The Liberal Pope

On August 5th, Pope Francis blasted the “backwardness” of some conservatives in the U.S. Catholic Church, saying they have replaced faith with ideology and that a correct understanding of Catholic doctrine allows for change over time. He said that there is “a very strong, organized, reactionary attitude” in the U.S. church, which he called “backward.” He warned that such an attitude leads to a climate of closure, which was erroneous.

“Doing this, you lose the true tradition and you turn to ideologies to have support. In other words, ideologies replace faith,” he said.

“The vision of the doctrine of the church as a monolith is wrong,” he added. “When you go backward, you make something closed off, disconnected from the roots of the church,” which then has devastating effects on morality.

“I want to remind these people that backwardness is useless, and they must understand that there’s a correct evolution in the understanding of questions of faith and morals,” that allows for doctrine to progress and consolidate over time.

The Christian Churches have always had difficulty separating man-made theology from the teaching of Jesus. 

The Catholic Church has been instrumental in following a preference for fear over hope – fear of breaking rules over the hope of finding peace and a sense of community through the teachings of its founder.

Evangelical Christian Churches, especially in the United States, have almost wholeheartedly allowed themselves to be subsumed by the teachings of extreme right-wing leaders who subscribe to conservative political values and repressive and divisive theologies.

The Pope’s fundamental message is that the teachings of Christ are paramount, and that ideology is anathema to Christian values.

The papacy of Pope Francis has been marked by a liberal approach to various social and political issues. Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has consistently advocated for a more inclusive and compassionate Church, challenging traditional conservative views and emphasizing the importance of social justice and care for the marginalized. The liberal papacy of Pope Francis has focused on issues such as poverty, climate change, and LGBTQ+ rights. 

A significant aspect of Pope Francis' liberal papacy is his strong stance on climate change and environmental issues. He has called for urgent action to address the ecological crisis, highlighting the moral responsibility of humanity to care for the Earth and its resources. 

Furthermore, Pope Francis has taken a more inclusive approach towards LGBTQ+ rights, challenging traditional conservative views within the Catholic Church. While he has not changed the Church's official stance on homosexuality, he has adopted a more compassionate and accepting tone towards LGBTQ+ individuals. In 2013, he famously said, "Who am I to judge?" when asked about gay priests, signaling a more open and understanding attitude towards homosexuality. 

Pope Francis has also met with LGBTQ+ activists and expressed support for civil unions, although he has stopped short of endorsing same-sex marriage. His more inclusive approach has been seen as a significant departure from the conservative stance of his predecessors.

In addition to these specific issues, Pope Francis has also advocated for a more inclusive and welcoming Church. He has called for a decentralization of power within the Vatican, encouraging greater participation of local churches and laypeople in decision-making processes. 

Pope Francis has also emphasized the importance of dialogue and engagement with other religions and non-believers, promoting a more ecumenical and interfaith approach. His efforts to foster unity and understanding have been seen as a departure from the more insular and exclusive approach of previous popes.

However, it is important to note that Pope Francis' liberal papacy has not been without controversy. His progressive views on certain issues have faced resistance from conservative factions within the Church, who argue that he is deviating from traditional Catholic teachings. Some critics have accused him of being too politically involved and of prioritizing social issues over matters of faith and doctrine. 

Doctrine is a human creation that dilutes Jesus’s fundamental message – to love one another. Despite criticism from conservative Catholics and clergy, Pope Francis has remained committed to a more inclusive and compassionate Church, emphasizing the importance of social justice and care for the marginalized. 

His papacy has had a significant impact on the global perception of the Catholic Church and has sparked important conversations about the role of religion in addressing contemporary challenges.

Conversations that are, in my opinion, long overdue.

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Edition: Estefanía Cardeña