The death of Pope Francis on April 21st came as a big shock to many, especially following his public appearance at St Peter’s Square the previous day. We Are Church Ireland would like to pay its respects to a person who brought a fresh approach to the role of the papacy. Other sources have provided many details about his life, his writings, his approach to what a church should be and the importance of tackling world issues such as migration, war and climate change.
Many are disappointed at the lack of progress in permitting the ordination of women, dealing with clericalism and being truly inclusive regarding LGBTQ+. That being said, it should be acknowledged that one of the great achievements of his papacy was to re-awaken a more inclusive and pastorally-based interpretation of the insights of Vatican II, following what is widely accepted, as the rather more conservative and clericalized approach exercised by his two immediate predecessors.
His invitation to all the baptised to radically re-imagine the church’s synodal identity is still in its infancy, but it has the potential to bring about major changes in the future. Against the background of Church history, it was a remarkable achievement to launch a process which asked the ordinary church-goer for their views on a range of topics and to record them as they were given. There is now a huge onus on the Church to honour that process and it is to be hoped that the laity will hold the institution to account in this regard.
Francis asked that we be “pilgrims of hope” which was and is a major challenge. Like all of us, Francis had his failings, but he has provided a way to understand and live out our faith in new and life-giving ways. True to his Ignation spirituality, he has been an inspiring reminder of the healing and renewing power of the Holy Spirit in the church and in the world.
In the words of St. Paul, ‘He has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith (2Tim. 4:7)
Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam.
Image of tomb courtesy of RTE News.