Bergoglio‘s age was a surprise, considering that many commentators assumed the cardinals would select someone younger. But, alas, they chose a man who, by expert accounts, is more than qualified for the job.
The Catholic Church’s new leader was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936 and he has four brothers and sisters. Bergoglio was born to an Italian immigrant railroad father and a mother who was a housewife. While he originally wanted to be a chemist, his path took a very obvious turn. In 1958, the National Catholic Reporter reports that he joined the Society of Jesus and began preparing for the priesthood. Just over five decades later, he will now lead the church that he joined as a young man.
Considering these personal life choices, it’s no surprise that Pope Francis is a fierce defender of the poor. In the past, he has spoken openly about his belief that there is an “unjust distribution of goods.”
In 2007, he said, “We live in the most unequal part of the world, which has grown the most yet reduced misery the least. The unjust distribution of goods persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to Heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers.”
Pope Francis’ views have caused some to wonder if he endorses government-centric social justice. A Business Insider piece from last year claimed that he would embrace this ideology and embed it into the church if selected.
“Social Justice moves to the front of the Church’s concerns,” the outlet wrote of Bergoglio’s potential election. “He’d also carry out a humble papacy. Say goodbye to Benedict’s ostentation in papal clothing.”
Of course, social justice takes on many forms. Encouraging believers to treat the poor well and mandating that citizens pay more in income taxes so that monies can be redistributed — well, those are two very different animals. We’ll have to wait and see on which side Bergoglio falls.
Below is an interesting observation regarding the name that this Pope has adopted (thanks to an anon poster who made the same observation in the comments section a few posts below) and could provide an interesting link to the prophecies of St. Malachy:
St. Francis of Assisi (Italian: San Francesco d'Assisi, baptized Giovanni, bornFrancesco di Pietro di Bernardone[2]; 1181/1182 – October 3, 1226)[3] was anItalian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for men and women not able to live the lives of itinerant preachers followed by the early members of the Order of Friars Minor or the monastic lives of the Poor Clares.[4]Though he was never ordained to the Catholic priesthood, Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.[4]
They are sometimes referred to as "God's Marines" or the church's "storm troopers" - a band of priests and missionaries who live sparse lives and are willing to accept religious orders anywhere in the world, sometimes living in extreme conditions.
Now, in a world first, a Jesuit has been appointed Pope in a surprise election that Australian Jesuits say could lead the Catholic Church in a new direction.
That humility and social conscience is one of the founding principles of the Society of Jesus, the liberal Catholic religious order whose members are known as Jesuits and who are required to take vows of poverty, chastity, obedience to Christ and obedience to the Pope.
They have been given the nicknames "God's Marines" or religious "storm troopers", in recognition of their 16th-century founder Ignatius of Loyola, who had a military background, as well as the Jesuits' willingness to travel throughout the world on missionary work.
The Jesuits' first focus was the conversion of Muslims, then halting the spread of Protestantism.
Now that statement above is interesting. "...halting the spread of Protestantism"?
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar