What We See in Pope Francis

Last updated on: May 13, 2014 at 11:38 am by Guest Contributor

What We See in Pope Francis 2014-05-13T11:38:56-06:00 Guest Contributor

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This piece by Wes Granberg-Michaelson was originally published by Sojourner’s “God’s Politics” blog on April 30th, 2014. We’re cross-posting with their permission.

The latest dust-up about the unscripted words of Pope Francis came this week when he tweeted, in Latin, “Inequality is the root of social evil.” Conservative Catholics had their underwear in a bundle, nervously tweeting away about the dangers of addressing complex issues on Twitter, and warning about thinking that “redistribution” would solve global inequities. Some feared this was giving Piketty’s new popular book, “Capital in the 21st Century,” more press. Liberal Catholics were delightfully surprised, once again, and argued that the Pope was doing nothing more than putting Catholic social teaching into a tweet.

But this latest interchange, happening of course between Catholics in the global “North,” misses the real point. Pope Francis’ tweet is another example of how we are hearing the voice, and seeing the actions, of world Christianity from the global “South.”

It’s nearly impossible to underestimate, in my view, the stunning historical significance of the College of Cardinals’ action. Until their selection of Pope Francis, Europeans had served as Popes since the year 741. In 1900, two-thirds of the Catholic Church was found in Europe and the United States. A century later, two-thirds of Catholics are found in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, reflecting overall the most historic and dramatic geographic shift in the presence world Christianity ever to have happened in so short a period. Yet, the centers of administrative power, resources, and capital—both financial and theological—have remained in the control of Christianity’s shrinking minority in the global North.

Before the College of Cardinals selected Pope Francis, I wrote this (on RNS and God’s Politics’ Blog):

One act by the College of Cardinals meeting in the Sistine Chapel can create a dramatic, symbolic, and yet powerful change in this present dissonant reality—namely, electing a Pope from the global South. That single step could alter public perceptions and private expectations toward the spiritual leadership of half the world’s Christians, bringing fresh life, inspiration, and vitality to the Catholic Church, and serving as a model to the wider Christian community.

That’s exactly what we now see happening. And this isn’t just about the Catholic Church. It’s about the global perception of world Christianity.

Viewing Pope Francis only as a Jesuit who took the name, and model, of St. Francis upon his election, and is trying to revitalize the Catholic Church, misses the most important story. Pope Francis is giving a voice, and a model, of the witness of world Christianity in the global South. That’s where the future shape of Christianity is being forged, and Pope Francis gives us some glimpses of what this looks like.

I’ve been with evangelical Christian leaders in Ghana, who in one breath testify to the saving power of Christ, and in the next breath condemn the unjust global economic structures and powers of the world that preserve economic inequality. Recognizing that massive income inequality is a sinful reality, creating suffering and inflicting evil, is a common, obvious assumption among Christians across the ecumenical spectrum who simply view the world through the eyes of the global South.

Similarly, when Pope Francis suggestes that we spend “too much time” focusing on issues like homosexuality or abortion, he’s not attempting to radically change Catholic doctrine. But he is expressing common sentiments among Christians whose ministry is rooted among people living on the margins, facing daily struggles for the dignity of life in the present.

Likewise, Pope Francis’ gestures of simplicity and humility—where he lives, what kind of car he rides in, and whose feet he washes—demonstrate that kind of integrity and example that simply makes sense to the vast majority of Christians living in the global South. The latest rumor I’ve heard from Catholic friends is that Pope Francis would like to sell Castel Gandolfo, the luxurious summer residence of Popes. If he did, who would be upset? Mostly hierarchs in the present power structure, dominated by those from Europe and the U.S. Catholics and non-Catholics alike from the global South would cheer.

So I’d suggest that Protestants—evangelicals, Pentecostal, and mainline Protestants—look to Pope Francis not simply as a dramatic and hopeful change in leadership for the Catholic Church. Rather, look and listen to this unique, modern, fresh Christian leader to emerge from the global South, and see some signs of what the global shift in world Christianity means for all of our future.

Wes Granberg-Michaelson is the author of From Times Square to Timbuktu: The Post-Christian West Meets the Non-Western Church. For 17 years he served as General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America, and has long been active in ecumenical initiatives such as the Global Christian Forum and Christian Churches Together. He’s been associated with the ministry of Sojourners for 40 years.

Uncategorized

Catholic social teaching

Previous Post

April 8, 2014

The Truth About Income Inequality

Next Post

May 13, 2014 Can Progressive Christians Ever Support War?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

David Joshua Hezekiah Jehoshaphat