my digital technologies, musical instruments, car, guns, sports equipment, books, living comforts, etc.? Furthermore, how effective could I be in giving to others if my time and resources were not almost constantly consumed by the necessary rituals to… acquire and maintain such things? It is a thought worthy of more consideration than this passing reflection.
-Bergoglio is man of humility and simplicity. Immediately after being elected, he refused to sit on the papal throne to receive the cardinals, or wear the crowning red fur-trimmed cape. He chose to ride the bus with everyone else back to the hotel instead of taking his new official car. To commute to work it’s reported that to he often walked and rode the bus, the latter described as a grungy experience; smoky and loud.
-As a cardinal, Bergoglio refused a luxurious mansion, instead choosing a small apartment and used a stove for warmth when the heat was turned off during the weekends. He lived alone, and spent his mornings personally listening to complaints and requests from priests on a landline phone. He cooked simply for himself, and while he occasionally enjoys wine, he often settles for mate (a South American tea drank through a straw, straining from a small cup).
-Instead of draping himself in the honorary crimson robes many cardinals don to broadcast their status, he chose a no-frills black overcoat. When promoted, he didn’t order a new wardrobe, he simply had the previous cardinal’s hand-me-down’s tailored to fit him.
-Regardless of his stature as Argentina’s top church official, he avoided media exposure, and preferred to make his points from the pulpit.
-He is a staunch conservative with an orthodox attitude towards homosexuality and abortion. Yet he is described as a man of empathy, expressing compassion towards victims of AIDS, children born out of wedlock, and an activist representing the poor. In my opinion, this is exactly what the church needs as a whole, not just the Catholic fellowship: a leader who affirms the Bible’s definition of sexual morality, who can suggest direction to his flock through turbulent times instead of rocking the boat, while guiding them to embrace the victims abandoned on the wayside.
I’m not saying Pope Francis I has it altogether. No sinful human does. Yet Bergoglio seems to understand this, and his attitude of humility and servitude runs starkly against the grain we’ve become accustomed to in international leadership. He seems refreshingly authentic.
I’ve got a curious and hopeful eye on this pope, because the church today needs more men like Father Jorge.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 5.5-7 (KJV)
truthversus 