New era for Catholic Church

Last Wednesday, members of the Roman Catholic Church and the world at large welcomed that ancient institution’s newest leader, Pope Francis I. Though the sovereign Vatican City may have a population of less than 1 000 persons, its influence spreads across the globe to the 1.2 billion professed Catholics in all the world’s continents. It is a community that spans race, cultural backgrounds and socio-economic brackets.

His selection is being hailed in many quarters as a sign of new hope for the Church, which in recent years has been rocked by scandals and also faces pressure from its own congregation due to changing views on issues such as gay marriage and the role of women in the Church. Dwindling numbers have been a challenge for churches everywhere – not just the Roman Catholic Church. There is great concern about how to stay true to traditional teachings, while still appealing to younger congregants who, while raised within the church, feel it is becoming increasingly irrelevant to a modern world. From all accounts of the new pope’s track record, however, it seems unlikely that he will be making any radical pronouncements on such issues. He is known to be a traditionalist, and it is reported that as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he clashed with Argentina President Cristina Fernandez on issues such as gay marriage and adoption and free contraceptives.

However, while those who were hoping for an out-and-out reformist pope may be disappointed, it is likely that he possesses other characteristics which the conclave of cardinals saw as more critical for the Church’s survival in these troubled times.

He is the first pontiff to be selected from Latin America, yet as the son of Italian immigrants to Argentina, he maintains a link to the Old World as well. It is believed that about 40 per cent of the world’s Catholics are in the southern continent and his selection sends a signal that the Vatican wants to embrace that massive section of its congregation and perhaps lure back those members of its flock who have strayed.

However, perhaps of even more significance than his origin, is the new Pope’s choice of name – Francis. Seen as a clear reference to the revered St. Francis of Assisi, from the very outset, it was a popular topic of discussion. Father Lombardi, Director of the Holy See Press Office, said, “The choice of the name Francis is very meaningful. It is a name that has never been chosen before and evokes simplicity and an evangelical witness.” Indeed, aside from being a traditionalist, Bergoglio has also made a name for himself as one who made an effort to reach out to the marginalised. He also became known for his decision to live simply – eschewing some of the luxuries afforded an archbishop.

So, the Roman Catholic Church now has a leader with a different cultural and political background than has been the norm, and one who, by his name choice, has signalled that he will be getting back to the church’s roots of evangelism and simplicity. No wonder Catholics, particularly in this part of the world, are energised. Given the considerable clout of the Holy See, could this mean that the issues confronting the developing world will have more prominence in world affairs?