At Last! A Pope who Truly Respects Us

by Letters Editor · December 10, 2015

From Fr Kevin Reynolds, Pretoria – Of various Catholic publications coverage of the visit by Pope Francis to Rome’s Evangelical Lutheran church last month, including Cindy Wooden’s report in your November 25 issue, I think that of the National Catholic Reporter’s opening paragraph is the most succinct.

Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and Bishop Denis J. Madden of Baltimore, hold copies of “Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry and Eucharist” – a unique ecumenical document that makes visible a pathway to Christian unity between Catholics and Lutherans. (Photo: courtesy of ELCA)

Pope Francis has strikingly suggested that Lutherans married to Catholics can personally discern whether to take Communion in the Catholic Church, saying it is not his role to give permission to such persons but to encourage them to listen to what God is telling them about their situations.

When I read this, all I could say in my mind and feel in my heart was, Wow!

At last, we have a pope so respecting of our human condition that he sees his role as that of encouraging us to follow our informed consciences.

For me, this is a story not to be buried inside publications but one deserving of banner headlines on front covers. The attitude of Pope Francis is truly radical and uplifting.

No longer should Catholics feel obliged to grovel before their pope, bishops and priests for permissions in all human situations but rather are encouraged to discern with enlightened consciences what God is asking them to do as responsible people.

I can now better understand why Pope Francis appeals constantly for our prayers for him. What an awesome role he has as our supreme shepherd.