Pope in NYC: I’m With You in Recovering From the Abuse Scandal

So do not be afraid to welcome them. It would be disingenuous of me not only to say that I am in agreement with this assessment of the “politics” of the Pope’s views, but that it pleases me enormously that he is more Left-leaning than Right-leaning. We are asked to summon the courage and the intelligence to resolve today’s many geopolitical and economic crises. (Pope St. John Paul II made six references to Christ in his speech there in 1995).

In his first address in New York, Pope Francis lamented the suffering caused by the sexual-abuse scandal in the United States – not only for the trauma inflicted on the Church’s most vulnerable members, but also for the shame it has brought to priests and religious in general.

Despite these difficulties, Pope Francis said, “Our vocation is to be lived in joy”.

The song Chikondi Chanu, which was revealed to the group by the scripture in Romans 5:6-8, talks about the unconditional love of Christ, a gift which came even at the hour when he was despised, humiliated, injured and crucified on the cross. “I think for us what stuck out the most was the ability to make the pope feel welcome, like he makes so many others feel welcome”. But, if you can clear your mind of all the hooplah and flash of the big plane, jeweled crosses and white robes – long enough for reality to sink back in … he is wasting precious time with more empty words. It is my duty to build bridges and to help all men and women, in any way possible, to do the same. It is better for people to do good such as preaching and teaching about the Kingdom, healing of the sick, and casting the demons out from people who are possessed in God’s name, rather than keep on committing sins and wrongdoings that displease God and hurt our fellow beings. We have been entrusted with a great responsibility, and God’s people rightly expect accountability from us. (By the way, God said that I am supposed to be a light in a dark world.) When I say “dark”, God said it before I did, just look around.

The pope also was welcomed by Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, who rode with Pope Francis in the popemobile part of the way from the White House to the cathedral.

In order to “persevere on the path of fidelity to Jesus Christ”, he said, one must build up the “two pillars of the spiritual life”: gratitude and hard work. We might miss an all-important chance to apply to a college, apply for a job, or advance on the ladder of our career.

We live in a meritocratic age and believe that people who are successful are more admirable in some way than the rest of us. “God made man, and that means I’m supposed to care for the less fortunate”, Rubio said.

It’s an issue important to St. Lucy’s, because of its large immigrant population, which has parishioners who emigrated from Africa, China, Philippines, Italy and several Latin American countries. On the contrary, it obliges us to engage others in a respectful dialogue.

Language was also touched on by the Pope, who stressed that “harsh and divisive” words don’t befit a true pastor, and have “no place in his heart; although it may momentarily seem to win the day, only the enduring allure of goodness and love remains truly convincing”. This thought, this realization is why I started writing my column for the week a whole two days before Friday, September 25, 2015, which would have been the deadline for writing and submitting the piece for this week’s column to my Editor.

He added that it is therefore imperative “to watch over that unity, to safeguard it, to promote it and to bear witness to it as a sign and instrument which, beyond every barrier, unites nations, races, classes and generations”.

The world knows that Pope Francis comes from a socialist background and approaches the world and its challenges through those lenses. Then pray for each other. What would the Church be without you? These are questions which all of us might well ask. It is our duty to preserve and communicate them, even when the tenor of the times becomes resistant and even hostile to that message. But the church can attract people by being “the family fire” that offers warmth, comfort and community. This signaled his intent to tear down boundaries and create conversations between people who previously had been opponents.

Support them, but do not let them “be content with half-measures …”

Religious and clergy are called to “find and radiate lasting satisfaction in their vocation”, he continued, encouraging them to recall the blessings God has given throughout their lives.