On Pope Francis and The Cross Roads Ahead for the Catholic Church

The passing of any Pope is momentous. May God rest his soul.

As we pray for him, the World is about to witness an immense outpouring of concern and wonder about the future of the Church. No selection of any politician or president can compare. Hundreds of thousands will descend upon Rome for this worldwide phenomenon.

You undoubtedly will hear great things about Pope Francis’ desire that all be received into the hands of a welcoming Church. There is little doubt that that desire is at the center of the teachings of Christ, who spent so much of his time on Earth with the least of among us.

May we always be generous and caring in that way.

For his part, Pope Francis was not pretentious – but he was momentous.

Thus, there are other aspects of his Papacy of great concern to so many – especially as we look ahead and to the direction of Church.

Pope Francis yielded to China’s installation of a Bishop by Chinese authorities. His decision to yield to their demands reminds us of the Investiture Controversy of the 11th and 12th Century that divided Europe for centuries when Monarchs imposed their choices of bishops, priests, and even monastic officials (for political reasons) instead of the Popes.

Eventually, the Papacy reclaimed that sole right from ambitious monarchs, but not before serious consequences played out, religious and geo-political.

I cannot overestimate the danger of that surrender by Pope Francis to the communists of China, whose legacy includes the murder of as many as 70 million of those who disagreed with communist leaders. God willing, that cannot be the way of the future.

Beyond that, Pope Francis’ statement that “All Religions are pathways to reach God” is of great concern.

We are reminded that Jesus stated that “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me." John 14:6.

So, what then are we to make of that statement by Pope Francis?

That statement is no small departure from Church teachings – teachings that have been refined and honored for centuries upon centuries. Please consider some of the “religions” out there today. With all due respect, no, not all religions are a pathway.

There are many other concerns to be raised but I shall leave it there.

Instead, I shall liken the Church to a lighthouse. However pretty it may be on a summer day as breakers bathe its shores, the lighthouse is never so needed as in a storm.

The World today is in a storm of many natures. The Light emanating from the Church, which serves Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Father, must be a timeless beacon of clarity for their values to help calm our current storms.

It is my hope that whoever is the 266th Successor of Saint Peter, is that beacon.

For that too, we should pray, as we pray for the soul of Pope Francis and his good works.