Pope Francis assumed the Papacy on March 13, 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict. Since becoming Pope, Francis has made a number of decisions and statements that have sparked controversy both within and outside of the Catholic Church. Let’s take a look at some of these decisions and statements.
Who Is Pope Francis?
Most Catholics know about Pope Francis, or should know about him. Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936. He is the first pope to be a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He is also the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere. Pope Francis is a humble man who has focused on God’s mercy, his concern for the poor, and inter-religious dialogue. At one point, Pope Francis asked “forgiveness for the way Catholics had treated other Christian believers over the years.” In addition, Francis asks Catholics to pardon those that have persecuted them.
Pope Francis News
Francis is in the news quite often and not always in a good way. His controversies seem to make the news more so than his teachings. Some of the recent news concerning Pope Francis:
- Pope Francis fires Bishop Joseph Strickland from Texas. Strickland was a fierce critic of Francis’ leadership of the Church. Bishop Strickland was fired after refusing to resign his position.
- Pope Francis removed some Vatican privileges from US Cardinal Raymond Burke, another fierce critic. it was reported that Burke was “working against the Church and the papacy.”
- “Italian Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò was excommunicated from the Church earlier this year. It was reported that Viganò called for the pope’s resignation in 2018. He accused Francis of covering up ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s sexual abuse cases.
- Pope Francis admitted to using a homophobic slur in a meeting with bishops earlier this year.
Changing Church Teaching or Challenging Us to Think More Broadly?
Stepping out on the balcony for the first time, I saw a man humbled by the responsibility he had just accepted. In his papacy, Pope Francis has also made a number of controversial statements. He certainly has opened the eyes of some Catholics, and angered others with these statements. Do we consider him “divisive”, or is he leading us to open our minds to a broader perspective of God’s love and mercy? He has certainly brought a markedly liberal perspective to the papacy. This is a relief to some Catholics who tired of the conservative Catholic mindset. Concurrently, this upset those that felt very comfortable with that conservative mindset. Basically, I think if you upset both sides of an argument you are doing something right. This may well be the case with Pope Francis. You decide.
Pope Francis’ 5 Most Controversial Statements
“I start by saying — and this is the fundamental thing — that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to Him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience,” – This comment was interpreted by many that atheists could go to Heaven if they “did good.” This was part of an open letter response to an atheist Italian journalist. The Vatican later removed the Pope’s comments in the open letter claiming mistakes in how the letter was “written up.”
On the Gay Community
“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Many disregarded in which Francis said one must “distinguish between a person who is gay and someone who makes a gay lobby,” adding that “a gay lobby isn’t good.” – For what it is worth, Jesus asks us not to judge others, so who are we to judge?
“Six months into his papacy, Pope Francis sent shock waves through the Roman Catholic Church with the publication of his remarks that the Church had grown “obsessed” with abortion, gay marriage and contraception, and that he had chosen not to talk about those issues despite recriminations from critics,” – Pope Francis’ comment focuses on “the Church putting dogma before love, and for prioritizing moral doctrines over serving the poor and marginalized.” In many respects that view mirrors Jesus’ view of the Pharisees’ focus on the law as opposed to the people.
“Reflecting on educational challenges he’d faced as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, the pope mentioned a situation involving the child of a lesbian couple as an example of ‘new challenges which sometimes are difficult for us to understand,'” noted the National Catholic Reporter in a 2014 article. – the Vatican subsequently released a statement denying Francis was supporting same-sex unions.
On Building Walls
“A person who only thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” he said, according to a transcript of his remarks. – This comment was in response to former President Trump who had called the pope “political.” Although this may be true, it is interesting to note that the Vatican does have walls that were built in the 800s to protect the popes from barbarian invasions.
Conclusion
Have you heard the expression “hate the sin, love the sinner?” The issues that Francis focuses on are very political. That being said they are almost always counter to Church teaching. Pope Francis is in essence, looking past politics and trying to get to the hearts of the people. Jesus took the 10 Commandments and expanded on them with the Beatitudes. The Pope is challenging us to look and love more deeply in my view. What do you think? I would be interested in hearing your perspectives. All comments are welcome.
God Bless
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In