Dear Pope Francis

Last updated on: September 25, 2015 at 10:33 am by Guest Contributor

Dear Pope Francis 2015-09-25T10:33:36-05:00 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.

Photo: Pope Francis, Flickr, Republic of Korea, Creative Commons License, some changes made.

This is a guest post by Matthew Distefano. Matthew’s forthcoming book “All Set Free” will be published by Wipf and Stock. Read more of Matthew’s excellent work at his website All Set Free and at the Raven Foundation.

Dear Pope Francis,

First and foremost, welcome to the United States of America. I have heard this is your first trip to our shores and I hope it is a successful one. Your visit is a welcomed one for me as it comes at a crucial time in our nation’s history. In fact, this is a crucial period in world history for many reasons, which I will get into in this letter.

As you well know, our country is greatly divided on matters of politics. There is also a widening economic gap between the “haves” and the “have nots,” an increase in racial tension due in large part to the rise in police brutality, and sadly, immense scapegoating of the LGBT community and the Muslim faith. Because of our autonomous view of the self here in the US, we seem to care little for the “other.” Instead of taking the view that we are interdividuals, as fellow Catholic René Girard argued, we, broadly speaking, think of ourselves in purely individualistic terms. This mentality has played a large role in the “me first” perspective of many citizens here. And as such, we have suffered.

In addition to the larger issues of this country—which also includes how we are to address climate change—we even seem to fight over who can attend your functions at the White House. Some have argued that allowing “pro choice” and “pro gay rights” activists to attend your event is anti-Christian. However, your compassionate stance on so many issues looks beyond hyperbolic political rhetoric to human need, and suggests to me that you would welcome all listeners regardless of ideology. Thus, while some may have a dissenting voice against your arrival, I, for one, welcome you with open arms.

If I may be frank, prior to your papacy, I paid little attention to what the Pope had to say. It is not that I disliked the tradition per se; I just found little interest in yet another religious authority’s views. However, with you, it is different. You are arguably the most powerful figure in the world but still seem to “live on the edge of the inside,” as Fr. Richard Rohr would say. I can relate to that position.

The primary stance of yours that I relate to is your passion for helping the poor. I appreciate that you view the world from the bottom up, rather than from the top down. Your ethics seem to line up with those of Jesus, which unfortunately does not happen enough in Christendom. Here in the US, Christian ethics seem more synonymous with crony capitalism and, as I alluded to before, rabid individualism. To stand hand in hand with the poor, the oppressed, and the downtrodden is to stand hand in hand with Christ himself—at least according to Jesus (Matthew 25:40 – 45).

In addition to your stance on ethics, you have an overall inclusive nature to your theology. This greatly resonates with me. As a Christian Universalist, I am in an interesting place within Christianity. On one hand, I hold Jesus in the highest of esteems but on the other hand, am often accused of diminishing the urgency of “accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.” So, when you are quoted as saying the following, I understand the disconnect some have.

The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class. We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all. And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace.

However, in spite of others’ disconnect with a theology that is more inclusive than most are comfortable with, I find it to be the most Christ-centered. And for you to take such an inclusive stance—whether you should be labeled “universalist” or not—is quite bold for a man in your position. I applaud that!

Although I could go on and on about the issues humanity is facing, I would like to mention just one last topic, which is that of climate change. This issue has been at the forefront of political debate for some time now and while some who profit from fossil fuel lobbies would like you to hush up about it, I say: “keep talking!” We live on a fragile planet and everyone—yes, everyone!—is affected. From the “Pacific Garbage Patch,” to places like Fukushima and Chernobyl; from the deforestation of our rain forests to the perpetual state of drought here in California, change needs to happen now. If the change that is far past due actually happens, we all have people like you to thank.

So, preemptively: “Thank you!”

In closing, I hope that your visit goes off without a hitch. More profoundly, however, is that I hope your visit impacts others to take a stand in the name of peace, in the name of unity, and in the name of love. We all have different traditions, cultures, and beliefs but what makes us similar is that we are all made in the image of our Abba. You recognize that and it is a beautiful thing to witness. Keep the faith. Keep spreading the message of peace. Continue loving the “least of these.”

Peace and blessings,

Matthew J. Distefano

Stay in the loop! Like Teaching Nonviolent Atonement on Facebook!

Atonement and Current Events

Previous Post

September 23, 2015

Wednesday Sermon: Welcoming the Vulnerable - Pope Francis and Climate Change

Next Post

September 24, 2015 An Eid Prayer For Pilgrims In A Violent World

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Atonement and Current Events Curriculum Faith and Families Interviews Jesus the Forgiving Victim Lent Montessori politics Reviews The Bible Explained Uncategorized Valentine's Day Wednesday Sermon Who is God?

Select a Month July 2020 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 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 January 2014 December 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz